[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 21 (Thursday, February 4, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 3280. Ms. CANTWELL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 3077 submitted by Mr. Roberts (for himself and Mr. 
Boozman) and intended to be proposed to the amendment SA 2953 proposed 
by Ms. Murkowski to the bill S. 2012, to provide for the modernization 
of the energy policy of the United States, and for other purposes; 
which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In lieu of the matter proposed to be stricken, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 4501. STUDY ON ENERGY MARKET REGULATORY COORDINATION AND 
                   INFORMATION COLLECTION.

       (a) Study.--The Energy Information Administration, in 
     consultation with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 
     the Department of Energy, the Federal Trade Commission, and 
     the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, shall conduct a 
     study--
       (1) to identify the factors that affect the pricing of 
     crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas, and 
     electricity; and
       (2) to review and assess--
       (A) existing statutory authorities and regulatory 
     coordination relating to the oversight and regulation of 
     markets critical to the energy security of the United States; 
     and
       (B) the need for additional information collection for and 
     statutory authority within the Federal Government to 
     effectively oversee and regulate physical markets critical to 
     the energy security of the United States.
       (b) Elements of Study.--The study shall include--
       (1) an examination of price formation of crude oil, refined 
     petroleum products, natural gas, and electricity in physical 
     markets;
       (2) an examination of relevant international regulatory 
     regimes;
       (3) an examination of changes in energy market 
     transparency, liquidity, and structure and the impact of 
     those changes on price formation in physical markets;
       (4) an examination of the effect of increased financial 
     investment in energy commodities on energy prices and the 
     energy security of the United States; and
       (5) an examination of the owners of the 50 largest volumes 
     of oil and natural gas, as well as storage and transportation 
     capacity for each.
       (c) Report and Recommendations.--The Energy Information 
     Administration shall issue a final report not later than 1 
     year after the date of enactment of this Act that--
       (1) describes the results of the study; and
       (2) provides options for appropriate additional Federal 
     regulatory coordination of oversight and regulatory actions 
     to ensure transparency of energy product pricing and the 
     elimination of excessive speculation, including 
     recommendations on data collection and analysis to be carried 
     out by the Energy Information Administration.
       (d) Consultation.--In conducting the study, the Energy 
     Information Administration shall consult, as appropriate, 
     with representatives of the various exchanges, 
     clearinghouses, self-regulatory bodies, other major market 
     participants, consumers, and the general public.
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