news

Today, Congressman Bob Latta’s (R-OH5) legislation, the Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining (REFINER) Act, was approved through a bipartisan vote by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security. Latta’s bill will help increase energy refining capacity in the United States. The bill now awaits approval by the full Committee on Energy and Commerce.   

“Diminished refining capacity in the United States has only exacerbated soaring energy prices that have hurt the pocketbooks of hardworking families, farmers, and manufacturers in Ohio and across the country,” Latta said. “I am pleased to see my REFINER Act advance through the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee today, which will help us identify ways we can expand refinery capacity to ensure there is an abundance of affordable and reliable energy right here in America.” 

Latta’s legislation is cosponsored by Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Duncan (R-SC3), and Reps. Troy Balderson (R-OH12), Greg Pence (R-IN6), and Randy Weber (R-TX14).

“The REFINER Act is an important step in addressing our nation’s energy crisis by ordering a report on refining capacity to expand energy production, meet the energy needs of the American people, and ensure reliable and affordable energy,” Duncan said. “Energy security is national security, and increasing refining capacity will make us more energy secure. I am proud to support this important legislation to restore energy dominance and security.”

"Today's mark-up is an important step forward. The REFINER Act reflects the urgency that E&C Republicans have placed on strengthening U.S. energy security now and into the future,” Balderson said. “I look forward to working with my fellow Ohioan, Rep. Bob Latta, to ensure this legislation advances to the House Floor.”

“Biden’s war on American energy is rising prices across our entire economy,” Weber said. “The REFINER Act will ensure we increase our refinery capacity instead of relying on foreign adversaries. With my congressional district housing roughly 50% of Texas’ daily refining output, I am proud to see this bill pass through the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee.”

Background on the REFINER Act:

H.R. 1085, the REFINER Act, would address the diminished refining capacity in the United States 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.

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.

Click here for full text of the bill.

###