Biden says energy crisis is 'opportunity' to advance his green energy agenda, to 'switch from fossil fuels'

"Never let a serious crisis go to waste."

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill allegedly uttered those words during World War II. Democrat Rahm Emanuel cemented the adage as a pejorative in American political discourse when he said, "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things that you think you could not do before."

On Friday, President Joe Biden invoked that mentality when he appeared to celebrate the current global energy "crisis" as an "opportunity" through which he can advance his clean energy agenda.

What did Biden say?

Biden announced a new initiative with the European Union that has two goals: First, reduce Europe's reliance on Russian energy; and second, reduce overall dependence on fossil fuels, which the Biden administration hopes to do because these are not "clean" energy sources.

Biden's remarks were made during a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"This crisis also presents an opportunity. It’s a catalyst that will drive the investments we need to double-down on our clean energy goals and accelerate progress toward our net-zero emissions future," Biden said.

"That’s what the second part of this initiative is all about," he explained. "The United States and the European Union are going to work together to take concrete measures to reduce dependence on natural gas — period — and to maximize the availability and use of renewable energy. We’re going to accelerate widespread adoption of energy-efficient technologies and equipment, like smart thermostats, and work to electrify heating systems all across Europe.

"We’re going to invest in innovative solutions and technologies to make the switch from fossil fuels," Biden declared. "And together, we’ll advance the use of clean and renewable hydrogen to reduce our carbon emissions."

President Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Make a Joint Press Statementyoutu.be

Biden's rhetoric matches what Americans have heard from other senior members of the Biden administration.

Infamously, Vice President Kamala Harris and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told Americans strained by record high gas prices that purchasing expensive electric cars could help alleviate their problems.