Just when American oil wells are spooling up promising needed relief to Americans at the pump, the Commerce Department has published new rules allowing export of the same. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, guidelines issued last week provide for exporting lightly processed “condensate,” a new word for fracked oil that has had the gases boiled off. This isn’t diesel or gas. It is simply crude that has been made safe for pipeline or rail transport. This move guarantees higher pump prices as Americans fail to hold an advantage in supply.
Like the export of raw logs instead of finished lumber here in Columbia County, this ruling bypasses refinement, idling American industry. We’re being sold down the river …and out to sea.
Wayne Mayo
Scappoose, Ore.
