The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy late last week applauded the lifting of the U.S. oil-export ban, which was included in the Omnibus Appropriations Act signed by President Obama.
“By voting to lift the ban on oil exports, Congress has made it possible to unleash American energy around the world,” Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the chamber’s Energy Institute, said. “Lifting the ban will allow the world to choose a steady, reliable source of energy and create jobs and boost communities around the nation. We applaud the work of congressional leaders to understand the importance of this provision and find a way to achieve it.”
Democrats and Republicans in Congress had been fighting over the passage of the funding bill. Democrats were looking to sneak in green initiatives in exchange for the lifting of the ban. They successfully negotiated solar and wind power tax breaks, as well as getting Republicans to agree to a $500 million payment that will go to the United Nations Green Climate Fund.
The Chamber Institute made the passing of the bill one of its top priorities, spending months working to educate members of Congress about the ban. Harbert even testified before Congress.
“The fact that Iran and Russia can sell oil around the world, but America could not made no sense and was fundamentally unfair,” Harbert said. “Lifting the ban on oil exports is a much-needed step away from our nation’s 1970s energy policy. We’re hopeful that success on this issue will pave the way for common-sense regulatory reforms.”
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