GOP: Obama, Democrats view energy as 'hazardous waste'

By Vicki Needham

The Hill 

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said President Obama's policies are the cause of rising gas prices, not a lack of energy resources.

Fallin said Saturday that the problem stems from a lack of leadership and questioned Obama's role in increasing the nation's energy output and in the hold up of the Keystone XL pipeline, especially as gas prices hover near an average of $4 a gallon.

In the weekly Republican address, Fallin said “our pro-energy policies stand in stark contrast though to the policies supported by President Obama and the Washington Democrats, who seem to view American-made energy as a hazardous waste rather than a resource."

“Millions of Americans remain out of work, but President Obama continues to propose job-killing tax hikes and obstruct the basic energy infrastructure projects that would lead to the creation of thousands of new jobs, not to mention more revenue in state budgets," she said.

“We recognize that the energy industry is a valuable ally as we seek to create jobs and stimulate the economy, and that's why Oklahoma Republicans continue to support the production of all kinds of energy resources."

During a trip to Oklahoma last month, Obama touted his “all-of-the-above” energy plan. During a stop in Cushing, Okla., Obama stressed his support for the southern portion while saying that the rest of the project needs further review.

Fallin said that Obama wrongly took credit for construction of the southern portion of the controversial pipeline and is instead continuing to hold up construction on the northern leg of that pipeline, which she says would have created "thousands of jobs and over a billion dollars in private investment."

The pipeline would run through Oklahama.

"This from a president who says his number one focus is jobs," she said.

"The southern leg of the pipeline didn't need the president's approval because "it was already in the works."

She also said Obama "made the outrageous claim" that his administration is responsible an increase in domestic drilling.

“Well, here's the truth — drilling is increasing in the United States on privately owned land," she said.

She noted that drilling on public lands are decreasing and "leases issued by the Bureau of Land Management are now less than half of what they were under former President Bill Clinton."

The Obama administration rejected a permit for the Keystone project after Republicans forced a 60-day time-limit on the decision in legislation to extend the payroll tax cut. The administration said it needed to complete a thorough review.

Republicans have made the pipeline — which would carry oil sands crude from Alberta, Canada, to refineries on the Gulf Coast — a top campaign issue.

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) used Friday’s mixed jobs report to take a swipe at the president's energy policies.

“Republicans have a jobs plan — and a budget — that cuts spending, fixes our tax code, addresses excessive regulations and expands American energy production through projects like the Keystone XL pipeline,” Boehner said.