Part A—Domestic Supply

§6211. Repealed. Pub. L. 106–469, title I, §103(1), Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2029

Section, Pub. L. 94–163, title I, §102, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 876; Pub. L. 94–385, title I, §164, Aug. 14, 1976, 90 Stat. 1142; Pub. L. 95–619, title VI, §691(b)(2), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3288; Pub. L. 95–620, title VIII, §802, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3347, provided for incentives to develop underground coal mines.

§6212. Repealed. Pub. L. 114–113, div. O, title I, §101(a), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2987

Section, Pub. L. 94–163, title I, §103, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 877; Pub. L. 96–72, §22(b)(1), Sept. 29, 1979, 93 Stat. 535, related to domestic use of energy supplies and related materials and equipment.

§6212a. Oil exports, safety valve, and maritime security

(a) Omitted

(b) National policy on oil export restriction

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), to promote the efficient exploration, production, storage, supply, marketing, pricing, and regulation of energy resources, including fossil fuels, no official of the Federal Government shall impose or enforce any restriction on the export of crude oil.

(c) Savings clause

Nothing in this section limits the authority of the President under the Constitution, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or regulations issued under that Act (other than section 754.2 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), part B of title II of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6271 et seq.), the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. 1 et seq.),¹ or any other provision of law that imposes sanctions on a foreign person or foreign government (including any provision of law that prohibits or restricts United States persons from engaging in a transaction with a sanctioned person or government), including a foreign government that is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, to prohibit exports.

(d) Exceptions and presidential authority

(1) In general

The President may impose export licensing requirements or other restrictions on the export of crude oil from the United States for a period of not more than 1 year, if—

(A) the President declares a national emergency and formally notices the declaration of a national emergency in the Federal Register;

(B) the export licensing requirements or other restrictions on the export of crude oil from the United States under this subsection apply to 1 or more countries, persons, or organizations in the context of sanctions or trade restrictions imposed by the United States for reasons of national security by the Executive authority of the President or by Congress; or

(C) the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, finds and reports to the President that—

(i) the export of crude oil pursuant to this Act has caused sustained material oil supply shortages or sustained oil prices significantly above world market levels that are directly attributable to the export of crude oil produced in the United States; and

(ii) those supply shortages or price increases have caused or are likely to cause sustained material adverse employment effects in the United States.

(2) Renewal

Any requirement or restriction imposed pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) may be renewed for 1 or more additional periods of not more than 1 year each.

(Pub. L. 114–113, div. O, title I, §101, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2987.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The International Emergency Economic Powers Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is title II of Pub. L. 95–223, Dec. 28, 1977, 91 Stat. 1626, which is classified generally to chapter 35 (§1701 et seq.) of Title 50, War and National Defense. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1701 of Title 50 and Tables.

The National Emergencies Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is Pub. L. 94–412, Sept. 14, 1976, 90 Stat. 1255, which is classified principally to chapter 34 (§1601 et seq.) of Title 50, War and National Defense. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1601 of Title 50 and Tables.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is Pub. L. 94–163, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 871. Part B of title II of the Act is classified generally to part B (§6271 et seq.) of subchapter II of this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6201 of this title and Tables.

The Trading With the Enemy Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is act Oct. 6, 1917, ch. 106, 40 Stat. 411, which was classified to sections 1 to 6, 7 to 39 and 41 to 44 of the former Appendix to Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as chapter 53 (§4301 et seq.) of Title 50. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

This Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(C)(i), is div. O of Pub. L. 114–113, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2986. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, and not as part of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act which comprises this chapter.

Section is comprised of section 101 of div. O of Pub. L. 114–113. Subsec. (a) of section 101 of div. O of Pub. L. 114–113 repealed section 6212 of this title. Subsec. (e) of section 101 of div. O of Pub. L. 114–113 amended sections 53106 and 53111 of Title 46, Shipping.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§6213. Certain lease bidding arrangements prohibited

(a) Promulgation of rule by Secretary of the Interior

The Secretary of the Interior shall, not later than 30 days after December 22, 1975, prescribe and make effective a rule which prohibits the bidding for any right to develop crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids on any lands located on the Outer Continental Shelf by any person if more than one major oil company, more than one affiliate of a major oil company, or a major oil company and any affiliate of a major oil company, has or have a significant ownership interest in such person. Such rule shall define affiliate relationships and significant ownership interests.

(b) Definitions

As used in this section:

(1) The term "major oil company" means any person who, individually or together with any other person with respect to which such person has an affiliate relationship or significant ownership interest, produced during a prior 6–month period specified by the Secretary, an average daily volume of 1,600,000 barrels of crude oil, natural gas liquids equivalents, and natural gas equivalents.

(2) One barrel of natural gas equivalent equals 5,626 cubic feet of natural gas measured at 14.73 pounds per square inch (MSL) and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

(3) One barrel of natural gas liquids equivalent equals 1.454 barrels of natural gas liquids at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

(c) Exemptions

The Secretary may, in his discretion, consider a request from any person described in subsection (a) of this section for an exemption from the prohibition of this section. In considering any such request, the Secretary may exempt bidding for leases for lands in any area only if the Secretary finds, on the record after opportunity for an agency hearing, that—

(1) such lands have extremely high cost exploration or development problems; and

(2) exploration and development will not occur on such lands unless such exemption is granted.

Findings of the Secretary under this subsection shall be final, and shall not be invalidated unless found to be arbitrary or capricious.

(d) Unitization of producing fields

This section shall not be construed to prohibit the unitization of producing fields to increase production or maximize ultimate recovery of oil or natural gas, or both.

(e) Report to Congress covering extension of restrictions on joint bidding

The Secretary shall study and report to the Congress, not later than 6 months after December 22, 1975, with respect to the feasibility and desirability of extending the prohibition on joint bidding to—

(1) bidding for any right to develop crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids on Federal lands other than those located on the Outer Continental Shelf; and

(2) bidding for any right to develop coal and oil shale on such lands.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title I, §105, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 879; Pub. L. 95–372, title II, §205(c), Sept. 18, 1978, 92 Stat. 646.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1978—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–372 substituted "in his discretion, consider a request from any person described in subsection (a) of this section for an exemption from the prohibition of this section" for "by amendment to the rule, exempt bidding for leases for lands located in frontier or other areas determined by the Secretary to be extremely high risk lands or to present unusually high cost exploration, or development, problems" in existing provisions and inserted provisions setting out the requisite finding of the Secretary and making arbitrariness and capriciousness of the Secretary's findings the only bases for invalidation of those findings.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

Functions of Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations under this chapter relating to fostering of competition for Federal leases and to implementation of alternative bidding systems authorized for award of Federal leases transferred to Secretary of Energy by section 7152(b) of this title. Section 7152(b) of this title repealed by Pub. L. 97–100, title II, §201, Dec. 23, 1981, 95 Stat. 1407, and functions of Secretary of Energy returned to Secretary of the Interior. See House Report No. 97–315, pp. 25, 26, Nov. 5, 1981.

§6214. Repealed. Pub. L. 106–469, title I, §103(3), Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2029

Section, Pub. L. 94–163, title I, §106, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 880, related to production of oil or gas at the maximum efficient rate and temporary emergency production rate.

§6215. Major fuel burning stationary source

(a) Restrictions on issuance of orders or rules by Governor pursuant to section 7425 of this title

No Governor of a State may issue any order or rule pursuant to section 7425 of this title to any major fuel burning stationary source (or class or category thereof)—

(1) prohibiting such source from using fuels other than locally or regionally available coal or coal derivatives, or

(2) requiring such source to enter into a contract (or contracts) for supplies of locally or regionally available coal or coal derivatives.

(b) Petition to President

(1) The Governor of any State may petition the President to exercise the President's authorities pursuant to section 7425 of this title with respect to any major fuel burning stationary source located in such State.

(2) Any petition under paragraph (1) shall include documentation which could support a finding that significant local or regional economic disruption or unemployment would result from use by such source of—

(A) coal or coal derivatives other than locally or regionally available coal,

(B) petroleum products,

(C) natural gas, or

(D) any combination of fuels referred to in subparagraphs (A) through (C), to comply with the requirements of a State implementation plan pursuant to section 7410 of this title.

(c) Action to be taken by President

Within 90 days after the submission of a Governor's petition under subsection (b), the President shall either issue an order or rule pursuant to section 7425 of this title or deny such petition, stating in writing his reasons for such denial. In making his determination to issue such an order or rule pursuant to this subsection, the President must find that such order or rule would—

(1) be consistent with section 7425 of this title;

(2) result in no significant increase in the consumption of energy;

(3) not subject the ultimate consumer to significantly higher energy costs; and

(4) not violate any contractual relationship between such source and any supplier or transporter of fuel to such source.

(d) Effect on authority of President to allocate coal or coal derivatives

Nothing in subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall affect the authority of the President or the Secretary of the Department of Energy to allocate coal or coal derivatives under any provision of law.

(e) Definitions

The terms "major fuel burning stationary source (or class or category thereof)" and "locally or regionally available coal or coal derivatives" shall have the meanings assigned to them for the purposes of section 7425 of this title.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title I, §107, as added Pub. L. 95–619, title VI, §661, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3285; amended Pub. L. 106–469, title VI, §605(b)(2), Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2043.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2000—Pub. L. 106–469 inserted section catchline.

§6216. Annual Home Heating Readiness Reports

(a) In general

On or before September 1 of each year, the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Energy Information Agency, shall submit to Congress a Home Heating Readiness Report on the readiness of the natural gas, heating oil and propane industries to supply fuel under various weather conditions, including rapid decreases in temperature.

(b) Contents

The Home Heating Readiness Report shall include—

(1) estimates of the consumption, expenditures, and average price per gallon of heating oil and propane and thousand cubic feet of natural gas for the upcoming period of October through March for various weather conditions, with special attention to extreme weather, and various regions of the country;

(2) an evaluation of—

(A) global and regional crude oil and refined product supplies;

(B) the adequacy and utilization of refinery capacity;

(C) the adequacy, utilization, and distribution of regional refined product storage capacity;

(D) weather conditions;

(E) the refined product transportation system;

(F) market inefficiencies; and

(G) any other factor affecting the functional capability of the heating oil industry and propane industry that has the potential to affect national or regional supplies and prices;

(3) recommendations on steps that the Federal, State, and local governments can take to prevent or alleviate the impact of sharp and sustained increases in the price of natural gas, heating oil, and propane; and

(4) recommendations on steps that companies engaged in the production, refining, storage, transportation of heating oil or propane, or any other activity related to the heating oil industry or propane industry, can take to prevent or alleviate the impact of sharp and sustained increases in the price of heating oil and propane.

(c) Information requests

The Secretary may request information necessary to prepare the Home Heating Readiness Report from companies described in subsection (b)(4).

(Pub. L. 94–163, title I, §108, as added Pub. L. 106–469, title VI, §605(a), Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2042.)

§6217. Scientific inventory of oil and gas reserves

(a) In general

The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy, shall conduct an inventory of all onshore Federal lands. The inventory shall identify—

(1) the United States Geological Survey estimates of the oil and gas resources underlying these lands;

(2) the extent and nature of any restrictions or impediments to the development of the resources, including—

(A) impediments to the timely granting of leases;

(B) post-lease restrictions, impediments, or delays on development for conditions of approval, applications for permits to drill, or processing of environmental permits; and

(C) permits or restrictions associated with transporting the resources for entry into commerce; and

(3) the quantity of resources not produced or introduced into commerce because of the restrictions.

(b) Regular update

Once completed, the USGS resource estimates and the surface availability data as provided in subsection (a)(2) shall be regularly updated and made publicly available.

(c) Inventory

The inventory shall be provided to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate within 2 years after November 9, 2000.

(d) Assessments

Using the inventory, the Secretary of Energy shall make periodic assessments of economically recoverable resources accounting for a range of parameters such as current costs, commodity prices, technology, and regulations.

(Pub. L. 106–469, title VI, §604, Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2041; Pub. L. 109–58, title III, §364(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 723.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy Act of 2000, and not as part of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

2005—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–58, §364(a)(1)(A), struck out "reserve" before "estimates" and "and" after the semicolon.

Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 109–58, §364(a)(1)(B), added pars. (2) and (3) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: "the extent and nature of any restrictions or impediments to the development of such resources."

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–58, §364(a)(2), substituted "resource" for "reserve" and "publicly" for "publically".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–58, §364(a)(3), added subsec. (d) and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (d). Text read as follows: "There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to implement this section."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Resources of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Natural Resources of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.