[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3240 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3240

        To enhance availability of critical energy information.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 31, 2007

  Mr. Boucher (for himself and Mr. Dingell) introduced the following 
    bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
        To enhance availability of critical energy information.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) the Energy Information Administration's data is 
        critical not merely for analysis of the role of energy in our 
        economy and environment, but for the effective functioning of 
        domestic and international energy markets;
            (2) Federal and State policymakers rely on the Energy 
        Information Administration to collect and report State level 
        energy information needed for energy policymaking, compliance 
        with Federal and State mandates, and for purposes of emergency 
        energy preparedness and response;
            (3) as policymakers consider and implement policies to cut 
        greenhouse gas emissions, accurate, timely, and comparable 
        State energy information becomes even more important;
            (4) new and expanded sources of information about energy 
        demand and supply have become available and need to be 
        incorporated in the Energy Information Administration's data 
        and analysis functions;
            (5) the Energy Information Administration needs to maintain 
        and enhance its ability to collect, process, and analyze data 
        while confronting broader demands for information in greater 
        detail; and
            (6) budget and personnel constraints have forced the Energy 
        Information Administration to curtail surveys relied upon by 
        energy and financial markets and could further defer important 
        improvements in the scope and quality of resulting information.

SEC. 2. ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCES.

    (a) 5-Year Plan.--The Administrator of the Energy Information 
Administration shall establish a 5-year plan to enhance the quality and 
scope of the data collection necessary to ensure the scope, accuracy, 
and timeliness of the information needed for efficient functioning of 
energy markets and related financial operations. Particular attention 
shall be paid to restoring data series terminated because of budget 
constraints, data on demand response, timely data series of State-level 
information, improvements in the area of oil and gas data, and the 
ability to provide data mandated by Congress promptly and completely.
    (b) Submittal to Congress.--The Administrator shall submit this 
plan to Congress detailing improvements needed to enhance the Energy 
Information Administration's ability to collect and process energy 
information in a manner consistent with the needs of energy markets.
    (c) Guidelines.--The Administrator shall--
            (1) establish guidelines to ensure the quality, 
        comparability, and scope of State energy data, including data 
        on energy production and consumption by product and sector and 
        renewable and alternative sources, required to provide a 
        comprehensive, accurate energy profile at the State level;
            (2) share company-level data collected at the State level 
        with the State involved, provided the State has agreed to 
        reasonable guidelines for its use adopted by the Administrator;
            (3) assess any existing gaps in data obtained by and 
        compiled by the Energy Information Administration; and
            (4) evaluate the most cost effective ways to address any 
        data quality and quantity issues in conjunction with State 
        officials.
The Energy Information Administration shall consult with State 
officials and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on a regular 
basis in establishing these guidelines and scope of State level data, 
as well as in exploring ways to address data needs and serve data uses.
    (d) Assessment of State Data Needs.--The Administrator shall 
provide an assessment of these State-level data needs to the Congress 
not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 
detailing a plan to address the needs identified.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Administrator for carrying out this section, in 
addition to any other authorizations--
            (1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
            (2) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
            (3) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
            (4) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
            (5) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
            (6) such sums as are necessary for subsequent fiscal years.
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