A bill to create within the Department of Agriculture an office specifically charged with the responsibility of assessing the fuel and energy needs of rural residents as such needs pertain to home heating and cooling, transportation, agricultural production, electrical generation, conservation, and research and development.
Rural Energy Office Act - Establishes within the Department of Agriculture an Office of Rural Energy Assessment and Development whose Director shall be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Makes such Office responsible for identifying, developing, and compiling data pertaining to fuel and other energy needs of persons residing in rural areas.
Directs the Office to submit semi-annual reports to Congress containing an accounting of the findings and conclusions of the Office with respect to the following subject matter as it relates to the needs of persons in rural areas: (1) the heating and cooling of residential dwelling units; (2) transportation; (3) the production of agricultural commodities; (4) the energy needs of business and industries; (5) sources of electricity; (6) conservation of energy; and (7) energy research and development.
Directs the Office to provide such reports to specified committees of Congress and directs such committees to cooperate in publishing making available to the public every six months a document containing the most recent information provided by the Office.
Imposes a civil fine to be assessed against the Director of such Office if the Director fails to submit such reports by the dates specified in this Act.
Requires regulations of the Federal Energy Administration, the Energy Research and Development Administration, the Federal Highway Commission, and the Federal Power Commission to be submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture for review where concerning a rural energy matter.
Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Terminates the Office and provisions of this Act in five years.
Introduced in Senate
Referred to Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry (Subsequently: Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry).
Referred to Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.
Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce (Subsequently: Commerce, Science, and Transportation).
Referred to Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs (Subsequently: Energy and Natural Resources).
checking server…
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line