U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) has penned an op-ed for the Washington Examiner, in which he criticizes the Biden administration for allowing China to manipulate international climate agreements to gain an unfair economic edge. Barrasso, who is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, argues that China continues to build coal plants despite calls from the international community to phase out coal power.
Barrasso highlights the role of President Joe Biden's climate envoy, John Kerry, in enabling China's actions. He points out that Kerry, as one of the main architects of the Paris Agreement during his tenure as Secretary of State in the Obama administration, helped create an agreement that allowed China to prioritize its economic prosperity over climate change commitments.
The op-ed argues that the Paris Agreement's acceptance of the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" is a chief flaw. Barrasso explains that this framework places fewer obligations on developing countries, unless they are paid by developed countries. Meanwhile, countries like the United States are burdened with expensive and unrealistic commitments that harm their economies.
Barrasso criticizes Kerry and Biden for implementing energy policies that prioritize climate goals over American energy abundance. He accuses them of limiting energy production on public lands and waters, prematurely closing reliable and affordable energy sources, and discouraging investment and development in these sources. According to Barrasso, this agenda leads to energy scarcity and dependence.
The op-ed also highlights the Senate's unanimous adoption of an amendment instructing the Biden administration to remove China from the ranks of developing countries in the Montreal Protocol. Barrasso argues that China should not receive special treatment in international climate agreements and calls for an end to China's status as a developing country.
Barrasso concludes by criticizing the Biden administration's tax and spending policies, which he claims shift the United States from energy independence to dependence on China, Russia, and OPEC. He argues that the Chinese coal plants that Kerry objects to are powering the production of critical minerals, solar panels, batteries, and electric car components that the Biden administration is subsidizing with American taxpayer dollars.
In summary, Senator John Barrasso criticizes the Biden administration for allowing China to manipulate international climate agreements for economic gain. He argues that China's actions undermine the Paris Agreement and harm the American economy. Barrasso calls for an energy policy that prioritizes American energy abundance and puts an end to China's preferential treatment in international climate agreements.
Click this link to access more information: https://www.energy.senate.gov/2023/12/icymi-barrasso-pens-op-ed-no-more-free-climate-rides-for-china
