A group of nearly a dozen Senate Democrats is urging President Joe Biden to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and ban the export of crude oil in an attempt to ease rising energy prices.
In a letter to Biden on Monday, 11 Senate Democrats wrote, “We agree with your recent comments at the United National Climate Change Conference (COP26) that as the United States works to boost the development of clean and renewable energy over the long-term, we must ensure that Americans are able to afford to fill up their cars at the pump in the meantime.”
The group included Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) Jack Reed (D-R.I), Pat Leahy (D-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio.)
They argued the rising price of energy “placed an undue burden on families and small businesses trying to make ends meet.”
“In light of these pressing concerns, we ask that you consider all tools available at your disposal to lower US gasoline prices. This includes a release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and a ban on crude oil exports,” the senators wrote.
In October, gas prices hit a seven-year high, and according to AAA, the average price for a gallon of gasoline nationally is $3.41, up from $2.11 a year ago.
The letter comes as the Biden administration is exploring the consequences of shutting down an oil pipeline in Michigan.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told Fox News’ Peter Doocy on Monday that the administration had not made a decision on whether to shut down the pipeline. However, she confirmed that officials were exploring the impact of such a move.
During an interview with Bloomberg on Friday, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm was asked, “What is the Granholm plan to increase oil production in America?”
Granholm laughed, then responded, “That is hilarious. Would that I had the magic wand on this.”
“As you know, of course, oil is a global market. It is controlled by a cartel. That cartel is called OPEC. And they made a decision yesterday that they were not going to increase beyond what they were already planning,” she added.
Still, she said, “The Biden administration is very concerned about the price at the pump and certainly the price in people’s wallets for natural gas as well for this winter including, I would say, propane and heating oil, particularly, in the Northeast.”
In their letter, the Democratic senators said they are concerned about OPEC’s decision to “purposefully manipulate gas prices by constraining supply.” Additionally, they raised concerns about “the choice of domestic leaseholders and producers to continue to export US petroleum,” which they said threaten to send already record prices even higher.”
“Continued US exports and overseas supply collusion could be devastating to many in our states,” the senators added.
During an appearance on CNN on Sunday, Granholm predicted Americans would pay more to heat their homes this year, but said Biden is looking into “all of the tools” at his disposal to try to address rising energy prices.
