WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voiced his support for the U.S. ban on imports of Russian oil, gas and other energy products. In 2021, Russian oil accounted for 8.2% of U.S. imports and 3.5% of U.S. consumption.

“I support a ban on imports of Russian oil and gas to continue to increase economic pressure on Russia’s autocratic regime,” said Larsen. “At the same time, my House colleagues and I are working on legislation to further isolate Russia from the global economy. The United States will continue to use all the tools at its disposal to respond to Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine.”

Larsen also outlined steps the U.S. is taking to alleviate the burden of rising gas prices on Northwest Washington consumers. Since the start of Putin’s war on Ukraine, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline rose by 53 cents in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett and Anacortes-Mount Vernon metro areas and by 50 cents in the Bellingham metro area.

“I understand my constituents are feeling Putin’s price hike at the pump. I will continue to support meaningful actions to relieve the financial burden on consumers and, in the long term, push to reduce U.S. reliance on international and domestic oil production and invest in affordable clean energy alternatives.”

Larsen outlined several steps the U.S. is taking to ease the financial burden on consumers, as well as efforts he supports to boost domestic investments in clean energy:

• The Biden administration already announced it is releasing more than 90 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve this fiscal year. The U.S. and 30 International Energy Agency member countries recently announced the release of 60 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
• The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently announced U.S. crude oil and gas production is approaching record-high levels.
• The total number of active drilling rigs in the U.S. is 38% higher than the total number in January 2021.
• Canadian oil companies continue to export a record amount of crude oil from the Gulf Coast.
• Larsen supported several initiatives included in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to build a cleaner and greener nationwide transportation network. He also supports historic investments in electric vehicle manufacturing and infrastructure, incentives for utilities to switch to cleaner power generation, and the establishment of tax credits for green aviation fuels and electric vehicles.

Larsen is a strong supporter of U.S. actions and the efforts of allies and partners to impose financial sanctions to hold Putin accountable for his war on Ukraine. Last week, Larsen released a statement in support of continued efforts to hold Putin accountable, including the Biden administration’s announcement to block Russian aircraft from U.S. airspace. He recently stood in solidarity with members of Washington’s Ukrainian community and hundreds of supporters at Seattle Center.

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