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H.R. 7398House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

To establish the Western Emergency Refined Petroleum Products Reserve.

Sponsored by Rob BishopRep. Rob Bishop (R-UT)
Introduced June 29, 2020

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 1:20 PM UTC

This bill creates a new emergency fuel stockpile in the western United States, managed by the Department of Defense. The reserve will hold refined petroleum that can be released during emergencies to the military and other government bodies as needed. It is required to be stored in salt caverns near existing transportation infrastructure to ensure quick access.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary of Defense, through the Defense Logistics Agency, must create a "Western Emergency Refined Petroleum Products Reserve" to hold refined petroleum for use in emergencies.
  • The stored fuel can be provided not only to the military but also to other federal agencies, state and local governments, and any public entity the Secretary deems appropriate.
  • The reserve must be sited in the western United States, stored in underground salt caverns, and located close to existing pipelines, rail lines, and highways for easy distribution.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

June 29, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 29, 2020

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

June 29, 2020

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 29, 2020

I

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7398

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 29, 2020

Mr. Bishop of Utah introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To establish the Western Emergency Refined Petroleum Products Reserve.

1.

Establishment of western emergency refined petroleum products reserve

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency, shall establish a reserve, to be known as the Western Emergency Refined Petroleum Products Reserve (in this section referred to as the Reserve), to store refined petroleum products that may be made available to military and governmental entities during an emergency situation, as determined appropriate by the Secretary of Defense.

(b)

Use of reserve

In accordance with subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense may make refined petroleum products stored in the Reserve available to other Federal agencies, State and local governments, and any other public entity determined appropriate by the Secretary of Defense.

(c)

Location

The Reserve shall—

(1)

be located in the western region of the United States;

(2)

utilize salt cavern storage; and

(3)

be in immediate proximity to existing pipeline, rail, and highway infrastructure.