Collapse to view only § 13551. Repealed.
- § 13551. Repealed.
- § 13552. Use of energy futures for fuel purchases
- § 13553. Energy subsidy study
- § 13554. Tar sands
- § 13555. Consultative Commission on Western Hemisphere Energy and Environment
- § 13556. Disadvantaged business enterprises
- § 13557. Sense of Congress on risk assessments
§ 13551. Repealed. Pub. L. 104–182, title III, § 301, Aug. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 1683
§ 13552. Use of energy futures for fuel purchases
(a) Fuel study
The Secretary shall conduct a study—
(1) to ascertain if the use of energy futures and options contracts could provide cost-effective protection for Government entities (including Government purchases for military purposes and for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) and consumer cooperatives (or any organization whose purpose is to purchase fuel in bulk) from unanticipated surges in the price of fuel; and
(2) to ascertain how such Government entities or consumer cooperatives may be educated in the prudent use of energy futures and options contracts to maximize their purchasing effectiveness, protect themselves against unanticipated surges in the price of fuel, and minimize fuel costs.
(b) Pilot program
(c) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 102–486, title XXX, § 3014, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3128; Pub. L. 105–362, title IV, § 401(f), Nov. 10, 1998, 112 Stat. 3282.)
§ 13553. Energy subsidy study
(a) In generalThe Secretary shall contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of energy subsidies that—
(1) are in effect on October 24, 1992; or
(2) have been in effect prior to October 24, 1992.
(b) Report to Congress
(c) Contents
(1) In general
(2) Topics for examinationThe study shall examine—
(A) fuel and technology choices that are—
(i) available on October 24, 1992; or
(ii) reasonably foreseeable on October 24, 1992;
(B) production subsidies for the extraction of raw materials;
(C) subsidies encouraging investment in large capital projects;
(D) indemnification;
(E) fuel cycle subsidies, including waste disposal;
(F) government research and development support; and
(G) other relevant incentives and disincentives.
(d) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 102–486, title XXX, § 3015, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3129.)
§ 13554. Tar sands
(a) Policy
(b) “Tar sands” defined
(1) For purposes of this section, the term “tar sands” means any consolidated or unconsolidated rock (other than coal, oil shale, or gilsonite) that either—
(A) contains a hydrocarbonaceous material with a gas-free viscosity, at original reservoir temperature, greater than 10,000 centipoise; or
(B) contains a hydrocarbonaceous material and is produced by mining or quarrying.
(2) Nothing in this section is intended or shall be construed to affect in any way the definition of the term tar sands under any other provision of Federal law.
(c) Study
(d) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 102–486, title XXX, § 3016, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3129.)
§ 13555. Consultative Commission on Western Hemisphere Energy and Environment
(a) Findings
The Congress finds that—
(1) there is growing mutual economic interdependence among the countries of the Western Hemisphere;
(2) energy and environmental issues are intrinsically linked and must be considered together when formulating policy on the broader issue of sustainable economic development for the Western Hemisphere as a whole;
(3) when developing their respective energy infrastructures, countries in the Western Hemisphere must consider existing and emerging environmental constraints, and do so in a way that results in sustainable long-term economic growth;
(4) the coordination of respective national energy and environmental policies of the governments of the Western Hemisphere could be substantially improved through regular consultation among these countries;
(5) the development, production and consumption of energy can affect environmental quality, and the environmental consequences of energy-related activities are not confined within national boundaries, but are regional and global in scope;
(6) although the Western Hemisphere is richly endowed with indigenous energy resources, an insufficient energy supply would severely constrain future opportunities for sustainable economic development and growth in each of these member countries; and
(7) the energy markets of the United States are linked with those in other countries of the Western Hemisphere and the world.
(b) “Commission” defined
(c) Negotiations
(d) The Commission
In the course of the negotiations, the following shall be pursued:
(1) Objectives
The objectives of the Commission shall be—
(A) to evaluate from the viewpoint of the Western Hemisphere as a whole the energy and environmental situations, trends, and policies of the countries of the participating governments necessary to support sustainable economic development;
(B) to recommend to the participating governments actions, policies, and institutional arrangements that will enhance cooperation and policy coordination among their respective countries in the future development and use of indigenous energy resources and technologies, and in the future development and implementation of measures to protect the environment of the Western Hemisphere; and
(C) to recommend to the participating governments actions and policies that will enhance energy and environmental cooperation and coordination among the countries of the Western Hemisphere and the world.
(2) Composition of Commission
The Commission shall include representatives of—
(A) the respective foreign energy and environmental ministries or departments of the participating governments;
(B) the parliamentary or legislative bodies with legislative responsibilities for energy and environmental matters; and
(C) other governmental and non-governmental observers appointed by the heads of each participating government on the basis of their experience and expertise.
(3) Secretariat
(4) Sunset provision
The Commission’s authority—
(A) shall terminate five years from the date of the agreement under which it was created; and
(B) may be extended for a five-year term at the expiration of the previous term by agreement of the participating governments.
(e) Report
(Pub. L. 102–486, title XXX, § 3020, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3131.)
§ 13556. Disadvantaged business enterprises
(a) General rule
To the extent practicable, the head of each agency shall provide that the obligation of not less than 10 percent of the total combined amounts obligated for contracts and subcontracts by each agency under this Act and amendments made by this Act pursuant to competitive procedures within the meaning of either division C (except sections 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41, or chapter 137 legacy provisions (as such term is defined in section 3016 of title 10), shall be expended either with—
(1) small business concerns controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or women;
(2) historically Black colleges and universities;
(3) colleges and universities having a student body in which more than 20 percent of the students are Hispanic Americans or Native Americans; or
(4) qualified HUBZone small business concerns.
(b) Definitions
For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) The term “small business concern” has the meaning such term has under section 632 of title 15. However, for purposes of contracts and subcontracts requiring engineering services the applicable size standard shall be that established for military and aerospace equipment and military weapons.
(2) The term “socially and economically disadvantaged individuals” has the meaning such term has under section 637(d) of title 15 and relevant subcontracting regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
(3) The term “qualified HUBZone small business concern” has the meaning given that term in section 632(p) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of title 15.(Pub. L. 102–486, title XXX, § 3021, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3133; Pub. L. 105–135, title VI, § 604(g), Dec. 2, 1997, 111 Stat. 2634; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, § 1702(j)(6), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2159.)
§ 13557. Sense of Congress on risk assessments
It is the sense of Congress that Federal agencies conducting assessments of risks to human health and the environment from energy technology, production, transport, transmission, distribution, storage, use, or conservation activities shall use sound and objective scientific practices in assessing such risks, shall consider the best available science (including peer reviewed studies), and shall include a description of the weight of the scientific evidence concerning such risks.
(Pub. L. 102–486, title XXX, § 3022, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title XIV, § 1401, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 1061.)