House votes to lift crude oil export ban

Environment Massachusetts

Boston – The U.S. House voted today to lift the decades-old ban on crude oil exports, a top priority of the oil and gas companies that would worsen global warming and heighten the risk of harmful spills.

Allowing U.S. crude oil to be shipped overseas could increase drilling by as much as 3.3 million gallons per day over the next 20 years, increasing global warming pollution by 22 million metric tons per year – the equivalent of five coal plants. Shipping the extra oil drilled would also increase the threat of pipeline and oil train accidents.

All nine members of the Massachusetts House delegation voted against lifting the ban. Earlier this week, the White House said the President would veto the bill if it cleared the Senate, where its prospects are less certain.

Environment Massachusetts state director Ben Hellerstein issued the following statement:

“To avoid more global warming impacts like the floods, drought and intense storms already devastating parts of our country, we need to keep fossil fuels in the ground and transition to 100 percent pollution-free energy. Lifting the crude oil export ban would take us in the wrong direction. We’re counting on the President and Senators Warren and Markey to stand up to Big Oil by keeping the ban in place and advancing a clean energy future.”

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Environment Massachusetts is a statewide, citizen-based advocacy organization working for a cleaner, greener, healthier future. www.EnvironmentMassachusetts.org