news

Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) last week introduced the Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining (REFINER) Act to help increase energy refining capacity in the United States. Reps. Troy Balderson (R-OH12), Greg Pence (R-IN6), and Randy Weber (R-TX29) joined Latta in introducing the legislation.

Over the last several years, North America lost an estimated one million barrels of fuel per day due to low refining capacity. The REFINER Act would address this crisis by collecting critical information, including identifying factors leading to low refining capacity, and presenting lawmakers with recommendations to expand refining capacity to ensure an abundance of affordable and reliable energy in the United States. 

“As a result of refinery closures – coupled with an increase in the demand for fuel – North American refining capacity has reached its lowest level in years,” Latta said. “Energy prices are already soaring, and the dwindling refinery capacity threatens to further increase these costs. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the REFINER Act to finally address this mounting issue. It’s imperative we work toward solutions – like increasing our refinery capacity and unleashing domestic energy production – to help lower energy prices for hardworking families, farmers, and manufacturers in Ohio and across America.”  

“The REFINER Act takes stock of the factors contributing to America's diminished refining capacity and sets the stage for meeting consumer demands long-term," Balderson said. "In the wake of record-high prices, Congress should identify and reduce red tape to increase refining capacity and meet the energy needs of the American people."

“With a background in the petroleum industry, I understand the deregulation we must seek in order to unleash domestic energy production. We can no longer allow the Biden Administration’s liberal Green New Deal policies to constrain millions of Americans’ way of life,” Pence said. “The REFINER Act is a strong first step in addressing the energy crisis our nation has been facing and puts America back on track for energy dominance.”

“My gulf coast district is home to seven of our largest petroleum refineries, making this issue personal,” Weber said. “Increasing Americans refining capacity to ensure that affordable and reliable energy is abundant in the United States is essential for the greatest nation on earth to be energy-independent from foreign adversaries. It is critical that we research the refining capacity, or what we don’t know will hurt us: we will find ourselves in serious fuel shortage. This is a matter of national security, and I am glad to support this important legislation."

Background on the REFINER Act:

The REFINER Act would require the National Petroleum Council to submit a report to the Secretary of Energy and Congress, detailing:

• the role of petrochemical refineries in the U.S. and the contribution they make to the energy security of the United States, including the reliability of supply in the U.S. of liquid fuels and feedstocks, and the affordability of liquid fuels for consumers in the U.S.;
• analyses and projections for the capacity of petrochemical refineries in the U.S., opportunities for expanding capacity, and current risks to the refineries;
• an assessment of any Federal or State executive actions, regulations, or policies that have caused or contributed to a decline in refining capacity; and
• any recommendations for Federal agencies and Congress to encourage an increase in refining capacity.

Energy and Commerce Committee Action on Latta’s REFINER Act:

Latta highlighted his REFINER Act during a recent joint Energy, Climate, & Grid Security Subcommittee and Environment, Manufacturing, & Critical Materials Subcommittee Legislative Hearing. Click here, or below, to view Latta’s full remarks.