Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB218

Introduced
2/1/23  

Caption

Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act

Impact

If enacted, SB218 could significantly alter U.S. energy trade policies and relationships, specifically in relation to China. The bill's prohibition on sales to Chinese-controlled entities is framed as a measure to protect national interests and ensure that the SPR is kept purely for domestic use or allied nations. This could lead to broader implications for energy exports and international partnerships, potentially causing tension in U.S.-China relations depending on how the law is enforced.

Summary

SB218, known as the Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act, is designed to prevent the Secretary of Energy from selling petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to entities connected to the Chinese Communist Party or the People's Republic of China. This legislative action arises amid increasing concerns about U.S. energy independence and the security implications of allowing strategic resources to be utilized by foreign powers, particularly geopolitical rivals like China. The bill aims to reinforce U.S. sovereignty over its critical energy assets.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB218 may include discussions about energy diplomacy, trade relationships, and the balance between protecting national interests and engaging in global markets. Opponents might argue that such restrictive measures could lead to retaliation from China or hinder potential economic benefits from trade. Proponents, however, assert the necessity of safeguarding national resources and preventing any strategic advantages from being extended to adversaries.

Companion Bills

US HB22

Related 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 SB9

Related 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.

Previously Filed As

US HB2806

Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act

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 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 HB22

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 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 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.

US HB2759

Strategic Petroleum Reserve Transparency Act

US SB337

Replenishing Our American Reserves 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 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.

Similar Bills

SC H3303

Petroleum Pipelines

CA AB1646

Hazardous materials: unified program agency: integrated alerting and notification system.

MT HB54

Revise laws related to petroleum brownfields

CA ABX13

Petroleum refineries: imports.

CA AB3258

Refinery and chemical plants.

VA SB1298

Liquefied petroleum gas; filling, refilling, or otherwise delivering during qualifying emergency.

HI HB179

Relating To Deposit Beverage Container Materials.

HI HB179

Relating To Deposit Beverage Container Materials.