What good is tapping the SPR going to do without increased refinery capacity?
It would help some, by offsetting lost production and keeping the price of crude from spiking. But you are absolutely correct that the reduced refining capacity will have the greater short (and possibly mid) term impact.
I dunno fer sure, but aren't there refined fuels in the SPR as well as oil?
No help at all.
But it's got to be done for political gain.