The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) was authorized in 1975 in the wake of the oil crisis of the early 1970s. In the event of a national emergency or an oil supply interruption, the federal government would tap the reserve to supply oil to the military and vital industries. The minimum size of the reserve was set 2000-0243-F 2 at 500 million barrels, and the maximum size was limited to one billion barrels....Read more
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) was authorized in 1975 in the wake of the oil crisis of the early 1970s. In the event of a national emergency or an oil supply interruption, the federal government would tap the reserve to supply oil to the military and vital industries. The minimum size of the reserve was set 2000-0243-F 2 at 500 million barrels, and the maximum size was limited to one billion barrels. Records in this FOIA document necessary supply levels and include reports and papers regarding the Bush administration plan to increase the SPR to 750 million barrels. The materials in FOIA 2000-0243-F are a selective, not necessarily all inclusive, body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. FOIA 2000-0243-F contains includes letters, memos, notes, reports, legislation, and news articles documenting administration policy regarding the SPR. Letters and memos provide insight into internal administration deliberations regarding SPR size and drawdown. Reports include economic models for determining SPR size. News articles document editorial reaction regarding the SPR during the Gulf Crisis as well as the attitudes of the energy industry during this period. The records as a whole provide detailed information about the SPR and administration concerns regarding it especially during the period of the Persian Gulf War. The WHORM Subject Files contain letters and memos regarding the SPR within the government agencies of Petroleum, Department of Transportation, and the Federal Maritime Commission. The Staff and Office Files contain correspondence, memoranda, and publications maintained by individual staff members and offices. These records discuss detailed information about the SPR and administration concerns regarding it, especially during the period of the Persian Gulf War. Read less