REFINER Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3109
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-01: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-24T12:48:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The REFINER Act (H.R. 3109) aims to assess the current state and future needs of petrochemical refineries in the United States. It directs the creation of a report to evaluate their role in energy security, identify barriers to growth, and provide recommendations for expanding capacity, ultimately supporting reliable and affordable energy supplies.
Key Provisions
- Directive to the National Petroleum Council (NPC): Within 90 days of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of Energy must instruct the NPC—an advisory body of industry experts that provides non-binding recommendations on energy matters—to prepare and submit a report.
- Report Contents:
- Examination of how U.S. petrochemical refineries contribute to national energy security, including the steady supply of liquid fuels (like gasoline) and feedstocks (raw materials for chemical production), and their impact on fuel affordability for consumers.
- Analyses and forecasts on:
- Current refining capacity.
- Opportunities to expand that capacity.
- Potential risks to refineries, such as operational or market challenges.
- Evaluation of federal or state government actions, rules, or policies that may have led to reduced refinery capacity.
- Recommendations for federal agencies and Congress to promote increased refinery capacity.
- Public Accessibility: The report must be submitted to the Secretary of Energy and Congress, and made available to the public.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This legislation introduces a new, one-time reporting requirement under the Department of Energy's authority. It does not amend or repeal prior laws but builds on the existing framework of the NPC, established by the Department of the Interior in 1946 and transferred to the Department of Energy, to mandate a specific study on petrochemical refining. No direct alterations to regulations or statutes are made; the focus is on information gathering to potentially inform future policy.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Energy and NPC will need to allocate resources for report preparation, potentially influencing future regulatory decisions on energy infrastructure. Congress may use the findings to shape energy legislation, such as incentives for refinery expansion.
- Citizens: Could indirectly benefit consumers through recommendations aimed at stabilizing fuel supplies and prices, though short-term impacts are minimal as the bill only requires a report.
- International Relations: May strengthen U.S. energy independence by addressing domestic refining, reducing reliance on foreign oil imports, but no direct effects on trade or diplomacy are specified.
- Overall, the bill's effects are preparatory, with broader implications depending on how recommendations are implemented.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Petrochemical Industry: Refinery operators and related businesses, as the report examines their capacity, risks, and growth opportunities.
- Government Entities: Secretary of Energy, NPC, Congress, and potentially state governments, whose policies will be reviewed.
- Consumers and Energy Users: Individuals and businesses relying on affordable liquid fuels and chemical products.
- Environmental and Regulatory Groups: Indirectly involved, as the assessment of government actions could highlight tensions between energy production and environmental regulations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on the executive branch's advisory mechanisms (via the NPC) without creating enforceable mandates beyond the report, avoiding challenges to separation of powers. The public availability clause promotes transparency under federal open-government principles.
- Constitutional: No direct implications, as it falls within Congress's authority to oversee energy policy and direct executive reporting (Article I, Section 8).
- Political: Highlights debates on domestic energy production versus regulatory constraints (e.g., environmental rules), potentially fueling discussions on deregulation or subsidies for fossil fuel infrastructure. As a referred bill, it signals bipartisan or industry-supported interest in bolstering U.S. refining amid global energy shifts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-01: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-11-20: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-11-20: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 176 (Roll no. 303). (text: CR H4835) (Roll call 303)
- 2025-11-20: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 176 (Roll no. 303). (text: CR H4835) (Roll call 303)
- 2025-11-20: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4849-4850)
- 2025-11-20: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3109, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- 2025-11-20: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- 2025-11-20: DEBATE - The House resumed debate on H.R. 3109.
- 2025-11-20: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3109.
- 2025-11-20: Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107 and H.R. 5214. The resolution provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides for one motion to recommit on H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214, and one motion to commit S.J. Res. 80.
- 2025-11-20: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 879. (consideration: CR H4835-4841)
- 2025-11-17: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 879 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107 and H.R. 5214. The resolution provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides for one motion to recommit on H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214, and one motion to commit S.J. Res. 80.
- 2025-09-11: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 223.
- 2025-09-11: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-267.
- 2025-09-11: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-267.
Bill Versions
- Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining Act — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (4 pages)
- Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining Act — issued 2025-04-30 — PDF (3 pages)
- Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining Act — issued 2025-12-01 — PDF (3 pages)
- Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining Act — issued 2025-09-11 — PDF (6 pages)