Propane Supply and Security Act of 2014 - Directs the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to publish weekly inventory data on propane storage and propane markets, including pricing data for residential customers in states that voluntarily choose to participate in the State Heating Oil and Propane Program (SHOPP) of the EIA.
Directs the Administrator to publish data on storage at: (1) major market centers, and (2) the regions reported in specified weekly and monthly inventory data.
Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to lead and coordinate federal and state emergency response efforts regarding propane supply emergencies in any state or region characterized by either sudden increases in consumer prices for propane, or propane supply shortages that threaten public safety or livestock safety.
Amends the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 to direct the Propane Education and Research Council to develop for propane distributors and consumers training programs on strategies to mitigate negative effects of future propane price spikes.
Directs the Secretary to study the effectiveness and feasibility of establishing propane storage facilities operated separately from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Authorizes the Secretary to submit to Congress and the President a plan describing such regional propane reserve.
Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to include within the storage facility loan program funding for propane storage and handling facilities used for drying and heating.
Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to study facilities appurtenant to propane pipelines that are not subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to determine: (1) whether the nonjurisdictional nature of the facilities had an impact on the propane price spike during the winter of 2013-2014, or (2) whether such finding demonstrates it would be in the public interest to place such facilities under FERC jurisdiction.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5469 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5469
To prevent future propane shortages, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 15, 2014
Mr. Latta introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on
Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To prevent future propane shortages, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Propane Supply and Security Act of
2014''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Energy Information Administration.
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission.
(3) Propane pipeline.--The term ``propane pipeline'' means
a pipeline regulated under chapter 601 of title 49, United
States Code, that is used to transport propane.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
SEC. 3. INFORMATION COLLECTION.
(a) In General.--The Administrator, in coordination with other
Federal and State officials, as appropriate, shall publish to the
maximum extent practicable and consistent with confidentiality
requirements, data on--
(1) propane storage, including--
(A) weekly inventory disaggregated below the level
of the Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts
(PADD) including--
(i) data at the State and local level; and
(ii) aggregate data at market hubs around
Conway, Kansas, Mont Bellvieu, Texas, and any
other market hubs of significant regional
scope; and
(B) weekly data to separately account for non-fuel
propylene and propane for PADD 3 and other regions if
the Administrator determines that inclusion of the
nonfuel propylene supply data significantly distorts
propane supply and pricing data, and the Administrator
determines it is feasible to collect separate data and
nonfuel propylene and propane; and
(2) propane markets, including pricing data, for
residential customers in States that voluntarily choose to
participate in the State Heating Oil and Propane Program
(SHOPP) of the Energy Information Administration.
(b) Biannual Working and Net Available Storage Capacity Report.--
The Administrator shall publish data on storage at--
(1) major market centers, including the regions around
Conway, Kansas and Mont Bellvieu, Texas; and
(2) to the extent practicable based on existing surveys and
consistent with confidentiality requirements, the regions
reported in the weekly and monthly inventory data under
subsection (a).
SEC. 4. COORDINATED RESPONSE TO EMERGENCIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall lead and coordinate Federal
and State emergency response efforts with respect to propane supply
emergencies in any State or region of the United States that are
characterized, as determined by the Secretary, by--
(1) sudden increases in consumer prices for propane; or
(2) propane supply shortages that threaten public safety or
livestock safety.
(b) Duties.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
(1) establish criteria to determine when an emergency
response action would be triggered;
(2) establish a system for forecasting and tracking the
availability of propane, with an emphasis on predicting supply
shortages;
(3) establish a system for alerting other Federal agencies,
States, industry groups, and appropriate stakeholders of the
crisis--
(A) before an emergency; and
(B) when the Secretary determines that an emergency
has occurred;
(4) establish a plan for coordinated response to an
emergency by Federal and State agencies using their existing
authorities; and
(5) establish criteria to determine when the emergency has
ended.
(c) Actions.--An emergency response carried out under this section
may include actions by Federal and State agencies using their existing
authorities--
(1) to protect consumers from unfair pricing;
(2) to expedite the distribution of propane through
available transportation modes, including provisions--
(A) to exempt motor carriers of propane from hours-
of-service restrictions;
(B) to prioritize propane shipments by rail;
(C) to exempt vessels carrying propane from United
States-flag ship requirements under the Jones Act; and
(D) for actions by the Commission to prioritize
propane shipments over other shipments in batched
pipelines; and
(3) expedited release of energy assistance funds.
(d) Effect.--Nothing in this section limits any existing agency
authority of a Federal agency.
SEC. 5. DEFINITION OF CONSUMER PROPANE PRICES.
(a) Functions of Propane Education and Research Council.--Section
5(f) of the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C.
6404(f)) is amended in the first sentence by inserting ``to train
propane distributors and consumers in strategies to mitigate negative
effects of future propane price spikes,'' after ``to enhance consumer
and employee safety and training,''.
(b) Market Survey and Consumer Protection Price Analysis.--Section
9(a) of the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C.
6408(a)) is amended in the first sentence by striking ``only data
provided by the Energy Information Administration'' and inserting ``the
refiner price to end users of consumer grade propane, as published by
the Energy Information Administration''.
SEC. 6. REGIONAL PROPANE RESERVE STUDY.
(a) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a study to determine the
effectiveness and feasibility of establishing 1 or more propane storage
facilities, to be operated separately 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.).
(b) Plan.--Following completion of the study under subsection (a),
the Secretary may submit to Congress and the President a plan
describing--
(1) the proposed acquisition of storage and related
facilities or storage services, including--
(A) the potential use of storage facilities not
currently in use; and
(B) a determination of the combination of primary,
secondary, and tertiary storage facilities that will be
used;
(2) the proposed acquisition of propane for storage;
(3) the proposed methods of disposition of propane;
(4) the estimated costs of establishment, maintenance, and
operation;
(5) the efforts the Secretary will make--
(A) to minimize any potential need for future
drawdowns; and
(B) to ensure the distributors and importers are
not discouraged from maintaining and increasing
supplies of propane;
(6) the proposed actions to ensure the quality of the
propane; and
(7) the proposed accounts and funding structures required
for acquisition of propane and propane storage facilities.
SEC. 7. STORAGE FACILITY LOANS FOR PROPANE STORAGE.
Section 1614(a) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 8789(a)) is amended by inserting ``, including facilities for
propane that is used for drying and heating'' before the period at the
end.
SEC. 8. STUDY OF JURISDICTION.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall complete a study of
facilities appurtenant to propane pipelines (such as terminals and
storage facilities) that are not subject to the jurisdiction of the
Commission (as of the date on which the study commences) to determine--
(1) whether and to what degree the nonjurisdictional nature
of the facilities had an impact on the propane price spike
during the winter of 2013 to 2014; or
(2) whether findings described in paragraph (1) demonstrate
whether it would be in the public interest to enact a change in
law to place such facilities under the jurisdiction of the
Commission.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.
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