Part B—Authorities With Respect to International Energy Program

§6271. International oil allocations

(a) Authority of President to prescribe rules for implementation of obligations of United States relating to international allocation of petroleum products; amounts of allocation and prices; petroleum products subject to rule; term of rule

The President may, by rule, require that persons engaged in producing, transporting, refining, distributing, or storing petroleum products, take such action as he determines to be necessary for implementation of the obligations of the United States under chapters III and IV of the international energy program insofar as such obligations relate to the international allocation of petroleum products. Allocation under such rule shall be in such amounts and at such prices as are specified in (or determined in a manner prescribed by) such rule. Such rule may apply to any petroleum product owned or controlled by any person described in the first sentence of this subsection who is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, including any petroleum product destined, directly or indirectly, for import into the United States or any foreign country, or produced in the United States. Subject to subsection (b)(2), such a rule shall remain in effect until amended or rescinded by the President.

(b) Prerequisites to rule taking effect; time rule may be put into effect or remain in effect

(1) No rule under subsection (a) may take effect unless the President—

(A) has transmitted such rule to the Congress;

(B) has found that putting such rule into effect is required in order to fulfill obligations of the United States under the international energy program; and

(C) has transmitted such finding to the Congress, together with a statement of the effective date and manner for exercise of such rule.

(2) No rule under subsection (b) may be put into effect or remain in effect after the expiration of 12 months after the date such rule was transmitted to Congress under paragraph (1)(A).

(c) Consistency of rule with attainment of objectives specified in section 753(b)(1) ¹ of title 15; limitation on authority of officers or agencies of United States

(1) Any rule under this section shall be consistent with the attainment, to the maximum extent practicable, of the objectives specified in section 753(b)(1) ¹ of title 15.

(2) No officer or agency of the United States shall have any authority, other than authority under this section, to require that petroleum products be allocated to other countries for the purpose of implementation of the obligations of the United States under the international energy program.

(d) Nonapplicability of export restrictions under other laws

Neither section 6212 ¹ of this title nor section 185(u) of title 30 shall preclude the allocation and export, to other countries in accordance with this section, of petroleum products produced in the United States.

(e) Prerequisites for effectiveness of rule

No rule under this section may be put into effect unless—

(1) an international energy supply emergency, as defined in the first sentence of section 6272(k)(1) of this title, is in effect; and

(2) the allocation of available oil referred to in chapter III of the international energy program has been activated pursuant to chapter IV of such program.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title II, §251, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 894; Pub. L. 97–229, §2(b)(1), Aug. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 248; Pub. L. 105–177, §1(3), June 1, 1998, 112 Stat. 105.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 753 of title 15, referred to in subsec. (c), was omitted from the Code pursuant to section 760g of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, which provided for the expiration of the President's authority under that section on Sept. 30, 1981.

Section 6212 of this title, referred to in subsec. (d), was repealed by Pub. L. 114–113, div. O, title I, §101(a), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2987.

Amendments

1998—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 105–177 substituted reference to section 6272(k)(1) for reference to section 6272(l)(1).

1982—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 97–229 added subsec. (e).

¹ See References in Text note below.

§6272. International voluntary agreements

(a) Exclusiveness of section's requirements

Effective 90 days after December 22, 1975, the requirements of this section shall be the sole procedures applicable to—

(1) the development or carrying out of voluntary agreements and plans of action to implement the international emergency response provisions, and

(2) the availability of immunity from the antitrust laws with respect to the development or carrying out of such voluntary agreements and plans of action.

(b) Prescription by Secretary of standards and procedures for developing and carrying out voluntary agreements and plans of action

The Secretary, with the approval of the Attorney General, after each of them has consulted with the Federal Trade Commission and the Secretary of State, shall prescribe, by rule, standards and procedures by which persons engaged in the business of producing, transporting, refining, distributing, or storing petroleum products may develop and carry out voluntary agreements, and plans of action, which are required to implement the international emergency response provisions.

(c) Requirements for standards and procedures

The standards and procedures prescribed under subsection (b) shall include the following requirements:

(1)(A)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii) or (iii) of this subparagraph, meetings held to develop or carry out a voluntary agreement or plan of action under this subsection shall permit attendance by representatives of committees of Congress and interested persons, including all interested segments of the petroleum industry, consumers, and the public; shall be preceded by timely and adequate notice with identification of the agenda of such meeting to the Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission, committees of Congress, and (except during an international energy supply emergency with respect to meetings to carry out a voluntary agreement or to develop or carry out a plan of action) the public; and shall be initiated and chaired by a regular full-time Federal employee.

(ii) Meetings of bodies created by the International Energy Agency established by the international energy program need not be open to interested persons and need not be initiated and chaired by a regular full-time Federal employee.

(iii) The President, in consultation with the Secretary, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General, may determine that a meeting held to carry out a voluntary agreement or to develop or carry out a plan of action shall not be open to interested persons or that attendance by interested persons may be limited, if the President finds that a wider disclosure would be detrimental to the foreign policy interests of the United States.

(B) No meetings may be held to develop or carry out a voluntary agreement or plan of action under this section unless a regular full-time Federal employee is present.

(2) Interested persons permitted to attend such a meeting shall be afforded an opportunity to present, in writing and orally, data, views, and arguments at such meetings, subject to any reasonable limitations with respect to the manner of presentation of data, views, and arguments as the Secretary may impose.

(3) A full and complete record, and where practicable a verbatim transcript, shall be kept of any meeting held, and a full and complete record shall be kept of any communication (other than in a meeting) made, between or among participants or potential participants, to develop, or carry out a voluntary agreement or a plan of action under this section. Such record or transcript shall be deposited, together with any agreement resulting therefrom, with the Secretary, and shall be available to the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission. Such records or transcripts shall be available for public inspection and copying in accordance with section 552 of title 5; except that (A) matter may not be withheld from disclosure under section 552(b) of such title on grounds other than the grounds specified in section 552(b)(1), (b)(3), or so much of (b)(4) as relates to trade secrets; and (B) in the exercise of authority under section 552(b)(1), the President shall consult with the Secretary of State, the Secretary, and the Attorney General with respect to questions relating to the foreign policy interests of the United States.

(4) No provision of this section may be exercised so as to prevent representatives of committees of Congress from attending meetings to which this section applies, or from having access to any transcripts, records, and agreements kept or made under this section. Such access to any transcript that is required to be kept for any meeting shall be provided as soon as practicable (but not later than 14 days) after that meeting.

(d) Participation of Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission in development and carrying out of voluntary agreements and plans of action

(1) The Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission shall participate from the beginning in the development, and when practicable, in the carrying out of voluntary agreements and plans of action authorized under this section. Each may propose any alternative which would avoid or overcome, to the greatest extent practicable, possible anticompetitive effects while achieving substantially the purposes of this part. A voluntary agreement or plan of action under this section may not be carried out unless approved by the Attorney General, after consultation with the Federal Trade Commission. Prior to the expiration of the period determined under paragraph (2), the Federal Trade Commission shall transmit to the Attorney General its views as to whether such an agreement or plan of action should be approved, and shall publish such views in the Federal Register. The Attorney General, in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary, shall have the right to review, amend, modify, disapprove, or revoke, on his own motion or upon the request of the Federal Trade Commission or any interested person, any voluntary agreement or plan of action at any time, and, if revoked, thereby withdraw prospectively any immunity which may be conferred by subsection (f) or (j).

(2) Any voluntary agreement or plan of action entered into pursuant to this section shall be submitted in writing to the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission 20 days before being implemented; except that during an international energy supply emergency, the Secretary, subject to approval of the Attorney General, may reduce such 20-day period. Any such agreement or plan of action shall be available for public inspection and copying, except that a plan of action shall be so available only to the extent to which records or transcripts are so available as provided in the last sentence of subsection (c)(3). Any action taken pursuant to such voluntary agreement or plan of action shall be reported to the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission pursuant to such regulations as shall be prescribed under paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (e).

(3) A plan of action may not be approved by the Attorney General under this subsection unless such plan (A) describes the types of substantive actions which may be taken under the plan, and (B) is as specific in its description of proposed substantive actions as is reasonable in light of circumstances known at the time of approval.

(e) Monitoring of development and carrying out of voluntary agreements and plans of action by Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission

(1) The Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission shall monitor the development and carrying out of voluntary agreements and plans of action authorized under this section in order to promote competition and to prevent anticompetitive practices and effects, while achieving substantially the purposes of this part.

(2) In addition to any requirement specified under subsections (b) and (c) of this section and in order to carry out the purposes of this section, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission and the Secretary, may promulgate rules concerning the maintenance of necessary and appropriate records related to the development and carrying out of voluntary agreements and plans of action authorized pursuant to this section.

(3) Persons developing or carrying out voluntary agreements and plans of action authorized pursuant to this section shall maintain such records as are required by rules promulgated under paragraph (2). The Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission shall have access to and the right to copy such records at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice.

(4) The Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission may each prescribe such rules as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out their respective responsibilities under this section. They may both utilize for such purposes and for purposes of enforcement any powers conferred upon the Federal Trade Commission or the Department of Justice, or both, by the antitrust laws or the Antitrust Civil Process Act [15 U.S.C. 1311 et seq.]; and wherever any such law refers to "the purposes of this Act" or like terms, the reference shall be understood to include this section.

(f) Defense to civil or criminal antitrust actions

(1) There shall be available as a defense to any civil or criminal action brought under the antitrust laws (or any similar State law) in respect to actions taken to develop or carry out a voluntary agreement or plan of action by persons engaged in the business of producing, transporting, refining, distributing, or storing petroleum products (provided that such actions were not taken for the purpose of injuring competition) that—

(A) such actions were taken—

(i) in the course of developing a voluntary agreement or plan of action pursuant to this section, or

(ii) to carry out a voluntary agreement or plan of action authorized and approved in accordance with this section, and

(B) such persons complied with the requirements of this section and the rules promulgated hereunder.

(2) Except in the case of actions taken to develop a voluntary agreement or plan of action, the defense provided in this subsection shall be available only if the person asserting the defense demonstrates that the actions were specified in, or within the reasonable contemplation of, an approved voluntary agreement or plan of action.

(3) Persons interposing the defense provided by this subsection shall have the burden of proof, except that the burden shall be on the person against whom the defense is asserted with respect to whether the actions were taken for the purpose of injuring competition.

(g) Acts or practices occurring prior to date of enactment of chapter or subsequent to its expiration or repeal

No provision of this section shall be construed as granting immunity for, or as limiting or in any way affecting any remedy or penalty which may result from any legal action or proceeding arising from, any act or practice which occurred prior to the date of enactment of this chapter or subsequent to its expiration or repeal.

(h) Applicability of Defense Production Act of 1950

Section 4558 of title 50 shall not apply to any agreement or action undertaken for the purpose of developing or carrying out—

(1) the international energy program; or

(2) any allocation, price control, or similar program with respect to petroleum products under this chapter.

(i) Reports by Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission to Congress and President

The Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission shall each submit to the Congress and to the President, at such intervals as are appropriate based on significant developments and issues, reports on the impact on competition and on small business of actions authorized by this section.

(j) Defense in breach of contract actions

In any action in any Federal or State court for breach of contract, there shall be available as a defense that the alleged breach of contract was caused predominantly by action taken during an international energy supply emergency to carry out a voluntary agreement or plan of action authorized and approved in accordance with this section.

(k) Definitions

As used in this section and section 6274 of this title:

(1) The term "international energy supply emergency" means any period (A) beginning on any date which the President determines allocation of petroleum products to nations participating in the international energy program is required by chapters III and IV of such program, and (B) ending on a date on which he determines that such allocation is no longer required. Such a period may not exceed 90 days, but the President may establish one or more additional 90-day periods by making anew the determination under subparagraph (A) of the preceding sentence. Any determination respecting the beginning or end of any such period shall be published in the Federal Register.

(2) The term "international emergency response provisions" means—

(A) the provisions of the international energy program which relate to international allocation of petroleum products and to the information system provided in the program; and

(B) the emergency response measures adopted by the Governing Board of the International Energy Agency (including the July 11, 1984, decision by the Governing Board on "Stocks and Supply Disruptions") for—

(i) the coordinated drawdown of stocks of petroleum products held or controlled by governments; and

(ii) complementary actions taken by governments during an existing or impending international oil supply disruption.

(l) Applicability of antitrust defense

The antitrust defense under subsection (f) shall not extend to the international allocation of petroleum products unless allocation is required by chapters III and IV of the international energy program during an international energy supply emergency.

(m) Limitation on new plans of action

(1) With respect to any plan of action approved by the Attorney General after July 2, 1985—

(A) the defenses under subsection (f) and (j) shall be applicable to Type 1 activities (as that term is defined in the International Energy Agency Emergency Management Manual, dated December 1982) only if—

(i) the Secretary has transmitted such plan of action to the Congress; and

(ii)(I) 90 calendar days of continuous session have elapsed since receipt by the Congress of such transmittal; or

(II) within 90 calendar days of continuous session after receipt of such transmittal, either House of the Congress has disapproved a joint resolution of disapproval pursuant to subsection (n); and

(B) such defenses shall not be applicable to Type 1 activities if there has been enacted, in accordance with subsection (n), a joint resolution of disapproval.

(2) The Secretary may withdraw the plan of action at any time prior to adoption of a joint resolution described in subsection (n)(3) by either House of Congress.

(3) For the purpose of this subsection—

(A) continuity of session is broken only by an adjournment of the Congress sine die at the end of the second session of Congress; and

(B) the days on which either House is not in session because of an adjournment of more than three days to a day certain are excluded in the computation of the calendar-day period involved.

(n) Joint resolution of disapproval

(1)(A) The application of defenses under subsections (f) and (j) for Type 1 activities with respect to any plan of action transmitted to Congress as described in subsection (m)(1)(A)(i) shall be disapproved if a joint resolution of disapproval has been enacted into law during the 90-day period of continuous session after which such transmission was received by the Congress. For the purpose of this subsection, the term "joint resolution" means only a joint resolution of either House of the Congress as described in paragraph (3).

(B) After receipt by the Congress of such plan of action, a joint resolution of disapproval may be introduced in either House of the Congress. Upon introduction in the Senate, the joint resolution shall be referred in the Senate immediately to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.

(2) This subsection is enacted by the Congress—

(A) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and as such it is deemed a part of the rules of the Senate, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in the Senate in the case of resolutions described by paragraph (3); it supersedes other rules only to the extent that is inconsistent therewith; and

(B) with full recognition of the constitutional right of the Senate to change the rules (so far as relating to the procedure of the Senate) at any time, in the same manner and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of the Senate.

(3) The joint resolution disapproving the transmission under subsection (m) shall read as follows after the resolving clause: "That the Congress of the United States disapproves the availability of the defenses pursuant to section 252 (f) and (j) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act with respect to Type 1 activities under the plan of action submitted to the Congress by the Secretary of Energy on        .", the blank space therein being filled with the date and year of receipt by the Congress of the plan of action transmitted as described in subsection (m).

(4)(A) If the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate has not reported a joint resolution referred to it under this subsection at the end of 20 calendar days of continuous session after its referral, it shall be in order to move either to discharge the committee from further consideration of such resolution or to discharge the committee from further consideration of any other joint resolution which has been referred to the committee with respect to such plan of action.

(B) A motion to discharge shall be highly privileged (except that it may not be made after the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has reported a joint resolution with respect to the plan of action), and debate thereon shall be limited to not more than one hour, to be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the joint resolution. An amendment to the motion shall not be in order, and it shall not be in order to move to reconsider the vote by which the motion was agreed to or disagreed to.

(C) If the motion to discharge is agreed to or disagreed to, the motion may not be renewed, nor may another motion to discharge the committee be made with respect to any other joint resolution with respect to the same transmission.

(5)(A) When the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate has reported or has been discharged from further consideration of a joint resolution, it shall be in order at any time thereafter within the 90-day period following receipt by the Congress of the plan of action (even though a previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to) to move to proceed to the consideration of such joint resolution. The motion shall be highly privileged and shall not be debatable. An amendment to the motion shall not be in order, and it shall not be in order to move to reconsider a vote by which the motion was agreed to or disagreed to.

(B) Debate on the joint resolution shall be limited to not more than 10 hours and final action on the joint resolution shall occur immediately following conclusion of such debate. A motion further to limit debate shall not be debatable. A motion to recommit such a joint resolution shall not be in order, and it shall not be in order to move to reconsider the vote by which such a joint resolution was agreed to or disagreed to.

(6)(A) Motions to postpone made with respect to the discharge from committee or consideration of a joint resolution, shall be decided without debate.

(B) Appeals from the decision of the Chair relating to the application of rules of the Senate to the procedures relating to a joint resolution shall be decided without debate.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title II, §252, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 894; Pub. L. 95–619, title VI, §691(b)(2), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3288; Pub. L. 96–30, June 30, 1979, 93 Stat. 80; Pub. L. 96–94, Oct. 31, 1979, 93 Stat. 720; Pub. L. 96–133, §§1, 2, Nov. 30, 1979, 93 Stat. 1053; Pub. L. 97–5, Mar. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 7; Pub. L. 97–50, Sept. 30, 1981, 95 Stat. 957; Pub. L. 97–163, Apr. 1, 1982, 96 Stat. 24; Pub. L. 97–190, June 1, 1982, 96 Stat. 106; Pub. L. 97–217, July 19, 1982, 96 Stat. 196; Pub. L. 97–229, §2(a), (b)(2), Aug. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 248; Pub. L. 98–239, Mar. 20, 1984, 98 Stat. 93; Pub. L. 99–58, title I, §§104(c)(2), (4), 105, July 2, 1985, 99 Stat. 105; Pub. L. 104–66, title I, §1091(g), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 722; Pub. L. 105–177, §1(4), June 1, 1998, 112 Stat. 105.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Antitrust Civil Process Act, referred to in subsec. (e)(4), is Pub. L. 87–664, Sept. 19, 1962, 76 Stat. 548, which is classified principally to chapter 34 (§1311 et seq.) of Title 15. For complete classification of that Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1311 of Title 15 and Tables.

The date of enactment of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (g), means the date of enactment of Pub. L. 94–163, which was approved Dec. 22, 1975.

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (h)(2), was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 94–163, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 871, known as the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6201 of this title and Tables.

Section 252(f) and (j) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, referred to in subsection (n)(3), is classified to subsecs. (f) and (j) of this section.

Amendments

1998—Subsecs. (a)(1), (b). Pub. L. 105–177, §1(4)(A), substituted "international emergency response provisions" for "allocation and information provisions of the international energy program".

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 105–177, §1(4)(B), substituted "circumstances known at the time of approval" for "known circumstances".

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 105–177, §1(4)(C), substituted "may" for "shall".

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 105–177, §1(4)(D), inserted "voluntary agreement or" after "approved".

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 105–177, §1(4)(E), amended subsec. (h) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (h) read as follows: "Upon the expiration of the 90-day period which begins on December 22, 1975, the provisions of sections 708 and 708A (other than 708A(o)) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 shall not apply to any agreement or action undertaken for the purpose of developing or carrying out (1) the international energy program, or (2) any allocation, price control, or similar program with respect to petroleum products under this chapter or under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973. For purposes of section 708(A)(o) of the Defense Production Act of 1950, the effective date of the provisions of this chapter which relate to international voluntary agreements to carry out the International Energy Program shall be deemed to be 90 days after December 22, 1975."

Subsec. (k)(2). Pub. L. 105–177, §1(4)(F), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: "The term 'allocation and information provisions of the international energy program' means the provisions of the international energy program which relate to international allocation of petroleum products and to the information system provided in such program."

Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 105–177, §1(4)(G), amended subsec. (l) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (l) read as follows: "The authority granted by this section shall apply only to the development or carrying out of voluntary agreements and plans of action to implement chapters III, IV, and V of the international energy program."

1995—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 104–66 substituted ", at such intervals as are appropriate based on significant developments and issues, reports" for ", at least once every 6 months, a report".

1985—Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 99–58, §104(c)(4), substituted "subsection (f) or (j)" for "subsection (f) or (k)".

Subsecs. (j) to (l). Pub. L. 99–58, §104(c)(2), redesignated subsecs. (k) to (m) as (j) to (l). Former subsec. (j), which provided that the authority granted by this section would terminate at midnight, June 30, 1985, was struck out.

Subsecs. (m), (n). Pub. L. 99–58, §105, added subsecs. (m) and (n). Former subsec. (m) redesignated (l).

1984—Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 98–239 substituted "June 30, 1985" for "December 31, 1983".

1982—Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 97–229, §2(a), substituted "at midnight December 31, 1983" for "August 1, 1982".

Pub. L. 97–217 substituted "August 1, 1982" for "July 1, 1982".

Pub. L. 97–190 substituted "July 1, 1982" for "June 1, 1982".

Pub. L. 97–163 substituted "June 1, 1982" for "April 1, 1982".

Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 97–229, §2(b)(2), added subsec. (m).

1981—Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 97–50 substituted "April 1, 1982" for "September 30, 1981".

Pub. L. 97–5 substituted "September 30, 1981" for "March 15, 1981".

1979—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 96–133, §2, inserted provisions respecting access to transcripts.

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 96–133, §1, substituted "March 15, 1981" for "November 30, 1979".

Pub. L. 96–94 substituted "November 30" for "October 31".

Pub. L. 96–30 substituted "October 31, 1979" for "June 30, 1979".

1978—Subsecs. (b), (c)(1)(A)(iii), (2), (3), (d)(1), (2), (e)(2). Pub. L. 95–619 substituted "Secretary" for "Administrator", meaning Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration, wherever appearing.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Study and Report on Energy Policy Cooperation Between United States and Other Western Hemisphere Countries

Pub. L. 100–373, §2, July 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 878, directed Secretary of Energy, in consultation with Secretary of State and Secretary of Commerce, to conduct a study to determine how best to enhance cooperation between United States and other countries of Western Hemisphere with respect to energy policy including stable supplies of, and stable prices for, energy, with Secretary of Energy to report results of such study to Congress, propose a comprehensive international energy policy for United States designed to enhance cooperation between United States and other countries of the Western Hemisphere, and recommend such action as Secretary deemed necessary to establish and implement such policy.

Report of Implementation Activities Under International Voluntary Agreements

Pub. L. 96–133, §3, Nov. 30, 1979, 93 Stat. 1053, directed Secretary of Energy, in consultation with Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Chairman of Federal Trade Commission, to prepare and submit to appropriate committees of Congress, a report concerning actions taken by them to carry out provisions of this section, which report was to examine and discuss extent to which all, or part, of any meeting held in accordance with subsec. (c) of this section to carry out a voluntary agreement or to develop or carry out a plan of action should be open to interested persons in furtherance of provisions of subsec. (c)(1)(A) of this section, policies and procedures followed by appropriate Federal agencies in reviewing and making public or withholding from the public all, or part, of any transcript of any meeting held to develop or carry out a voluntary agreement or plan of action under this section and in permitting persons, other than citizens of United States, to review such transcripts prior to any public disclosure thereof, extent to which classification of all, or part, of such transcripts should be carried out by one agency, adequacy of actions by responsible Federal agencies in insuring that standards and procedures required by this section are fully implemented and enforced, including monitoring of program concerning any anticompetitive effects, and number of personnel, and amount of funds, assigned by each such agency to carry out such standards and procedures, actions taken, or to be taken, to improve reporting of energy supply data under international energy program and to reconcile such reporting with similar reporting that is conducted by Department of Energy, actions taken, or planned, to improve reporting required by subsec. (i) of this section, and other actions under subsec. (i) of this section and to transmit such report to such committees within 120 days after Nov. 30, 1979, and to make such report available to the public.

Executive Documents

Classification of Certain Information and Material

For provisions relating to the classification of certain information and material obtained from advisory bodies created to implement the International Energy Program, see Ex. Ord. No. 11932, eff. Aug. 4, 1976, 41 F.R. 32691, set out as a note under section 3161 of Title 50, War and National Defense.

§6273. Advisory committees

(a) Authority of Secretary to establish; applicability of section 17 of Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974; chairman; inclusion of representatives of public; public meetings; notice of meeting to Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission; attendance and participation of their representatives

To achieve the purposes of the international energy program with respect to international allocation of petroleum products and the information system provided in such program, the Secretary may provide for the establishment of such advisory committees as he determines are necessary. In addition to the requirements specified in this section, such advisory committees shall be subject to the provisions of section 17 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 [15 U.S.C. 776] (whether or not such Act [15 U.S.C. 761 et seq.] or any of its provisions expire or terminate before June 30, 1985); shall be chaired by a regular full-time Federal employee; and shall include representatives of the public. The meetings of such committees shall be open to the public. The Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission shall have adequate advance notice of any meeting and may have an official representative attend and participate in any such meeting.

(b) Transcript of meetings

A verbatim transcript shall be kept of such advisory committee meetings, and shall be deposited with the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission. Such transcript shall be made available for public inspection and copying in accordance with section 552 of title 5, except that matter may not be withheld from disclosure under section 552(b) of such title on grounds other than the grounds specified in section 552(b)(1), (b)(3), and so much of (b)(4) as relates to trade secrets, or pursuant to a determination under subsection (c).

(c) Suspension of application of certain requirements by President

The President, after consultation with the Secretary of State, the Federal Trade Commission, the Attorney General, and the Secretary, may suspend the application of—

(1) sections 1009 and 1010 of title 5,

(2) subsections (b) and (c) of section 17 ¹ of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974,

(3) the requirement under subsection (a) of this section that meetings be open to the public, and

(4) the second sentence of subsection (b);

if the President determines with respect to a particular meeting, (A) that such suspension is essential to the developing or carrying out of the international energy program, (B) that such suspension relates solely to the purpose of international allocation of petroleum products and the information system provided in such program, and (C) that the meeting deals with matters described in section 552(b)(1) of title 5. Such determination by the President shall be in writing, shall set forth a detailed explanation of reasons justifying the granting of such suspension, and shall be published in the Federal Register at a reasonable time prior to the effective date of any such suspension.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title II, §253, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 898; Pub. L. 95–619, title VI, §691(b)(2), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3288; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(265), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4335.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 93–275, May 7, 1974, 88 Stat. 96, which is classified generally to chapter 16B (§761 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 761 of Title 15 and Tables.

Section 17 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), was classified to section 776 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–28, §2(b)(2), July 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 245.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted "sections 1009 and 1010 of title 5," for "sections 10 and 11 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act,".

1978—Subsecs. (a), (c). Pub. L. 95–619 substituted "Secretary" for "Administrator", meaning Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Termination of Advisory Committees

Advisory committees established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment unless in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to the end of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See section 1013 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Executive Documents

Classification of Certain Information and Material

For provisions relating to the classification of certain information and material obtained from advisory bodies created to implement the International Energy Program, see Ex. Ord. No. 11932, eff. Aug. 4, 1976, 41 F.R. 32691, set out as a note under section 3161 of Title 50, War and National Defense.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§6274. Exchange of information with International Energy Agency

(a) Submission of information by Secretary to Secretary of State; transmittal to Agency; aggregation and reporting of geological or geophysical information, trade secrets, or commercial or financial information; availability of such information during international energy supply emergency; certification by President that Agency has adopted security measures; review of compliance of other nations with program; petition to President for changes in procedure

(1) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary, after consultation with the Attorney General, may provide to the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of State may transmit to the International Energy Agency established by the international energy program, the information and data related to the energy industry certified by the Secretary of State as required to be submitted under the international energy program.

(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, any such information or data which is geological or geophysical information or a trade secret or commercial or financial information to which section 552(b)(9) or (b)(4) of title 5 applies shall, prior to such transmittal, be aggregated, accumulated, or otherwise reported in such manner as to avoid, to the fullest extent feasible, identification of any person from whom the United States obtained such information or data, and in the case of geological or geophysical information, a competitive disadvantage to such person.

(B)(i) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, during an international energy supply emergency, any such information or data with respect to the international allocation of petroleum products may be made available to the International Energy Agency is otherwise authorized to be made available to such Agency by paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(ii) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to information described in subparagraph (A) (other than geological or geophysical information) if the President certifies, after opportunity for presentation of views by interested persons, that the International Energy Agency has adopted and is implementing security measures which assure that such information will not be disclosed by such Agency or its employees to any person or foreign country without having been aggregated, accumulated, or otherwise reported in such manner as to avoid identification of any person from whom the United States obtained such information or data.

(3)(A) Within 90 days after December 22, 1975, and periodically thereafter, the President shall review the operation of this section and shall determine whether other signatory nations to the international energy program are transmitting information and data to the International Energy Agency in substantial compliance with such program. If the President determines that other nations are not so complying, paragraph (2)(B)(ii) shall not apply until he determines other nations are so complying.

(B) Any person who believes he has been or will be damaged by the transmittal of information or data pursuant to this section shall have the right to petition the President and to request changes in procedures which will protect such person from any competitive damage.

(b) Halting transmittal of information that would prejudice competition, violate antitrust laws, or be inconsistent with security interests

If the President determines that the transmittal of data or information pursuant to the authority of this section would prejudice competition, violate the antitrust laws, or be inconsistent with United States national security interests, he may require that such data or information not be transmitted.

(c) Information protected by statute

Information and data the confidentiality of which is protected by statute shall not be provided by the Secretary to the Secretary of State under subsection (a) of this section for transmittal to the International Energy Agency, unless the Secretary has obtained the specific concurrence of the head of any department or agency which has the primary statutory authority for the collection, gathering, or obtaining of such information and data. In making a determination to concur in providing such information and data, the head of any department or agency which has the primary statutory authority for the collection, gathering, or obtaining of such information and data shall consider the purposes for which such information and data were collected, gathered, and obtained, the confidentiality provisions of such statutory authority, and the international obligations of the United States under the international energy program with respect to the transmittal of such information and data to an international organization or foreign country.

(d) Continuation of authority to collect data under Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act and Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974

For the purposes of carrying out the obligations of the United States under the international energy program, the authority to collect data granted by sections 11 and 13 of the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act [15 U.S.C. 796] and the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 [15 U.S.C. 772], respectively, shall continue in full force and effect without regard to the provisions of such Acts relating to their expiration.

(e) Limitation on disclosure contained in other laws

The authority under this section to transmit information shall be subject to any limitations on disclosure contained in other laws, except that such authority may be exercised without regard to—

(1) section 11(d) of the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 [15 U.S.C. 796(d)];

(2) section 14(b) of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 [15 U.S.C. 773(b)];

(3) section 12 ¹ of the Export Administration Act of 1979;

(4) section 9 of title 13;

(5) section 176a of title 15; and

(6) section 1905 of title 18.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title II, §254, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 899; Pub. L. 95–619, title VI, §691(b)(2), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3288; Pub. L. 96–72, §22(b)(2), Sept. 29, 1979, 93 Stat. 535.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The provisions of such Acts relating to their expiration, referred to in subsec. (d), means section 11(g) of Pub. L. 93–319, June 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 246, the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act, which enacted section 796(g) of Title 15, and section 30 of Pub. L. 93–275, May 7, 1974, 88 Stat. 97, the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, which is set out as a note under section 761 of Title 15.

Section 12 of the Export Administration Act of 1979, referred to in subsec. (e)(3), was classified to section 4614 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title XVII, §1766(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2232.

Amendments

1979—Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 96–72 substituted "12" for "7" and "1979" for "1969".

1978—Subsecs. (a)(1), (c). Pub. L. 95–619 substituted "Secretary" for "Administrator", meaning Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration, wherever appearing.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1979 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–72 effective upon the expiration of the Export Administration Act of 1969, which terminated on Sept. 30, 1979, or upon any prior date which the Congress by concurrent resolution or the President by proclamation designated, see Pub. L. 96–72, §19(a), Sept. 29, 1979, 93 Stat. 535, which was classified to section 4621 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title XVII, §1766(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2232.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§6275. Relationship between standby emergency authorities and international energy program

The purpose of the Congress in enacting this subchapter is to provide standby energy emergency authority to deal with energy shortage conditions and to minimize economic dislocations and adverse impacts on employment. While the authorities contained in this subchapter may, to the extent authorized by this subchapter, be used to carry out obligations incurred by the United States in connection with the International Energy Program, this subchapter shall not be construed in any way as advice and consent, ratification, endorsement, or other form of congressional approval of the specific terms of such program.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title II, §255, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 900.)

§6276. Domestic renewable energy industry and related service industries

(a) Purpose

It is the purpose of this section to implement the responsibilities of the United States under chapter VII of the international energy program with respect to development of alternative energy by facilitating the overall abilities of the domestic renewable energy industry and related service industries to create new markets.

(b) Evaluation; report to Congress

(1) Before the later of—

(A) 6 months after July 18, 1984, and

(B) May 31, 1985,

the Secretary of Commerce shall conduct an evaluation regarding the domestic renewable energy industry and related service industries and submit a report of his findings to the Congress.

(2) Such evaluation shall include—

(A) an assessment of the technical and commercial status of the domestic renewable energy industry and related service industries in domestic and foreign markets;

(B) an assessment of the Federal Government's activities affecting commerce in the domestic renewable energy industry and related service industries and in consolidating and coordinating such activities within the Federal Government; and

(C) an assessment of the aspects of the domestic renewable energy industry and related service industries in which improvements must be made to increase the international commercialization of such industry.

(c) Program for enhancing commerce in renewable energy technologies; funding

(1) On the basis of the evaluation under subsection (b), the Secretary of Commerce shall, consistent with existing law, establish a program for enhancing commerce in renewable energy technologies and consolidating or coordinating existing activities for such purpose.

(2) Such program shall provide for—

(A) the broadening of the participation by the domestic renewable energy industry and related service industries in such activities;

(B) the promotion of the domestic renewable energy industry and related service industries on a worldwide basis;

(C) the participation by the Federal Government and the domestic renewable energy industry and related service industries in international standard-setting activities; and

(D) the establishment of an information program under which—

(i) technical information about the domestic renewable energy industry and related service industries shall be provided to appropriate public and private officials engaged in commerce, and to potential end users, including other industry sectors in foreign countries such as health care, rural development, communications, and refrigeration, and others, and

(ii) marketing information about export and export financing opportunities shall be available to the domestic renewable energy industry and related service industries.

(3) Necessary funds required for carrying out such program shall be requested in connection with fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1984.

(d) Interagency working group

(1) Establishment

(A) There shall be established an interagency working group that, in consultation with the representative industry groups and relevant agency heads, shall make recommendations to coordinate the actions and programs of the Federal Government affecting exports of renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services. The interagency working group shall establish a program to inform foreign countries of the benefits of policies that would increase energy efficiency or would allow facilities that use renewable energy to compete effectively with producers of energy from nonrenewable sources.

(B) There shall be established an Interagency Working Subgroup on Renewable Energy and an Interagency Working Subgroup on Energy Efficiency that shall, in consultation with representative industry groups, nonprofit organizations, and relevant Federal agencies, make recommendations to coordinate the actions and programs of the Federal Government to promote the export of domestic renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services, respectively.

(C) The Secretary of Energy, or the Secretary's designee, shall chair the interagency working group and each subgroup established under this paragraph. The Administrator of the Agency for International Development and the Secretary of Commerce, or their designees, shall be members of both subgroups established under this paragraph. The Secretary shall provide staff for carrying out the functions of the interagency working group and each subgroup established under this paragraph. The heads of appropriate agencies may detail such personnel and may furnish such services to such group and subgroups, with or without reimbursement, as may be necessary to carry out their functions.

(2) Duties of the interagency working subgroups

(A) The interagency working subgroups established under paragraph (1)(B), through the member agencies of the interagency working group, shall promote the development and application in foreign countries of renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services, respectively, that—

(i) reduce dependence on unreliable sources of energy by encouraging the use of sustainable biomass, wind, small-scale hydroelectric, solar, geothermal, and other renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services; and

(ii) use hybrid fossil-renewable energy systems.

(B) In addition, the interagency working subgroups shall explore mechanisms for assisting domestic firms, particularly small businesses, with the export of their renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services and with the identification of potential projects.

(3) Training and assistance

The interagency working subgroups shall encourage the member agencies of the interagency working group to—

(A) provide technical training and education for international development personnel and local users in their own country;

(B) provide financial and technical assistance to nonprofit institutions that support the marketing and export efforts of domestic companies that provide renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services;

(C) develop environmentally sustainable renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in foreign countries;

(D) provide technical assistance and training materials to loan officers of the World Bank, international lending institutions, commercial and energy attaches at embassies of the United States and other appropriate personnel in order to provide information about renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services to foreign governments or other potential project sponsors;

(E) support, through financial incentives, private sector efforts to commercialize and export renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services; and

(F) augment budgets for trade and development programs in order to support pre-feasibility or feasibility studies for projects that utilize renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services.

(4) Study of export promotion practices

The interagency working group shall conduct a study of subsidies, incentives, and policies that foreign countries use to promote exports of their own renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and products. Such study shall also identify foreign trade barriers to the import of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and products produced in the United States. The interagency working group shall report to the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate the results of such study within 18 months after October 24, 1992.

(e) Omitted

(f) Functions of interagency working group; plan to increase United States exports of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies

(1) The interagency working group shall—

(A) establish, in consultation with representatives of affected industries, a plan to increase United States exports of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, and include in such plan recommended guidelines for agencies that are represented on the working group with respect to the financing of, or other actions they can take within their programs to promote, exports of such renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies;

(B) develop, in consultation with representatives of affected industries, recommended administrative guidelines for Federal export loan programs to simplify application by firms seeking export assistance for renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies from agencies implementing such programs; and

(C) recommend specific renewable energy and energy efficiency technology markets for primary emphasis by Federal export loan programs, development programs, and private sector assistance programs.

(2) The interagency working group shall include a description of the plan established under paragraph (1)(A) in no later than the second report submitted under subsection (e),¹ and shall include in subsequent reports a description of any modifications to such plan and of the progress in implementing the plan.

(g) Repealed. Pub. L. 102–486, title XII, §1207(c), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2963

(h) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to implement this part, to remain available until expended.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title II, §256, as added Pub. L. 98–370, §2, July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1211; amended Pub. L. 101–218, §7, Dec. 11, 1989, 103 Stat. 1867; Pub. L. 102–486, title XII, §§1207, 1208, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2962, 2964; Pub. L. 104–306, §1(3), Oct. 14, 1996, 110 Stat. 3810; Pub. L. 106–469, title I, §104(2), Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2033; Pub. L. 108–7, div. F, title III, §339(b)(1), Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 278.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Subsection (e) of this section, referred to in subsec. (f)(2), was omitted from the Code.

Codification

Subsec. (e) of this section, which required the interagency working group established under subsec. (d) of this section to annually report to Congress, describing the actions of each agency represented by a member of the working group taken during the previous fiscal year to achieve the purposes of such working group and of this section and describing the exports of renewable energy technology that have occurred as a result of such agency actions, terminated, effective May 15, 2000, pursuant to section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance. See, also, the 6th item on page 175 of House Document No. 103–7.

Amendments

2003—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 108–7 amended subsec. (h) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (h) read as follows: "There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for purposes of carrying out the programs under subsections (d) and (e) of this section $10,000,000, to be divided equitably between the interagency working subgroups based on program requirements, for each of the fiscal years 1993 and 1994, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1995 to carry out the purposes of this subtitle. There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 1997 such sums as may be necessary to carry out this part. There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2000 through 2003, such sums as may be necessary."

2000—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 106–469 inserted at end "There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2000 through 2003, such sums as may be necessary."

1996—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 104–306 inserted at end "There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 1997 such sums as may be necessary to carry out this part."

1992—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–486, §1207(a), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows:

"(1) There shall be established an interagency working group which, in consultation with the representative industry groups and relevant agency heads, shall make recommendations to coordinate the actions and programs of the Federal Government affecting commerce in renewable energy products and related services. The Secretary of Energy shall be the chairman of such group. The heads of appropriate agencies may detail such personnel and may furnish such services to such working group, with or without reimbursement, as may be necessary to carry out its functions.

"(2) The interagency group shall establish a program to inform other countries of the benefits of policies that would allow small facilities which produce renewable energy to compete effectively with producers of energy from nonrenewable sources."

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 102–486, §1208, added par. (4).

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 102–486, §1207(b), inserted "and energy efficiency" after "renewable energy" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 102–486, §1207(c), struck out subsec. (g) which read as follows: "For purposes of this section, the term 'renewable energy' includes energy efficiency to the extent it is a part of a renewable energy system or technology."

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 102–486, §1207(d), amended subsec. (h) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (h) read as follows: "There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for activities of the interagency working group established under subsection (d) of this section not to exceed—

"(1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1991;

"(2) $3,300,000 for fiscal year 1992; and

"(3) $3,600,000 for fiscal year 1993."

1989—Subsec. (c)(2)(D)(i). Pub. L. 101–218, §7(a)(1), inserted "and to potential end users, including other industry sectors in foreign countries such as health care, rural development, communications, and refrigeration, and others," after "commerce,".

Subsec. (c)(2)(D)(ii). Pub. L. 101–218, §7(a)(2), substituted "export and export financing opportunities" for "export opportunities".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–218, §7(b), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Subsecs. (e) to (h). Pub. L. 101–218, §7(c), added subsecs. (e) to (h).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 98–370, §3, July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1212, provided that: "The amendments made by this Act [enacting this section and a provision set out as a note under section 6201 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [July 18, 1984]."

¹ See References in Text note below.