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151 records in US in 1980
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1980
Small Refineries Relief Act of 1980 - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to require that refineries have a refining capacity of less than 50,000 barrels of oil per day, as well as not have their own source of crude oil supply, in order to qualify for preference in the sale of any U.S. royalty oil by the Secretary of Energy.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1980
Authorizes the Palo Verde Irrigation District, California, to utilize the Palo Verde Irrigation District Dam for generation of electric power.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1980
Qualifies petroleum products for a general license for reexport when such products are refined in the United States from foreign crude oil pursuant to a processing agreement. Prohibits such qualification for national security or foreign policy reasons certified by the President.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1980
Nuclear Liability Reform Act of 1980 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to limit the aggregate liability of persons liable for public liability caused by a nuclear incident to the sum of the financial protection required and a certain indemnity provided by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Limits such aggregate liability under an indemnification agreement for a nuclear incident outside the United States to $100,000,000 plus the contractor's required protection. Prohibits the payment for such liability at certain facilities from any source except the financial protection required until that protection is exhausted. Requires certain licensees and allows others to make arrangements which satisfy the Commission that the facility's manufacturer and architect-engineer will participate in the industry retrospective rating plan. Directs the Commission, in calculating the maximum amount of liability insurance available from private sources for licensees, to include private liability insurance available under an industry retrospective rating plan providing for premium charges deferred until public liability exceeds or appears likely to exceed the level of the licensee's required primary financial protection. Directs such insurance to be available to and required of each licensee, manufacturer, and architect-engineer of such a facility. Requires the deferred premium charged under such a plan to be: (1) $50,000,000 for each licensee with respect to each facility for which the maximum amount of financial protection is required; (2) for each manufacturer, $25,000,000 multiplied by the number of such facilities the manufacturer has built; and (3) for the architect-engineer, $25,000,000 multiplied by the number of such facilities designed or supervised by such architect-engineer. Increases the statute of limitations to 40 years for certain suits based on nuclear incidents. Directs a finding of liability for damages caused by a nuclear incident if a reasonable person could conclude that medical expenses and the injury or disease which caused them are reasonably related to such nuclear incident. Allows recovery even if the claimant cannot show: (1) the identity or source of the substance which caused the injury or disease; (2) the route the substance took to the claimant; or (3) an explanation of the cause of the substance in the claimant. Prohibits courts from considering claims by the owner or operator of a nuclear reactor until all other permitted claims have been resolved.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a builder of a new residential unit which incorporates a passive solar energy system a credit against the income tax in an amount (not to exceed $3,000 per residential unit) determined under a solar construction credit table. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation with the solar construction credit table for eight categories of residential units, energy savings per residential unit. Limits such tax credit to residential units constructed between September 30, 1980, and January 1, 1986. Specifies the general contents of a passive solar energy system.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1980
Authorizes the Palo Verde Irrigation District, California, to utilize the Palo Verde Irrigation District Dam for generation of electric power.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1980
Industrial Energy Conservation Incentive Tax Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the investment tax credit energy percentage from ten to 20 percent for alternative energy property and for specially defined energy property. Makes such credit refundable. Provides for a refundable 20 percent investment tax credit for qualified conservation property. Defines "qualified conservation property" as property which is used by a taxpayer as an energy-saving modification to an existing industrial facility.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1980
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to retain specified lands within the Outer Continental Shelf extending from Point Concepcion in the south to the California-Oregon border in the north and extending seaward as a national reserve for oil or gas production or development. Prohibits the Secretary from leasing such area for oil or gas production or development without the recommendation of the President or the lack of disapproval of the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1980
Fuel Use Regulatory Reform Act of 1980 - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to require the Secretary of Energy to grant a permanent or a temporary exemption allowing a new electric power plant or a new major fuel-burning installation to use petroleum or natural gas as a primary energy source to petitioners who certify that the Federal, State or local environmental law prevents, either permanently or temporarily, compliance with prohibitions against such use of petroleum or natural gas. Directs the Secretary to grant a temporary or a permanent exemption to an existing electric powerplant or major fuel-burning installation if the petitioner certifies that Federal State or local environmental law prevents, either temporarily or permanently, compliance with prohibitions of such use of petroleum or natural gas at such plant or installation. Requires the Secretary to grant a permanent exemption for the use of natural gas or petroleum in a new major fuel-burning installation if petitioner certifies that the amount of such fuels to be used as a primary energy source in a fuel mixture will not exceed 25 percent. Directs the Secretary to base any finding that an existing installation has a coal or alternate fuel capability on a consideration of the installation's entire energy generating system. Requires the terms and conditions of any exemption to a new or existing facility to apply only to the unit for which the petition is filed. Permits the Secretary to require only information directly related to the unit for which an exemption under this Act is sought. Requires information obtained under this Act to be treated confidentially.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1980
Energy Savings Tax Credit Act of 1980 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a refundable income tax credit for 50 percent of the residential energy costs saved by such taxpayers during a taxable year in comparison with residential energy costs incurred during 1979. Terminates the authority for such tax credit for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1980
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the eligibility of shale oil property used for hydrogenation (or for a similar process subsequent to retorting) for the ten percent energy investment tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1980
Anthracite Coal Revitalization Act of 1980 - Title I: Grants and Loans for Acceleration of Anthracite Coal Production and Transportation - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make grants and loans to assist anthracite coal production, utilization, transportation and related activity. Empowers the Secretary to establish appropriate railroad track and other rehabilitation procedures. Title II: Utilization Program for Anthracite Coal - Authorizes the Secretary to establish a progressive conversion and reconversion program for commercial and certain public buildings. Empowers the Secretary to institute package boiler programs for residential installation for central heating systems at housing project complexes. Title III: Technical Assistance, Research, and Information - Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical aid, research and related anthracite coal information in major marketing areas. Title IV: Implementation and Monitoring of Anthracite Coal Revitalization Programs - Designates the Appalachian Regional Commission to monitor appropriate anthracite coal programs. Directs the Commission's Federal Cochairman to design an interagency monitoring structure, to develop a delivery plan among the organizations identified with the anthracite coal revitalization program and to make an annual report to Congress evaluating the programs conducted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1980
Energy Conservation Diagnosis and Retrofit Program Act - Establishes a grant program to assist up to ten States in any fiscal year for which funds are appropriated under this Act in establishing and operating energy conservation diagnostic and retrofit teams. States that such teams shall provide for existing residential and small commercial buildings diagnostic and retrofit services which include: (1) the determination of heat flow paths in and out of the building; (2) the use of insulating techniques to seal such paths where practicable; (3) adjustments to heating or cooling units to optimize energy efficiency; and (4) recommendations for fuel cost savings. Directs the Secretary of Energy to prescribe grant application guidelines for States. Specifies restrictions on approval of grant applications. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress annual reports on: (1) the number of residential and commercial buildings receiving the diagnostic and retrofit services each year under this Act; and (2) the energy saved in each State each year as a result of such program.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1980
Underground Coal Gasification and Unconventional Gas Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to prepare a comprehensive research, development, and demonstration plan for underground coal gasification and unconventional natural gas production. Requires the Secretary to transmit such plan to Congress not later than June 30, 1981. Requires the Secretary to establish immediately research, development, and demonstration programs for underground coal gasification and unconventional natural gas production. Requires the Secretary to solicit proposals and evaluate new or improved technology which would contribute to such production. Directs the Secretary to solicit proposals for the design of underground coal gasification and enhanced gas recovery facilities for the demonstration programs established pursuant to this Act. States that the goals of such programs shall include the demonstration of: (1) a minimum production capacity of 15,000,000 standard cubic feet per day of synthetic natural gas from underground coal gasification by the year 1987; (2) significant gas production on a continuous basis to provide system performance and reliability data; (3) increased gas production from unconventional gas formations through the use of advanced fracturing technology; and (4) unconventional gas production from geopressure reservoirs through multi-long-term high-volume flow tests. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a viable design and cost estimate of the demonstration program facilities. Directs the Secretary to prepare a comprehensive commercialization plan which shall include: (1) the identification of efforts necessary to establish a sufficient industrial infrastructure to meet national underground coal gasification and unconventional natural gas production goals; and (2) an analysis of the government actions needed to minimize and eliminate legal and institutional barriers to and economic uncertainties of such plan. Directs the Secretary to transmit such plan to Congress within two years after the enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress an annual report of the activities undertaken pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1980
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Research and Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to prepare a comprehensive program management plan of research, development, and demonstration of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems. Directs the President to submit to Congress annually the most recent revision of the plan giving justification for any changes. Directs the Secretary to initiate research or accelerate existing research in areas in which the lack of knowledge limits development of OTEC in order to achieve the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to initiate a program to design, construct, and operate well instrumental OTEC facilities of sufficient size to demonstrate the technical feasibility of utilizing the various forms of OTEC to displace nonrenewable fuels. Directs the Secretary to conduct evaluations, arrange for tests, and disseminate information to support such design efforts. Provides for the competitive selection of at least two independent parallel pilot demonstration projects. Establishes goals for the demonstration program which shall include: (1) the demonstration of OTEC technical feasibility through multiple pilot demonstration plants with a combined capacity of at least 50 megawatts of electrical capacity or energy product equivalent by 1987; (2) the delivery of baseload electricity to utilities located on land or the production of commercially attractive quantities of energy products; and (3) the continuous operation of each pilot demonstration facility for a sufficient period of time to collect and analyze system performance and reliability data. Directs the Secretary to prepare a comprehensive technology application and market development plan that will permit the realization of the national goal set forth in this Act of 2,500 megawatts of electrical capacity or energy product equivalent from OTEC systems by 2000. Directs the Secretary to set priorities consistent with several criteria including: (1) the realization of competitive energy costs for OTEC; (2) private cost-sharing; and (3) the promotion of OTEC in areas vulnerable to interruptions in the supply of fossil fuel. Establishes the OTEC Advisory Committee to advise and report to the Secretary. Requires the Committee to meet at least four times annually until the demonstration goals are met. Authorizes appropriations for operating expenses for fiscal year 1982. Authorizes appropriations for the conceptual and preliminary design of demonstration plants with a combined capacity of at least 50 megawatts electrical or energy product equivalent.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1980
Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to direct that the average fuel economy standard for 1995 and later model years shall be 40 miles per gallon.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1980
Federal Coal-Fired Powerplant Siting Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to coordinate the planning and scheduling of Federal, State, and local agency proceedings relating to the siting of coal-fired powerplants (any stationary electric generating unit which uses coal as a fuel to produce electric power). States that the Secretary may, with respect to the siting of such a powerplant, require one environmental impact statement to be used by all the Federal agencies involved. Authorizes the Secretary to require Federal agencies to conduct consolidated proceedings with respect to any coal-fired powerplant matters over which there is concurrent jurisdiction. Requires the Secretary, with the concurrence of State agencies, to prescribe consolidated proceedings procedures for matters over which Federal and State agencies have concurrent jurisdiction. Directs the Secretary to establish a reasonable deadline for Federal agency decisions on the siting of coal-fired powerplants. Directs the Secretary to provide Federal assistance to State programs for coordinating and improving decision procedures for the construction and operation of coal-fired powerplants. Sets forth the criteria for such programs. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to eliminate duplicative application and reporting form requirements for any person proposing a coal-fired powerplant project. Requires an applicant for a license, permit, or approval from any Federal agency for construction or operation of a new coal-fired powerplant which is not proximately sited to explain in the application why proximate siting is infeasible. States that the Secretary may, by rule, pay the costs of participating in a Federal proceeding with respect to a coal-fired powerplant to any intervenor who is unable to pay such costs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1980
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H. R. 7265 (authorizes appropriations for the Department of Energy for national security programs, fiscal year 1981).
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1980
Department of Energy Civilian Research and Development Programs 1981 Authorization Act - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for the Department of Energy operating expenses for the following programs: (1) fossil energy coal, oil, and gas; (2) conservation; (3) solar technology; (3) solar applications; (4) biomass energy systems; and (5) nuclear fission energy. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant project in New Mexico. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a research, development, and demonstration program for high-level radioactive waste disposal. Prohibits funding any person advocating a position on any authorized activity. Directs the Secretary to: (1) study and report to the appropriate congressional committees concerning low-level radioactive waste disposal techniques; (2) carry out a high-level liquid nuclear waste management demonstration project at West Valley, New York, in accordance with specified guidelines; and (3) study and make recommendations to Congress concerning the fiscal impact of the West Valley project. Authorizes fiscal year 1981 appropriations for the following programs: (1) nuclear fusion; (2) geothermal energy; (3) small-scale hydropower; (4) electric energy systems; (5) energy storage systems; (6) basic energy sciences; (7) supporting research; (8) high energy physics; (9) nuclear physics; (10) uranium enrichment process development; and (11) environmental research and development. Directs the Secretary to carry out a magnetic fusion energy research, development, and demonstration program in accordance with specified policy objectives and program directives. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for the above mentioned programs for capital expenses not related to construction and for supply research and development plant and capital equipment. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress concerning: (1) the Department's policy on cost-sharing and contracts for large coal conversion demonstration and pilot plant projects; and (2) the comprehensive, multiyear program plan for energy conservation research, development, and demonstration. Prohibits the use of appropriated funds to: (1) store any irradiated nuclear fuel assembly in any subsurface geologic repository; or (2) construct spent fuel containers for permanent emplacement in any repository. Requires the Federal share of plant and capital equipment construction projects to be funded separately from the operating expenses accounts. Directs that each such project be assigned to one of the following categories: (1) major construction projects; (2) minor construction projects; (3) general plant projects; or (4) planning and design. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish the Research and Development Construction and Facilities Office; (2) assign a qualified panel of engineers and architects to review and report on the design of all planned laboratory/office facilities under the control of the Secretary; and (3) report to Congress describing such facilities. Makes research, development, and demonstration appropriations contained in the Act appropriating fiscal year 1980 funds for the Department of the Interior and related agencies subject to the Energy Reorganization Act provision concerning the authorized uses of operating expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to repeal the prohibitions against any gasoline rationing contingency plan which imposes any tax or user fee or provides a tax credit or tax deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
Motor Gasoline Incremental Pricing Act of 1980 - Directs the President to establish a program providing for: (1) the distribution of coupons for purchasing gasoline at a discounted price; (2) the distribution of coupons for no more than 50 percent of each State's actual total of gasoline sold; (3) limitations on the price charged by gasoline retailers; (4) the distribution of coupons within each State; and (5) payments by or to retailers based on the amount of coupons collected. Restricts coupons to no more than two vehicles per family. Requires congressional approval of the regulations establishing such program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1980
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 6154 (ocean thermal energy facilities).
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should take the necessary actions to make the United States the exclusive importer of oil and petroleum products into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1980
District Heating Act of 1980 - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to make grants upon the application of a qualified municipality (a self-governing town or city of population 100,000 or less which meets the Federal assistance requirements prescribed by the Secretary) to fund: (1) feasibility studies on district heating (the provision through pipelines of residential, commercial, and industrial water and space heating, and process steam from electric powerplants or other thermal sources) in such municipality; and (2) engineering and design studies for district heating in such municipality. Authorizes the Secretary upon application by a qualified municipality to make guaranteed interest loans to such municipality to cover the costs establishing a district heating system. Requires that each loan application contain plans, specifications, and estimates for the proposed heating system. Sets forth the criteria for approval of loan applications by the Secretary. States that loan application approval by the Secretary shall be deemed a contractual obligation of the United States to grant the loan for the district heating system. Conditions Federal assistance for district heating systems on the disclosure of complete information on any such system to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States for studies by the States and local government entities on organization problems related to the establishment of district heating systems.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1980
Amends the Mineral Lands Leasing Act to authorize holders of leases of oil shale lands to lease additional lands for purposes connected with operations pursuant to an oil shale lease. Limits such additional leases to not more than 6,400 acres. Provides that land leased pursuant to this Act may not be used for oil shale mining but may be used for any other purpose authorized by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires the lessee to show to the Secretary's satisfaction that the lessee needs the additional land and has the ability to conduct environmentally safe operations. Requires the Secretary's determination that the additional lease is in the public interest. Establishes guidelines for other lease provisions including rent and duration.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1980
Omnibus Renewables Act of 1980 - Title I: Solar and Geothermal Energy Programs - Amends the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974 to provide for a program to develop solar agricultural and industrial process heat for use in meeting needs of agricultural and industrial operations. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a development and demonstration program on solar energy systems to provide agricultural and industrial process heat. Requires the Secretary to transmit to Congress a comprehensive management plan which shall include performance criteria for the solar heating components and systems to be used in such program. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress concurrently with the President's annual budget following transmittal of the initial program management plan a detailed description of the plan as then in effect, including any significant changes in the program. Directs the Secretary to enter into such contracts and make such grants as are necessary for: (1) the development or procurement of solar agricultural and industrial process heat systems; (2) the installation and testing of such systems; and (3) the operation of such installations during the demonstration period. Allows title to such systems to be conveyed subject to any terms prescribed by the Secretary to the owners of the facilities involved. Directs the Secretary to: (1) monitor the operations of such systems; (2) collect, evaluate, and disseminate data on all such systems; and (3) carry out studies in furtherance of this Act. Requires that priority be given in the solar agricultural and industrial process heat demonstration program to: (1) projects in which a substantial share of the purchasing, installation, and operating funds are provided by private entities and non-Federal governmental entities; and (2) projects which involve technologies which will be acceptable to the public soon. Directs the Secretary to establish a program for the repair and retrofit of solar heating systems and combined solar heating and cooling systems in accordance with the applicable performance criteria established under this Act by the Secretary for residential dwellings. Requires that priority under such program be given to projects which: (1) can be repaired at the least cost; and (2) are located in areas where (a) a substantial portion of residential heat may be derived from solar energy and (b) there is public skepticism about solar heating. Requires the Secretary to conduct a study of Federal geothermal leasing and environmental review procedures. States that emphasis in such study shall be placed on: (1) the desirability of optional phased exploration leases which prohibit development until the environmental impact of such development has been assessed; and (2) the imposition of time limits on permit issuance. Requires the Secretary to report the results of such study to Congress. Directs the Secretary to establish an office to encourage small business participation in the development and demonstration of solar energy. Requires the Secretary to encourage small inventors to participate in the development and demonstration of solar energy by placing representatives of small inventors in the Energy Department's regional offices. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to allow a taxpayer to elect to take an amortization deduction for any qualified geothermal property. Permits a taxpayer who has elected to take such deduction at any time to discontinue the deduction for the rest of the amortization period. Deems the election of such deduction terminated if during the amortization period the qualified geothermal property ceases to meet the specified definition of qualified geothermal property.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Low Income Energy Assistance Act of 1980 - Amends the Social Security Act to provide energy assistance to recipients of aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) and recipients of supplemental security income benefits. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make to each State an allotment of funds authorized under this Act for each fiscal year. Sets forth the criteria for determining the amount of each State allotment. Directs the Governor of each State having an approved AFDC plan to establish a program to help AFDC recipients meet residential energy costs. Sets forth the factors which may be considered in determining the need of a particular recipient for energy assistance payments. States that such payments shall be made from the State allotment paid by the Secretary under this Act. States that such payments shall not be considered either aid to families with dependent children or income. Prohibits a State from reducing the AFDC benefits of a recipient of energy assistance payments. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program of energy assistance payments to recipients of supplemental security income benefits. Sets forth the criteria for determining the need of a particular recipient for such assistance. States that such payments shall be made only from funds reserved from the State allotment paid by the Secretary under this Act. States that such payments shall be in addition to any supplemental security income benefits to which an individual is entitled.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1980
Requires that Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas lease sales in the Chukchi Sea and Bering Sea in western Alaska occur only after a coastal zone management plan has been completed. Conditions such lease sales upon a good-faith effort by Alaska authorities to develop and approve a coastal zone management plan in a timely manner.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1980
Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to limit the amount of all State and local severance taxes or fees on coal mined on Indian or Federal lands and shipped in interstate commerce to any powerplant or major fuel-burning installation or on improvements or other rights, property, or assets connected with the production of such coal. States that such tax shall not exceed a total of 12 1/2 percent of the value of such coal produced during a fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1980
Powerplant Fuel Conservation Act of 1980 - Title I: Accelerated Fuel Conversions of Certain Powerplants - Prohibits the use of petroleum or natural gas as a primary energy source after the 90th day following the enactment of this Act by any powerplant capable of converting to coal or other alternate fuel, without express exemption approved by the Secretary of Energy. Provides a procedure for procuring a stay of such prohibition pending consideration of such exemption. Limits the duration of any exemption to: (1) five years after its approval; or (2) December 31, 1985, whichever is later. Directs the Secretary to make a grant to any owner or operator of any alternate fuel capable powerplant for up to 50 percent of any amounts paid or incurred after November 9, 1978, for the conversion of such powerplant from the use of petroleum to coal or another alternate fuel as a primary energy source. Disqualifies from eligibility for such a grant any powerplant for which an exemption is sought. Specifies grant application requirements. Excludes from the reasonable costs coverable by a grant any costs for real estate acquisition, or for facilities, equipment, or improvements which are not at the same site as the designated powerplant. Requires: (1) publication in the Federal Register of every such grant application upon receipt, with opportunity afforded for public comment; and (2) consultation by the Secretary with the Governor (or designee) of the State where the powerplant is located, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Conditions award of a grant upon assurances that the conversion of the powerplant involved will occur not later than December 31, 1985, or three years after grant approval. Prohibits payment of any grant funds to any State regulated utility unless the State regulatory authority has certified to the Secretary, and the Secretary is satisfied, that the base used for ratemaking purposes by such utility will be reduced by the amount of the grant. Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to any electric utility which owns or operates any existing electric powerplant using coal as a primary energy source, for any reasonable amounts paid or incurred after enactment for the design and installation of equipment and facilities for reducing the sulfur atmospheric pollutants emitted by such powerplant. Requires the Secretary to notify the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency of any application for such a grant and authorizes approval if approval has been recommended by the Administrator. Directs the Secretary to establish a program to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of sulfur removal systems for which grants are made. Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to any person for up to 20 percent of the reasonable costs paid or incurred for the design and installation of equipment and facilities for reducing the sulfur content of coal committed for use in any powerplant. Prohibits recovery after December 31, 1985, of any costs incurred by an electric utility for petroleum or natural gas used for certain powerplants by use of an automatic adjustment clause in its rate schedule, without express exemption by the Secretary. Title II: Additional Incentives for Reduction of Powerplant Use of Petroleum and Natural Gas - Directs the Secretary to make a grant to any electric utility for reasonable costs incurred after enactment in carrying out an approved fuel displacement plan. Limits the amount of a utility's grant to its pro rata share of the total appropriation for such grants, determined according to the ratio of: (1) the utility's base period fuel usage to (2) the estimated base period fuel usage of all electric utilities. Keys the obligation of approved grant amounts to any utility to the fuel reduction target established in its fuel displacement plan, depending on the percentage by which such target meets or falls short of such utility's pro rata share of a national fuel reduction goal of 600,000 barrels per day of petroleum and natural gas. Makes available additional grant amounts for any excess of such pro rata share. Sets a maximum grant ceiling of $4.00 per barrel of petroleum or natural gas conserved under the utility's fuel displacement plan. Specifies application and reporting requirements. Sets a minimum grant funds pay-out schedule of five years. Provides for recapture by the United States of funds paid out to any utility failing to meet the fuel displacement target established in its fuel displacement plan. Sets the period beginning January 1, 1974, and ending December 31, 1978, as the base period for purposes of determining base period fuel usage. Specifies factors for appropriate adjustments to the base period fuel usage. Specifies general contents of any fuel displacement plan. Requires prior approval of any such plan by the appropriate State regulatory authority in the case of a State regulated electric utility before the Secretary may approve. States that such prior approval shall be deemed to satisfy any State or local requirement that construction or operation of a new powerplant is permissible only if such facility is demonstrated to be needed because of an increase in demand for power. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Secretary, upon application by an owner or operator of an existing industrial manufacturing facility and after consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to declare that such facility shall not be deemed a new facility for purposes of the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 and the Clean Air Act by reason of any physical or operational change of such facility (not constituting construction) which results in a more efficient use of petroleum and natural gas as a primary energy source in such facility with no net increase in air pollution. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires every electric utility which consumed 250,000 barrels or more of petroleum or natural gas per year between January 1, 1974, and December 31, 1978, to prepare a study of its fuel usage containing a 15-year forecast of: (1) the estimated costs of continuing to use petroleum or natural gas as a primary energy source; and (2) the total estimated cost of converting existing powerplants to coal or other alternate fuel use, constructing new plants using coal or other alternate fuel as a primary energy source, and implementing energy conservation programs to eliminate or reduce the use of petroleum and natural gas. Directs the Secretary to make a grant to any State agency which meets specified requirements of an Office of Consumer Services for the purpose of assisting consumers in making presentations directly related to the development and review of fuel displacement plans. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act. Specifies circumstances under which funds appropriated for the Economic Regulatory Administration of the Department of Energy may be used for program administration relating to this Act. Limits the making of grants under this Act to capital costs. Requires final action on grant applications within six months after filing. Requires any grant under this Act to be made on the condition that the activity or project funded will be in compliance with applicable environmental requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1980
Energy Impact Assistance Act of 1979 - Amends the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 to authorize State Governors or Indian tribal governing bodies to designate energy impact areas in accordance with specified conditions concerning increases in employment, population, use of public services and facilities, and lack of financial resources to meet needs for such increased use of services and facilities resulting from the existence of a major energy development in such areas. Requires State Governors and Indian tribal governing bodies to designate local planning units to prepare mitigation plans for each such energy impact area. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide financial assistance to eligible States and Indian tribes to carry out planning and management activities designed to prevent or mitigate adverse impacts of major energy developments, and directs the Governors of such States and Indian tribal governing bodies to make subgrants to such local planning units. Sets forth criteria for developing mitigation plans. Requires that States and Indian tribes having energy impacted areas submit to the Secretary a comprehensive investment strategy describing the intended use of energy impact assistance as a condition for receiving such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to make mitigation plan implementation grants to eligible applicants prohibited by State law from incurring debt such as in the form of Federal loans. Authorizes the Secretary to make implementation loans where permitted by State law, and authorizes loan guarantees for the same purposes. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, loans, loan guarantees, and payments of interest on loans to States and other eligible applicants to address the need for public facilities or services in a designated energy impact area on an expedited basis in the event energy development poses a serious threat to the public health and safety and such needs cannot be met in a sufficiently timely manner by other Federal programs. Sets forth requirements for the non-Federal share of the cost of implementing a proposal for which assistance is made. Limits the assistance made under this Act to a total period of five years following the receipt of the first funds for facilities and services. Prohibits the appropriation of funds in support of any program for which Federal financial assistance is available to eligible applicants under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 or the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Establishes in the United States Treasury an Inland Energy Impact Fund to provide funds for the loans and loan guarantees made under this Act. Authorizes the Appalachian Regional Commission to apply for and receive energy impact assistance funds for energy impact areas located within the Appalachian Region. Authorizes regional commissions established under the Public Works and Economic Development Act to apply for and receive energy impact assistance funds for energy impact areas located within such regions. Directs the President to establish an interagency council to coordinate all Federal programs providing assistance to meet needs resulting from major energy developments. Sets forth reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1980 through 1985 to carry out the programs established under this Act. Sets forth criteria for the allocation of such funds as are appropriated. Prohibits specified actions or failures to act from being used as a legal basis for delaying or prohibiting the issuance of any licenses or other authority necessary for the development, construction, or operation of a major energy development. Requires the General Accounting Office to report to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1980
Helium-Energy Act of 1980 - Title I: Helium-Energy Provisions - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a National Helium Reserve for the storage of helium to assure that in the public interest and for national security purposes adequate supplies of helium are available for future energy efficiency and conservation purposes. Provides that the Reserve shall consist of: (1) helium owned by the United States prior to enactment; (2) helium purchased by the Secretary with consideration of not more than one dollar per thousand cubic feet and a right to repurchase from the Reserve the quantity of helium sold; (3) helium extracted in plants owned or operated by the Secretary; and (4) helium acquired by the Secretary pursuant to the Secretary's authority under this Act to acquire helium in the event that storage goals for the reserve are not met. Directs the Secretary, in relation to any helium extraction plant from which the extraction of helium is economically feasible, to enter into an agreement with the owner of the plant to: (1) operate the plant and sell the helium to the Secretary; or (2) permit the Secretary, provided the owner is reasonably and justly compensated, to operate the plant. Directs the Secretary to determine if the goals of the Reserve are being met. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) if the goals are not being met, acquire a sufficient amount of helium in deposits from which helium-bearing natural gas or helium-gas mixtures are not being produced as of the date of the determination and conserve such helium in place or provide for the extraction of the helium; and (2) if such actions are not sufficient to meet the targets, construct plants to extract helium from helium-bearing gas or helium-gas mixtures which are or will be produced but from which helium would not otherwise be extracted. Authorizes the Secretary additionally, if provided in advance in appropriation Acts, to acquire helium at fair market value. Provides that rights of repurchase shall be exercised on a first-in, first-out basis and that the price at which the helium may be sold shall be determined on the basis of the amount necessary to recover the amount paid to the seller, the direct costs of storage, and any processing or transportation services. Authorizes the Secretary to sell helium in the Reserve which is owned by the United States and which is not subject to right of repurchase only if: (1) the helium is not otherwise available at a certain price in the private sector; (2) the helium sold will not have a significant impact on the development or maintenance of a commercially viable market for helium extracted from the atmosphere; (3) the helium has not been reserved for future needs; and (4) the sale will be in the public interest. Provides the administrative authority necessary to establish, operate, and maintain the Reserve. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the President and to Congress concerning the implementation of this Act. Directs the Secretary to conduct studies regarding: (1) additional sites for helium storage facilities for the Reserve and to report the results to Congress; and (2) the future needs and supplies of helium and the effectiveness of this Act in achieving its purpose. Provides that provisions of the Natural Gas Act shall not be applicable to the sale, extraction, processing, transportation, or storage of helium. Authorizes the Secretary to make the storage facilities operated to maintain the Reserve available, at cost, to persons wishing to store helium, if such storage does not restrict or impair the operation of the Reserve. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act for fiscal year 1981, to remain available without fiscal year limitation. Provides that funds for the acquisition and construction of storage facilities and related facilities shall be available only as may be appropriated pursuant to authorization of appropriations. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to include helium within the export restriction exemptions which the President is authorized to make when such exemption is consistent with the national interest and the purposes of such Act. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish the Helium Energy Office, to be headed by a presidentially-appointed Director who shall assist and advise the Secretary on helium-related activities as set forth in this Act. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Reserves for the purposes of this Act public lands containing helium-bearing natural gas or any helium-gas mixture which are unleased under the Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, and reserves rights of ownership of helium, including the right to extract such helium from gas produced from lands permitted, leased or otherwise granted for development under such Act. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations providing for the extraction of helium from public lands. Authorizes the Secretary to contract for or otherwise sponsor research in improving methods of helium extraction, transportation, storage and use. Repeals the Helium Act and cancels the outstanding balance of all unpaid notes insured under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1980
Directs the Secretary of the Navy to sell the United States share of petroleum produced from the Naval Petroleum Reserves Numbered 1 and 3 only to persons who agree to deposit in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve within 30 days an equivalent amount of crude oil in return for payment by the Secretary of the appropriate current market price for such crude oil at the point of transfer of title, taking specified factors into consideration.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1980
Disapproves the President's imposition of import fees on petroleum and petroleum products pursuant to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1980
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the oil import fee should cease to apply unless legislation is enacted which provides for a specified reduction in income taxes for 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1980
Disapproves the proposed rule under the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 relating to exemptions from the incremental pricing of natural gas for other industrial uses.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1980
Utility Rate Reform Act of 1980 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to include Federal standards relating to the retail rates charged by State regulated electric utilities. Sets forth Federal standards which require such utilities to: (1) charge rates to each class of electric consumer which reflect the costs of providing service to such class; (2) show the extent to which costs decrease as the consumption of a certain class increases before such utilities can decrease the rate for that class; (3) provide time-of-day rates to each class of consumer or, under certain conditions, to each consumer; (4) charge seasonal rates to each class of consumer; (5) offer each consumer an interruptible rate which reflects the cost of providing such service to the consumer's class; (6) offer load management techniques which have been approved by the State regulatory authority; (7) prohibit any such utility from increasing a rate pursuant to an automatic adjustment clause unless such clause meets certain requirements; (8) restrict or prohibit master metering of electric service in new buildings; and (9) inform their consumers about rate schedules. Prohibits discrimination against solar, wind, and small generating systems by the State regulated electric utilities. Permits the State regulatory authority or in the absence of action by a State authority, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to determine if an electric utility meets Federal standards. Requires State authorities which determine compliance with Federal standards to report regularly to the Commission. Makes any Commission finding of non-compliance with Federal standards by an electric utility prima facie evidence of non-compliance. Prohibits any rate increases by a State regulated electric utility unless such utility complies with the Federal standards. Grants jurisdiction to Federal district courts to enjoin such utilities from increasing their rates without complying with the Federal standards. Allows the Federal court of appeals to review any State regulatory authority's determination of compliance with the Federal standards upon petition by the Commission, a State agency, a Federal agency or, under certain circumstances, an electric utility. Prohibits any opportunity for review of a determination of compliance except as stated in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Community Energy Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to provide grants on an annual basis to eligible communities which plan to commit such grant funds and local funds to local energy conservation and renewable resource programs. Directs the Secretary to allot appropriations for any fiscal year among the State areas according to a formula set forth in this Act. Requires that funds be allotted among the eligible communities within any State area on the basis of population and the latest reliable data available to the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to review, as necessary, whether program grantees conform with the requirements of this Act and other applicable laws. Allows the Secretary to adjust the amount of grant funds if the Secretary discovers the funds were misused. Prohibits such adjustments from recapturing or deducting from future grant funds that have already been spent on eligible activities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Disapproves the proposed rule under the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 relating to the incremental pricing of natural gas for other industrial uses.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Disapproves the proposed rule under the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 relating to the incremental pricing of natural gas for other industrial uses.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1980
Federal Oil and Gas Development Act of 1980 - Title I: Exploration for and Extraction of Oil and Gas on Federal Land - Directs the Federal Oil and Gas Development Corporation (established by this Act) to exercise sole control over oil and gas exploration and extraction operations on Federal land. Prohibits the formation of any contract or lease for such operations except as provided in this Act. Directs the Corporation's Board of Directors to decide whether to allow any such lease or contract signed but not in effect before the effective date of this Act. Provides for title to any such oil and gas to remain with the United States until it is extracted and sold. Directs the Corporation to exercise all oil and gas rights held by the Federal Government. Authorizes the Corporation to purchase oil from any source to meet energy shortages during an oil emergency. Directs the Corporation to contract for exploration and extraction of oil and gas located on Federal land. Requires the Corporation's President to select the contract which is most profitable to the Corporation. Requires such contracts to include certain costs, bonuses, and profit percentages. Requires public access to any information held by a contractor on the exploration or extraction of oil or gas on Federal land and to information on Federal land which is the subject of a contract for such exploration or extraction. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) manage Federal land and to insure compliance with Federal and State laws and with contracts concerning Federal lands; (2) supervise contracts for the exploration and extraction of oil and gas on Federal land in effect before the enactment date of this Act; (3) determine where new exploration and extraction on Federal land will be allowed; and (4) transfer control over such exploration and extraction to the Corporation. Prohibits the Secretary from exercising any authority for such exploration and extraction after control has been transferred to the Corporation. Requires any exploration or extraction right which had expired to become a right of the Corporation. Directs the Corporation to sell its oil or gas to a qualified buyer and to pay its profits into the United States Treasury. Requires the sales of oil or gas by the Corporation to conform with existing Federal laws and its own regulations. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy, and the Corporation to jointly audit all oil and gas located on Federal land and all leases and contracts involving such oil and gas. Requires a report to Congress on the audit's results. Requires both Secretaries and the Corporation's President to review each contract and lease to determine if requirements of due diligence in exploration and extraction are being met. Allows the Corporation to exercise any exploration or extraction rights contained in a contract that is cancelled because of a lack of due diligence. Directs the Corporation's President to notify, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Secretary of the Interior and the Administrator of the Environment Protection Agency of any exploration or extraction on Federal land. Allows the Administrator to determine if it would result in any unreasonable adverse environmental impact. Directs the Secretary to conform the Corporation's activities with environmental protection. Title II: Federal Oil and Gas Development Corporation - Creates the Federal Oil and Gas Development Corporation composed of a five member Board of Directors. Establishes an Advisory Board to the Corporation to be an information exchange among several executive departments and the Corporation. Requires the Advisory Board to consult with the Corporation during energy emergencies and on conflicts between energy production and environmental protection. Establishes criteria for the appointment of officers and employees, including a President of the Corporation, by the Board of Directors. Prohibits the issuance of shares of stock, declaration of dividends, and contribution to political parties. Directs the Corporation to have the usual powers of a nonprofit corporation established under the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act. Requires the Energy Information Administration to provide the Corporation with all the information requested by the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to submit an annual report to Congress. Establishes a Public Energy Fund as a depositary fund for Corporation revenues. Authorizes the Corporation to issue, and the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase, Corporation obligations up to a certain amount. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Transfers some functions of the Secretary of the Interior, the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration, and the Secretary of Energy to the Corporation's President. Amends the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920: (1) to include a reservation of power by the Corporation's President to cancel any contracts when a party fails to exercise due diligence in performing the contracts; (2) to decrease the amount of land that can be leased by one person in any State after a certain date; (3) to require the Secretary of the Interior to consult with other public officers before permitting certain easements and before suspending certain lease conditions; and (4) to increase the duration of certain leases. Imposes criminal sanctions on Federal employees for disclosure of or speculation based on confidential information concerning crude oil or petroleum products. Repeals the findings and purposes clause of the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1980
National Coal Production, Distribution, and Utilization Act of 1980 - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act of 1980 to designate coal as one of the minerals for which qualified applicants may acquire pipeline rights of way through Federal lands. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to determine whether construction of a coal pipeline would be in the national interest by considering the extent to which the pipeline: (1) would help meet national needs for coal; (2) would help displace imported petroleum and coal; (3) would increase competition and marketing opportunities for all coal producers; (4) would cost more if denied the power of eminent domain; (5) would affect the environment; and (6) would lower the cost of coal to consumers. Allows any person whose application for building a coal pipeline has been approved to acquire a right of way from a coal distributor by exercising the right of eminent domain in the proper State court or United States district court for the district in which the coal distributor's lands are located. Grants United States district courts jurisdiction only in cases where the owner of the land to be condemned claims more than $10,000 in damages.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1980
Strategic Petroleum Reserve Amendments of 1980 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require major importers of crude oil to annually contribute to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve five times the average daily amount of crude oil imported by such persons. Requires the Secretary of Energy to pay an annual fee to such importers. Authorizes the Secretary to permit such importers to remove amounts of crude oil on the commencement of distribution under the plan contained in the implemented Strategic Petroleum Reserve Plan. Requires the Secretary to pay importers (less the amount of the fee already paid) for crude oil distributed from the contributed amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1980
Rural Areas and Small Cities Energy Savings Act of 1980 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to develop and conduct a weatherization program to make grants which finance the purchase and/or installation of weatherization materials in dwellings occupied by low-income persons in rural areas. Directs the Secretary to give priority to the weatherization of those units occupied by the low-income elderly or handicapped persons. Requires the Secretary to coordinate such efforts with those conducted pursuant to the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976. Limits such grants to $1,500 per unit. Requires rural electric cooperatives and nonprofit community based organizations which have applied to and been approved by the Secretary for participation in such program to conduct energy audits of eligible units for participation in such program. Permits such cooperatives and organizations to pool funds received from the Farmers Home Administration to conduct the necessary weatherization work. Sets forth the division of labor on such projects for paid and volunteer workers. Limits the percentage of funds which may be used for administrative expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1980
Disapproves the proposed rule under the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 relating to the incremental pricing of natural gas for other industrial uses.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1980
Disapproves the proposed rule under the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 relating to incremental pricing of natural gas, a copy of which was transmitted to Congress on May 6, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1980
Small Business Energy Conservation Act of 1980 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to make "energy facilities" eligible for Small Business Administration (SBA) contract guarantees. Includes within such definition: (1) solar equipment; (2) photovoltaic cells and related equipment; (3) equipment designed to increase the energy efficiency of existing fossil fuel systems; (4) industrial cogeneration equipment; (5) hydroelectric equipment; (6) wind or tidal conversion equipment; or (6) equipment for producing energy or fuel from wood, biological waste, grain, or other biomass sources. Makes such contract guarantees, when properly issued, valid and incontestable in the hands of the holder. Provides that SBA guarantee fees shall not exceed one and a half percent of the total of all guaranteed payments (presently may not exceed three and a half percent per year of the minimum annual guaranteed rental). Replaces existing "rental guarantee" language in escrow and default provisions with language referring to "guaranteed payments."
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1980
Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy for fiscal year 1981 for conservation, exploration, development, and use of the naval petroleum reserves and the naval oil shale reserves. Provides that the United States share of petroleum produced from Naval Petroleum Reserves Numbered One, Two, and Three shall be available, without reimbursement, exclusively to the Department of Defense. Directs the Secretary of Defense to use such petroleum to meet the requirements of the Department of Defense for petroleum products by: (1) direct use of such petroleum; or (2) exchange of such petroleum for petroleum products of substantially equivalent value for the use of the Department of Defense. Provides that amounts received pursuant to any such exchange shall be available to the Department of Defense to purchase petroleum products. Authorizes the abrogation of any contract to sell the U.S. share of such petroleum. Permits the sale of the U.S. share of natural gas for a period of more than one year. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to require the purchaser of any of the U.S. share of petroleum to be a supplier of petroleum products to the Department of Defense. Authorizes the President to exchange the U.S. share of petroleum produced from the naval petroleum reserves for other petroleum to be placed in strategic storage facilities. Requires any petroleum so placed to be used exclusively for the armed forces. Authorizes the use of monetary consideration in an exchange authorized pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1980
Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to prohibit the President from taking action, pursuant to the President's authority to adjust the imports of articles which threaten national security, to impose import fees on petroleum and petroleum products imported into the United States without specific authorization from Congress, effective March 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1980
Opposes the President's action imposing an import fee on crude oil.