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Bill· HRH.R. 11144 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1978
Lifeline and Electric Rate Reform Act - Title I: General Provisions - Declares it the purpose of this Act to reform inequities in the structure of electric utility rates. Title II: Definitions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Defines the scope of coverage under this Act. Stipulates that direct Federal regulation shall not apply where regulation is specifically reserved and effectively enforced by the States in accordance with applicable national minimum standards. Title III: Electric Energy Office - Creates an Electric Energy Office in the Federal Power Commission to establish and enforce National Minimum Standards for Ratemaking to be binding upon all electric utility regulatory agencies. Requires that all electric utilities and local distributors furnish monthly reports to the office disclosing information on the amount of electric energy supplied, the amount and rate of charges for each consumer class, and the amount and costs of fuel utilized by each utility. Imposes criminal and civil penalties for failure to make full disclosure of such information. Title IV: Rate Structures - Directs the Federal Power Commission, in the exercise of its regulatory functions, to accord highest priority to residential and small business users. Prohibits regulatory authorities from permitting the sale of electric energy to low priority users at rates less than those charged to high-priority consumers. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of electric-energy at rates or charges which have not been specifically approved by the appropriate regulatory agency after public hearings. Directs the Federal Power Commission to encourage conservation of electric energy by requiring that rates be graduated progressively upward for consumption of electric energy in amounts above subsistence quantities. Title V: Lifeline Electric Rates - Requires that electric utility rate charges for subsistence quantities of electric energy to residential consumers not exceed the lowest rate charged to any other electric consumer. Requires the use of graduated rate structures for consumption of electric energy in amounts above subsistence quantities. Title VI: Electric Rates for Nonresidential Customers - Requires that electric utility rate changes for nonresidential customers be the lowest rate charged to any other electric consumer in the same class. Requires progressively higher rates for consumption in excess of the basic requirements of such nonresidential customers. Title VII: Effective Dates - Stipulates that the provisions of this Act shall become effective one year from the date of its passage, unless otherwise indicated.
Bill· HRH.R. 11137 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1978
Title I: Energy - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy for fiscal year 1979. Authorizes the appropriation of funds for specified energy supply-research and technology development programs. Authorizes the appropriation of funds for energy supply-research and technology development capital investment. Supplements the previous authorizations for specified energy supply-research and technology development projects. Authorizes funds for specified energy supply-production demonstration and distribution programs. Authorizes funds for specified capital investment programs concerning energy supply-production, demonstration and distribution. Supplements previous authorizations for energy supply-production, demonstration and distribution projects. Authorizes the appropriation of funds for specified conservation programs, the regulation program, emergency preparedness, energy information, the environment program, and for policy and management programs. Title II: General Science and Research - Authorizes a specified sum for the general science and research program. Authorizes specified sums for designated general science and research capital investment projects. Title III: Atomic Energy Defense Activities - Authorizes the appropriation of funds for inertial confinement fusion, naval reactor development, weapons activities, defense intelligence and arms control, special materials production, and nuclear materials security and safeguards. Authorizes funds for capital investment in the areas of weapons activities, special materials production, general plant projects, plant engineering and design, and capital equipment not related to construction. Supplements the previous authorizations for specified projects. Title IV: Power Marketing Administrations - Authorizes specified amounts for the Alaska Power Administration, the Western Area Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, and the Southeastern Power Administration. Title V: Special Foreign Currency - Authorizes a specified amount for foreign currency to be used for international cooperation in nonnuclear technolgoy. Title VI: Other Provisions - Allows the location of facilities or major items of equipment at installations not within the Department of Energy. Permits the Secretary of Energy to transfer the title or other interests in property of the United States when the Secretary determines such transfer is in the best interests of the government. Prohibits the use of funds authorized under this Act where the costs of the program exceed 120 percent of the program authorization or the costs exceed by more than $5,000,000 the amount authorized by this Act, whichever is the lesser. Prohibits the use of funds authorized by this Act for programs which have not been presented to, or requested of Congress unless 30 calendar days have elapsed since the Secretary of Energy has presented to all the appropriate Congresssional committees a full and complete statement of the action proposed. Allows the written waiver of this requirement where such waiver is signed by each appropriate committee of Congress. Prohibits the start of construction projects whose costs exceed by more than 25 percent the estimated cost of the project. Waives this requirement concerning construction projects having an estimated cost of less than $5,000,000. Authorizes the start of general plant projects only under specified circumstances. Allows the transfer of funds from specified projects to all other programs of the Department of Energy. Permits the Secretary to expend funds authorized for construction design services where such funds are included in a bill before Congress and the Secretary determines that the project is urgently needed for national defense, public safety, or other specified purposes. Title VII: Basis for Government Charge for Uranium Enrichment Services - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to specify that the prices charged by the government for uranium enrichment services shall assure the recovery of the government's costs over a reasonable time. Requires further that prices shall result in revenues sufficient to cover normal business expenses, taxes, and return on equity which would otherwise be reflected in prices charged by a private operator providing similar services. Provides for Congressional review of pricing schedules before implementation. Title VIII: Amendments to the National Energy Extension Service Act - Amends the National Energy Extension Service Act to delete the provision requiring no matching State or local funds for the development of guidelines for extending service. Deletes, from the formula used to compute the allocations for individual States, the requirement that the latest decennial census be used. Requires matching State or local funds for the implementation of energy extension services contemplated by this Act. Title IX: Loan Guarantees for Energy Demonstration - Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to permit the use of Federal loan guarantees and commitments in support of joint university-industry nonnuclear energy research. Provides guidelines within which the Secretary of Energy must work concerning the issuance of loan guarantees and commitments. Title X: Authorization of Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1980 - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy of such sums as may be necessary in fiscal year 1980 for energy, general service and research, atomic energy defense activities, power marketing administrations, and special foreign currency.
Bill· HRH.R. 11109 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1978
Lifeline and Electric Rate Reform Act - Title I: General Provisions - Declares it the purpose of this Act to reform inequities in the structure of electric utility rates. Title II: Definitions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Defines the scope of coverage under this Act. Stipulates that direct Federal regulation shall not apply where regulation is specifically reserved and effectively enforced by the States in accordance with applicable national minimum standards. Title III: Electric Energy Office - Creates an Electric Energy Office in the Federal Power Commission to establish and enforce National Minimum Standards for Ratemaking to be binding upon all electric utility regulatory agencies. Requires that all electric utilities and local distributors furnish monthly reports to the office disclosing information on the amount of electric energy supplied, the amount and rate of charges for each consumer class, and the amount and costs of fuel utilized by each utility. Imposes criminal and civil penalties for failure to make full disclosure of such information. Title IV: Rate Structures - Directs the Federal Power Commission, in the exercise of its regulatory functions, to accord highest priority to residential and small business users. Prohibits regulatory authorities from permitting the sale of electric energy to low priority users at rates less than those charged to high-priority consumers. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of electric-energy at rates or charges which have not been specifically approved by the appropriate regulatory agency after public hearings. Directs the Federal Power Commission to encourage conservation of electric energy by requiring that rates be graduated progressively upward for consumption of electric energy in amounts above subsistence quantities. Title V: Lifeline Electric Rates - Requires that electric utility rate charges for subsistence quantities of electric energy to residential consumers not exceed the lowest rate charged to any other electric consumer. Requires the use of graduated rate structures for consumption of electric energy in amounts above subsistence quantities. Title VI: Electric Rates for Nonresidential Customers - Requires that electric utility rate changes for nonresidential customers be the lowest rate charged to any other electric consumer in the same class. Requires progressively higher rates for consumption in excess of the basic requirements of such nonresidential customers. Title VII: Effective Dates - Stipulates that the provisions of this Act shall become effective one year from the date of its passage, unless otherwise indicated.
Bill· HRH.R. 11088 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Amends the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974 by extending from five to eight years the time allotted for the development and demonstration of combined solar heating and cooling systems. Requires the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make the necessary modifications in the comprehensive program plan required by the Act and to submit such modifications to the President and Congress within 120 days of the enactment of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 11076 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to extend existing reemployment rights of Federal employees transferred to the Department of Energy until two years after the effective date of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 11072 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 for the Department of Energy concerning the conservation, development, and use of naval petroleum and oil shale reserves.
Bill· HRH.R. 11064 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to prohibit the licensing of high-level radioactive waste disposal facilities located in areas where there exists an average of more than 15 persons per square mile in a 50-mile radius of the proposed facility. Allows the Governor of the State in question to waive such prohibition.
Law· HJRESH.J.Res. 747 (95th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Expresses the consent of Congress to an amendment of the constitution of New Mexico to provide a method for executing leases and other contracts for the development and operation of geothermal steam and waters on lands granted or confirmed to such State.
Law· HJRESH.J.Res. 746 (95th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Appropriates an additional $13,114,000 for the operation and maintenance functions of the Southwestern Power Administration of the Department of Energy.
Bill· SS. 2548 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1978
Office of Energy Security Act - Establishes within the Department of Energy the Office of Energy Security to coordinate Federal activities related to the maintenance of security of the trans-Alaska pipeline and other oil and gas resources of the nation. Requires the Director of the Office of Energy Security to submit to the Secretary of Energy and to Congress an annual report the first of which shall be submitted within one year of the enactment of this Act. Requires the Director to include in the first annual report findings and recommendations concerning the need for a centralized security force, identification of security problems, recommendations for Congressional action and an evaluation of the progress and achievements of the office. Requires the Director to seek and the relevant Federal agencies to render such help as the Director may deem necessary in the fulfillment of duties.
Bill· HRH.R. 10969 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1978
Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy for energy research and development, and related activities for fiscal year 1979. Title I: Energy Research and Development, and Related Activities - Authorizes appropriations for operating expenses for research in advanced energy technologies and energy conservation, fossil and nuclear energy, environmental research and development and other programs. Authorizes plant and capital equipment funds for projects concerning coal use, breeder reactors, other advanced reactor concepts, light water reactors, basic energy sciences, uranium enrichment, environmental research and development, high energy physics, nuclear physics, and program management and support. Authorizes additional funds for designated ongoing programs concerning specified concepts, plant engineering and design, general plant projects, and capital equipment not related to construction. Title II: General Provisions - Prohibits the start-up or continuation of projects that have cost overruns that exceed, by specified amounts, the authorizations included in this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 10960 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1978
Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Power Commission to hold an evidentiary hearing before approving public utility rate increases due to fuel adjustment clauses. Requires a showing that the clause effectively provides incentives for the economical purchase and use of fuel. Requires further that the clause is necessary to enable the utility to pay for the added fuel costs which are by nature short-term fluctuations and therefore not capable of determination in proceedings before such costs are incurred. Sets a one-year limit on approved fuel adjustment clauses and requires an evidentiary hearing before their renewal. Requires the Commission to examine and, if appropriate, to audit the practices of public utilities using fuel adjustment clauses. Requires relevant utilities to supply information as the Commission may require and makes such information available to the public. Grants to any purchaser of electric energy produced for resale and subject to a fuel adjustment clause, the right to examine the records of the relevant utility to insure compliance with applicable schedules and Commission rules. Requires the Commission, after affording the opportunity for an evidentiary hearing, to order the cessation or modification of any practice which does not constitute the most economical purchase and use of fuel. Amends the National Gas Act to impose similar restrictions on rate increases of natural gas companies pursuant to automatic adjustment clauses. Prohibits State regulated utilities from making rate increases pursuant to an automatic adjustment clause unless such clause has been determined to effectively provide incentives for the economical purchase and use of the fuel involved. Requires further that such clauses be necessary to enable the utility to pay for short-term fluctuations in fuel costs that are not susceptible to determination in proceedings held prior to such costs being incurred. Limits automatic adjustment clauses to one-year in duration, and requires an evidentiary hearing before their renewal. Requires the reviewing authority to examine and, if appropriate, to audit the practices of utilities with respect to fuel adjustment clauses. Requires that utilities supply such relevant information as is required by the State regulatory body and makes such information available to the public. Sets procedures for the certification of State regulatory bodies with respect to this Act. Requires the Commission to enforce the Act in the absence of State certification and upon the request of any State regulated utility. Amends the Federal Power Act to expand the scope of businesses forbidden from having interlocking directorates without Commission approval. Makes such approval no defense to actions under specified provisions of the Clayton Act. Amends the Natural Gas Act to expand the scope of natural gas companies forbidden from having interlocking directorates without Commission approval. Makes such approval no defense to actions under specified provisions of the Clayton Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 10951 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1978
Alcohol Fuel Encouragement Act - Requires all gasoline stations, within three years of the passage of this Act, to sell a mixture of gasoline and alcohol in the same manner as they sell gasoline. Imposes a civil penalty for violations of such requirement. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow rapid amortization of facilities producing alcohol for use as a fuel in motor vehicles. Amends the Clean Air Act with respect to the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate the use of alcohol as a fuel additive.
Bill· HRH.R. 10925 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1978
Gives Department of Energy (DOE) couriers and security inspectors the same civil service retirement benefits as law enforcement officers and firefighters. Defines "couriers" as any DOE employee who provides security during shipment of nuclear weapons components and strategic quantities of special nuclear materials. Defines "security inspector" as any DOE employee who protects nuclear weapons components and strategic quantities of special nuclear materials.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1023 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1978
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture join in the creation of a liaison office to develop means to promptly and efficiently bring alcohol fuels into commercial use.
Bill· SS. 2533 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1978
Gasohol Motor Fuel Act - Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to promote the development and use of alcohol-blended fuels in the United States. Directs the Secretary to study the most suitable raw materials for the production of alcohol-blended fuels. Requires that such study emphasize alternative fuel sources to petroleum and natural gas, and evaluate the efficiency of various production and distribution systems. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress within six months after the enactment of this Act concerning the results of such study. Directs the Secretary to set production goals for alcohol- blended fuel development within six months after the completion of the study. Directs the Secretary to require that motor fuel sold in 1981 be one percent alcohol-blended. Sets increasing percentage requirements for succeeding years ending in 1990 where motor fuel shall be ten percent alcohol-blended. Empowers the Secretary to enforce the provisions of this Act and enumerates the enforcement procedures and penalties. Requires that all facilities constructed to distill alcohol for motor fuel use shall use fuel sources which are renewable. Directs the Secretary to establish, within six months after the enactment of this Act, procedures for the certification of alcohol distilling facilities. Requires the Secretary to give first priority for fuel sources to operate such distillation facilities to renewable energy resources. Grants last priority for fuel sources to petroleum, petroleum derivatives and natural gas. Empowers the Secretary to waive the preference for renewable resources upon a finding that they are economically or technically infeasible for use as fuel sources to power distillation facilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 10895 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1978
National Alcohol Fuels Commission Act - Establishes the National Alcohol Fuels Commission to study the use of alcohol as an alternative fuel source. Charges the Commission with the duty to study the short and long-term potential of alcohol fuels derived from plant, animal and industrial sources and wastes, and from coal. Directs the Commission to study alternative feedstocks and the desirability of converting present feedstocks into alcohol fuels. Requires the Commission to identify and study technical, economic, legal, environmental and social factors involved with the production, manufacture, distribution and use of alcohol fuels. Directs relevant Federal agencies to appoint a liaison officer and to cooperate closely with the Commission. Requires the Commission to file a final report with the President and the Congress no later than December 31, 1980.
Bill· HRH.R. 10867 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1978
Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Power Commission to hold an evidentiary hearing before approving public utility rate increases due to fuel adjustment clauses. Requires a showing that the clause effectively provides incentives for the economical purchase and use of fuel. Requires further that the clause is necessary to enable the utility to pay for the added fuel costs which are susceptible to short-term fluctuations and therefore are not susceptible to determination in proceedings before such costs are incurred. Sets a one-year limit on approved fuel adjustment clauses and requires an evidentiary hearing before their renewal. Requires the Commission to examine and, if appropriate, to audit the practices of public utilities using fuel adjustment clauses. Requires relevant utilities to supply information as the Commission may require and makes such information available to the public. Grants to any purchaser of electric energy produced for resale and subject to a fuel adjustment clause, the right to examine the records of the relevant utility to insure compliance with applicable schedules and Commission rules. Requires the Commission, after affording the opportunity for an evidentiary hearing, to order the cessation or modification of any practice which does not result in the most economical purchase and use of fuel. Amends the Natural Gas Act to impose similar restrictions on rate increases of natural gas companies pursuant to automatic adjustment clauses. Prohibits State regulated utilities from making rate increases pursuant to an automatic adjustment clause unless such clause has been determined to effectively provide incentives for the economical purchase and use of the fuel involved. Requires further that such clauses be necessary to enable the utility to pay for short-term fluctuations in fuel costs that are not susceptible to determination in proceedings held prior to such costs being incurred. Limits automatic adjustment clauses to one-year in duration, and requires an evidentiary hearing before their renewal. Requires the reviewing authority to examine and if appropriate, to audit the practices of utilities with respect to fuel adjustment clauses. Requires that utilities supply such relevant information as is required by the State regulatory body and make such information available to the public. Sets procedures for the certification of State regulatory bodies with respect to this Act. Requires the Commission to enforce the Act in the absence of State certification and upon the request of any State regulated utility.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 734 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1978
Directs the Office of Technology Assessment to study diverse strategies for rapidly converting to solar energy in the United States. Requires the Office of Technology Assessment to report its findings to Congress within nine months after this Joint Resolution is agreed to.
Bill· HRH.R. 10830 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1978
Solar Photovoltaic Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Requires the Secretary of Energy to develop research, development, and demonstration programs concerning the use of solar photovoltaic energy systems. Authorizes the Secretary to provide up to 75 percent of the purchase and installation costs of selected systems used for research purposes. Requires the Secretary to formulate definitive performance criteria concerning solar photovoltaic systems and to develop a system of certification for conforming systems. Directs the Secretary to consult with relevant Federal agencies concerning the use of solar photovoltaic systems in Federal facilities. Requires the Secretary to set up a development and demonstration program of prototype photovoltaic systems at the Solar Energy Research Institute in Golden, Colorado. Directs the Secretary to establish a solar energy data bank at the Golden facility. Requires relevant Federal officials to ensure that small business concerns are granted realistic and adequate opportunities to participate, to the maximum extent possible, in the programs under this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 10785 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1978
Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1979 - Authorizes appropriations for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to be used for research on domestic safeguard matters, nuclear reactor regulation, inspection and enforcement, standards development, nuclear material safety and safeguards, nuclear regulatory research, program technical support, and program direction and administration. Title II: Authorization of Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1980 - Authorizes such sums to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as may be necessary for fiscal year 1980.
Bill· HRH.R. 10786 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1978
Amends the fiscal year 1978 authorization for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by increasing from $22,090,000 to $24,790,000 the amount authorized for nuclear materials safety and safeguards.
Bill· HRH.R. 10734 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1978
Solar Energy Bank Act - Creates a Government corporation to be known as the Solar Energy Development Bank to make long-term, low-interest loans to encourage the use of solar energy in commercial and residential dwellings. Establishes procedures governing the processing and approval of loan applications by the Bank. Prohibits conflicts of interest, on the part of officers or employees of the Bank. Prohibits the Bank or its employees from utilizing the Solar Bank to finance political activities. Imposes criminal penalties for the furnishing of false or misleading information by applicants for loans under this Act. Declares that the Solar Bank and its assets shall be exempt by Federal, State, and local taxation. Establishes a Solar Energy Fund in the Treasury of the United States to pay the expenses of the Bank. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000,000 to the Fund.
Bill· SS. 2472 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1978
Foreign Mission Solar Energy Demonstration Act - Requires the Secretary of State to demonstrate solar energy and other renewable energy technologies by using such energy sources in Foreign Service buildings located abroad. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Energy concerning the most viable techniques adaptable to the local resources and environmental conditions of the host country. Requires the Secretary of State to insure that projects under this Act are demonstrated to, and are available for inspection by, officials and other citizens of the host country. Directs the Secretary to give priority to projects in less developed countries.
Bill· HRH.R. 10699 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1978
Foreign Mission Solar Energy Demonstration Act - Requires the Secretary of State to demonstrate solar energy and other renewable energy technologies by using such energy sources in Foreign Service buildings located abroad. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Energy concerning the most viable techniques adaptable to the local resources and environmental conditions of the host country. Requires the Secretary of State to insure that projects under this Act are demonstrated to, and are available for inspection by, officials and other citizens of the host country. Directs the Secretary to give priority to projects in less developed countries.
Bill· HRH.R. 10630 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1978
Alcohol Fuel Encouragement Act - Requires all gasoline stations, within three years of the passage of this Act, to sell a mixture of gasoline and alcohol in the same manner as they sell gasoline. Imposes a civil penalty for violations of such requirement. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow rapid amortization of facilities producing alcohol for use as a fuel in motor vehicles. Amends the Clean Air Act with respect to the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate the use of alcohol as a fuel additive.
Bill· SS. 2448 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1978
Emergency Natural Gas Amendments - Amends the Emergency Natural Gas Act of 1977 to expand the President's emergency regulatory authority over natural gas by redefining "pipeline" to include both intra and interstate companies. Deletes the April 30, 1977, cutoff of the President's authority under the Act. Delineates the President's emergency regulatory authority over delivery, transportation, transportation charges, ultimate end use, and prices of natural gas obtained under the emergency provisions of the Act. Requires the President to make a separate accounting of transactions occurring under this Act. Amends the Natural Gas Act to expand the emergency authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to include both intra and interstate natural gas. Requires the Commission to make a separate accounting of transactions occurring under such Act. Provides a breach of contract defense to companies who comply with the emergency provisions of the Act. Sets penalties for the violation of the Act. Grants the Commission the authority to seek injunctive relief, without bond, against State or local measures in conflict with the Commission's emergency actions.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 367 (95th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1978
Authorizes additional expenditures not to exceed $1,235,000, by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for inquiries and investigations.
Bill· HRH.R. 10596 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1978
Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Power Commission to hold an evidentiary hearing before approving public utility rate increases due to fuel adjustment clauses. Requires a showing that the clause effectively provides incentives for the economical purchase and use of fuel. Requires further that the clause is necessary to enable the utility to pay for the added fuel costs which are by nature short-term fluctuations and therefore not capable of determination in proceedings before such costs are incurred. Sets a one-year limit on approved fuel adjustment clauses and requires an evidentiary hearing before their renewal. Requires the Commission to examine and, if appropriate, to audit the practices of public utilities using fuel adjustment clauses. Requires relevant utilities to supply information as the Commission may require and makes such information available to the public. Grants to any purchaser of electric energy produced for resale and subject to a fuel adjustment clause, the right to examine the records of the relevant utility to insure compliance with applicable schedules and Commission rules. Requires the Commission, after affording the opportunity for an evidentiary hearing, to order the cessation or modification of any practice which does not constitute the most economical purchase and use of fuel. Amends the National Gas Act to impose similar restrictions on rate increases of natural gas companies pursuant to automatic adjustment clauses. Prohibits State regulated utilities from making rate increases pursuant to an automatic adjustment clause unless such clause has been determined to effectively provide incentives for the economical purchase and use of the fuel involved. Requires further that such clauses be necessary to enable the utility to pay for short-term fluctuations in fuel costs that are not susceptible to determination in proceedings held prior to such costs being incurred. Limits automatic adjustment clauses to one-year in duration, and requires an evidentiary hearing before their renewal. Requires the reviewing authority to examine and, if appropriate, to audit the practices of utilities with respect to fuel adjustment clauses. Requires that utilities supply such relevant information as is required by the State regulatory body and makes such information available to the public. Sets procedures for the certification of State regulatory bodies with respect to this Act. Requires the Commission to enforce the Act in the absence of State certification and upon the request of any State regulated utility. Amends the Federal Power Act to expand the scope of businesses forbidden from having interlocking directorates without Commission approval. Makes such approval no defense to actions under specified provisions of the Clayton Act. Amends the Natural Gas Act to expand the scope of natural gas companies forbidden from having interlocking directorates without Commission approval. Makes such approval no defense to actions under specified provisions of the Clayton Act.
Bill· SS. 2400 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1978
National Alcohol Fuels Commission Act - Establishes the National Alcohol Fuels Commission to study the use of alcohol as an alternative fuel source. Charges the Commission with the duty to study the short and long-term potential of alcohol fuels derived from plant, animal and industrial sources and wastes, and from coal. Directs the Commission to study alternative feedstocks and desirability of converting present feedstocks into alcohol fuels. Requires the Commission to identify and study technical, economic, legal, environmental and social factors involved with the production, manufacture, distribution and use of alcohol fuels. Directs relevant Federal agencies to appoint a liaison officer and to cooperate closely with the Commission. Requires the Committee to file a final report with the President and the Congress no later than December 31, 1980.