June 23, 2011

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid made the following statement today on the President’s decision to release 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to offset oil supply disruptions in the Middle East:

“I commend the President and Secretary Chu for their decision to tap this country’s strategic oil reserves in coordination with other International Energy Agency member nations. This decision should calm the markets, lower prices and provide some relief for Americans whose wallets are already strained by record prices at the pump. It also underscores the importance of continuing efforts to reduce our dependence on oil through advanced technology vehicles and clean alternative fuels.

“At a time when families in Nevada and across the country are struggling to make ends meet, it is crucial that we do all we can to lessen the impact that turmoil in the Middle East has here at home.”