MORE INFO Read EPAct sections 301 and 303 on SPR expansion Link to the History of the SPR Expansion web page

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) directs the Secretary of Energy to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to its authorized one billion barrel capacity and to select sites necessary to enable acquisition by the Secretary of the full authorized volume.  The current physical capacity of the SPR is 727 million barrels. 

Section 159(j) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (Public Law 94-163), the authorizing legislation for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, requires that, "If the Secretary determines expansion beyond 700,000,000 barrels of petroleum product inventory is appropriate, the Secretary shall submit a plan for expansion to the Congress." 

A Strategic Petroleum Reserve Expansion Plan to one billion barrels was prepared and submitted to Congress in June 2007.  The plan describes the expansion objectives, the site selection process, the site development plans, the oil distribution plan and the implementation strategy.  Expansion efforts were planned to begin in fiscal year 2008, pending funding from Congress. 

Thus far, DOE has completed an Environmental Impact Statement and a Record of Decision to select the sites for expansion to one billion barrels.  Existing sites Bayou Choctaw and Big Hill would be expanded and a new site in Richton, Mississippi would be constructed.

Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)   

Following issuance of the Record of Decision in 2007 and further discussion with officials of the State of Mississippi and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, DOE notified Mississippi officials on January 23, 2008, of its decision to prepare a SEIS to address new issues raised relating to the water source for leaching caverns and the location of certain facilities for the planned expansion site at Richton. A Notice of Intent was published on March 5, 2008 that provides details about the scope and content of the SEIS.  The SEIS process includes a public comment period during which interested agencies, organizations, Native American tribes, and members of the public will be encouraged to provide input and submit comments regarding the issues and impacts to be addressed and alternatives to be considered.  Three public meetings were also announced.  An amended notice was published on March 21, 2008, to add a fourth public meeting.  

Meetings were held in the Mississippi counties of Perry, Greene, George and Jackson during April 7-10, 2008.  The public scoping period, to include both oral and written comments, concluded on April 29, 2008.  Transcripts from the public meetings and the comments received during the scoping period are available here.