Energy Distribution Act of 2015

To improve the distribution of energy in the United States. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Energy Distribution Act of 2015 2. Energy security (a) In general The Secretary of Energy (referred to in this Act as the Secretary (1) shall collaborate with the heads of other Federal agencies to improve the conceptual development of energy security; and (2) may consult with allies and key trading partners of the United States with respect to energy security issues resulting from changes in the energy marketplace. (b) Considerations At a minimum, the Secretary shall ensure that, as part of the collaboration required under subsection (a)(1), the following are considered: (1) The development of flexible, transparent, and competitive energy markets, including natural gas and oil markets; (2) The diversification of energy fuels, sources, and routes; and (3) The encouragement of indigenous sources of energy supply. 3. Shared infrastructure The Secretary shall lead an interagency effort to improve and coordinate data collection and analytical and modeling capabilities for energy distribution on shared energy infrastructure. 4. Energy market integration The Secretary shall coordinate the training of, and enhanced dialogue among, technical staff in applicable Federal agencies that are responsible for evaluating and implementing cross-border energy projects. 5. Energy data collaboration (a) In general The Administrator of the Energy Information Administration (referred to in this Act as the Administrator (1) the quality and transparency of North American energy data through reconciliation of data on energy trade flows among the United States, Canada, and Mexico; (2) the extension of energy mapping capabilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico; and (3) the development of common energy data terminology among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. (b) Periodic updates The Administrator shall periodically inform the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives regarding— (1) the extent to which energy data is being shared under subsection (a); and (2) whether forward-looking projections for regional energy flows are improving in accuracy as a result of the energy data sharing under that subsection.

Summary: Energy Distribution Act of 2015 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to collaborate with other federal agencies to improve the conceptual development of energy security, considering at a minimum: development of flexible, transparent, and competitive energy markets, including natural gas and oil markets; diversification of energy fuels, sources, and routes; and encouragement of indigenous sources of energy supply. DOE must: (1) lead an interagency effort to improve and coordinate data collection and analytical and modeling capabilities for energy distribution on shared energy infrastructure; and (2) coordinate the training of, and enhanced dialogue among, technical staff in federal agencies responsible for cross-border energy projects evaluation and implementation. The Energy Information Administration must collaborate with officials in Canada and Mexico to improve: the quality and transparency of North American energy data through reconciliation of data on energy trade flows among the U.S., Canada, and Mexico; the extension of energy mapping capabilities in those countries; and the development of common energy data terminology among the three nations.