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WYDEN FIGHTS TO HALT EXPORTS
OF OIL DRILLED IN ARCTIC REFUGE
Energy Committee narrowly rejects measure
that could have prevented
market manipulation, boosted U.S. energy independence
October 19, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator
Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today fought to ban exports of oil produced
in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge by offering an amendment
to Budget Reconciliation legislation considered by the Senate
Energy Committee. The Committee today narrowly rejected by a vote
of 9-13 the chance to stop market manipulation and price increases
that oil companies have called a “no-brainer.” In
January 2001, The Oregonian of Portland reported that BP-Amoco
systematically increased oil prices for consumers along the West
Coast while exporting Alaskan crude oil to Asia. The Budget Reconciliation
measure, approved earlier this year, authorized Refuge drilling,
but failed to include a ban on exports of oil drilled in the U.S,
and instead, directs the Secretary of Interior to receive fair
market value for Refuge oil drilling. In the face of the weakened
U.S. dollar abroad, it is a virtual certainty that Arctic oil
would be sold outside the United States, instead of being sold
and used here at home. Wyden’s amendment today sought to
protect American energy consumers from continued market manipulation
and continued dependence on foreign sources of energy.
“Exporting Arctic oil overseas
does not reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil one
drop,” said Wyden. “In failing to adopt this measure
today, the Committee has missed an important opportunity to boost
American energy security and head off price manipulations, which
is particularly troubling in light of the sky-high energy prices
consumers are facing now.”
In contrast to the Senate Energy
Committee’s vote today, the U.S. House of Representatives
earlier this year approved the identical provision offered by
Wyden today.
Wyden voted against the final version
of the Energy Bill, arguing it did not do enough to reduce U.S.
dependence on foreign energy sources. Wyden’s amendment
today was another move toward increasing American energy independence
and to boost American energy security.
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