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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 Committee. The bill now awaits consideration by the full U.S. House of Representatives. 

“Due to the Biden Administration’s efforts to stifle U.S. energy production, energy costs have soared, putting the squeeze on hardworking families, farmers, and manufacturers in Ohio’s Fifth District,” Latta said. “The Energy and Commerce Committee continues to counteract this Administration’s misguided policies by advancing commonsense, pro-energy legislation – like my REFINER Act – that unleashes domestic energy production, lowers costs, and secures our nation’s energy independence.” 

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.

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