"Catch Oil Prices" US Considers Easing Summer Smog Regulations

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The United States is reportedly considering easing smog regulations during the summer to address the issue of high oil prices.

According to reports, Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of the Department of Energy, on the 23rd (local time) stated at an emergency meeting with the refining industry that the White House is discussing the easing of smog regulations with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This statement came during discussions to find solutions to high oil prices. The plan is to relax summer gasoline regulations that require refiners to avoid low-cost components such as butane to prevent smog.

Along with this, Secretary Granholm reportedly expressed that the administration will not use the option of restricting or banning exports of U.S. crude oil or refined products. Until the day before, there had been speculation that the administration might consider export bans to lower oil prices.

However, local media reported that despite President Joe Biden’s repeated criticism of the refining industry’s huge profits amid high oil prices, the government and industry failed to find any significant solutions during the meeting. The Associated Press reported that "no major breakthrough was found."

President Biden had previously urged Congress to pass legislation temporarily exempting the federal fuel tax.

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