U.S. Energy Secretary links record diesel prices to Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries
Read NV on Google
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright (Photo: REUTERS/Antonio Bronic)
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright blamed Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries for driving domestic diesel prices to record highs, during an interview with CBS News on September 6.
In response to questions about record-high U.S. diesel prices and a potential export ban, Wright said: “The diesel situation has been challenging because Russian refineries have suffered significant damage. Russia used to be a meaningful exporter of diesel. Today, today they don't export any diesel, and in fact, they've become a meaningful importer of gasoline.”
He added that Russia's massive refining capacity “is why gasoline and diesel prices are high, even more than oil prices.”
Wright emphasized that for 17 years “Democrat policies have been attack hydrocarbons, get as many refineries and coal plants closed.” This policy, he maintained, can be summed up in two words: “expensive energy.”
The journalist observed that Russia could have continued exporting diesel had it not launched its war against Ukraine, and asked whether the U.S. administration is currently considering a diesel export ban.
“We consider all options of how you can move prices that are favorable for American consumers, but right now we're leaning in on maximum production, energy addition,” Wright said.
He stated that the only way to overcome the fuel shortage is to increase domestic production.
According to CBS News, the price of diesel fuel in the U.S. has hit a record high of $5.85 per gallon.
Ukrainian drones struck the Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez oil refinery, igniting a fire at one of the facility's primary processing units.
Additional drone strikes targeted the Bashneft refinery complex in Ufa, Russia, igniting fires across the industrial site.
The Financial Times reported that Ukrainian long-range strikes have disabled almost half of Russia's oil refining capacity.
The military war may be swinging in our favor, but the information war continues.
Just as an army needs soldiers, so does a free society need its journalists to ensure that people have access to honest, trustworthy voices to understand the world around them.
For the past five years, The New Voice of Ukraine has been working tirelessly to push back against Russian narratives and defend democracy. But we cannot do it alone.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon for just $5 a month – your donation does directly to supporting journalists and ensuring that this front of the infowar says solid and defended.
Thank you.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
