Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 114 Part 3.djvu/1019

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PUBLIC LAW 106-469—NOV. 9, 2000 114 STAT. 2041 "(2) FIXED-PRICE CONTRACT.—The term Tixed-price contract' means a contract between a retailer and a consumer under which the retailer charges the consumer a set price for propane, kerosene, or heating oil without regard to market price fluctuations. "(3) PRICE CAP CONTRACT.—The term 'price cap contract' means a contract between a retailer and a consumer under which the retailer charges the consumer the market price for propane, kerosene, or heating oil, but the cost of the propane, kerosene, or heating oil may exceed a maximum amount stated in the contract. "(b) ASSISTANCE. —At the request of the chief executive officer of a State, the Secretary shall provide information, technical assistance, and funding— "(1) to develop education and outreach programs to encourage consumers to fill their storage facilities for propane, kerosene, and heating oil during the summer months; and "(2) to promote the use of budget contracts, price cap contracts, fixed-price contracts, and other advantageous financial arrangements, to avoid severe seasonal price increases for and supply shortages of those products. "(c) PREFERENCE.— In implementing this section, the Secretary shall give preference to States that contribute public funds or leverage private funds to develop State summer fill and fuel budgeting programs. "(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. —There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section— "(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2001; and "(2) such sums as are necessary for each fiscal year thereafter. "(e) INAPPLICABILITY OF EXPIRATION PROVISION.— Section 281 does not apply to this section.". (b) The table of contents in the first section of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. prec. 6201) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 272 the following: "Sec. 273. Summer fill and fiiel budgeting programs.". SEC. 603. EXPEDITED FERC HYDROELECTRIC LICENSING PROCE- DURES. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall, in consulta- Reports, tion with other appropriate agencies, immediately undertake a com- {)rehensive review of policies, procedures, and regulations for the icensing of hydroelectric projects to determine how to reduce the cost and time of obtaining a license. The Commission shall report Deadline, its findings within 6 months of the date of the enactment of this section to the Congress, including any recommendations for legislative changes. SEC. 604. SCIENTIFIC INVENTORY OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES. (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy, shall conduct an inventory of all onshore Federal lands. The inventory shall identify— (1) the United States Geological Survey reserve estimates of the oil and gas resources underlying these lands; and 42 USC 6217.