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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) voted in favor of H.R. 21 – Strategic Production Response Act. During instances of draw downs of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in non-emergency times, the legislation would require the Secretary of Energy to develop a plan to increase domestic energy production by the same percentage the SPR was drawn down.
“The SPR should be reserved for times of emergency, not political opportunity. We’ve seen this Administration use the SPR as a band-aid to cover up its failed energy policies. The President’s response to the rising gas prices we saw last year should have been to reverse his disastrous energy policies, not misuse a critical emergency resource in the months leading up to a general election. The President’s misuse of the SPR has left our country vulnerable to emergencies that could threaten Americans’ way of life. This legislation would ensure that American energy independence is restored and not jeopardized in the future by another political maneuver from this Administration,” Guest said.
Background:
Last year, President Biden announced the largest draw down of the SPR in history. In total, the Biden Administration has released more than 250 million barrels, or almost 40 percent of the total reserves. The SPR now holds the lowest levels of crude oil in almost 40 years.
Historically, SPR drawdowns have taken place during natural disasters or times of international strife. The last three emergency releases took place in 2011, when the U.S. released 60 million barrels of oil in response to the crude oil disruptions due to the First Libyan Civil War; in 2005, when 20.8 million barrels were released in response to disruptions in domestic oil productions caused by Hurricane Katrina; and in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm when 17.1 million barrels were sold.
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