To be blunt, the SPR is superfluous now. It made sense when we were largely dependent on imported oil as we would have a buffer during a supply disruption. Now

To be blunt, the SPR is superfluous now. It made sense when we were largely dependent on imported oil as we would have a buffer during a supply disruption. Now that the US is producing so much oil, and seemingly has almost unlimited amounts sitting in shale plays across the country, the SPR is much less useful.