Administration’s plans on Strategic Petroleum Reserve sought by Armstrong

A resolution of inquiry introduced on July 26 by U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) would direct the president and the U.S. Secretary of Energy to provide the U.S. House of Representatives with relevant documents and legal opinions regarding the administration’s plans to draw down and sell petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and to refill it.

“The Biden administration’s decision to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve was a political gimmick that did nothing to lower gas prices. The refining capacity doesn’t exist for that oil to be quickly converted into gasoline,” Rep. Armstrong said. “And since we are depleting our strategic reserves, they will need to be refilled with oil that is selling at a higher price, costing taxpayers even more money.

“The real way to bring energy prices down is to empower energy-producing states like North Dakota to provide reliable and needed energy, not attack them and destroy millions of Americans’ livelihoods,” said the congressman.

Rep. Armstrong sponsored H. Res. 1260, which also would require, prior to the federal elections in November, that the president and secretary transmit information to the House on their plans to draw down and sell petroleum products from the SPR to entities under the ownership, control or influence of the Chinese Communist Party, according to the text of the resolution.

The resolution of inquiry has been referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration and report. By House rules, the committee is required to act on it within 14 legislative days, according to Rep. Armstrong’s office, and if it fails to report the resolution back to the House within the 14 legislative day period, then the House may reach the resolution by a motion to discharge.