Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R., Alaska) urged President Barack Obama to lift a ban on U.S. oil exports Tuesday, Reuters reports.
"Lifting the ban will help create jobs, boost the economy and keep our production at record levels," Murkowski, from Alaska and the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said in a letter to Obama.
While U.S. energy companies are allowed to export oil products, including gasoline and jet fuel, a presidential waiver from current laws is required to sell most unrefined crude abroad.
The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 and the Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Act effectively bar exports for now.
A Murkowski spokesman said the senator is willing to introduce legislation to lift the ban if the president does not act. Murkowski says lifting the ban would create a domestic energy boom.
