The inflation rate now stands at 8.5 percent, the fastest year-over-year rise in 42 years. Ohio families and businesses need relief from skyrocketing prices at the fuel pump and the grocery store, and one thing stands in the way: Democrats’ unwillingness to reverse course on their commitment to put the oil and gas industry out of business. Nowhere is this more evident than in northwest Ohio.
On his first day in office, Joe Biden declared war on North American energy. He stalled Keystone, suspended oil and gas leases, and reversed course on emissions reductions and energy independence that were successfully achieved under the Trump administration. Then, Democrats proceeded to turn their sights directly on northwestern Ohio, by refusing to oppose state-led efforts in Michigan to shut down Line 5.
In November, the White House even went so far as to admit they were considering the impact of closing the pipeline for good. What they fail to understand is ob-vious to us in Ohio: closing Line 5 would be an economic, environmental, and national security disaster.
The national gas and crude oil that are transported securely through Line 5 have a direct tie to tens of thousands of Ohio jobs.
It impacts the livelihood of our skilled trades, revenue for our schools and basic government services. Shutting down the pipeline will close restaurants, gas stations, hotels, grocery stores, and other businesses in northwest Ohio within proximity of the East Toledo refinery. The Line’s impact on the broader regional economy also cannot be understated.
Refinery output impacts fuel supply, but also the essential petrochemicals that are used in everyday products from smart phones and clothing, to detergents, medicine, and plastics purchased by consumers across America.
The battle to protect Line 5 carries implications well beyond Ohio and North America as well.
Closing off this energy lifeline will do little to counter rising demand for energy. The crude and natural gas will have to find its way to consumers in alternative fashion. That means more traffic congestion and higher emissions on our roadways. The resulting supply gap is also likely to be filled by energy productions inside other nations with far less environmentally friendly standards.
In addition to the economic and environmental ramifications, there are also legitimate national security concerns for closing Line 5. If we want to replace the gas that literally fuels and subsidizes Russia’s murderous campaign in Ukraine, we need to provide North American sourced and U.S. refined energy to our allies in Europe.
Gas reserves throughout North America reserves help liberate nations from their dependence on Russia, yet that gas can’t get where it needs to go due to preexisting limits on pipeline capacity.
It is precisely the kind of anti-infrastructure sentiment coming from the Democratic Party that is preventing America from asserting itself as an energy superpower.
I have spent quite a bit of time in northwest Ohio since the start of my campaign. To date, I am the only candidate for the U.S. Senate who has actively joined with community leaders, business owners, and workers to vocally defend Line 5. I’ve done so because what is manufactured and refined here powers our nation.
This fundamental lesson is lost on Joe Biden and his Democratic allies in the states.
In the U.S. Senate, I will protect Line 5 and look to restore American energy exploration, production, and refining capacity to full strength. Just as I have done in the State Senate, I will also seek to reduce wasteful spending and I’ll oppose any effort to increase taxes.
Doing so will not only serve the best interests of northwest Ohio, but it will also help to fortify our national security and bring relief to consumers across our state and throughout America. If you agree, then I would appreciate your support.
Sen. Matt Dolan (R.,Chagrin Falls) is a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate.
Editor’s note: Today is the final day for op-eds by candidates for the May 3 primary to appear. Letters from candidates or endorsement letters will not be published after Thursday’s edition.
First Published April 27, 2022, 1:22 p.m.
