[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 702 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 702
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 19, 2015
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing,
and Urban Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To adapt to changing crude oil market conditions.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States has enjoyed a renaissance in energy
production, establishing the United States as the world's
leading oil producer.
(2) By authorizing crude oil exports, the Congress can spur
domestic energy production, create and preserve jobs, help
maintain and strengthen our independent shipping fleet that is
essential to national defense, and generate State and Federal
revenues.
(3) An energy-secure United States that is a net exporter
of energy has the potential to transform the security
environment around the world, notably in Europe and the Middle
East.
(4) For our European allies and Israel, the presence of
more United States oil in the market will offer more secure
supply options, which will strengthen United States strategic
alliances and help curtail the use of energy as a political
weapon.
(5) The 60-ship Maritime Security Fleet is a vital element
of our military's strategic sealift and global response
capability. It assures United States-flag ships and United
States crews will be available to support the United States
military when it needs to mobilize to protect our allies, and
is the most prudent and economical solution to meet current and
projected sealift requirements for the United States.
(6) The Maritime Security Fleet program provides a labor
base of skilled American mariners who are available to crew the
United States Government-owned strategic sealift fleet, as well
as the United States commercial fleet, in both peace and war.
(7) The United States has reduced its oil consumption over
the past decade, and increasing investment in clean energy
technology and energy efficiency will lower energy prices,
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase national
security.
SEC. 2. REPEAL.
Section 103 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C.
6212) and the item relating thereto in the table of contents of that
Act are repealed.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL POLICY ON OIL EXPORT RESTRICTION.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, to promote the
efficient exploration, production, storage, supply, marketing, pricing,
and regulation of energy resources, including fossil fuels, no official
of the Federal Government shall impose or enforce any restriction on
the export of crude oil.
SEC. 4. STUDY AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
(a) Strategic Petroleum Reserve.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall conduct a
study and transmit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of
the Senate recommendations on the appropriate size, composition, and
purpose of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
(b) Greenhouse Gas Emissions.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall conduct,
and transmit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of
the Senate the results of, a study on the net greenhouse gas emissions
that will result from the repeal of the crude oil export ban under
section 2.
(c) Strategic Petroleum Reserve Study.--Not later than 120 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall
conduct a study and transmit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate recommendations on the appropriate size,
composition, and purpose of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
(d) Crude Oil Export Study.--
(1) In general.--The Department of Commerce, in
consultation with the Department of Energy, and other
departments as appropriate, shall conduct a study of the State
and national implications of lifting the crude oil export ban
with respect to consumers and the economy.
(2) Contents.--The study conducted under paragraph (1)
shall include an analysis of--
(A) the economic impact that exporting crude oil
will have on the economy of the United States;
(B) the economic impact that exporting crude oil
will have on consumers, taking into account impacts on
energy prices;
(C) the economic impact that exporting crude oil
will have on domestic manufacturing, taking into
account impacts on employment; and
(D) the economic impact that exporting crude oil
will have on the refining sector, taking into account
impacts on employment.
(3) Report to congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Bureau of Industry and
Security shall submit to Congress a report containing the
results of the study conducted under paragraph (1).
SEC. 5. SAVINGS CLAUSE.
Nothing in this Act limits the authority of the President under the
Constitution, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et
seq.), part B of title II of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42
U.S.C. 6271 et seq.), the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. 1
et seq.), or any other provision of law that imposes sanctions on a
foreign person or foreign government (including any provision of law
that prohibits or restricts United States persons from engaging in a
transaction with a sanctioned person or government), including a
foreign government that is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism,
to prohibit exports.
SEC. 6. NATIONAL DEFENSE SEALIFT ENHANCEMENT.
(a) Payments.--Section 53106(a)(1) of title 46, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking the comma before ``for
each'';
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``2016, 2017, and
2018;'' and inserting ``and 2016'';
(3) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (G);
and
(4) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the
following:
``(D) $4,999,950 for fiscal year 2017;
``(E) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018,
2019, and 2020;
``(F) $5,233,463 for fiscal year 2021; and''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 53111 of title 46,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``2016, 2017, and 2018;''
and inserting ``and 2016'';
(2) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (7); and
(3) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
``(4) $299,997,000 for fiscal year 2017;
``(5) $300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018, 2019, and
2020;
``(6) $314,007,780 for fiscal year 2021; and''.
SEC. 7. PARTNERSHIPS WITH MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS.
(a) In General.--The Department of Energy shall continue to develop
and broaden partnerships with minority serving institutions, including
Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) and Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCUs) in the areas of oil and gas exploration,
production, midstream, and refining.
(b) Public-Private Partnerships.--The Department of Energy shall
encourage public-private partnerships between the energy sector and
minority serving institutions, including Hispanic Serving Institutions
and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
SEC. 8. REPORT.
Not later than 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Commerce shall jointly
transmit to Congress a report that reviews the impact of lifting the
oil export ban under this Act as it relates to promoting United States
energy and national security.
SEC. 9. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Commerce shall jointly
transmit to Congress a report analyzing how lifting the ban on crude
oil exports will help create opportunities for veterans and women in
the United States, while promoting energy and national security.
SEC. 10. PROHIBITION ON EXPORTS OF CRUDE OIL, REFINED PETROLEUM
PRODUCTS, AND PETROCHEMICAL PRODUCTS TO THE ISLAMIC
REPUBLIC OF IRAN.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the export of
crude oil, refined petroleum products, and petrochemical products by or
through any entity or person, wherever located, subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States to any entity or person located in,
subject to the jurisdiction of, or sponsored by the Islamic Republic of
Iran.
Passed the House of Representatives October 9, 2015.
Attest:
KAREN L. HAAS,
Clerk.