Ahead of midterms, both parties talking about ways to bring down gas prices & energy costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gas stations are billboards for how much you pay to get around.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The White House said it is trying to stabilize prices by releasing additional barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

READ: Department of Education announces relaxed rules for student loan debt forgiveness

But some Republican lawmakers are accusing the Biden Administration of draining that resource.

“We have over 400 million barrels left in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, so it is not depleted,” Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of Energy. “We are we have announced a plan to replenish that at a price fixed for the oil and gas industry.”

Tune in as I deliver remarks on lowering gas prices and addressing oil companies’ record-setting profits. https://t.co/BpjiZgAUuT
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 31, 2022

The Washington News Bureau talked with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm about the administration’s efforts to increase oil production. She said the U.S. is on track to produce more than 12 million barrels a day by early next year.

“We want to increase our production in the United States to match our consumption and we are almost at record levels,” said Secretary Granholm. “We are the largest producer of natural gas as well. We do a lot of that to help stabilize the supply.”

READ: FDA warns that a common antibiotic is in short supply

Across the aisle, GOP lawmakers believe the U.S. relies too much on foreign exports for energy.

In this video, Congressman John Joyce from Pennsylvania blames the Biden Administration higher costs.

“President Biden and House Democrats war on American energy has caused the price of gasoline, the price of natural gas, and the price of electricity to skyrocket for hard working Americans,” said Rep. Joyce.

WATCH: @RepJohnJoyce on House Republicans' #CommitmentToAmerica to restore American energy independence and bring down prices👇 pic.twitter.com/6ThqyX7O89
— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) October 27, 2022

If Republicans regain control of congress, Congressman Joyce said one plan would increase clean energy production here at home.

READ: Migos rapper Takeoff killed in Houston shooting

“We will maximize the production of base low power to restore our nation to energy dominance and cutting the permitting process time in half to reduce reliance on foreign countries,” said Joyce.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.