§6201. Congressional statement of purpose

The purposes of this chapter are-

(1) to grant specific standby authority to the President, subject to congressional review, to impose rationing, to reduce demand for energy through the implementation of energy conservation plans, and to fulfill obligations of the United States under the international energy program;

(2) to provide for the creation of a Strategic Petroleum Reserve capable of reducing the impact of severe energy supply interruptions;

(3) to increase the supply of fossil fuels in the United States, through price incentives and production requirements;

(4) to conserve energy supplies through energy conservation programs, and, where necessary, the regulation of certain energy uses;

(5) to provide for improved energy efficiency of motor vehicles, major appliances, and certain other consumer products;

(6) to reduce the demand for petroleum products and natural gas through programs designed to provide greater availability and use of this Nation's abundant coal resources;

(7) to provide a means for verification of energy data to assure the reliability of energy data; and

(8) to conserve water by improving the water efficiency of certain plumbing products and appliances.

( Pub. L. 94–163, §2, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 874 ; Pub. L. 102–486, title I, §123(a), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2817 .)

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in introductory clause, was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 94–163, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 871 , as amended, known as the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out below and Tables.

Amendments

1992-Par. (8). Pub. L. 102–486 added par. (8).

Short Title of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–388, §1, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3477 , provided that: "This Act [enacting section 13220 of this title, amending sections 2296a, 2296a–2, 2297g–1, 6241, 6291, 6292, 6294, 6295, 6306, 6316, 6322, 6325, 6371, 6371c, 6371f, 6371i, 6372c, 6372h, 6374, 6383, 6422, 6802, 6872, 8217, 8231, 8235e, 8259, 8287, 8287c, and 13218 of this title and section 3503 of Title 25, Indians, enacting provisions set out as notes under section 6241 of this title, and amending and repealing provisions set out as notes under section 2071 of Title 50, Appendix, War and National Defense] may be cited as the 'Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1998'."

Short Title of 1994 Amendments

Pub. L. 103–406, §1, Oct. 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 4209 , provided: "That this Act [amending sections 6251 and 6285 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note below] may be cited as the 'Energy Policy and Conservation Act Amendments Act of 1994'."

Pub. L. 103–406, title I, §101, Oct. 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 4209 , provided that: "This title [amending sections 6251 and 6285 of this title] may be cited as the 'Energy Policy and Conservation Act Amendments of 1994'."

Short Title of 1990 Amendments

Pub. L. 101–440, §1, Oct. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 1006 , provided that: "This Act [amending sections 6322, 6323, 6324 to 6326, 6371, 6371e, 6371f, 6861 to 6865, 6871, and 6872 of this title and repealing section 6327 of this title] may be cited as the 'State Energy Efficiency Programs Improvement Act of 1990'."

Pub. L. 101–383, §1, Sept. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 727 , provided that: "This Act [enacting sections 6249 to 6249c of this title, amending sections 6202, 6232, 6239 to 6241, 6247, 6251, and 6285 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 2071 of Title 50, Appendix, War and National Defense] may be referred to as the 'Energy Policy and Conservation Act Amendments of 1990'."

Pub. L. 101–360, §1, Aug. 10, 1990, 104 Stat. 421 , provided: "That this Act [amending sections 6251 and 6285 of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 2071 of Title 50, Appendix, War and National Defense] may be referred to as the 'Energy Policy and Conservation Act Short-Term Extension Amendment of 1990'."

Pub. L. 101–262, §1, Mar. 31, 1990, 104 Stat. 124 , provided: "That this Act [amending sections 6251 and 6285 of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 2071 of Title 50, Appendix, War and National Defense] may be referred to as the 'Energy Policy and Conservation Act Extension Amendment of 1990'."

Short Title of 1988 Amendments

Pub. L. 100–494, §1, Oct. 14, 1988, 102 Stat. 2441 , provided that: "This Act [enacting sections 6374 to 6374d of this title and section 2013 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, amending sections 2001, 2002, and 2006 of Title 15, and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 6374 of this title and sections 2006, 2013, and 2512 of Title 15] may be cited as the 'Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988'."

Pub. L. 100–357, §1, June 28, 1988, 102 Stat. 671 , provided that: "This Act [amending sections 6291 to 6295 and 6297 of this title] may be referred to as the 'National Appliance Energy Conservation Amendments of 1988'."

Short Title of 1987 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–12, §1, Mar. 17, 1987, 101 Stat. 103 , provided that: "This Act [amending sections 6291 to 6297, 6299, 6302, 6303, 6305, 6306, 6308, and 6309 of this title] may be referred to as the 'National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987'."

Short Title of 1985 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–58, §1, July 2, 1985, 99 Stat. 102 , provided that: "This Act [enacting sections 6251, 6264, 6285, and 7277 of this title, amending sections 6239, 6240, 6241, 6247, and 6272 of this title, repealing section 6401 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under section 7277 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 2071 of Title 50, Appendix, War and National Defense] may be cited as the 'Energy and Conservation Amendments Act of 1985'."

Short Title of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–370, §1, July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1211 , provided: "That this Act [enacting section 6276 of this title and a provision set out as a note under section 627] may be cited as the 'Renewable Energy Industry Development Act of 1983'."

Short Title of 1982 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–229, §1, Aug. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 248 , provided that: "This Act [enacting sections 6281, 6282, and 6385 of this title, amons 6239, 6240, 6247, 6271, and 6272 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 6234, 6240, and 6245 of this title] may be cited as the 'Energy Emergency Preparedness Act of 1982'."

Short Title of 1981 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–35, title X, §1031, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 618 , provided that: "This subtitle [subtitle C (§§1031–1038) of title X of Pub. L. 97–35, enacting section 6247 of this title, amending sections 6240, 6245, and 6246 of this title, and enacting visions set out as notes under sections 6231, 6240, and 6247 of this title] may be cited as the 'Strategic Petroleum Reserve Amendments Act of 1981'."

Short Title

Section 1 of Pub. L. 94–163 provided in part: "That this Act [enacting this chapter and sections 757 to 760h and 2001 to 2012 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, amending sections 753, 754, 755, 792, 796, and 1901 of Title 15 and section 2071 of the Appendix to Title 50, War and National Defense, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section, sections 753 and 796 of Title 15, and section 2071 of Title 50 App., and repealing provisions formerly set out as a note under section 1904 of Title 12, Banks and Banking] may be cited as the 'Energy Policy and Conservation Act'."

Ex. Ord. No. 11912. Delegation of Authorities

Ex. Ord. No. 11912, April 13, 1976, 41 F.R. 15825, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12003, July 20, 1977, 42 F.R. 37523; Ex. Ord. No. 12038, Feb. 3, 1978, 43 F.R. 4957; Ex. Ord. No. 12148, July 20, 1979, 44 F.R. 4323 Ex. Ord. No. 12375, Aug. 4, 1982, 47 F.R. 34105; Ex. Ord. No. 12919, §904(a)(7), June 3, 1994, 59 F.R. 29533, provided:

By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the statutes of the United States of America, including the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (Public Law 94–163, 89 Stat. 8, 42 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.), the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.), the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), and section 301 of Title 3 of the United States Code, and as President of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. (a) The Administrator of General Services is designated and empowered to perform without approval, ratification, or other action by the President, the functions vested in the President by Section 510 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, as amended (89 Stat. 915, 15 U.S.C. 2010). The Administrator shall exercise that authority to ensure that passenger automobiles acquired by all Executive agencies in each fiscal year achieve a fleet average fuel economy standard that is not less than the average fuel economy standard for automobiles manufactured for the model year which includes January 1 of each fiscal year.

(b) The Administrator of General Services shall also promulgate rules which will ensure that each class of nonpassenger automobiles acquired by all Executive agencies in each fiscal year achieves a fleet average fuel economy that is not less than the average fuel economy standard for uch class, established pursuant to Section 502(b) of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, as amended (89 Stat. 903, 15 U.S.C. 2002(b)), for the model year which includes January 1 of such fiscal year. Such rules shall not apply to nonpassenger automobiles intended for use in combat-related missions for the Armed Forces or intended for use in law enforcement work or emergency rescue work. The Administrator may provide for granting exceptions for individual nonpassenger automobiles or categories of nonpassenger automobiles as he determines to be appropriate in terms of energy conservation, economy, efficiency, or service.

(c) In performing these functions, the Administrator of General Services shall consult with the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Energy.

Sec. 2. The Secretary of Commerce is designated and empowered to perform without approval, ratification, or other action by the President, the functions vested in the President by section 103 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 877, 42 U.S.C. 6212). In performing each of these functions, the Secretary of Commerce shall consult with appropriate Executive agencies, as set forth in the provisions of section 5(a) of the Export Administration Act of 1969, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2404(a)).

Sec. 3. The Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, in the exercise of his statutory responsibility to provide overall direction of procurement policy (41 U.S.C. 405), shall, after consultation with the heads of appropriate agencies, including those responsible for developing energy conservation and efficiency standards, and to the extent he considers appropriate and with due regard to the program activities of the Executive agencies, provide policy guidance governing the application of energy conservation and efficiency standards in the Federal procurement process in accord with section 381(a)(1) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 939, 42 U.S.C. 6361(a)(1)).

Sec. 4. (a) The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the heads of appropriate agencies, is hereby authorized and directed to develop for the President's consideration, in accord with section 201 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 890, 42 U.S.C. 6261), the energy conservation and rationing contingency plans prescribed under sections 202 and 203 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 892, 42 U.S.C. 6262 and 6263).

(b) The Secretary of Energy shall prepare, with the assistance of the heads of appropriate agencies, for the President's consideration, the annual reports provided by section 381(c) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 939, 42 U.S.C. 6361(c)).

Sec. 5. The Secretary of State is hereby delegated the authority vested in the President by Section 252(c)(1)(A)(iii) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 895, 42 U.S.C. 6272(c)(1)(A)(iii)).

Sec. 6. The Secretary of Energy is designated and empowered to perform without approval, ratification, or other action by the President, the functions vested in the President by:

(a) Section 251 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 894, 42 U.S.C. 6271), except the making of the findings provided by subparagraph (b)(1)(B) thereof; however, in performing these functions, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Commerce with respect to the international allocation of petroleum products which are within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States; and provided that the Secretary of Commerce shall promulgate rules, pursuant to the procedures established by the Export Administration Act of 1969, as amended [50 App. U.S.C. former 2401 et seq.], to authorize the export of petroleum and petroleum products, as may be necessary for implementation of the obligations of the United States under the International Energy Program, and in accordance with the rules promulgated under Section 251 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act by the Secretary pursuant to this subsection.

(b) Section 253(c) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 898, 42 U.S.C. 6273);

(c) Section 254(a) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 899, 42 U.S.C. 6274(a)), including the receipt of petitions under section 254(a)(3)(B); provided that, the authority under section 254(a) may be exercised only after consultation with the Secretary of State;

(d) Section 254(b) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 900, 42 U.S.C. 6274(b)); provided that, in determining whether the transmittal of data would prejudice competition or violate the antitrust laws, the Secretary shall consult with the Attorney General, and in determining whether the transmittal of data would be inconsistent with national security interests, he shall consult with the Secretaries of State and Defense, and the heads of such other agencies as he deems appropriate;

(e) Section 523(a)(2)(A) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (89 Stat. 962, 42 U.S.C. 6393(a)(2)(A)), but only to the extent applicable to other functions delegated or assigned by this Order to the Secretary of Energy.

[Secs. 7 and 8. Revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12919, §904(a)(7), June 3, 1994, 59 F.R. 29533.]

Sec. 9. All orders, regulations, circulars or other directives issued and all other action taken prior to the date of this order that would be valid under the authority delegated by this Order, are hereby confirmed and ratified and shall be deemed to have been issued under this order.

Sec. 10. (a)(1) The Secretary of Energy, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall develop, with the concurrence of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, the Administrator of General Services, and the heads of such other Executive agencies as he deems appropriate, the ten-year plan for energy conservation with respect to Government buildings, as provided by section 381(a)(2) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6361(a)(2)).

(2) The goals established in subsection (b) shall apply to the following categories of Federally-owned buildings: (i) office buildings, (ii) hospitals, (iii) schools, (iv) prison facilities, (v) multi-family dwellings, (vi) storage facilities, and (vii) such other categories of buildings for which the Administrator determines the establishment of energy-efficiency performance goals is feasible.

(b) The Secretary shall establish requirements and procedures, which shall be observed by each agency unless a waiver is granted by the Secretary, designed to ensure that each agency to the maximum extent practicable aims to achieve the following goals:

(1) For the total of all Federally-owned existing buildings the goal shall be a reduction of 20 percent in the average annual energy use per gross square foot of floor area in 1985 from the average energy use per gross square foot of floor area in 1975. This goal shall apply to all buildings for which construction was or design specifications were completed prior to the date of promulgation of the guidelines pursuant to subsection (d) of this Section.

(2) For the total of all Federally-owned new buildings the goal shall be a reduction of 45 percent in the average annual energy requirement per gross square foot of floor area in 1985 from the average annual energy use per gross square foot of floor area in 1975. This goal shall apply to all new buildings for which design specifications are completed after the date of promulgation of the guidelines pursuant to subsection (d) of this Section.

(c) The Secretary with the concurrence of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the heads of the Executive agencies specified in subsection (a) and the Director of the National Bureau of Standards, shall establish, for purposes of developing the ten-year plan, a practical and effective method for estimating and comparing life cycle capital and operating costs for Federal buildings, including residential, commercial, and industrial type categories. Such method shall be consistent with the Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A–94, and shall be adopted and used by all agencies in developing their plans pursuant to subsection (e), annual reports pursuant to subsection (g), and budget estimates pursuant to subsection (h). For purposes of this paragraph, the term "life cycle cost" means the total costs of owning, operating, and maintaining a building over its economic life, including its fuel and energy costs, determined on the basis of a systematic evaluation and comparison of alternative building systems. [References to National Bureau of Standards deemed to refer to National Institute of Standards and Technology pursuant to section 5115(c) of Pub. L. 100–418, set out as a Change of Name note under 15 U.S.C. 271.]

(d) Not later than November 1, 1977, the Secretary, with the concurrence of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and after consultation with the Administrator of General Services and the heads of the Executive agencies specified in subsection (a) shall issue guidelines for the plans to be submitted pursuant to subsection (e).

(e)(1) The head of each Executive agency that maintains any existing building or will maintain any new building shall submit no later than six months after the issuance of guidelines pursuant to subsection (d), to the Secretary a ten-year plan designed to the maximum extent practicable to meet the goals in subsection (b) for the total of existing or new Federal buildings. Such ten-year plans shall only consider improvements that are cost-effective consistent with the criteria established by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB Circular A–94) and the method established pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section. The plan submitted shall specify appropriate energy-saving initiatives and shall estimate the expected improvements by fiscal year in terms of specific accomplishments-energy savings and cost savings-together with the estimated costs of achieving the savings.

(2) The plans submitted shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include the results of preliminary energy audits of all existing buildings with over 30,000 gross square feet of space owned and maintained by Executive agencies. Further, the second annual report submitted under subsection (g)(2) of this Section shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include the results of preliminary energy audits of all existing buildings with more than 5,000 but not more than 30,000 gross square feet of space. The purpose of such preliminary energy audits shall be to identify the type, size, energy use level and major energy using systems of existing Federal buildings.

(3) The Secretary shall evaluate agency plans relative to the guidelines established pursuant to subsection (d) for such plans and relative to the cost estimating method established pursuant to subsection (c). Plans determined to be deficient by the Secretary will be returned to the submitting agency head for revision and resubmission within 60 days.

(4) The head of any Executive agency submitting a plan, should he disagree with the Secretary's determination with respect to that plan, may appeal to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for resolution of the disagreement.

(f) The head of each agency submitting a plan or revised plan determined not deficient by the Secretary or, on appeal, by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall implement the plan in accord with approved budget estimates.

(g)(1) Each Executive agency shall submit to the Secretary an overall plan for conserving fuel and energy in all operations of the agency. This overall plan shall be in addition to and include any ten-year plan for energy conservation in Government buildings submitted in accord with Subsection (e).

(2) By July 1 of each year, each Executive agency shall submit a report to the Secretary on progress made toward achieving the goals established in the overall plan required by paragraph (1) of this subsection. The annual report shall include quantitative measures and accomplishment with respect to energy saving actions taken, the cost of these actions, the energy saved, the costs saved, and other benefits realized.

(3) The Secretary shall prepare a consolidated annual report on Federal government progress toward achieving the goals, including aggregate quantitative measures of accomplishment as well as suggested revisions to the ten-year plan, and submit the report to the President by August 15 of each year.

(h) Each agency required to submit a plan shall submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget with the agency's annual budget submission, and in accordance with procedures and requirements that the Director shall establish, estimates for implementation of the agency's plan. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall consult with the Secretary about the agency budget estimates.

(i) Each agency shall program its proposed energy conservation improvements of buildings so as to give the highest priority to the most cost-effective projects.

(j) No agency of the Federal government may enter into a lease or a commitment to lease a building the construction of which has not commenced by the effective date of this Order unless the building will likely meet or exceed the general goal set forth in subsection (b)(2).

(k) The provisions of this Section do not apply to housing units repossessed by the Federal Government.

Executive Order No. 12759

Ex. Ord. No. 12759, Apr. 17, 1991, 56 F.R. 16257, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12902, §701, Mar. 8, 1994, 59 F.R. 11471, which provided for minimization of petroleum use in Federal facilities, vehicle fuel efficiency outreach programs, and Federal vehicle fuel efficiency, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13123, §604, June 3, 1999, 64 F.R. 30859, set out as a note under section 8251 of this title.

Executive Order No. 12902

Ex. Ord. No. 12902, Mar. 8, 1994, 59 F.R. 11463, which directed executive agencies to implement programs to reduce energy consumption, increase energy efficiency, and conserve water, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13123, §604, June 3, 1999, 64 F.R. 30859, set out as a note under section 8251 of this title.

Cross References

Emergency energy conservation, see section 8501 et seq. of this title.

Energy conservation for existing buildings, see section 6851 et seq. of this title.

Energy conservation standards for new buildings, see section 6831 et seq. of this title.

Federal buildings, energy conservation, see sections 8241 et seq. and 8251 et seq. of this title.

Photovoltaic solar electric systems, Federal utilization, see section 8271 et seq. of this title.

Powerplant and industrial fuel use, see section 8301 et seq. of this title.

Residential energy conservation, see section 8211 et seq. of this title.

Solar energy heating, cooling, research, development, and demonstration, see section 5501 et seq. of this title.