U.S. Chamber Applauds Senate Energy Committee's Lifting of Oil Export Ban and Passage of Broader Energy Bill

Press Release
July 30, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy, today issued the following statement regarding the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s bipartisan approval of the “Offshore Production and Energizing National Security Act of 2015,” (OPENS) legislation lifting the ban on crude oil exports as well as the broader “Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015”:

“Today marks a crucial milestone in the effort to lift the 40-year-old ban on crude exports and demonstrates the growing bipartisan momentum. Chairman Murkowski is to be applauded for her continued leadership to ensure U.S. energy policy reflects the realities of 2015, not the 1970s.

“The ban on oil exports was enacted in a much different time—a time when energy was scarce instead of abundant. Numerous studies have shown that exporting oil will lower gasoline prices, create jobs, and strengthen national security.

“In the same vein, we congratulate the Committee ‎for successfully completing work on the broader energy bill, also focused on bringing America’s energy policies up to date with America’s energy realities. From expediting the licensing of natural gas exports to focusing federal R&D on energy challenges of tomorrow, this legislation makes great strides in addressing dated and counterproductive policies. For months, the Committee has diligently worked on a series of proposals that will strengthen American energy. The process they followed is a model for how Congress is supposed to operate, and is a refreshing change from the last several years.

“The full Senate should make lifting of the oil export ban and passage of the ‘Energy Policy Modernization Act’ top priorities when it returns from recess this fall.”

The mission of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy is to unify policymakers, regulators, business leaders, and the American public behind a common sense energy strategy to help keep America secure, prosperous, and clean. Through policy development, education, and advocacy, the Institute is building support for meaningful action at the local, state, national, and international levels. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.