# Supply Relief and Domestic Production Cost Reduction Act (S. 5458)
This bill provides temporary tax and royalty relief to domestic oil and natural gas producers when the Secretary of Energy certifies that the country faces an energy supply shortage or elevated fuel costs. The bill triggers relief when conditions such as gasoline prices exceeding the five-year average by more than 15 percent, low crude oil or natural gas inventories, or insufficient production capacity are identified. During these certification periods, which last up to 180 days and can be extended, onshore federal oil and gas leases would pay reduced royalty rates (capped at 8 percent instead of standard rates), rental payments would be cut in half, and marginal wells would pay zero royalties for 24 months. The legislation also speeds up permitting decisions to 30 days, with automatic approval if the government misses the deadline, and allows lease term extensions for producers experiencing delays. Oil and gas companies receiving relief must certify that the savings will support increased production or reduced energy costs to consumers. The bill requires the Department of Energy to report annually to Congress on whether the relief actually increased domestic supply and lowered fuel costs, and the Government Accountability Office must evaluate the program's effectiveness within two years.