Rep. Chellie Pingree (D) Co-Sponsors Bill to Ban Russian Energy Imports by US.

Yesterday, the bipartisan Ban-Russian Energy Imports Act was formally introduced in the US House of Representatives.  The bill will ban the US from importing Russian crude oil, petroleum, petoleum products, liquified natural gas (LNG) and coal, according to a press release issued by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a co-sponsor of the Act.  Senators Joe Manchin (D-WVA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate.

“I applaud President Biden’s actions taken thus far to support Ukraine and stabilize global markets  But despite overwhelming sanctions alread imposed on Russia by the US and countries around the world, President Putin continues to wage an unjust, bloody war on the people of Ukraine” said Congresswoman Pingree.  “We don’t have to choose between our democratic values and economic interests.  By cutting Russia off from its main source of cashflow that’s fueling the war and making transformational investments in clean renewable energy technologies, we can further our commitment to the Ukranian people and keep our long-term energy goals to mitigate the climate crisis in mind.”

Among other considerations, the Ban Russian Emergy Imports Act would direct the President to prohibit imports of crude oil, petroleum, petroleum products, LNG and coal from Russia.