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Obama May Tap Oil Reserves

White House wants to reduce prices to help consumers, hurt Iran

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 17, 2012 1:19 PM CDT

(Newser) – Think the price of gas is getting too high? The Obama administration agrees. It's currently "dusting off old plans" to potentially tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a source tells Reuters. Driving down the price of oil would help consumers and the US economy while also hurting Iran, ensuring sanctions are especially painful, the source explains.

Brent crude is currently nearing $120 per barrel, up from $90 in June. The White House will watch the markets for a few more weeks before deciding whether to act—prices typically fall on their own after Labor Day. The administration also hasn't yet talked to its allies about a coordinated move, though the source notes that when similar plans were broached a few months ago, France, Britain, and Germany all seemed willing.

A man pumps gas into his dual-tank pickup truck at a 76 gas station in Los Angeles, Aug. 10, 2012.
A man pumps gas into his dual-tank pickup truck at a 76 gas station in Los Angeles, Aug. 10, 2012.   (AP Photo/Grant Hindsley)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 44 comments
Tscare333
Aug 18, 2012 8:51 AM CDT
It won't really hurt Iran,knowing,the whole world needs oil too...And iran is around many developing countries that need lots of it!But it's only with time that the worlds oil reserves will dwindle,causing chaos,all across,either that or we decide to return back to the old times of riding horses and etc.
B-Diddy
Aug 17, 2012 6:58 PM CDT
It's about Fucking Time! Why are we exporting oil and Importing at the same time. It is all for the profit of the local Oil companies. Drilled in America should be used in America. Big Oil is the only one who is profiting here.
texige
Aug 17, 2012 6:47 PM CDT
If O would have pushed for passage of the "Picken's Plan" when he took office, we would be energy self dependent but instead O had to keep the environmental vote because some birdie might have flown into a wind turbine or more drilling for natural gas would have occurred. Pass a sensible energy plan and bring our boys home.
 

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