Vote to lift oil export ban a blessing on oil companies and curse on climate

Environment America

WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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. This week the White House said the president would veto the bill if it cleared the Senate, where its prospects are less certain.
 
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.
 
Environment America executive director Margie Alt issued the following statement:
 
“Lifting the oil export ban would be a blessing on the oil companies but a curse on the climate and our health. 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. We’re counting on the president and senators to stand up to Big Oil and the dirty energy sources of the past by keeping the ban in place and advancing a clean energy future.”