H.R.256 - Save America’s Valuable Energy Act; SAVE Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 256, the "Save America's Valuable Energy Act" (SAVE Act), aims to prevent the sale of petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to entities headquartered in countries subject to specific U.S. regulations or in Russia. The bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to include this prohibition.
Specifically, it bars the Secretary from selling SPR oil to entities based in countries listed under 22 CFR 126.1(d)(1) or in Russia. This is intended to ensure that strategic oil reserves are not used to benefit adversaries or countries of concern.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 9, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill, if enacted, would be to restrict the potential buyers of petroleum products released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This could limit revenue generated from SPR sales and potentially affect international energy markets.
It may also lead to diplomatic friction with countries affected by the prohibition. Domestically, it could be seen as a measure to protect U.S. energy security.
Potential Benefits
- Strengthens national security by preventing adversaries from accessing U.S. strategic oil reserves.
- Potentially reduces reliance on foreign entities for energy needs.
- May incentivize domestic energy production.
- Could be viewed as a symbolic measure to demonstrate resolve against certain countries.
- Ensures that U.S. assets are not used to indirectly support potentially hostile nations.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Limits the pool of potential buyers for SPR oil, potentially reducing revenue from sales.
- Could strain diplomatic relations with affected countries.
- May disrupt international energy markets and create uncertainty.
- Could lead to retaliatory measures from affected countries.
- May not significantly impact overall global energy dynamics, as other sources of oil are available.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the constitutional power of Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3). It also relates to national security, which is an implied power of the federal government.
However, the bill's impact on international trade and potential for discriminatory application could raise questions under the Commerce Clause. The bill does not appear to infringe on any explicitly protected individual rights or liberties outlined in the Bill of Rights.
Overall, the bill's constitutionality seems plausible, contingent on its application and potential impact on international trade agreements.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).