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US releases 50 million barrels of oil to ease energy costs
US President Joe Biden has ordered 50 million barrels of oil to be released from the strategic reserve to help bring down the cost of energy
In an announcement by President Joe Biden and the White House on Tuesday, the move was done in coordination with other major energy-consuming nations, including China, India, the United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea.
“This coordinated action will help us deal with the lack of supply, which in turn helps ease prices,”
President Biden said in remarks at the White House on Tuesday.
“Today, we’re launching a major effort to moderate the price of oil, an effort that will span the globe in its reach and ultimately reach your corner gas station, God willing,” Biden said.
“Before long, you should see the price of gas drop”
A senior administration official told reporters the releases would start in mid to late December, and that further intervention was possible to steady the market as the US government continues to respond to a “once-in-a-century pandemic”.
“As the president has said, consumers are facing pain at the pump right now,” the official said.
While aimed at global energy markets, the release of the oil also has political implications as US voters prepare to cope with higher inflation and rising prices ahead of US Thanksgiving and winter holiday travel.
Fuel prices reach all-time highs
According to the American Automobile Association, fuel prices are at about $3.40 a gallon, more than double their price a year ago.
Joe Biden has scrambled to reshape much of his economic agenda around the issue of inflation – stating that his recently passed $1 trillion infrastructure package will reduce price pressures by making it more efficient and cheaper to transport goods.
Republican legislators have criticised the administration’s approach, saying the current Biden government is responsible for inflation hitting a 31-year high in October.