Granholm Wants Refiners to Export Less Fuel Amid Domestic Infrastructure Constraints

In a letter publicized by media outlets and on social media but not by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm recently urged domestic refiners to curb their global fuel exports to build domestic inventories.

“On the East Coast, gasoline inventories are at their lowest level in nearly a decade,” according to a letter that Granholm sent refiners, which was seen by NGI. “Diesel inventories are nearly 50% below the five-year average across the region and exports of U.S. refined product are at an all-time high.”

Citing the onset of the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, coupled with the approaching winter heating season, Granholm said low gasoline and diesel inventories “pose heightened risks.”

Granholm, who met with major refiners...