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Change energy policy

Oil and natural gas are being used as geopolitical weapons like never before in history. Russia’s Vladimir Putin has become perhaps the world’s most skillful, effective practitioner. His strategy, already far advanced, is to bend Europe to his will by threatening to cut off the oil and gas Russia supplies it.

Meanwhile, U.S. energy policy is the laughing stock of the world. It simply makes no sense. In part because it places so many barriers in the way of domestic oil production, it puts us at the mercy of countries such as those in OPEC, from which we continue to import huge quantities of oil. That is despite the fact the U.S. has become the world’s leading oil producer.

A bill introduced in the Senate would repeal the ban on exports of American oil. Doing that would encourage more domestic drilling, providing even more oil. It would create new jobs. It would allow U.S. diplomats to use energy as a weapon, perhaps aiding our allies.

At one time there was a good reason to ban exports of U.S. oil. No more. Times have changed – and so should energy policy.

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