Energy chief: We are ‘not considering’ oil export ban

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on Tuesday that the Biden administration will not ban crude oil exports, despite a push from some Democrats to do so. 

Speaking before the National Petroleum Council — an advisory board made up of oil industry figures — Granholm said, “We are not considering reinstating the ban on exports.”

This follows a similar comment from National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, who told reporters last week that banning oil exports is “not an issue that we’re currently focused on.”

But Deese also said that President Biden has made clear that “all options should be on the table to try to address challenges in the market and bring relief to American consumers.”

The comments come after the idea to ban crude oil exports was endorsed by several Democrats last month as one tool the administration could use to bring down the price of gasoline.

To combat the rise in prices, which have fallen by a few cents in recent weeks after months of gains, the administration decided to tap its oil reserves instead. 

Granholm, while speaking to the petroleum council on Tuesday, expressed a desire to work with industry, rather than against it, as the administration pushes for a transition towards cleaner energy. 

“I do not want to fight with any of you,” she said. 

“We do see, though, some of the things that some of you are saying out there, or some of the organizations that are funded by some of you,” she said, apparently referring to criticism. “I do think it’s much more productive to work together on future-facing solutions … rather than making this administration a boogeyman.”

The administration has drawn ire from industry over decisions like the cancellation of a key permit for the Keystone XL pipeline and an attempt to pause new oil and gas leasing on public lands.