Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining Act; REFINER Act
Summary
The REFINER Act directs the Secretary of Energy to task the National Petroleum Council with producing a report on petrochemical refineries in the United States. This report will examine the role and contributions of these refineries to U.S. energy security, including the reliability and affordability of liquid fuels and feedstocks. The report also requires analyses and projections regarding refinery capacity, opportunities for expansion, and potential risks.
Expected Effects
The immediate effect will be the creation of a report providing data and recommendations regarding petrochemical refineries. This report could then inform future policy decisions related to energy production and refining. The long-term effects are dependent on the actions taken based on the report's findings.
Potential Benefits
- Provides a comprehensive assessment of the role of petrochemical refineries in U.S. energy security.
- Identifies opportunities for expanding refinery capacity.
- Offers recommendations for Federal agencies and Congress to encourage increased refinery capacity.
- Increases transparency by making the report publicly available.
- Informs future policy decisions related to energy production and refining.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The report itself does not guarantee any concrete action or improvement.
- The focus on petrochemical refineries might overshadow the importance of renewable energy sources.
- The report could potentially be used to justify policies that favor the fossil fuel industry over environmental concerns.
- There is a cost associated with producing the report, although the bill doesn't specify the amount.
- The 90-day deadline might lead to a rushed and less thorough report.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The REFINER Act appears to align with the constitutional principle of promoting the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to regulate commerce and provide for the common defense, which can be interpreted to include ensuring energy security. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).