U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright says the government wants to produce more energy at home. They believe this is the best way to fight record-high fuel costs.
On Sunday, September 6, 2026, Wright spoke on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” He told host Margaret Brennan that the government is focusing on maximum production. They do not want to block U.S. oil from the global market.
These comments come as fuel prices hit record highs. The national average for diesel reached $5.85 to $5.90 per gallon over Labor Day weekend. This has caused a lot of worry right before the midterm elections.
High Prices Lead to Export Ban Debate
Because diesel costs so much, some people in Washington want to stop the U.S. from sending oil to other countries. They think this will keep domestic prices low.
However, Wright says the best way to fix a shortage is to create more supply. He stated that we need to keep energy flowing.
Wright and other officials, like Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, think an export ban is a bad idea. They say it would hurt the economy and cause global problems.
Industry Warns Against Export Bans
The U.S. oil industry is fighting hard against the idea of an export ban. Trade groups like the American Petroleum Institute (API) say stopping exports would actually make gas prices higher.
Industry leaders explain that an export ban would trap a specific type of crude oil in the U.S. Gulf Coast. This could force many domestic refineries to close down.
API Chief Executive Mike Sommers warned that taking American oil off the world market would reduce global supply. This could hurt consumers everywhere.
The Diesel Crisis and Global Problems
The main reason prices are so high is not a lack of crude oil. The real problem is a shortage of global refining capacity.
Diesel is very important because it powers farming, freight, and construction equipment. High diesel prices can make everything else more expensive.
Wright pointed to the war between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian drone strikes have heavily damaged Russian oil refineries. Because of this, Russia stopped exporting its own gasoline and diesel for six months.
Refinery Damage and Closed Routes
“Russia used to be a meaningful exporter of diesel,” Wright said. Now, they are forced to import gasoline instead. This loss of refining capacity is the main reason fuel prices remain so high.
At the same time, military conflicts involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran have caused major shipping problems. The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed, which traps millions of barrels of oil.
The U.S. military is trying to stop Iran from exporting any oil to hurt its economy. However, Wright said the U.S. is still open to making a peaceful deal.
Biofuel Rules Cause Trouble for Refineries
Because global refining is struggling, U.S. fuel makers are working as hard as they can to meet demand.
Last week, President Donald Trump, Secretary Burgum, and Secretary Wright met with top oil bosses. They discussed how to expand domestic refining.
During this meeting, oil leaders blamed high pump prices on the government’s Renewable Fuel Standard. These rules force refiners to mix a lot of biofuels into their gasoline and diesel.
Refiners say these goals are impossible to reach and make fuel more expensive. Physical limits and changing tax policies have made it hard to produce enough clean fuel.
| Biofuel Category | 2025 Target (Billion RINs) | 2026 Target (Billion RINs) | 2027 Target (Billion RINs) |
| Cellulosic Biofuel | 1.21 | 1.36 | 1.43 |
| Biomass-based Diesel | 5.36* | 9.07 | 9.20 |
| Advanced Biofuel | 7.33 | 11.10 | 11.32 |
| Total Renewable Fuel | 22.33 | 26.81 | 27.02 |
Note: The 2025 biomass-based diesel mandate was originally set in gallons and converted to Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) for tracking.
The required amount of biomass-based diesel jumps by nearly 70 percent from 2025 to 2026. This forces refiners to buy expensive credits, which makes gas more expensive for drivers. Refiners want the government to relax these rules to help lower prices.
Government Takes Action to Lower Prices
To help with shipping problems, the government is using special emergency rules.
Extending the Jones Act Waiver
Wright recently spoke in Texas and said a temporary extension of the Jones Act waiver is very likely.
The Jones Act is an old law that says fuel moved between U.S. ports must be carried on American-made and American-crewed ships.
The government paused this rule in March because of the conflict in the Middle East. Wright said this pause has allowed about 200 foreign ships to move energy. This has kept fuel prices lower in places like California and the East Coast.
Looking for More Oil from Venezuela
The U.S. is also trying to get more oil from Venezuela. The country’s oil fields are more stable now that President Nicolas Maduro was captured and the U.S. took over its oil exports.
Wright noted that Venezuelan crude exports have grown by 50 percent in the last eight months. The U.S. hopes to double that output soon.
This heavy oil is perfect for Gulf Coast refineries, but experts say it will take time to see big increases in supply.
Future Outlook for Fuel Prices
Even though prices are high right now, Wright is optimistic that they will drop soon.
The end of the Labor Day weekend usually means the end of the busy summer driving season. This means fewer people are buying gas.
The government also recently changed rules to let refiners make more fuel with their current equipment. By producing more oil and making shipping easier, the government hopes to lower prices without banning exports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are diesel prices so high right now?
Diesel prices reached record highs of $5.85 to $5.90 a gallon because of severe global problems. Conflicts involving Russia, Ukraine, Iran, and Israel have damaged refineries and blocked major shipping routes, creating a global shortage of refining capacity.
Will the U.S. ban fuel exports to lower prices?
The U.S. is not currently planning to ban fuel exports. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and oil industry experts say a ban could actually hurt the economy, force U.S. refineries to close, and make the global supply even tighter.
How is the government trying to lower gas prices?
The government is focused on increasing domestic fuel production to solve the supply shortage. They are also easing regulations for oil refineries and extending the Jones Act waiver to make it cheaper to ship fuel between U.S. ports.
What is the Jones Act waiver?
The Jones Act is a law requiring goods shipped between U.S. ports to be on American-made ships. A waiver temporarily suspends this rule, allowing foreign ships to transport fuel. This helps ease shipping jams and lowers fuel costs in places like California and the East Coast.
When will fuel prices go down?
Energy Secretary Wright expects prices to drop in the coming weeks. Demand for fuel usually falls after the Labor Day weekend when the summer driving season ends, which should help lower costs at the pump.
