White House Targets Reopened Refineries Amid Ongoing Iran Conflict

The White House has announced plans to reopen oil refineries across the US amid high gasoline prices. This move is in response to the ongoing war in Iran, which has driven up gas prices to over $4.10 per gallon as of Thursday.

The St. Croix refinery in the Virgin Islands is a key target for reopening, with the administration citing its 'strategic' location and potential to refine Venezuelan oil. The refinery was ordered to shut down indefinitely by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2021 due to concerns over oil releases and air pollution.

The White House has been in discussions with companies interested in purchasing the refinery, which could lead to its reopening. Industry executives have reported that the administration has had talks about reviving refineries from California to the Virgin Islands.

'Energy security is national security, and America's refining capacity is essential to ensuring the United States has continuous access to secure, affordable, and reliable energy,' said White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers in a statement. The President's National Energy Dominance Council will continue supporting the reopening of shuttered refineries and the construction of new ones.