01.25.23

Hoeven Colleagues Introduce Bill to Require Increased Oil & Gas Production on Federal Lands Before Tapping SPR

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) helped introduce the Strategic Production Response Act, legislation sponsored by Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) to prioritize American energy production. Specifically, the bill would prohibit the U.S. Secretary of Energy from tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) for reasons other than a severe energy supply interruption until the U.S. Secretary of the Interior issues a plan to increase oil and gas production on federal lands and waters. 

Hoeven previously cosponsored this legislation in the 117th Congress, while also authoring legislation that would take immediate action to increase U.S. domestic energy production, such as prohibiting presidential moratoria on new energy leases and requiring the Interior Secretary to hold oil and gas lease sales.

“Energy independence is central both to our economy and our national security, yet the Biden administration continues to hold up energy leasing and permitting on federal lands while draining our strategic reserves,” said Hoeven. “President Biden needs to change course and take the handcuffs off American energy production. This legislation would preserve the SPR for emergencies and require the administration to instead utilize our vast taxpayer-owned oil and gas resources to bring down prices for consumers.”

In addition to Hoeven and Barrasso, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.). The full text of the legislation can be read here.

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