Biden calls on oil refiners to produce more, cut profit margins

In a letter to firm heads, Biden says ‘traditionally excessive refinery revenue margins’ are hurting US customers.

Biden has known as on oil refiners to provide output, lower revenue margins [File: Matt Rourke/The Associated Press]

United States President Joe Biden has known as on oil refiners to provide extra petrol and diesel, saying their excessive revenue margins are hurting customers.

Biden made the attraction in a letter delivered on Wednesday to main refining firms, together with Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Shell, and British Petroleum. Whereas he stated the Russian invasion of Ukraine is “principally accountable” for the monetary burden US residents are dealing with, “traditionally excessive refinery revenue margins are worsening that ache”.

“The crunch that households are dealing with deserves instant motion,” Biden wrote within the letter, which was obtained by The Related Press information company and US media. “Your firms have to work with my Administration to carry ahead concrete, near-term options that deal with the disaster.”

Petrol costs within the US presently common about $5 a gallon ($1.32 per litre), the highest-ever recorded value, an financial burden for a lot of Individuals and a political risk for the president’s fellow Democrats going into the midterm elections.

Broader inflation started to rise final yr because the US financial system recovered from the coronavirus pandemic, however it accelerated in current months as power and meals costs climbed after the Russian invasion started on February 24 and disrupted international commodity markets. The federal government reported on Friday that client costs had jumped 8.6 % from a yr in the past, the highest improve in additional than 40 years.

Within the letter, Biden known as the problem a “international problem and international concern”, however described an “unprecedented disconnect” between refining prices and the value customers pay on the pump.

“For the reason that starting of the yr, refiners’ margins for refining gasoline and diesel have tripled, and are presently at their highest ranges ever recorded,” he stated.

Economists have questioned how a lot company greed is contributing to the excessive costs, which can be attributed to constraints in scaling up capability to fulfill present wants following reductions through the pandemic. That imbalance has been additional compounded by main customers, notably the European Union, pivoting away from Russian fossil fuels and growing demand elsewhere. It stays unclear how a lot capability can realistically be added within the quick time period.

Within the letter, Biden stated the administration is able to “use all cheap and acceptable Federal Authorities instruments and emergency authorities to extend refinery capability and output within the close to time period, and to make sure that each area of this nation is appropriately provided.”

He famous the administration has already launched oil from the US strategic reserve and elevated ethanol mixing requirements, although neither motion put a long-lasting downward stress on costs.

He additionally has directed Vitality Secretary Jennifer Granholm to convene an emergency assembly and seek the advice of with the Nationwide Petroleum Council, a federal advisory group that's drawn from the power sector.

Biden requested refiners to elucidate to Granholm any drop in refining capability since 2020, when the pandemic started. He additionally needs the businesses to offer “any concrete concepts that might deal with the instant stock, value, and refining capability points within the coming months – together with transportation measures to get refined product to market”.