House passes bill to allow oil exports, but veto likely
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed a wide-ranging bill on energy reforms on Thursday that includes a measure to repeal the 40-year-old oil export ban, but the legislation did not get enough votes to overturn a potential veto b...
By Reuters Media
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed a wide-ranging bill on energy reforms on Thursday that includes a measure to repeal the 40-year-old oil export ban, but the legislation did not get enough votes to overturn a potential veto by President Barack Obama.
The North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act passed 249 to 174, but did not get the 290 votes needed to overcome a veto. The bill would also speed the permitting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and improve the aging power grid.
The White House said late last month that Obama would veto the bill as it would reduce the government's ability to consider LNG projects. That veto threat came before the lawmakers added an amendment to repeal the oil export ban, which Obama also opposes.
The Senate is seen as unlikely to pass a bill that includes lifting the trade restriction amid concerns that more domestic drilling would harm the environment, lead to more oil being carried by trains, and hurt jobs at refineries.
Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., said Thursday he didn't get enough Democrats to support adding an amendment to lift the crude oil export ban to the highway bill.
However, Hoeven said he thinks the discussions have created enough of a push to get the amendment added to another bill before the end of the year.
"At this point, I'm feeling positive," Hoeven said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., also continues to work with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, to build bipartisan support for their legislation that would lift the ban on crude oil exports.
Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., emphasized Thursday the impact of the crude oil export ban on national security.
"For too long the world's energy markets have been controlled by despots and dictators," Cramer said in a release. "It is time to use the peaceful tools of energy development to replace the weapons of war in Europe and the Middle East."
Amy Dalrymple of Forum News Service contributed to this report.
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