Bill Overview
Title: Freedom from Russian Energy Enterprise and Domestic Oil Maximization Act
Description: This bill directs the President to prohibit imports of crude oil, petroleum, petroleum products, and liquified natural gas from Russia. It also (1) authorizes the construction and operation of the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline to import oil from Canada into the United States, and (2) nullifies the Executive Order titled Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and signed January 27, 2021.
Sponsors: Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]
Target Audience
Population: People who rely on global energy markets
Estimated Size: 330000000
- The bill affects global energy markets by restricting imports from Russia, a major supplier of oil and gas.
- European and Asian countries dependent on Russian energy might face changes in market dynamics.
- The global oil and gas industry may see changes in demand due to shifts in U.S. import policies.
- Global climate change initiatives could be affected due to changes in U.S. domestic energy policies.
Reasoning
- The FREEDOM Act is poised to impact the U.S. energy markets by altering import sources and potentially affecting domestic energy production. We selected interviewees from various occupations and regions to gauge a broad impact.
- Following the characteristics of the target population, the selected respondents include individuals in the oil and gas industry, consumers potentially affected by energy price fluctuations, and environmental advocates who may perceive the nullification of climate-focused executive orders as consequential.
- We allocated the simulations to reflect common scenarios within the United States, considering the budget limitations and choosing individuals likely to feel a realistic range of influences due to the policy changes.
- A broad assessment was needed to consider the heterogeneity in reaction — from consumers who might see price impacts, workers who could experience job market shifts, and those concerned about environmental natural gas increases due to different market dynamics.
Simulated Interviews
Petroleum Engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 46 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might boost job security within U.S. oil industries.
- Potential for increased project funding but concern over environmental impacts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Environmental Scientist (Bismarck, ND)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Concerned the policy reverses climate action progress.
- Against the Keystone Pipeline due to ecological risks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 3 |
Software Developer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Worried about the rollback of renewable energy investments.
- Sees potential tech innovation in energy storage more crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Retired School Teacher (Topeka, KS)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Worries about rising household energy costs.
- Hopes for stable or reduced prices due to domestic production changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Truck Driver (Pittsburgh, PA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any changes in oil supply affect fuel prices directly impacting my costs.
- Hopes domestic oil boosts lead to stable prices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Financial Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy makes U.S. oil investments more interesting but cautions about global market uncertainties.
- Environmental repercussions could offset economic gains.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Restaurant) (Chicago, IL)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Higher costs might squeeze margins if energy prices rise.
- Hopes policy leads to reduced energy volatility.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Retired Oil Industry Executive (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Sees strategic opportunity in domestic production boosts.
- Cautious about long-term policy effects on renewables inclusion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
College Student (Boulder, CO)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy seems like a step back in climate action.
- Worries about future career prospects in renewable energy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Gas Station Owner (Dallas, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy could stabilize prices for consumers.
- Uncertain if benefits outweigh potential geopolitical risks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2500000000)
Year 2: $1000000000 (Low: $750000000, High: $1250000000)
Year 3: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 5: $300000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $400000000)
Year 10: $100000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $150000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Russia-Ukraine war could affect European energy reliance and stability.
- Environmental groups may oppose Keystone Pipeline, leading to legal challenges.