Western Refined Fuel Reserve Act of 2024

HR 9957, the Western Refined Fuel Reserve Act of 2024, requires the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct a 6-month study on establishing a Western refined fuel storage reserve. The study examines potential salt cavern locations in Western States, infrastructure needs (like rail/highway access), supply chain vulnerabilities during disasters, and economic feasibility. It will assess existing storage capacity and identify benefits for energy security, leading to a congressional report with recommendations on location, operations, funding, and partnerships. This bill does not create the reserve itself but sets the groundwork for future decisions about expanding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve system to better serve the Western U.S. in emergencies.