Title 42The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§6232 Definitions

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 77— - ENERGY CONSERVATION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - DOMESTIC SUPPLY AVAILABILITY › Part Part B— - Strategic Petroleum Reserve › § 6232

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines key words used in the rules about petroleum storage and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Importer — a person who owns imported petroleum at its first storage location in the United States. Interest in land — any ownership or right to use real property, like ownership, easements, leases, or mineral/subsurface rights. Readily available inventories — petroleum stocks that can be used or sold without hurting a refiner’s or importer’s normal operations; does not include minimum or otherwise unavailable reserves. Refiner — someone who owns, runs, or controls a refinery. Related facility — things needed for storage, such as pipelines, roads, reservoirs, or salt brine lines. Reserve — short for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Storage facility — any place or underground formation that can hold large amounts of petroleum. Strategic Petroleum Reserve — petroleum held in storage under these rules.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §6232

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

As used in this part and part C:
(1)Repealed. Pub. L. 106–469, title I, § 103(5)(A), Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2029.
(2)The term “importer” means any person who owns, at the first place of storage, any petroleum product imported into the United States.
(3)Repealed. Pub. L. 106–469, title I, § 103(5)(A), Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2029.
(4)The term “interest in land” means any ownership or possessory right with respect to real property, including ownership in fee, an easement, a leasehold, and any subsurface or mineral rights.
(5)The term “readily available inventories” means stocks and supplies of petroleum products which can be distributed or used without affecting the ability of the importer or refiner to operate at normal capacity; such term does not include minimum working inventories or other unavailable stocks.
(6)The term “refiner” means any person who owns, operates, or controls the operation of any refinery.
(7)Repealed. Pub. L. 106–469, title I, § 103(5)(A), Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2029.
(8)The term “related facility” means any necessary appurtenance to a storage facility, including pipelines, roadways, reservoirs, and salt brine lines.
(9)The term “Reserve” means the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
(10)The term “storage facility” means any facility or geological formation which is capable of storing significant quantities of petroleum products.
(11)The term “Strategic Petroleum Reserve” means petroleum products stored in storage facilities pursuant to this part.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2000—Par. (1). Pub. L. 106–469, § 103(5)(A), struck out par. (1) which read as follows: “The term ‘Early Storage Reserve’ means that portion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve which consists of petroleum products stored pursuant to section 6235 of this title.” Par. (3). Pub. L. 106–469, § 103(5)(A), struck out par. (3) which read as follows: “The term ‘Industrial Petroleum Reserve’ means that portion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve which consists of petroleum products owned by importers or refiners and acquired, stored, or maintained pursuant to section 6236 of this title.” Par. (7). Pub. L. 106–469, § 103(5)(A), struck out par. (7) which read as follows: “The term ‘Regional Petroleum Reserve’ means that portion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve which consists of petroleum products stored pursuant to section 6237 of this title.” Par. (11). Pub. L. 106–469, § 103(5)(B), struck out “; such term includes the Industrial Petroleum Reserve, the Early Storage Reserve, and the Regional Petroleum Reserve” before period at end. 1990—Pub. L. 101–383 inserted “and part C” after “this part”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 6232

Title 42The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73