Staff Reports
Representative Suhas Subramanyam’s recent appearance on NewsNation was a small but welcome moment of honesty from the left: yes, environmental regulations do raise gas prices. He said it plainly on air, then quickly moved to the usual Democratic double-take—blame the administration for halting green projects that, he claims, would have lowered costs. The exchange exposes the policy confusion in Washington: admit the cost of rules, then pretzel yourself into thinking more government picks will save consumers.
Regulations Raise Prices — So What’s the Plan?
Subramanyam’s line that “environmental regulations do raise gas prices” is not radical. Energy experts at the EIA have long said fuel prices come from many things: crude oil costs, refining capacity, seasonal fuel rules, taxes, and yes, regulations. The problem is not the admission. It’s what comes after. Subramanyam blamed the Trump administration for halting green projects that he says would lower energy costs, but he didn’t name a single one. That’s convenient. You get the political brownie points of praising green energy while refusing to explain how loose permitting, legal certainty, and market incentives would actually bring reliable, cheaper power to Americans.
Temporary Gas Tax Cuts Are Fine — But Toothless Without Supply Fixes
He did say he’d support “at least a temporary reduction of the gas tax,” which deserves credit. The federal gasoline excise tax sits at 18.4 cents per gallon, and a pause can give drivers brief relief. But a temporary tax holiday is a Band-Aid. If you don’t fix supply — by encouraging domestic production, clearing permitting roadblocks for pipelines and refineries, and deploying all forms of reliable energy — prices will pop right back up. Republicans have pushed real supply-side fixes and regulatory relief to move the needle; Democrats talk about waivers and targeted relief while often opposing the very projects that increase capacity.
Pick Winners? Democrats Love the Phrase Until It’s Applied
Subramanyam accused the administration of “picking and choosing winners in the industry,” even while his party continues to champion selective subsidies and mandates that favor particular technologies. It’s an old saw: protect favored industries, tax or regulate competitors, and then act surprised when the market gets distorted. If green energy projects are truly going to lower costs, then stop treating them like moral crusades and start treating them like businesses. Fast permitting, clear rules, and market competition—not ad hoc government favoritism—are what scale affordable energy.
Reality Check: Oil Markets Still Matter
Let’s not pretend regulations are the only factor. Global crude oil prices, geopolitical risks, refinery outages, and inventory levels are still the main drivers of what Americans pay at the pump. Ending conflicts and easing international tensions can help, as Subramanyam noted, but so does producing more at home and keeping the supply chain moving. If Democrats want to lower gas prices, they should stop reflexively opposing oil-and-gas infrastructure while pretending their policy fiddling won’t have consequences.
In short, it’s refreshing to hear a Democrat admit rules raise costs. Now let’s see if the same honesty turns into real policy: quicker permits for energy projects, market-based support for green tech that actually reduces costs, and sensible, fiscally responsible tax relief. Until then, Americans will keep paying for Washington’s mixed messages at the pump.
