U.S. oil exports would lead to cheaper prices at the pump, according to a government report released Monday. The study, by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, will add fuel to the growing debate over whether to lift the nearly four-decade ban on U.S. oil exports. It comes as oil producers lobby to reverse the ban and get their oil to higher-priced foreign markets amid fast-rising volumes from fracking in shale formations in North Dakota, Texas and elsewhere. The U.S. produced more than 8.5 million barrels of oil a day in July, up 14% from a year ago, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Meanwhile, the amount of foreign crude being imported to meet domestic needs has been cut in half to 30% of demand this year from 60% in 2005. Opponents of lifting the ban, which include major U.S. refiners that obtain domestic crude at lower […]