Refilling America’s Energy Security
The Department of Energy (DOE) announced this week it will buy 1 million barrels of oil to replenish the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). This move represents a long-overdue correction after the Biden administration drained the SPR to its lowest level since 1983.
When President Trump left office, America’s SPR held more than 638 million barrels, a strong safeguard designed to protect the nation in the event of war, natural disaster, or global supply disruption. But the Biden administration repeatedly emptied it for political purposes.
The result? America’s most critical emergency energy stockpile dropped to just 402 million barrels by June 2025, according to the Energy Information Administration. DOE Secretary Christopher Wright said Tuesday that the new purchase is the first step toward restoring what was lost.
“After the previous administration recklessly drained the SPR for political purposes, President Trump promised to refill and manage this national security asset more responsibly,” Wright said. “These actions are an important step in strengthening our energy security and reversing the costly and irresponsible energy policies of the last administration.”
President Trump’s pro-drilling agenda and commitment to energy independence continue to deliver results. America recently hit a new record of producing more than 13.6 million barrels of oil per day, proof that when leaders trust American workers and producers, our nation thrives. But to truly rebuild what Biden drained, those barrels must come from right here at home.
As our Communications Director, Larry Behrens, wrote in RealClear Energy in 2024, “Use American Oil to Fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Now.” The Strategic Petroleum Reserve should be refilled with American oil, produced by American workers, not imported from foreign nations that don’t share our values or interests. It’s time to rebuild what Biden drained and restore America’s energy independence once and for all.
October 22, 2025