The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 3109, known as the Researching Efficient Federal Improvements for Necessary Energy Refining Act (REFINER Act). Speaker Mike Johnson issued a statement following the passage of the bill, emphasizing its intended impact on energy costs and refining capacity in the United States.
“Today, House Republicans secured another commonsense solution to continue our success in bringing down energy costs and fuel our economy. The House passed the REFINER Act to deregulate, evaluate, and expand U.S. refining capacity so we can harness the full potential of American energy,” Speaker Johnson said. “This legislation advances more of President Trump’s executive orders and energy dominance agenda to increase American energy production, create jobs, strengthen national security, and secure reliable, affordable energy to power America’s homes, businesses, and economy.”
Chairman Guthrie commented on the broader implications for domestic energy policy: “By unleashing American energy, House Republicans are leading the way to support our nation’s energy security, strengthen our grid, and lower prices for hard-working families. The REFINER Act will help to ensure our refineries are being used effectively to produce the oil, gas, and other critical feedstocks we rely upon while the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act expands American energy production and infrastructure by removing U.S. LNG export restrictions, which the Biden-Harris Administration politicized and abused.”
Chairman Latta added: “As energy demand grows, we have to ensure our refining capacity grows with it to maintain America’s energy dominance. The REFINER Act will provide the data and insight needed to guide decisions that reinforce our energy infrastructure and help keep fuel costs low for American families. I thank my House colleagues for supporting and passing my bill and urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this legislation as soon as possible.”
In recent years, U.S. refining capacity has declined due in part to federal and state policies that make operations more difficult. Between 2020 and 2022, refining capacity dropped by over one million barrels per day while the number of refineries decreased from 135 to 128.
The REFINER Act would direct the National Petroleum Council to collect information about petrochemical refineries’ role in U.S. energy security as well as their contributions toward reliability and affordability. The required report would analyze opportunities for expanding capacity along with current risks facing refineries.
Mike Johnson is currently serving in Congress representing Louisiana’s 4th district after replacing John Fleming in 2017. He previously served in Louisiana’s state legislature from 2015 until his election to Congress.
Johnson was born in Shreveport in 1972; he resides in Benton. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a BA in 1995 before earning a JD there three years later.
