Clips of Energy Sec. Granholm laughing off gas price concerns resurface as pain at pump intensifies

Vitality Secretary Jennifer Granholm is dealing with renewed criticism on social media over a number of situations the place she both laughed off or dismissed issues about hovering fuel costs in the US.

“Biden’s Vitality Secretary in Might: ‘If you happen to drive an electrical automotive, this might not be affecting you,’” political commentator Benny Johnson posted Wednesday evening together with a clip of Granholm, who’s internet value is estimated at $8 million, laughing and smiling whereas explaining final 12 months that People who buy an electrical automotive gained’t want to fret about fuel costs. 

The clip was seen over 1.2 million instances.

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On the identical day the clip was posted, Granholm was noticed on video ignoring questions on the present vitality disaster from a Fox Information Digital reporter as her aides whisked her away at an occasion in Houston.

Granholm’s press secretary advised the reporter that solutions to the questions, one in every of which concerned growing pipelines in the US to fight increased fuel costs, would come sooner or later. The solutions haven’t been supplied to Fox Information as of the publishing of this text regardless of follow-up makes an attempt. 

In one other clip circulating on social media this week, Granholm will be seen laughing in a tv interview after she’s requested what her plan is to extend oil manufacturing in the US.

“That’s hilarious,” Granholm says within the clip.

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Moreover, a clip of Granholm showing in a music video calling for a ban on gasoline that surfaced final 12 months has additionally been circulating on social media this week. 

Granholm’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from Fox Information.

The dialog round Granholm’s viral moments comes as the common value of a gallon of gasoline sits at $4.38 per gallon in comparison with $2.81 per gallon on the identical time final 12 months, in accordance with AAA..

The common value of fuel surpassed the $4 mark Sunday for the primary time in 14 years. 

Nevertheless, two-thirds of People stated fuel costs have been already too costly even when the nationwide common hit $3.53 per gallon a number of weeks in the past, in accordance with a AAA survey. Over half of motorists, 59%, admitted that if costs hit $4 a gallon, they might make adjustments to their driving habits or life-style, in accordance with the info. 

If costs proceed on this course, reaching $5 per gallon, three-quarters of motorists surveyed admitted they must alter their life-style. 

It is a actuality many are already dealing with within the western a part of the nation the place some costs on the pump have already surpassed that mark. As an illustration, the common for a gallon of normal gasoline in California is roughly 30 cents shy of $6.

UNITED STATES – MARCH 8: Fuel costs are displayed outdoors an Exxon station in Washington on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. (Invoice Clark/CQ-Roll Name, Inc through Getty Pictures)

The Biden administration has to this point refused to decide to growing oil manufacturing in the US to assist alleviate fuel costs in addition to dismissing arguments from Republicans and oil trade consultants that reviving the Keystone XL pipeline, which Biden halted shortly after taking workplace, is a part of the answer to easing ache on the pump.

“It’s going to go up,” Biden advised a reporter when requested about fuel costs on Tuesday. “Can’t do a lot proper now. Russia is accountable.” 

Fuel costs throughout the US had been growing lengthy earlier than Putin launched Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The Biden administration launched 50 million barrels of oil from the Nationwide Strategic Reserve on November 23, 2021, in an try to alleviate ache on the pump. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Fox Information’ Daniella Genovese contributed to this report