Republicans request watchdog review of Biden administration's Strategic Petroleum Reserve management
Sales of Strategic Petroleum Reserve compromising US energy security, say Republican lawmakers
Senator John Barrasso and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, both Republicans, have asked the Government Responsibility Office( GAO) to estimate the Department of Energy's( DOE) operation of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve( SPR). The lawgivers claim that deals of about 250 million barrels of oil painting from the SPR last time have weakened US energy security and left the nation more vulnerable to force dislocations. The Democratic lawgivers also expressed concern about the eventuality of structural damage to the SPR's channels and grottoes from the deals, which they say may compromise the reserve's capability to meet its energy security charge in the event of a force dislocation.
Deals of the SPR cause concern among lawgivers
The Biden administration oversaw the deals of about 250 million barrels of oil painting from the SPR last time in trouble to combat high gasoline prices after Russia's irruption of Ukraine. The deals have pushed situations of the reserve to the smallest since 1983. Senator John Barrasso and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers have expressed concern that the SPR deals may have caused structural damage to its channels and grottoes, compromising its capability to meet its energy security charge in the event of a force dislocation.
DOE defends SPR deals
The Biden administration wrote to lawgivers last month, saying the deals didn't damage the SPR. The public lab that monitors the spots indeed said the record drawdown may extend the life of the underground storehouse grottoes . Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm has said purchases to replenish the SPR could begin late this time after life extension work is complete at two of the reserves' four spots on the beachfronts of Louisiana and Texas and after a congressionally commanded trade.
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Republicans call for review of SPR operation
Senator John Barrasso and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers asked the Government Responsibility Office( GAO) to estimate the Department of Energy's operation of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. They say the DOE's mismanagement of the SPR has left the nation more vulnerable to energy force dislocations and increased the capability for OPEC and Russia to use energy as a geopolitical armament. The lawgivers are also concerned about detainments and cost overruns in the SPR modernization program authorized by Congress in 2015.
The significance of US energy security
The Democratic lawgivers' call for a review of the DOE's operation of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve highlights the significance of US energy security. The SPR is a pivotal tool for guarding against force dislocations and maintaining a stable energy request. Any implicit structural damage to the reserve's channels and grottoes could compromise its capability to meet its energy security charge in the event of a force dislocation. It remains to be seen what the GAO's evaluation will uncover, but the Democratic lawgivers' enterprises emphasize the need for careful operation of the SPR to insure US energy security.
