With the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) currently at its lowest point in four decades, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) wants the Biden administration to end the continued release of crude oil from the reserve.
“Your administration is jeopardizing our nation’s ability to use our vast resources for energy independence,” Sen. Moran wrote in an Oct. 11 letter sent to President Joe Biden. “In turn, I urge you to replenish the SPR with increased domestic oil production instead of draining our emergency reserves.”
Sen. Moran pointed out that the United States consumes nearly 20 million barrels of oil per day, and the Biden administration recently released another 10 million barrels from the SPR, an action the senator called “reckless.” He also said it will have a minimal effect on lowering prices at the pump.
“Draining our emergency supplies is a short-sighted and dangerous choice that imperils our energy security at a critical time of global uncertainty,” he wrote.
Additionally, the recent announcement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to reduce oil production underlines the importance of American energy independence, wrote Sen. Moran, and should result in the administration working to increase domestic oil and gas production rather than continuing to tap into the SPR at unsustainable levels or easing sanctions on oppressive governments.
“The current geopolitical turmoil requires robust exploration and production of oil to boost American energy security,” Sen. Moran wrote.
“The United States can no longer stand by as OPEC continues to consolidate power over the world’s energy markets,” according to his letter. “Now is the time to unleash the domestic oil and gas industry to lower prices, support American jobs, and decrease our persistent reliance on adversaries for our energy.”