Checking Kamala: Energy In-Justice for BIPOC

Kamala Harris peddles harmful Republican rhetoric about energy independence.

Statement: “Today, America has record energy production, and we are energy-independent.”

Republican candidates and their enablers in the right-wing media frequently attack Democrats for supposedly throttling the U.S. energy sector or blame them for high gasoline prices. Sadly, Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen to embrace this toxic narrative, boasting about U.S. energy production and so-called "energy independence" under the Biden administration.

During her recent remarks in Fayetteville, N.C., Harris proudly proclaimed, "Today, America has record energy production, and we are energy-independent." While it is true that the U.S. has seen record energy production, the notion of "energy independence" is misleading and ignoring the bigger picture.

The harmful myth of U.S. energy independence erases the reality of our continued dependence on fossil fuels and ignores the urgent need to transition to renewable energy sources. By touting this false narrative, Harris is giving credence to the dangerous status quo that prioritizes profits over our planet's health.

While it is technically true that the U.S. has met certain definitions of "energy independence," such as being a net exporter of energy and petroleum, the finer details reveal a more complicated story. The U.S. is still a net importer of crude oil, the source of gasoline, due to our outdated refineries that are ill-equipped to process domestically produced crude oil.

Experts agree that the U.S. is far from truly energy independent, as our energy supply and economy remain beholden to international developments. By glossing over these nuances, Harris perpetuates a misleading narrative that benefits the fossil fuel industry and undermines the urgent need for a sustainable future.

Once again, we see a Democratic politician caving to the interests of the fossil fuel lobby and putting our planet at further risk. Harris' statement is a disappointing capitulation to the Republican agenda and a slap in the face to those fighting for a greener tomorrow.

PolitiFact's Ruling

Harris' statement is a disappointing embrace of Republican rhetoric and a distraction from the urgent climate crisis we face. While certain metrics may support a narrow definition of "energy independence," the reality is that the U.S. remains entangled in a harmful fossil fuel economy.

We rate this statement as a Dangerous Capitulation to the Fossil Fuel Lobby.