Vets4Energy's Illinois director outlines case for lifting U.S. crude export ban

September 29, 2015

EP News Wire

Energy plays a vital role in the national security of a country, and one person who wants to get that message across to U.S. policymakers is Keith Pekau, a member of the group  Vets4Energy, which continues to serve the nation as advocates for energy policies to strengthen America's national security.

This week, Pekau, the group's Illinois state director, is joining fellow veterans from across the nation in Washington, D.C., for the group's annual three-day conference, which will include meetings with members of Congress.

"It is always, always interesting," Pekau said. "I really enjoy the camaraderie of the vets involved. They all come from different walks of life, and we don’t have one set platform per se. Everyone talks about their own interests. I think, by and large, everybody there is all about seeing energy policy that makes economic sense."

An energy policy that makes sense to Pekau is lifting the ban on crude exports, which was put in place during the 1970s energy crisis, when the major industrial countries of the world, including the U.S., faced substantial shortages and elevated petroleum prices. Pekau said lifting the ban would enable America to become a global energy supplier of all forms of energy, including oil.

"There is nothing better than to have more control internally, and we need to be self-sufficient with our own energy needs," Pekau said. "If we were exporting more oil worldwide -- not just crude oil, but natural gas -- we could have probably avoided the whole Ukraine situation because we would be able to supply Europe, which we are unable (to do) because they are dependent on Russia. So therefore, they couldn’t stand up to Russia when they took over Ukraine."

Pekau said it is both an economic issue and a security issue.

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