Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB22

Introduced
1/9/23  
Refer
1/9/23  

Caption

Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act This bill prohibits the sale and export of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Department of Energy (DOE) from selling petroleum products (e.g., crude oil) from the SPR to any entity that is under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party. Further, DOE must require as a condition of any sale of crude oil from the SPR that the oil not be exported to China.

Impact

The enactment of HB 22 could have significant implications for U.S. energy policy and international relations, particularly regarding its dealings with China. By restricting the sale of U.S. petroleum reserves to a country viewed as a strategic competitor, the legislation seeks to bolster national security while promoting domestic energy resilience. This could potentially shift the dynamics of international oil markets, particularly if China, a major energy consumer, is limited in its access to U.S. oil during critical moments.

Summary

House Bill 22, known as the Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act, aims to restrict the sale and export of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China. The bill explicitly prohibits the Department of Energy (DOE) from engaging in transactions that involve the sale of petroleum products to any entity associated with the Chinese Communist Party. It mandates that any contracts for the sale of crude oil from the SPR carry the condition that the oil cannot be exported to China, thus framing a robust geopolitical and economic stance against potential threats from foreign adversaries.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 22 appears to be largely supportive among legislators, particularly within Republican circles who emphasize the necessity of protecting national resources from foreign control. The substantial bicameral support demonstrated by the House's voting outcome—330 in favor and 97 against—suggests a strong bipartisan acknowledgment of the bill's intent. However, there may also be concerns raised by some experts regarding whether such restrictions could lead to retaliatory measures from China, impacting the broader energy market and bilateral relations.

Contention

While the majority of the discussion has focused on the positive aspects of national security, notable points of contention may arise regarding the economic repercussions of limiting crude oil exports. Critics might argue that such a stance could inadvertently disadvantage U.S. producers in a competitive global marketplace. Additionally, the language of the bill raises questions about the practical enforcement and monitoring of compliance with the stipulated conditions, given the complex nature of international trade and oil supply chains.

Companion Bills

US SB9

Identical bill Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act This bill prohibits the sale and export of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Department of Energy (DOE) from selling petroleum products (e.g., crude oil) from the SPR to any entity that is under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party. Further, DOE must require as a condition of any sale of crude oil from the SPR that the oil not be exported to China.

US HR5

Related bill Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, and for other purposes.

US SB218

Related bill Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act

Previously Filed As

US SB9

Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act This bill prohibits the sale and export of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Department of Energy (DOE) from selling petroleum products (e.g., crude oil) from the SPR to any entity that is under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party. Further, DOE must require as a condition of any sale of crude oil from the SPR that the oil not be exported to China.

US HB222

No Oil for CCP Act This bill bans exports of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China, North Korea, Iran, and other specified recipients. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Energy to require as a condition of any sale of crude oil from the SPR that (1) the oil not be exported to such countries; and (2) the recipient of the oil is not under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party.

US HB293

Banning Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to prohibit the export or sale of petroleum products (e.g., crude oil) from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to (1) China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran; (2) any other country the government of which is subject to sanctions imposed by the United States; and (3) any entity owned, controlled, or influenced by such countries or the Chinese Communist Party. However, DOE may issue a waiver of the prohibition if the export or sale of petroleum products is in the national security interests of the United States.

US HB2806

Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act

US SB218

Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act

US HB59

Save America’s Valuable Energy Act or the SAVE Act This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to prohibit the sale of petroleum products (e.g., crude oil) from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to certain entities. Specifically, DOE must prohibit the sale of petroleum products from the SPR to entities headquartered in Russia. Further, DOE must prohibit the sale of petroleum products from the SPR to entities headquartered in countries (Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela) that are subject to certain prohibitions concerning exports of defense articles and services under the Department of State's International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

US HB256

Save America’s Valuable Energy Act or the SAVE ActThis bill directs the Department of Energy to prohibit the sale of petroleum products (e.g., crude oil) from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to entities headquartered in Russia, Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

US SB11

Secure Auction For Energy Reserves Act of 2023 or the SAFER Act of 2023 This bill limits the sale and exportation of petroleum products (e.g., crude oil) from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to require, as a condition of auction sales, that the petroleum products not be exported to countries that are designated as countries of particular concern for religious freedom under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. In addition, the bill establishes limits on auction sales of petroleum products from the SPR to state-owned entities if DOE determines that, as of the dates of the auctions, there are bans on, or the imposition of sanctions by the United States with respect to, the purchase of crude oil from countries. Under such circumstances, state-owned entities must certify that they have not purchased petroleum products from countries subject to such bans or sanctions later than 15 days after the date on which the ban or sanctions went into effect in order to be able to bid in auctions. If DOE determines state-owned entities participating in the auctions have purchased crude oil from such countries after that time period, then DOE may not sell petroleum products from the SPR to such entities.

US HB432

Buy Low and Sell High Act This bill revises requirements concerning the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and sets forth provisions to reduce the demand for petroleum fuel and increase fuel supply. For example, the bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish within the SPR an Economic Petroleum Reserve of up to 350 million barrels of crude oil. DOE must also establish a national network of Strategic Refined Petroleum Product Reserves to store up to 250 million barrels of gasoline and diesel fuel, which may be sold when there is a severe fuel supply interruption within the district in which the reserve is located. In addition, the bill increases the cap on the amount of barrels of petroleum distillate that may be stored in the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve from two million to four million. It also establishes limits on the sale and exportation of petroleum products from such reserves. Further, the bill establishes provisions concerning electrifying the transportation sector, zero-emission vehicles, and a program to increase the amount of crude oil refined in oil refineries in certain countries in the Western Hemisphere.

US HB21

Strategic Production Response Act This bill limits the drawdown of petroleum in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until the Department of Energy develops a plan to increase the percentage of federal lands leased for oil and gas production.

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