FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 18, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: brian.phillips@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

Washington, D.C. — Today, Reps. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and Adriano Espaillat reintroduced the “Block All New (BAN) Fossil Fuel Exports Act” (formerly the “BAN Oil Exports Act”), alongside the bill’s Senate sponsor, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA):

In 1975, Congress passed the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, which effectively banned the export of U.S. crude oil and natural gas. In 2015, this 40-year export ban was unwisely lifted. Since the ban was lifted, historic amounts of U.S. oil have gone to foreign nations, hurting the energy prices paid by U.S. consumers and harming global efforts to fight the climate crisis. Last year alone, exports of U.S. crude oil rose by 22% from 2021 levels to reach a peak of 3.6 million barrels per day (bpd).

The BAN Fossil Fuel Exports Act would amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, directing the President to promulgate a rule prohibiting the export of crude oil and natural gas produced in the United States—thereby reinstating the 2015 export ban. The bill would also direct the Secretary of Commerce to impose restrictions on exports of coal, petroleum products, natural gas, petrochemical feedstocks and related supplies and materials.

“If our nation is to overcome the climate crisis, we cannot offload the burden of beating it onto the American people. The threat posed by devastating climate impacts and rising energy costs is far too great not to pursue legislative solutions that keep their best interests in mind I’m proud to stand with my colleagues to reintroduce the BAN Fossil Fuel Exports Act – a bill that prioritizes climate action while refusing to neglect the American people and their communities,” said Rep. Clarke.

“The BAN Fossil Fuel Exports Act is a much-needed step to prioritize American consumers and to reaffirm the U.S.’s commitment to addressing climate change on a global scale,” said Rep. Espaillat. “As our national economy continues its recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, we must ensure hard-working Americans are not shouldered with the burdens of high energy costs and the real-world effects of global heating. This bill would make real progress towards preserving our planet while supporting American families by bringing down domestic costs.” 

“Oil and gas companies continue to pad their pockets at the expense of American consumers and frontline communities – all while fueling our global climate crisis,” said Senator Markey. “Our country is due for an oil change. A ban on oil and natural gas exports overseas is a win for environmental justice, for our economy, and for our planet.”

“While we are making impressive progress in building new clean energy sources, those gains mean little unless we stop the oil and gas drilling that fuels climate chaos and pollutes the air and water in environmental justice communities across the country,” said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter. “The Ban Fossil Fuel Exports Act is a bold step in the right direction: It can put a stop to the damage and destruction that is delivered by greedy fossil fuel corporations.”

The BAN Fossil Fuel Exports Act has been endorsed by Earthworks, the Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Public Citizen. This same bill was previously introduced in the 117th Congress as the “BAN Oil Exports Act.”

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