Newsletter: Lifting The Crude Oil Export Ban

Statement

By Rep. David Young

This fall, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider a bipartisan bill to lift the four decades-old ban on exporting crude oil developed in the United States. The export ban was implemented in response to the Arab oil embargo in the early 1970s, which sent gas prices through the roof.

I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy. We should make use of all our domestic energy resources from renewables such as biofuels, wind and solar, to nuclear and geothermal, to oil and natural gas - (to name a few) to strengthen our economy and offer the most affordable prices possible to hardworking taxpayers.

We know the renewable fuel standard (RFS) has been a critical component of our energy strategy. The RFS was first passed in 2005 during the first update to our energy policy after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Faced with an uncertain future in the Middle East after those attacks, the RFS was passed to reduce our country's reliance on foreign oil and to ensure we have a reliable source of domestic transportation fuel.

The United States has adapted its energy policies to face emerging threats and realities around the globe. American ingenuity has unlocked some of the biggest oil and natural gas reserves in the world thought to be impossible to reach just a decade ago. By utilizing these resources, this past summer America overtook Russia as the world's largest producer of oil and gas. This presents us with a unique opportunity just as Russia is attempting to assert itself as the regional power in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Last year, we watched as Russia began aggressive military actions in Ukraine. And this past week Russia started moving weapons and military personnel into Syria. In addition to their military actions, during international disputes, Russia has cut off or slowed down oil and natural gas shipments other countries rely on for transportation and to heat their homes.

America now has the ability to serve as a stabilizing force for the world through our energy production. Military intervention should always be the last resort in our foreign policy. The ability to be a meaningful supplier of energy around the world allows us to peacefully counterbalance aggressive oil and gas producing nations, including Russia and others in the Middle East - such as Iran.

But foreign policy isn't the only advantage to fully utilizing American energy. While some have argued exporting American crude oil will drive up gas prices, Iowans know the more energy we produce at home, the better it is for our economy and Americans.

Allowing for the export of crude oil will create thousands of jobs in energy development from building the infrastructure and working supply lines. We can do this and still aim to meet the RFS volume targets.

Pursuing an all-of-the-above energy policy and fully developing all our traditional and renewable American energy sources will strengthen our economy and create jobs. It will also allow America to lead and be a stabilizing force around the world. For these reasons, I support lifting the crude oil export ban to strengthen Iowa and America -- at home and abroad.

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