Plain Language Summary
# REFINER Act Summary **What the bill does:** The REFINER Act requires the Department of Energy to commission a comprehensive report from the National Petroleum Council on U.S. petrochemical refineries. The report would examine how these refineries contribute to American energy security, identify opportunities and risks for expanding their capacity, investigate whether government policies have reduced their operations, and provide recommendations for increasing production capacity. **Who it affects:** This bill primarily affects the oil refining industry, energy policymakers, and potentially consumers of refined petroleum products.
It could influence future energy and environmental regulations affecting refineries and the broader energy sector. **Current status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting Senate action. As a fact-finding measure, it doesn't immediately change any laws or regulations—instead, it mandates research to inform future policy decisions about the refining industry's role in U.S. energy independence.
CRS Official Summary
Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining Act or the REFINER ActThis bill requires the Department of Energy to direct the National Petroleum Council to publish a report on petrochemical refineries located in the United States. The report must include information concerning (1) the contributions of such refineries to U.S. energy security, (2) analyses and projections with respect to opportunities for expanding the capacities of the refineries and the risks to such refineries, (3) any federal or state executive actions that have contributed to a decline in their capacities, and (4) any recommendations to increase such capacities.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.