Scalise: New Obama Admin. Study Is Latest Evidence for Lifting Crude Oil Export Ban

METAIRIE, La.—Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) issued the following statement today after a new study by the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that “[p]etroleum product prices in the United States, including gasoline prices, would be either unchanged or slightly reduced by the removal of current restrictions on crude oil exports.”

“This study by President Obama’s own administration is the latest evidence that it is time to lift the outdated ban on crude oil exports once and for all,” Scalise said. “We’ve long known that doing away with this relic of the seventies will increase domestic production and create an estimated one million jobs nationwide, including thousands here in Louisiana. Now, we have further evidence to show that lifting the ban won’t raise gas prices here at home, and in fact may even help lower the price Americans pay at the pump.

“Lifting the crude oil export ban is about strengthening America’s energy security, providing a big boost to our economy, and creating jobs so Americans can support their families. That’s why I’m working hard to grow support among my House colleagues to address this important issue."

Scalise recently joined WWL-TV (CBS) in New Orleans to discuss the importance of lifting the ban, and praised the U.S. Department of Commerce for allowing some export swaps of crude oil to Mexico.

Click here to read a summary of the Department of Energy's report.