The United Kingdom and France report that the U.S. is talking about tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to combat high gas prices, but the Obama administration said today that no decision has been made.
"I will say, as we have said repeatedly, that this option remains on the table," said White House spokesman Jay Carney. "But no decisions have been made and no specific actions have been proposed."
French Energy Minister Eric Besson said Wednesday that his country is ready to tap its own strategic oil reserves as part of a coordinated effort, and "it was the United States that requested this."
British reports said the subject also surfaced during this month's meetings between President Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron.
"We obviously consult, as we have said repeatedly both this year and last, with our partners around the world and with energy-producing states," Carney said.
Oil prices have fallen in recent days on speculation that major consumer nations such as the United States, Britain and France could tap into their strategic reserves to increase supply.
Such a move, which last took place during the uprising in 2011 in Libya, is usually coordinated by the 28-member International Energy Agency which acts on behalf of oil consuming nations.
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