Cicilline Applauds Release of Strategic Petroleum Reserve

WASHINGTON, DC– Upon the President’s announcement today to release 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, U.S. Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), who has been calling on the President and Administration for months to take such an action, released the following statement:

“I applaud the President and the Department of Energy for taking action to provide relief at the gas pump for Rhode Island consumers, particularly as we work to sustain our economic recovery. The release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which I have been encouraging for several months, is a responsible and effective step to combat price spikes in fuel as we enter the summer months.

“While this is an important short-term action, we must not lose site of the need for long-term energy policies that close tax loopholes for Big Oil companies, protect consumers from Wall Street speculators, and make the necessary investments in clean-energy technology that will once and for all end our dependence on foreign oil.”

Earlier this year, citing the rising cost of gasoline and unrest in the Middle East, Congressman Cicilline joined with sixteen of his colleagues in the House of Representatives in urging the President to consider a release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). In May, as a result of the same concerns, Cicilline co-sponsored legislation directing the Department of Energy to release at least 30 million barrels of oil from the SPR – with the aim of lowering gas prices and sustaining the economic recovery. Today, Cicilline praised the Administration for their decision to release 30 million barrels of oil from the petroleum reserve.

BACKGROUND – PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW THE PDF FOR FULL INFORMATION ON THE BELOW BULLETED ITEMS:

Department of Energy to Release Oil from Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Letter to President – Release SPR – April 12, 2011
H.R. 1017 - Enhanced SPR Act
Letter to Leadership – Gas Prices & Release SPR – May 3, 2011