Senate Democrats are pushing back against discussions between the Trump administration and an energy company over a proposed West Coast Strategic Petroleum Reserve, arguing the plan could bypass Congress and exceed the administration's authority.
Sens. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., sent a letter Wednesday to Energy Secretary Chris Wright demanding that the Department of Energy halt efforts to establish a regional emergency oil reserve on the West Coast until Congress authorizes such a move.
"We also request that the Department cease all work to establish any new West Coast Strategic Petroleum Reserve until it has followed the process Congress has laid out," the senators wrote, according to CNN.
The dispute comes as the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve has fallen to its lowest level in more than four decades, highlighting growing concerns about America's energy security amid global instability.
The proposal reportedly originated with Sable Offshore Corp., which has been in discussions with the administration about creating a regional reserve to improve California's energy resilience.
Wright recently confirmed the administration is engaged in "active dialogue" about the concept.
Supporters argue a West Coast reserve could strengthen national security by addressing California's unique energy vulnerabilities.
Unlike much of the country, California lacks major pipeline connections to other domestic oil-producing regions and relies heavily on imports and local refining capacity.
"California is a military launch pad for the Pacific Ocean," Wright told Politico. "What is it that we can do to make California and our national defense more secure?"
The debate comes as inventories in the federal Strategic Petroleum Reserve have fallen to approximately 340 million barrels, the lowest level since 1983.
According to recent Department of Energy data, the reserve declined by nearly 9 million barrels during the latest reporting period as the Trump administration continued a broader effort to stabilize fuel prices and offset supply disruptions linked to the conflict with Iran.
Supporters of the administration's energy strategy argue that increasing oil supplies has helped keep gasoline prices from rising even higher during months of turmoil in the Middle East.
Energy prices have eased in recent weeks as negotiations between the United States and Iran moved toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping routes.
Critics contend the proposed West Coast reserve is unnecessary and could face legal hurdles because Congress has not specifically authorized funding for a new regional petroleum reserve.
Still, advocates of the proposal argue that California's geographic isolation and its concentration of military assets create a legitimate national security concern that deserves consideration.