Western Refined Fuel Reserve Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8204
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-06: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-17T19:51:13Z
AI-Generated Summary
Western Refined Fuel Reserve Act of 2026 (H.R. 8204)
Purpose
This bill directs the Secretary of Energy to create a Western Refined Fuel Storage Reserve as part of the existing Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The reserve focuses on storing refined fuels (gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel) in western U.S. states to address energy supply disruptions and transportation vulnerabilities in that region.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Refined Fuel Storage Reserve: A salt cavern facility capable of storing gasoline, diesel, or jet fuel.
- Western States: Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
- Establishment (within 6 months of enactment):
- Secretary must identify and select one storage location in a Western State, prioritizing sites near distribution systems, import-dependent or shortage-prone areas, quick distribution access, and cost-effectiveness.
- Prefer existing public or private facilities via contracts.
- Filling and Maintenance (over 5 fiscal years):
- Maintain at least 75% of minimum capacity: 5 million barrels of gasoline, 3 million barrels of diesel, and 2 million barrels of jet fuel.
- Funded by congressional appropriations for SPR purchases or revenues from SPR emergency/test sales.
- Drawdown: Allows release of fuels for emergencies, supply shortages, or Western States' needs, similar to SPR purposes.
- State and Local Agreements: Secretary may partner with Western State or local governments to store their non-federal fuels in the reserve.
- Reporting: Annual reports to Congress starting 1 year after enactment, covering operations, mechanisms, facility acquisition, and future recommendations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (by adding Section 164) to expand the SPR, which traditionally stores crude oil, to include a regional reserve for refined petroleum products (finished fuels ready for use).
- Ties to Secretary's existing SPR authority (Section 159(f)) and Executive Order 14156 (declaring a national energy emergency).
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Department of Energy gains new duties for site selection, filling, maintenance, and reporting; requires funding and contracts.
- Citizens: Improves fuel supply reliability in Western States, potentially reducing shortages from imports or disruptions (e.g., lower prices or availability during crises).
- Energy Sector: Creates opportunities for public/private storage owners via contracts.
- International Relations: Indirectly reduces Western States' vulnerability to imported fuel supplies, but no direct foreign policy changes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Energy/Secretary of Energy: Leads implementation.
- Western State and Local Governments: Potential partners for storage and beneficiaries of supply security.
- Private/Public Storage Entities: Providers of facilities through contracts.
- Congress: Approves funding and receives reports.
- Western U.S. Residents and Businesses: Gain access to emergency refined fuel reserves.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on existing SPR laws and appropriations; no new funding authorized directly, emphasizing use of current mechanisms.
- Constitutional: Standard congressional delegation to executive (Secretary) for energy management; aligns with commerce clause powers over interstate energy.
- Political: Targets regional (Western) energy needs, potentially addressing supply chain issues like refinery closures or shipping constraints; requires expeditious action (6 months) and ongoing oversight via reports.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-06: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-04-06: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-06: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Western Refined Fuel Reserve Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-06 — PDF (6 pages)