COLUMBUS, October 7, 2015 – The American Petroleum Institute’s Ohio Division today welcomed passage of an Ohio Senate resolution calling for removal of the federal ban on crude oil exports. Allowing U.S. producers to access global markets is expected to add up to 15,948 jobs and $2.68 billion to the Ohio economy by 2020, according to a report by ICF International.    “Today’s resolution sends a strong message of support to the bipartisan coalition in Congress working to lift the ban and create U.S. jobs,” said Chris Zeigler, Executive Director of API Ohio. “Removing this outdated policy will promote domestic production, creating jobs in Ohio and generating savings for consumers. America’s growth as an energy superpower will promote our security and the security of our allies overseas.”    Sponsored by Senator Troy Balderson (R-Zanesville), SCR 6 urges Congress to lift 1970s-era restrictions on exports of crude oil from the United States. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on legislation to lift the ban this Friday.  

“America is experiencing an energy revolution,” said Zeigler. “We are no longer debating American energy policy in terms of scarcity. Today we have the opportunity to harness the opportunities created by energy abundance, all thanks to proven technologies like horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.”

API-Ohio is a division of API, which represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 625 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy.