Rep. Calvert Introduces the National Security Interstate Pipeline Act

Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) introduced the National Security Interstate Pipeline Act, H.R. 9838, a bill that would authorize the expedited approval of interstate oil and natural gas pipelines that are critical to the national security of the United States. Representatives Vince Fong (CA-20), James Gallagher (CA-1), Darrell Issa (CA-48), Nathaniel Moran (TX-1), Jefferson Shreve (IN-6), Dale Strong (AL-5), and David Valadao (CA-22) are original cosponsors of the bill. 

“Radical energy policies put in place in Democrat-led states, like California, continue to hurt working families as well as threaten our national security,” said Rep. Calvert. “The National Security Interstate Pipeline Act will ensure California and other states can be connected to energy-producing regions and keep oil and gas flowing to the critical national security facilities that depend on them. We cannot let radical Democrats threaten our national and economic security by cutting off oil and gas through regulatory roadblocks.” 

Background: 

The National Security Interstate Pipeline Act would allow the President to designate an interstate pipeline project as critical to the national security of the United States and necessary to ensure energy supply for military installations, the defense industrial base, or critical infrastructure resilience. Designated pipeline projects would be under the exclusive authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the purposes of authorizing siting, construction, expansion, or operation. Projects would be considered in an expedited time frame, with FERC decisions required within 180 days of an application. Designated projects would be preempted from state and local permitting or other requirements that would stop or delay the project. Any judicial claims arising under the act would be required to be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

In 2025, oil production in California reached a record low. The 257,000 barrels produced per day were less than a quarter of what it was in 1985. As a result, California is increasingly dependent on foreign sources of oil from the Middle East, South America, and Canada. 

In 2024, California refineries relied on foreign sources for 63% of the oil they used – an all-time high. Oil produced in California made up only 23% of what was used by refineries – an all-time low. California’s petroleum refining capacity has been reduced by 30% in the past five years due to the closure of refineries.

California currently has no interstate pipelines connecting it to the broader U.S. oil supply infrastructure. 

California ranks first in jet fuel demand among all states. 

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