Department of Energy study on establishing national strategic propane reserve

(a)

Study

(1)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, shall complete a study to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of establishing a national strategic propane reserve, separate from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve established under part B of title I of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6231 et seq.). (2)

Elements

The study under paragraph (1) shall include—(A)an assessment of the current state of the propane supply chain in the United States to meet current and forecasted consumer demands; (B)an assessment of the risks of regional propane supply disruptions, including—(i)past causes of disruptions;(ii)possible causes of disruptions in the future; and(iii)whether disruptions justify the establishment of a national strategic propane reserve;(C)an evaluation of—(i)appropriate and most suitable locations for a strategic propane reserve;(ii)the quantity of propane storage that would be appropriate at each such location; and(iii)the suitability of existing infrastructure to facilitate transportation and delivery of propane from a strategic propane reserve during a drawdown;(D)an evaluation of the additional infrastructure needed for a strategic propane reserve to function properly;(E)consideration of the means by which a strategic propane reserve would prevent and manage degradation of the propane in storage;(F)an evaluation of appropriate triggers (including price and supply) for making available propane from a strategic reserve;(G)an evaluation of the appropriate manner of acquiring propane and propane storage for a strategic reserve, while minimizing market implications, including an assessment of—(i)unutilized and under-utilized storage; and(ii)new storage opportunities;(H)an evaluation of the appropriate transactions (including direct sales, exchanges, or other options) for delivering propane in a strategic reserve to the market when a release is triggered;(I)an evaluation of likely consumers (including individuals, agricultural producers, and the Armed Forces) of propane from a strategic reserve, including—(i)identification and categorization of those consumers;(ii)a State-by-State breakdown of propane usage by those consumers; and(iii)an evaluation of the expected impacts of a strategic propane reserve on those categories of consumers and States;(J)an evaluation of the market implications of establishing and administering a strategic propane reserve, including an assessment of potential price and supply effects; and(K)identification, preliminary assessment, and evaluation of alternatives to a strategic propane reserve that could provide supply and price relief during regional propane supply disruptions.(3)

Recommendations

In conducting the study under this subsection, the Secretary of Energy shall develop recommendations with respect to each element of the study described in paragraph (2) regarding—(A)whether a national strategic propane reserve should be established; and(B)if such a reserve should be established, the most practicable method of establishment.(b)

Plan

Not later than 180 days after the date of completion of the study under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall develop a plan for implementing the recommendations developed under paragraph (3) of that subsection.(c)

Industry coordination

In conducting the study under subsection (a) and developing the plan under subsection (b), the Secretary of Energy is encouraged to coordinate with entities in the propane industry, including representatives from the entire propane supply chain.(d)

Submission to Congress

The Secretary of Energy shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report describing—(1)the study completed under subsection (a); and(2)the plan developed under subsection (b).(e)

Protection of national security information

Before submitting the report under subsection (d), or otherwise publishing the study completed under subsection (a) or the plan developed under subsection (b), the Secretary of Energy shall adopt such procedures with respect to confidentiality (including procedures for redaction of information) as the Secretary determines to be necessary to ensure the protection of classified information relating to specific vulnerabilities to United States energy security or reliability.