Energy Secretary Opposes GOP Push to Add Conditions for Withdrawing More Oil From National Reserves

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm speaks during a briefing about the bipartisan infrastructure law at the White House, on May 16, 2022. Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm sent a letter to the House energy panel warning that the GOP push to add stipulations to the withdrawal of oil from strategic reserves will harm Americans and contribute to an increase in gas prices.

Earlier this month, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) introduced the Strategic Production Response Act that will make President Joe Biden’s authority on releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) conditional on the president opening up more federal lands for oil and gas drilling. House Republicans are set to soon vote on it. Rodgers chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee.