Energy Supply Act

Summary

Energy Supply Act - Title I: Findings and Purposes - States that the purpose of this Act shall be to increase domestic production of oil and natural gas in order to assure material prosperity and national security, reduce dependence on unreliable foreign sources, and assist in maintaining a favorable balance of payments. Title II: Increased Production of Outer Continental Shelf Energy Resources - States that Congress declares it to be the policy of the United States that prior to 1985 all Outer Continental Shelf lands determined to be both geologically favorable for the accumulation of oil and gas capable of supporting oil and gas development without undue environmental hazard or damage should be made available for leasing as soon as practicable after that determination is made. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a survey program regarding oil and gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf. Directs the Secretary to prepare and publish a series of topographic, geological, and geophysical maps and reports on the Outer Continental Shelf. Makes appropriations for such surveys, reports, and maps for fiscal 1975-1976. Directs the Secretary to carry out a research and development program designed to improve technology related to development of the oil and gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf. Directs the Secretary to establish equipment and performance standards for oil spill cleanup plans and operations. Requires the Secretary to regularly inspect all operations authorized pursuant to this Act and strictly enforce safety regulations promulgated pursuant to this Act and other applicable laws and regulations relating to public health, safety, and environmental protection. Makes lease holders strictly liable to all parties, public or private, damaged from oil discharges, without regard to fault for such damages, and without regard to ownership of any affected lands, structures, fish, wildlife, or biotic or other natural resources relied upon by any damaged party for subsistence or economic purposes. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States the Coastal States Fund and authorizes the Secretary to make grants from the fund to the coastal States to assist them to ameliorate adverse environmental effects and control secondary social and economic impacts associated with the development of Federal energy resources in, or on the Outer Continental Shelf. Allows citizen suits by any person whose interests are adversely affected by violators of this Act. Requires the Secretary to promote competition in the leasing of Outer Continental Shelf lands. Establishes a $5,000 civil penalty and $100,000 fine for violations of this Act. Provides that no oil or gas lease may be issued pursuant to this Act unless the lease requires that development be carried out in accordance with a development plan which has been approved by the Secretary, and provides that failure to comply with such development plan will terminate the lease. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - States that, one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the President and the Congress a report on the adequacy of existing transport facilities and regulations to facilitate distribution of oil and gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study of the need for and availability of capital to finance exploration, development, production, and transportation of energy resources in the United States. Authorizes an appropriation of $500,000 for such study. Authorizes the Secretary, in cooperation with the Federal Power Commission, the Secretary of the Army, and any other Federal or State official, to review all existing water reservoir projects and identify any additional hydropower capability. Authorizes $2,000,000 for such purpose. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering for an in-depth study of technologies for increasing the availability of energy resources through improved efficiencies in exploration, development, production, and recycling of such resources in order to reduce the adverse economic, social and environmental impacts of resource utilization. Authorizes an appropriation of $5,000,000 for such study.

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Documents

2 official files

• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 18 September 1974

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 22 March 1974

  Open at official source

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