KVA: Vote YES on H.R. 21, The Strategic Production Response Act

Jan 26, 2023 by AFP

Dear Representatives,

On behalf of Americans for Prosperity activists in all 50 states, I urge you to support H.R. 21, The Strategic Production Response Act.

H.R. 21 prohibits releasing crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) for reasons other than a severe energy supply interruption until a plan is issued to increase oil and gas production on federal lands and waters. Americans for Prosperity believes affordable, reliable energy is a key driver of prosperity and economic opportunity. Unfortunately, government efforts to micromanage energy supplies and sources ultimately lead to higher prices, hurting the most vulnerable citizens. Releasing oil from the SPR in the absence of a true emergency is only the most recent example. However, it is a particularly insidious one. By draining the reserve to cover up the natural consequence of failed policies, it creates a false sense of energy security and actually makes energy supplies and citizens more vulnerable during a time of geopolitical tumult.

As advocates for American consumers, families, and businesses, we strongly support this legislation’s requirement that the SPR be used only for its intended emergency response purpose and that any SPR releases be paired with the creation of a concrete plan by relevant federal agencies to address one of the root causes of high gas prices—insufficient oil supply including from domestic sources. In November 2021 and again in October 2022, President Biden announced the U.S. Department of Energy would release barrels of oil from the SPR to counteract rising energy costs. Energy experts have explained that tapping the SPR will not drive down gas prices in a sustainable way. The decision was little more than “a drop in the ocean” when it comes to energy policy, said Robert McNally, President of Rapidan Energy Group. Nor will the decision alter the Biden administration’s failed energy policies, such as the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline, the suspension of oil and gas leasing in certain areas in the U.S., and the EPA’s adoption of new oil and gas regulations – to simply name a few.

The SPR is designed for emergencies, not because of inflation caused by poor policy decisions. Instead of continuing to put our economy and national security at risk by making us dependent on OPEC, Americans for Prosperity urges Congress to embrace an all-of-the-above energy abundance approach that embraces our country’s vast resources – both traditional oil and gas and renewable. It is for these reasons we respectfully ask you to vote YES on H.R. 21, The Strategic Production Response Act.

Sincerely,

Brent Gardner
Chief Government Affairs Officer
Americans for Prosperity