A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Western Refined Fuel Reserve Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of Energy to create a new storage reserve for refined petroleum products. This reserve will be part of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and located within Western States. The Secretary must identify and select one storage location, such as a salt cavern, within six months of enactment. The reserve is intended to hold gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. It must be filled and maintained at a minimum capacity over five fiscal years. The Secretary is also authorized to use these reserves to address emergencies or supply disruptions.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +2
Is this likely to create jobs?
The establishment and maintenance of a new fuel reserve may lead to job creation in the energy storage and operations sectors.
- Scored +2
Is this likely to lower the price at the pump?
Establishing a reserve to address supply disruptions and shortages may help mitigate extreme fuel price spikes.
- Scored +1
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Mitigating fuel shortages and price volatility can provide stability for low-income household budgets.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Addressing Supply Vulnerabilities: The Secretary can use the reserve to address energy supply and transportation vulnerabilities in Western States (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
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Emergency Response: The Secretary has the authority to withdraw products to respond to emergencies, supply disruptions, or other circumstances that meet the needs of Western States (Section 2(d)).
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Local Government Cooperation: The Secretary may pursue agreements with Western State and local governments to store non-Federal petroleum products within the reserve (Section 2(e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly identified in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Mitigating fuel shortages and price volatility can provide stability for low-income household budgets. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The reserve helps protect against fuel shortages that disproportionately affect remote and rural communities in Western States. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Stabilizing fuel supplies can help prevent disruptions to urban transportation and logistics networks.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The establishment and maintenance of a new fuel reserve may lead to job creation in the energy storage and operations sectors. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Reducing energy supply vulnerabilities can help provide economic stability in the Western United States.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Is this likely to lower the price at the pump? — Establishing a reserve to address supply disruptions and shortages may help mitigate extreme fuel price spikes. Does this invest in rural communities? — Ensuring energy security can benefit rural areas in Western States that may be susceptible to fuel shortages.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress regarding the reserve's operations.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Securing energy supplies can support the broader stability required for veteran support services.
- 4/6/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.