Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY) and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) in introducing the Strategic Production Response Act, legislation to prioritize American energy production. The bill prohibits the Secretary of Energy from tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) for reasons other than a severe energy supply interruption unless the Secretary of the Interior issues a plan to increase oil and gas production on federal lands and waters.
“The Strategic Petroleum Reserve was created to deal with national emergencies. Joe Biden’s inflation is not a national emergency, it’s a problem of his own making – especially when you consider places like the Bakken and Permian Basin are fully capable of meeting America’s energy needs. Our legislation requires the administration to increase energy production on lands and waters owned by the taxpayer before resorting to tapping the Reserve,” said Senator Cramer.
“President Biden’s decision to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is not a solution for the skyrocketing energy prices that American families are facing,” said Senator Barrasso. “Before tapping the Reserve for political reasons, our bill requires the administration to issue a plan to boost federal oil and natural gas production. The Strategic Production Response Act provides a real solution to the Biden administration’s reckless policies. America is stronger and safer when we are energy independent.”
“Since taking office, President Biden has worked to destroy Made in America and Made in Montana energy every step of the way—from killing the Keystone XL pipeline to halting new oil and gas leases on federal lands. Now, President Biden is begging OPEC to produce more oil and is tapping into the nation’s oil reserve to try and cover up the ramifications of his disastrous anti-American energy policies. These desperate moves are not the solution—investing in American energy production is, which includes oil and gas. Instead of tapping into emergency reserves, we need to boost domestic production, and any reserves removed in an effort to cover up his mistakes must be refilled, it’s as simple as that,” said Senator Daines.