Strategic Production Response Act
What changed between versions
The plan must now account for the percentage of petroleum already drawn down from the SPR since January 21, 2021 (the start of the Biden administration), in addition to future drawdowns. This means the required increase in federal oil and gas leasing is calculated based on both past and future drawdowns.
The cap on the total increase in percentage of federal lands leased for oil and gas production was raised from 10 percent to 15 percent.
The Secretary must ensure the plan does not result in the sale of petroleum drawn down from the SPR to Iran, China, North Korea, or Russia.
A new paragraph (6) requires the plan to include a list of specific parcels with their size in acres, location, and any permits or approvals necessary for access and production.
A new prohibition bars any entity with a contractual relationship with, or owned, controlled, or under the influence of a 'foreign entity of concern' (defined as China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, and any other country subject to US sanctions) from receiving financial benefit or participation in the leasing plan.
A new paragraph (4) requires the Secretary to submit the plan to specific House committees (Armed Services, Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources) and Senate committees (Energy and Natural Resources, Environment and Public Works, Armed Services, Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry).
New Section 6 adds a rule of construction stating nothing in the Act authorizes the President to declare an emergency under section 161(d) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act for political or non-emergency purposes to draw down and sell petroleum products.
A new paragraph (5) requires the Secretary to identify areas to lease within approximately 224,793.73 acres in the Thompson Divide area of Colorado, including National Forest System lands, public lands, and reserved federal mineral interest.
New Section 3 preserves the September 8, 2020 Presidential memorandum that withdrew certain areas of the US Outer Continental Shelf from leasing disposition, stating nothing in the Act affects it.
New Sections 4 and 5 preserve existing statutory or regulatory restrictions (including land withdrawals) that prohibit oil and gas leasing in the North Atlantic Planning Area and South Atlantic Planning Area respectively.