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(WASHINGTON) — Senate Democrats are calling on a government watchdog to investigate McKinsey & Company over claims that the consulting giant skirted federal conflict-of-interest rules, a sign of growing concern on Capitol Hill that lucrative government contracts are being doled out to firms with dual loyalties.

In a letter to the Department of Health and Human Service inspector general, who has jurisdiction over the Food and Drug Administration, lawmakers encouraged investigators to probe McKinsey’s alleged “failure … to disclose potential conflicts of interest when [it] entered into contracts with the FDA on issues related to opioids, while simultaneously working for numerous opioid companies.”

Representatives for McKinsey have denied any wrongdoing.

“It is heartbreaking how many Granite Staters and Americans experience substance use issues that began with an OxyContin prescription from their doctor,” Sen. Maggie Hassan, one of the Senate Democrats calling for the investigation into McKinsey’s alleged potential conflict-of-interest issues, told ABC News in a statement.

Other senators joining the effort include Sens. Patty Murray, Joe Manchin, Sheldon Whitehouse, Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Baldwin.

“We know that McKinsey worked with Purdue Pharma to ‘turbocharge’ sales of OxyContin, and it is deeply troubling that McKinsey was getting paid by opioid manufacturers such as Purdue Pharma at the same time it was working for the FDA,” Hassan wrote. “We must get to the bottom of these reports and understand the full scope of McKinsey’s involvement in fueling this crisis, as well as discover what more the FDA needs to do to avoid future conflicts of interest.”

McKinsey, one of the world’s most influential consulting companies, maintained that its past work was lawful and denied allegations to the contrary as last year it settled with nearly 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia for nearly $600 million after investigations into its role in helping fuel the nation’s opioid pandemic.

“We deeply regret that we did not adequately acknowledge the tragic consequences of the epidemic in our communities,” Kevin Sneader, the firm’s global managing partner, said in a statement. “With this agreement, we hope to be part of the solution to the opioid crisis in the U.S.”

McKinsey has faced scrutiny in recent years for allegedly accepting work from U.S. government agencies without disclosing potential conflicts of interest from the private sector or foreign governments.

Over the past decade, McKinsey has worked closely with the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the FDA’s principal division for approving new drugs — including opioids — on a wide range of projects, from overhauling drug-approval processes to implementing new tools for monitoring the pharmaceutical industry, federal contracting records and past media reports show. At the same time, the firm has been allegedly advising numerous major corporate pharmaceutical clients, including helping opioid makers fend off and water down FDA regulations, multiple news outlets have reported.

According to a ProPublica report, McKinsey allegedly failed to disclose to the FDA its list of corporate pharmaceutical clients and potential conflicts of interest even though it was obligated to do so under its contracts with the agency.

McKinsey spokesperson Neil Grace told ABC News that the company’s consulting work for pharmaceutical firms “did not create a conflict of interest” regarding its work with the FDA, because it “has not advised the FDA on regulatory policy or on specific pharmaceutical products.”

Instead, said Grace, McKinsey’s work with the FDA “focused on administrative and operational topics, including improvements to organizational structures, business processes and technology.”

“Given the absence of a conflict of interest, there was no requirement for any McKinsey disclosure,” Grace said. “That said, McKinsey’s proposals to the FDA frequently mentioned the company’s and personnel’s experience with the pharmaceutical industry, making the FDA aware of this aspect of McKinsey’s work in the field.”

McKinsey has faced similar scrutiny over its work for the Defense Department, for allegedly not disclosing its potential conflicts of interest while advising Chinese state companies at the same time, NBC News has reported. Grace told NBC News at the time that the firm follows strict rules and internal firewalls to avoid conflicts of interest and to comply with federal requirements. The spokesperson also said that the firm does not serve any clients in China on topics connected to defense, intelligence, justice or police issues.

In their letter to the HHS inspector general on Tuesday, lawmakers also called into question the FDA’s vetting process, at one point implying that the FDA continued awarding McKinsey contracts even after news reports called attention to its work on behalf of Purdue Pharma and other opioid manufacturers.

“Despite these reports,” the senators wrote, “FDA did not conduct any additional contract reviews or discuss with McKinsey conflicts of interest and the firm’s failure to disclose them in earlier contract applications.”

From early 2019, when the first media reports emerged, until early 2021, McKinsey earned more than $20 million in new contracts from the FDA, including additional work for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research as well as COVID-19 coordination support work for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, according to government contracting databases.

The FDA, in response to earlier congressional inquiries regarding McKinsey’s potential conflicts of interest, wrote that it did not conduct additional review over its contracts with the firm even after learning of McKinsey’s work for opioid manufacturers because the firm’s work for the agency was not specifically related to opioids.

On Capitol Hill, members of Congress have increasingly trained their sights on McKinsey and other contractors for allegedly accepting government contracts while pursuing outside business opportunities that may present a conflict of interest.

Last week, a bipartisan coalition of senators introduced legislation meant to improve transparency in the federal contracting process.

The bill, called the Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act, would seek to mitigate conflict-of-interest concerns by forcing contractors to “disclose other parts of their business that conflict with the work they are bidding to perform for the government,” according to Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., one of the bill’s cosponsors.

In a press release announcing the legislation, Hassan invoked McKinsey’s handling of its work with the FDA, claiming that it demonstrates “the danger that conflicts of interest can pose in government contracting.”

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(NEW YORK) — The Walt Disney World Resort is adding two 75-megawatt solar arrays to its renewable energy portfolio that, combined with existing infrastructure, will provide 40% of the park’s electricity.

The announcement comes at a time when energy prices across the country, coupled with record-high inflation, are soaring and climate change is pressuring consumers to reduce emissions.

“This latest step will help us further accomplish our goal of net zero emissions by 2030,” Jeff Vahle, president of the Walt Disney World Resort, told ABC News. “Our commitment to the environment goes beyond imagining a brighter, more sustainable future by putting possibility into practice to ensure a happier, healthier planet for all.”

The Walt Disney World Resort currently has two solar arrays, including one shaped like a giant Mickey, that generate a total of 55-megawatts of solar power and provide 10% of the park’s energy.

The two new solar installations won’t be located on park property; they will be built in Gilchrist and Polk Counties, covering more than 1,000 acres. Both are expected to come online by early 2023. By placing the solar facilities elsewhere in Florida, the Walt Disney World Resort will not need to rely on sunny skies in one area for reliable solar energy. The addition will also make Disney World the largest commercial consumer of solar power in the state of Florida.

The two new solar arrays will be capable of producing more than 375,000 megawatt hours of energy in its first year, which is the equivalent of removing 29,500 vehicles from the road annually.

The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News.

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(WASHINGTON) — As consumers continue to feel the crunch at the grocery store checkout, eggs are the latest product predicted to surge in price.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), 21 states have confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu, causing disease in both commercial and backyard poultry.

While no humans have tested positive for the disease, it has led to the death of more than 17 million birds, the USDA said.

Prices are expected to climb amid the seasonal demand during Easter and Passover with the outbreak expected to make prices even more expensive.

Companies including Hormel Foods, the parent company of Jennie-O Turkey Store, addressed the potential impact on the poultry supply chain.

“Jennie-O Turkey Store has been preparing for this situation and took extensive precautions to protect the health of the turkeys in its supply chain,” the company said. “Jennie-O Turkey Store will continue to work with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Minnesota Board of Animal Health, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as well as poultry industry associations on this issue. USDA and the National Turkey Federation are monitoring and responding to the situation and remind consumers that HPAI does not pose a food safety concern.”

According to the World Health Organization and the CDC, properly cooked poultry is perfectly safe to eat. Additionally, the CDC said there’s no evidence to suggest that the virus can be transmitted to humans from poultry that is cooked properly.

Supermarkets around the country have alerted shoppers that prices are likely to continue going up. Eggs now average $2.88 per dozen, up 52% since the first confirmed case of avian influenza in February, the highest since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

ABC News chief business correspondent Rebecca Jarvis reported that grocers have bought more stock to prepare for the upcoming spring holidays, but that industry analysts aren’t concerned about shortages.

Jarvis also recommended looking into apps that can save on grocery bills such as Ibotta and Checkout 51 that give customers cashback on groceries. The app Basket compares food prices to find the least expensive option in the area.

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(NEW YORK) — With the national average for a gallon of gasoline stuck above $4, some Americans may be ready to go electric.

Searches for “green vehicles” on Edmunds.com jumped 39% over the last month as fuel prices skyrocketed. Battery electric vehicles totaled 2.6% of new vehicle purchases in 2021, according to Edmunds, and that number could rise to 4% this year.

“People are very frustrated with gas prices right now and are searching for alternatives,” Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds’ executive director of insights, told ABC News. “In 2008 — the last time we saw significant consumer reaction to gas prices — people moved into smaller vehicles. The dialogue now is about EVs, not downsizing.”

EVs, however, come with a hefty price tag. The average transaction price for a new EV was $60,054 in February versus $45,596 for the industry average, according to Edmunds.

“It’s a big commitment to get into an EV. These are luxury-priced products,” Cox Automotive senior economist Charlie Chesbrough told ABC News.

Even so, “a lot of vehicle shoppers will consider electric vehicles and whether they meet their family needs. Nothing makes Americans more unhappy than seeing high gas prices,” he said.

So if you’re new to EV ownership and intrigued by these silent, battery-powered machines, here’s what you need to know before pulling the plug on internal combustion engines.

Maintenance

Mark Wakefield, a managing director at AlixPartners, said owning an EV is a “bigger shift” for a consumer than downsizing an engine or vehicle. But ICE vehicles have more parts and require more assembly, which translates to higher maintenance costs.

Chad Kirchner, editor-in-chief of website EV Pulse, noted that EV drivers who are skilled at one-pedal driving (releasing on and off the accelerator) rarely use the brake pedal.

Replacing the brakes “is a maintenance cost you don’t have to worry about as an EV owner,” Kirchner told ABC News. Plus, “when you let off the accelerator and let the car coast, you’re recharging the battery,” he said.

And EV batteries can last at least a decade, John Voelcker, a contributing editor at Car and Driver, pointed out.

“Batteries are designed to last the lifetime of a car — with some range loss,” he told ABC News. “Leaving the car plugged in for a week won’t impact the battery. Don’t expect to replace the battery in the first 10 years.”

Voelcker said a vehicle’s range — the number of miles an EV can travel on a full charge — drops as the battery ages. But carmakers are getting better at reducing range degradation.

“In the worst circumstance, maybe 30% of a vehicle’s range will take a hit” over 10 to 15 years, he said.

EV motorists who live in colder climates can also expect less range as the mercury drops.

“Heat in cold weather is a range killer. You can lose up to a third of your rated range if you have the heat blasting,” Voelcker said. “Heat and to a lesser degree air conditioning affects your range more than it does a gasoline-powered vehicle.”

Repairs for an EV (no more oil changes and air-filter replacements!) can cost $330 less than a gas-powered car, a savings of $949 annually, according to a 2020 AAA study.

Tax credit

Tesla and General Motors have sold more than 200,000 EVs in the U.S. since 2010, meaning new buyers of Teslas or GM’s Bolt or Hummer EV pickup no longer qualify for tax credit savings, which phase out after an automaker reaches the 200,000 federal sales cap limit.

Consumers still have an array of EVs (including plug-in hybrids) to choose from to receive a tax credit up to $7,500; nearly every automaker now produces a qualifying electric vehicle. It’s important to note, however, that any tax credit only applies to new purchases of an EV; leases are not eligible.

EV owners who claim the $7,500 reduction may not get the full credit; the owner’s tax liability has to total at least $7,500 for the year the vehicle was purchased.

The driving experience

Love hearing the crackles, pops and growls of a powerful engine? Then an EV may not be the right choice. EVs are completely silent unless they’re traveling below speeds of 18.6 mph to warn pedestrians and cyclists. Automakers have also largely refused to pump in “artificial” ICE sounds into the cabin.

But not hearing the constant engine noise allows for a calmer and more peaceful ride, Voelcker said.

Another benefit of EVs is the instant acceleration. “There is no transmission shifting, just a single, smooth surge of power. You get maximum torque from zero rpm,” he said.

One-pedal driving may require a little bit of practice and patience, though. Some EVs come with a vehicle creep feature that allows the vehicle to automatically move from a standstill when the brake pedal is released, replicating the feeling of an ICE.

“It’s OK to climb in the car and not like one-pedal driving … it can be weird getting used to,” Kirchner said.

Added Voelcker: “You learn to modulate the accelerator and literally drive with one foot. Electric cars can drive exactly like regular cars with automatic transmissions.”

Matt Stover, Ford’s director of charging, energy services and business development, agreed that one-pedal drive can be startling at first. Now, when he drives the Mustang Mach-E SUV, Ford’s first EV, he only touches on the brake pedal in an emergency situation. He also noted that 70% of Mustang Mach-E customers are new to Ford, with the majority new to EVs overall. Ford sold 63,683 Mach-Es globally in 2021.

“The SUV is bringing new customers to the brand,” he told ABC News.

Charging

More than 80% of EV battery charging occurs at home, according to government data. Owners can plug in their vehicles at night and expect a full charge in the morning. Apartment dwellers will have to seek out public charging stations scattered along highways and shopping centers. Rural communities are also at a disadvantage; automakers and operators of EV networks are actively building stations to meet demand in these areas.

Owners can opt for a 110-volt cord or have an electrician install a hard-wired 240-volt outlet into a garage for even faster charging (as little as 20 minutes depending on the model and type of battery).

“People have misapprehensions about charging. Because we don’t have gas pumps at home, we don’t think about refueling a car at home overnight,” said Voelcker. “Installing a charging station is the same circuit as a clothes dryer but a little more powerful. You’re not installing a nuclear reactor.”

For customers who purchase or lease a 2022 Bolt EUV or Bolt EV, Chevrolet will cover standard home installation of a powerful Level 2 charging outlet.

Stover, of Ford, said EV owners first have to take into account the size of the vehicle’s battery — a larger battery offers greater range but takes longer to charge — and what type of experience they want. Every Mach-E comes with a mobile charging cord that can deliver power at 120 volts.

“It’s not a great day-to-day experience,” Stover acknowledged. Many Mach-E owners though are taking that mobile cord as they travel, he said, and finding EV charging stations via the Ford Pass app.

Ford also provides all Mach-E customers with 250 kW worth of free public fast charging via Electrify America (about five full charges) and customers also have access to the company’s BlueOval Charge Network — a public charging network with more than 70,000 chargers.

Kirchner said the FordPass app, along with the My Porsche app and Volvo On Call app, are incredibly helpful for EV owners who need to charge away from home and keep tabs on a vehicle’s charging status. But it’s Tesla that has the best in-trip planning functionality, he argued.

“You put in a destination and the car will tell you where you need to stop for charging and and how long it will take,” he said. “It’s really powerful at reducing range anxiety.”

Bottom line

For those who are strongly debating whether to buy an EV, “the silver lining is that vehicle prices have gone up so much, making the cost of EVs seem relatively less expensive,” said Chesbrough.

The ongoing chip shortage and supply constraints have disrupted production of all vehicles, so finding an EV for sale may be challenging. New models are coming, with at least 20 new vehicles expected to arrive at dealerships this year, Chesbrough noted.

And for consumers still ambivalent about range, Kirchner said a vehicle will at least 250 miles is plenty for running errands or commuting to the office.

“The reality is most people charge at home and you don’t need 300 to 400 miles of range,” he said. “It’s a good time to be excited about EVs.”

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(WASHINGTON) — U.S. employers added 431,000 jobs to their payrolls last month, the latest figures released Friday by the Labor Department show.

The biggest increases in employment in March occurred in leisure and hospitality (112,000) followed by professional and business services (102,000), retail trade (49,000) and manufacturing (38,000), according to the Labor Department.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate dropped slightly from 3.8% in February to 3.6% in March.

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(NEW YORK) — As many of us continue to spring into a new season, retailers such as Bloomingdale’s have continued to give us more reasons to refresh our wardrobes.

The department store has kicked off its Friends & Family sale, allowing shoppers to save up to 25% on marked items.

Whether you are in the market for a new dress or you’re looking to add some new denim to your wardrobe, now is the time to do it — at a fraction of the cost.

Any item labeled “FRIENDS & FAMILY: 25% OFF DISCOUNT APPLIED IN BAG” is eligible for the store’s sales event, which runs through April 3.

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(NEW YORK) — In an announcement last week, Consumer Reports revealed results after it tested 118 food packaging materials from U.S. restaurants and grocery stores, and found evidence of dangerous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in more than half of those products. The items ranged from paper bags for french fries and wrappers for hamburgers, to molded fiber salad bowls and single-use paper plates.

PFAS are man-made chemicals, dubbed forever chemicals because they don’t break down easily, that persist in the environment for a long time and are used in various industries around the world. If exposed in sufficient levels, PFAS can pose potential health risks to humans. The chemicals used to reduce friction are used in applications from cookware to aerospace technology.

Director of Medical Toxicology at St. John’s Riverside Hospital Dr. Stephanie Widmer told Good Morning America that “PFAS chemicals are essentially everywhere, they are used, to varying degrees, in the manufacturing of a ton of everyday objects and appliances, things all of us use on a daily basis.”

The concern, she continued, is that “we can’t exactly get away from these potentially dangerous chemicals and they are extremely difficult to regulate, so the best we can do is try to limit our exposure.”

“Consuming and being exposed to small amounts of PFAS is unlikely to cause any harm, and just like anything else we are exposed to in the world, nothing is ever good in excess, moderation is key,” Widmer said. “Toxic doses for PFAS have not been well established, although the EPA has set ‘health advisory’ thresholds in drinking water.”

Other reports, including a 2019 report from New Food Economy, make similar claims about the public health risks from these products. However, reporting, so far, is insufficient to conclude that PFAS in food containers are definitively harmful to humans.

Consumer Reports tested for total organic fluorine content, a simple and cheap substance. However, there are multiple types of PFAS chemicals which could mean that the test from Consumer Reports may have underreported the true amount of PFAS in these materials.

The exposure in these sources alone is unlikely to cause adverse health effects. It is more likely that adverse health effects come from direct exposure such as through ingestion, inhalation or dermal exposure — from contaminated water, soil, workplaces or food, as well as, from the lifetime cumulative exposures from multiple sources.

While some reports suggest a harmful link between PFAS and health issues, that has yet to be proven.

In response to Consumer Reports’ testing, Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons, announced new bans on the use of PFAS in its food packaging.

“As a next step in our product stewardship journey, the Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes brands have required that any added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) be phased out from all approved, guest-facing packaging materials globally by the end of 2025 or sooner,” the company said in a statement.

Chick-fil-A followed suit shortly after stating the brand has “eliminated intentionally added PFAS from all newly produced packaging going forward in its supply chain.” The fast food expects the chemicals “to be phased out by the end of this summer.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, toxicity is difficult to evaluate because each chemical variation of PFAS has different half-lives, or time that it takes to break down, combined with water solubility and varied effects on humans.

Regulations, protections and studies on PFAS

The Environmental Protection Agency has established a health advisory level for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water at 70 parts per trillion (ppt) (0.07μg/L) individually or combined.

Last year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that goes into effect in 2023 to ban PFAS in paper-based food packaging and require disclosure of toxic substances in cookware. While this will regulate a specific maximum level, tougher regulation is likely needed.

“The potential dangers that have been demonstrated in animal studies, don’t necessarily translate to humans, and possible links to illnesses in humans — are merely an association, a causal relationship is yet to be determined,” Dr. Widmer explained. “Think potential links that we are aware of at this time are kidney and genitourinary cancers, blood pressure disorders, hormone imbalances and high cholesterol.”

In animal studies results show PFAS exposure can cause enlargement and changes in the function of the liver; changes in hormone levels; suppression of adaptive immunity; and adverse developmental and reproductive outcomes.

In human studies, there have been disease associations found, but no causal links. Some of the associations include: high cholesterol; ulcerative colitis; thyroid toxicity; testicular cancer; kidney cancer; preeclampsia, and elevated blood pressure during pregnancy.

How to protect yourself?

“Again, do all things in moderation,” Widmer said. “Maintain variety in your diet and the sources where you obtain food and water. If you want to be proactive, you can look into the levels of PFAS in your local drinking water by visiting the EPA website.”

The EPA says to be aware of the water and food you consume and ensure they do not come from contaminated sources. A map with historical advisories can be found here from the EPA.

While individuals do not need to be tested for PFAS exposure, according to the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the agency recommends undergoing regular routine health screenings and following a physician’s guidance.

Dr. Matt Feeley, a resident physician in the ABC News’ Medical Unit, contributed to this report.

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(NEW YORK) — Lizzo is known for making fans feel “Good as Hell” with her music, and now she is doing the same with an upcoming shapewear line called Yitty.

“This is a dream 5 years in the making” the Grammy Award-winning superstar wrote on Instagram about her newest venture, which is slated to launch on April 12.

In partnership with Fabletics, the “no-shame, smile-inducing shapewear” is designed for all body types and will include undergarments ranging in size from XS to 6X.

“I was tired of seeing this sad, restrictive shapewear that literally no one wanted to wear,” Lizzo said in a statement. “I had an epiphany like, ‘Who can actually do something about this?’ I decided to take on the challenge of allowing women to feel unapologetically good about themselves again.”

Regarding her own journey as a body-positive advocate, Lizzo said she felt she was always told, through social constructs, that her body wasn’t good enough.

“And, in order to be considered ‘acceptable’ I had to inflict some sort of pain upon it to fit into an archetype of beauty,” she said. “Because of this, I’ve been wearing shapewear for a long time, maybe since I was in fifth or sixth grade.”

The collection will include three different drops, including Nearly Naked, which is a lightweight seamless collection designed to comfortably shape and firm your natural curves; Mesh Me, which will include smoothing mesh styles that can be worn as underwear or outerwear; and Major Label, which will be an assortment of everyday lifestyle pieces that are super soft.

Additionally, everything included in the lineup has a musical spin with vibrant names such as Tempo Lavender and Headliner.

Yitty, which is named after Lizzo’s childhood nickname, comes on the heels of another dream fulfilled for Lizzo. The star says she was “crying in an ice bath” on the day her body-positive dance reality show “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” premiered.

“Instead of thinking about size in this linear way, we’re thinking about it on a spectrum where everyone is included,” Lizzo said. “Everyone’s size is just their size. It’s not high, it’s not low. It’s not big, it’s not small. It’s just your size.”

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(WASHINGTON) — Attempting to combat what’s he’s labeled “Putin’s price hike,” President Joe Biden announced a plan on Thursday to release roughly 1 million barrels of oil per day from the nation’s strategic petroleum reserve over the next six months to reduce energy and gas prices.

Biden told Americans “there is no firm answer” as to when gas prices will go down, but predicted they will go down “fairly significantly.”

“Today I want to talk about one aspect of Putin’s war that affects and has real effects on the American people: Putin’s price hike that Americans and our allies are feeling at the pump. I know how much it hurts,” Biden began. “As you’ve heard me say I grew up in a family, like many of you, where the price of gasoline was discussed at the kitchen table. None of it should hinge on whether a dictator declares war.”

Biden blamed “two roots” for the high energy costs: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the lingering economic effects of COVID-19.

“When COVID struck, demand for oil plummeted, so production slowed down worldwide. Because of the strength and the speed of our recovery, demand for oil shot back up much faster than the supply. That’s why the cost of gas began to rise last year. The second root is Vladimir Putin,” he said.

Biden predicted Americans could pay “anything from 10 cents to 35 cents a gallon” less at the pump, setting up the national average would fall below $4 a gallon. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for Gas Buddy, pointed ABC News to a tweet in which he raised some skepticism.

“I do believe the national average could eventually fall under $4/gal in the weeks ahead, but I don’t necessarily think this SPR release is the event that will be the primary catalyst for it,” he said in a tweet Thursday. “If anything it could help get us there quicker, but again, likely at the expense of long term stability.”

Biden announced the major step during a scheduled event to discuss actions his administration is taking to rein in soaring energy prices that have spiked even further following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The action I’m calling for will make a real difference over time, but the truth is, it takes months, not days, for companies to increase production. That’s why the next part of my plan is so important,” he said. “Today I’m authorizing the release of 1 million barrels per day over the next six months.”

He said the release was coordinated with allies and partners around the world.

Speaking directly to oil company executives, Biden told them “enough of lavishing excessive profits” and passing on the cost of oil to consumers, adding that they have “everything they need” and “nothing is standing in their way” to boost production.

“They don’t want to increase supply because Putin’s price hike means higher profits,” Biden said.

He went on to propose a “use it or lose it” policy, calling on Congress to create legislation to tax companies if they’re sitting on idle wells and lands that aren’t producing for Americans.

“No company should take advantage of a pandemic or Vladimir Putin at the expense of American families,” Biden said. “Production and innovation, that’s what they should do.”

“Invest in your customers,” he added, noting that it’s not only “the patriotic thing” but “it’s good for your business as well.”

Senior administration officials also acknowledged relief at the pump may be delayed.

“We’re not focused right now on sort of the immediate short-term price movements,” an official said on a call with reporters earlier Thursday, adding that the focus is on addressing the gap in supply as Russian oil comes off the market.

The first barrels from the announcement are set to come to the market in May for delivery that month. Officials said all the funds from the sale of the oil will go to restocking the reserves.

“We expect that to occur once the oil price has come down, we are no longer in an emergency,” an official told reporters.

About 3 million barrels a day of Russian oil will come off the market in April due to Western sanctions, according to the International Energy Agency, and this plan could help alleviate pain at the pump by helping to replace that loss.

This would be the third time Biden has had to tap into the strategic petroleum reserve. In November, he authorized the release of 50 million barrels as gas prices surged ahead of the holidays, and along with 30 other countries, the U.S. released 30 million barrels following the start of the war in Ukraine, though that did little to ease skyrocketing prices.

As of Friday, there were more than 568 million barrels of oil in the reserve, according to the Department of Energy.

Given the complexity and volatility of the oil market, many geopolitical and economic factors feed into oil prices and there is no guarantee this release will keep prices down for an extended period of time.

Overnight, crude oil prices were down roughly 5% in reaction to Biden’s expected announcement, which means the price at the gas pump could also dip in the coming days.

The current national average for a gallon of gas is $4.23, according to AAA, $1.35 higher than this time last year.

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(WASHINGTON) — Oil prices are dropping Thursday morning in response to news that President Joe Biden is moving forward with a plan to release roughly 1 million barrels of oil per day from the nation’s strategic petroleum reserve over the next six months, the White House has confirmed.

Biden is expected to announce this step on Thursday afternoon during a scheduled event to discuss actions his administration is taking to rein in soaring gas prices that have spiked even further following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Biden will also call on “Congress to make companies pay fees on wells from their leases that they haven’t used in years and on acres of public lands that they are hoarding without producing,” the White House said in a release.

About 3 million barrels a day of Russian oil will come off the market in April due to Western sanctions, according to the International Energy Agency, and this plan could help alleviate pain at the pump by helping to replace that loss.

This would be the third time Biden has had to tap into the strategic petroleum reserve. In November, he authorized the release of 50 million barrels as gas prices surged ahead of the holidays, and along with 30 other countries, the U.S. released 30 million barrels following the start of the war in Ukraine, though that did little to ease skyrocketing prices.

As of Friday, there were more than 568 million barrels of oil in the reserve, according to the Department of Energy.

Given the complexity and volatility of the oil market, many geopolitical and economic factors feed into oil prices and there is no guarantee this release will keep prices down for an extended period of time.

Overnight, crude oil prices were down roughly 5% in reaction to this plan, which means the price at the gas pump could also dip in the coming days.

The current national average for a gallon of gas is $4.23, according to AAA, $1.35 higher than this time last year.

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