Where Industry and Security Intersect
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Effects of Crude Oil and Refined Petroleum Product Imports on the National Security
This report contains the results of an investigation requested by the National Energy Security Committee, a coalition of associations, companies, and individuals, under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, to study the effect of oil imports on the domestic petroleum industry and on United States energy security. It reviews previous energy security assessments and resulting initiatives, assesses current U.S. energy security, and studies emergency petroleum requirements. The report found that there were substantial improvements in U.S. energy security since the last Section 232 Petroleum finding in 1979. However, declining domestic oil production, rising oil imports, and growing dependence on potentially insecure sources of supply raised concerns of vulnerability to a major supply disruption. The report found that maintenance of U.S. access to sufficient supplies of petroleum is essential to our defense preparedness and concluded that petroleum imports threaten to impair national security. The report recommended a number of cost-effective actions that could reduce our vulnerability, focusing on increased opportunities for domestic energy production and greater insurance that adequate oil supplies are available in the event of a supply disruption.