881 
HR 6 PAP 
(4) any other significant effects on surface or 
ground water resources associated with production of 
coal-bed methane. 
(c) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The study shall analyze the 
effectiveness of current mitigation practices of coal bed 
methane produced water handling in relation to existing 
Federal and State laws and regulations, and make rec-
ommendations as to changes, if any, to Federal law nec-
essary to address adverse impacts to surface or ground 
water resources associated with coal bed methane develop-
ment. 
(d) COMPLETION OF STUDY.—The National Academy 
of Sciences shall submit the findings and recommendations 
of the study to the Secretary of the Interior and the Admin-
istrator of the Environmental Protection Agency within 12 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, and shall 
upon completion make the results of the study available to 
the public. 
(e) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary of the Inte-
rior and the Administrator of the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency, after consulting with States, shall report to 
the Congress within 6 months after receiving the results of 
the study on— 
(1) the findings and recommendations of the 
study;
882 
HR 6 PAP 
(2) the agreement or disagreement of the Sec-
retary of the Interior and the Administrator of the 
Environmental Protection Agency with each of its 
findings and recommendations; and 
(3) any recommended changes in funding to ad-
dress the effects of coal bed methane production on 
surface and ground water resources. 
SEC. 1306. BACKUP FUEL CAPABILITY STUDY. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a 
study of the effect of obtaining and maintaining liq-
uid and other fuel backup capability at— 
(A) gas-fired power generation facilities; 
and 
(B) other gas-fired industrial facilities. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The study under paragraph (1) 
shall address— 
(A) the costs and benefits of adding a dif-
ferent fuel capability to a power gas-fired power 
generating or industrial facility, taking into 
consideration regional differences; 
(B) methods of the Federal Government and 
State governments to encourage gas-fired power 
generators and industries to develop the capa-
bility to power the facilities using a backup fuel;
883 
HR 6 PAP 
(C) the effect on the supply and cost of nat-
ural gas of— 
(i) a balanced portfolio of fuel choices 
in power generation and industrial applica-
tions; and 
(ii) State regulations that permit agen-
cies in the State to carry out policies that 
encourage the use of other backup fuels in 
gas-fired power generation; and 
(D) changes required in the Clean Air Act 
(42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) to allow natural gas 
generators to add clean backup fuel capabilities. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress a report on the results of the study under 
subsection (a), including recommendations regarding future 
activity of the Federal Government relating to backup fuel 
capability. 
SEC. 1307. INDIAN LAND RIGHTS-OF-WAY. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary and the Sec-
retary of the Interior (referred to in this section as 
the ‘‘Secretaries’’) shall jointly conduct a study of 
issues regarding energy rights-of-way on tribal land 
(as defined in section 2601 of the Energy Policy Act
884 
HR 6 PAP 
of 1992 (as amended by section 503)) (referred to in 
this section as ‘‘tribal land’’). 
(2) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study 
under paragraph (1), the Secretaries shall consult 
with Indian tribes, the energy industry, appropriate 
governmental entities, and affected businesses and 
consumers. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the findings of the study, including— 
(1) an analysis of historic rates of compensation 
paid for energy rights-of-way on tribal land; 
(2) recommendations for appropriate standards 
and procedures for determining fair and appropriate 
compensation to Indian tribes for grants, expansions, 
and renewals of energy rights-of-way on tribal land; 
(3) an assessment of the tribal self-determination 
and sovereignty interests implicated by applications 
for the grant, expansion, or renewal of energy rights- 
of-way on tribal land; and 
(4) an analysis of relevant national energy 
transportation policies relating to grants, expansions, 
and renewals of energy rights-of-way on tribal land.
885 
HR 6 PAP 
SEC. 1308. REVIEW OF ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 1992 PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete 
a study to determine the effect that titles III, IV, and V 
of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13211 et seq.) 
have had during the period beginning on the date of enact-
ment of those titles and ending on the date on which the 
study begins on— 
(1) the development of alternative fueled vehicle 
technology; 
(2) the availability of that technology in the 
market; and 
(3) the cost of alternative fueled vehicles. 
(b) TOPICS.—In conducting the study under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall identify— 
(1) the number of alternative fueled vehicles ac-
quired by fleets or covered persons required to acquire 
alternative fueled vehicles; 
(2) the quantity, by type, of alternative fuel used 
in alternative fueled vehicles acquired by fleets or cov-
ered persons; 
(3) the quantity of petroleum displaced by the 
use of alternative fuels in alternative fueled vehicles 
acquired by fleets or covered persons;
886 
HR 6 PAP 
(4) the direct and indirect costs of compliance 
with requirements under titles III, IV, and V of the 
Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13211 et seq.), 
including— 
(A) vehicle acquisition requirements im-
posed on fleets or covered persons; 
(B) administrative and recordkeeping ex-
penses; 
(C) fuel and fuel infrastructure costs; 
(D) associated training and employee ex-
penses; and 
(E) any other factors or expenses the Sec-
retary determines to be necessary to compile reli-
able estimates of the overall costs and benefits of 
complying with programs under those titles for 
fleets, covered persons, and the national economy; 
(5) the existence of obstacles preventing compli-
ance with vehicle acquisition requirements and in-
creased use of alternative fuel in alternative fueled ve-
hicles acquired by fleets or covered persons; and 
(6) the projected impact of amendments to the 
Energy Policy Act of 1992 made by this Act. 
(c) REPORT.—On the date on which the study under 
subsection (a) is completed, the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report that—
887 
HR 6 PAP 
(1) describes the results of the study; and 
(2) includes any recommendations of the Sec-
retary for legislative or administrative changes con-
cerning the alternative fueled vehicle requirements 
under titles III, IV and V of the Energy Policy Act 
of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13211 et seq.). 
SEC. 1309. STUDY OF FEASIBILITY AND EFFECTS OF REDUC-
ING USE OF FUEL FOR AUTOMOBILES. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Ad-
ministration shall conduct a study of the feasibility 
and effects of reducing, by a significant percentage, 
by model year 2012, the amount of fuel consumed by 
automobiles. 
(2) INCLUSIONS.—The study under paragraph 
(1) shall include an examination of— 
(A) the Federal policy of establishing aver-
age fuel economy standards for automobiles and 
requiring each automobile manufacturer to com-
ply with average fuel economy standards that 
apply to the automobiles the manufacturer pro-
duces (including recommendations of alternatives 
to that policy);
888 
HR 6 PAP 
(B) methods by which automobile manufac-
turers could contribute toward achieving the re-
duction described in paragraph (1); 
(C) the potential of using fuel cell tech-
nology in motor vehicles to determine the extent 
to which fuel cell technology contributes to 
achieving the reduction described in paragraph 
(1); and 
(D) the effects of the reduction described in 
paragraph (1) on— 
(i) gasoline supplies; 
(ii) the automobile industry, including 
sales of automobiles manufactured in the 
United States; 
(iii) motor vehicle safety; 
(iv) air quality; and 
(v) the consumer price for light duty 
trucks typically purchased for agricultural 
purposes, including by providing estimates 
for price differences for the years 2008 
through 2012, comparing— 
(I) light duty truck fuel economy 
if no legislative changes are made to 
average fuel economy standards; to
889 
HR 6 PAP 
(II) light duty truck fuel economy 
under the reduction described in para-
graph (1). 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
Congress a report on the findings, conclusions, and rec-
ommendations of the study under subsection (a). 
SEC. 1310. HYBRID DISTRIBUTED POWER SYSTEMS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall develop, and submit to Congress 
a report on, a strategy for a comprehensive research, devel-
opment, demonstration, and commercial application pro-
gram to develop hybrid distributed power systems that com-
bine— 
(1) 1 or more renewable electric power genera-
tion technologies of 10 megawatts or less located near 
the site of electric energy use; and 
(2) nonintermittent electric power generation 
technologies suitable for use in a distributed power 
system. 
SEC. 1311. MOBILITY OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL PER-
SONNEL. 
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this section, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a re-
port that—
890 
HR 6 PAP 
(1) identifies any policies or procedures of a con-
tractor operating a National Laboratory or single- 
purpose research facility that create disincentives to 
the temporary or permanent transfer of scientific and 
technical personnel among the contractor-operated 
National Laboratories or contractor-operated single- 
purpose research facilities; and 
(2) provides recommendations for improving 
interlaboratory exchange of scientific and technical 
personnel. 
SEC. 1312. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REPORT. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall enter into an arrangement with 
the National Academy of Sciences for the Academy to— 
(1) conduct a study on— 
(A) the obstacles to accelerating the re-
search, development, demonstration, and com-
mercial application cycle for energy technology; 
and 
(B) the adequacy of Department policies 
and procedures for, and oversight of, technology 
transfer-related disputes between contractors of 
the Department and the private sector; and 
(2) report to Congress on recommendations devel-
oped as a result of the study.
891 
HR 6 PAP 
SEC. 1313. REPORT ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PRO-
GRAM EVALUATION METHODOLOGIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into 
appropriate arrangements with the National Academy of 
Sciences to investigate and report on the scientific and tech-
nical merits of any evaluation methodology currently in use 
or proposed for use in relation to the scientific and technical 
programs of the Department by the Secretary or other Fed-
eral official. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after receiving 
the report of the National Academy of Sciences, the Sec-
retary shall submit to Congress a report, along with any 
other views or plans of the Secretary with respect to the 
future use of the evaluation methodology. 
SEC. 1314. TRANSMISSION SYSTEM MONITORING STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Chair-
person of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall 
conduct a study, and submit to Congress a report, on any 
action the Secretary determines to be necessary to establish 
a system that makes available to all transmission system 
owners and regional transmission organizations in the 
Eastern and Western Interconnections real-time informa-
tion on the functional status of all transmission lines with-
in those Interconnections.
892 
HR 6 PAP 
(b) INCLUSIONS.—The study under this section shall 
include— 
(1) an assessment of any technical method of im-
plementing the information transmission system de-
scribed in subsection (a); and 
(2) an identification of any action the Secretary 
and the Chairperson shall carry out to implement the 
information transmission system. 
SEC. 1315. INTERAGENCY REVIEW OF COMPETITION IN THE 
WHOLESALE 
AND 
RETAIL 
MARKETS 
FOR 
ELECTRIC ENERGY. 
(a) TASK FORCE.—There is established an inter-agen-
cy task force, to be known as the ‘‘Electric Energy Market 
Competition Task Force’’ (referred to in this section as the 
‘‘task force’’), consisting of 5 members— 
(1) 1 of whom shall be an employee of the De-
partment of Justice, to be appointed by the Attorney 
General of the United States; 
(2) 1 of whom shall be an employee of the Fed-
eral Energy Regulatory Commission, to be appointed 
by the Chairperson of that Commission; 
(3) 1 of whom shall be an employee of the Fed-
eral Trade Commission, to be appointed by the Chair-
person of that Commission;
893 
HR 6 PAP 
(4) 1 of whom shall be an employee of the De-
partment, to be appointed by the Secretary; and 
(5) 1 of whom shall be an employee of the Rural 
Utilities Service, to be appointed by the Secretary of 
Agriculture. 
(b) STUDY AND REPORT.— 
(1) STUDY.—The task force shall conduct a study 
and analysis of competition within the wholesale and 
retail market for electric energy in the United States. 
(2) REPORT.— 
(A) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the task 
force shall submit to Congress a final report on 
the findings of the task force under paragraph 
(1). 
(B) PUBLIC COMMENT.—Not later than the 
date that is 60 days before a final report is sub-
mitted to Congress under subparagraph (A), the 
task force shall— 
(i) publish in the Federal Register a 
draft of the report; and 
(ii) provide an opportunity for public 
comment on the report. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study under 
subsection (b), the task force shall consult with and solicit
894 
HR 6 PAP 
comments from any advisory entity of the task force, the 
States, representatives of the electric power industry, and 
the public. 
SEC. 1316. STUDY ON THE BENEFITS OF ECONOMIC DIS-
PATCH. 
(a) DEFINITION OF ECONOMIC DISPATCH.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘economic dispatch’’ means the operation 
of a generation facility to produce energy at the lowest cost 
in order to reliably serve consumers, taking into consider-
ation any operational limit of a generation or transmission 
facility. 
(b) STUDY.—The Secretary, in coordination and con-
sultation with the States, shall conduct a study of— 
(1) the procedures currently used by electric util-
ities to carry out economic dispatch; 
(2) possible revisions to those procedures to im-
prove the ability of nonutility generation resources to 
offer the output of the resources for sale for inclusion 
in economic dispatch; and 
(3) the potential benefits to residential, commer-
cial, and industrial electricity consumers, nationally 
and in each State, of revising economic dispatch pro-
cedures to improve the ability of nonutility genera-
tion resources to offer the output of the resources for 
inclusion in economic dispatch.
895 
HR 6 PAP 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS AND THE STATES.—Not 
later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress and each State a report describing the results of the 
study under subsection (b), including recommendations of 
the Secretary for such legislative and administrative ac-
tions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. 
SEC. 1317. STUDY OF RAPID ELECTRICAL GRID RESTORA-
TION. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a 
study of the benefits of using mobile transformers and 
mobile substations to rapidly restore electrical service 
to areas subjected to blackouts as a result of— 
(A) equipment failure; 
(B) natural disasters; 
(C) acts of terrorism; or 
(D) war. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The study under paragraph (1) 
shall contain an analysis of— 
(A) the feasibility of using mobile trans-
formers and mobile substations to reduce depend-
ence on foreign entities for key elements of the 
electrical grid system of the United States;
896 
HR 6 PAP 
(B) the feasibility of using mobile trans-
formers and mobile substations to rapidly restore 
electrical power to— 
(i) military bases; 
(ii) the Federal Government; 
(iii) communications industries; 
(iv) first responders; and 
(v) other critical infrastructures, as de-
termined by the Secretary; 
(C) the quantity of mobile transformers and 
mobile substations necessary— 
(i) to eliminate dependence on foreign 
sources for key electrical grid components in 
the United States; 
(ii) to rapidly deploy technology to 
fully 
restore 
full 
electrical 
service 
to 
prioritized Governmental functions; and 
(iii) to identify manufacturing sources 
in existence on the date of enactment of this 
Act that have previously manufactured spe-
cialized mobile transformer or mobile sub-
station products for Federal agencies. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
897 
HR 6 PAP 
submit to the President and Congress a report on the 
study under subsection (a). 
(2) INCLUSION.—The report shall include a de-
scription of the results of the analysis under sub-
section (a)(2). 
SEC. 1318. STUDY OF DISTRIBUTED GENERATION. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.— 
(A) POTENTIAL BENEFITS.—The Secretary, 
in consultation with the Federal Energy Regu-
latory Commission, shall conduct a study of the 
potential benefits of cogeneration and small 
power production. 
(B) RECIPIENTS.—The benefits described in 
subparagraph (A) include benefits that are re-
ceived directly or indirectly by— 
(i) an electricity distribution or trans-
mission service provider; 
(ii) other customers served by an elec-
tricity distribution or transmission service 
provider; and 
(iii) the general public in the area 
served by the public utility in which the co-
generator or small power producer is lo-
cated.
898 
HR 6 PAP 
(2) INCLUSIONS.—The study shall include an 
analysis of— 
(A) the potential benefits of— 
(i) increased system reliability; 
(ii) improved power quality; 
(iii) the provision of ancillary services; 
(iv) reduction of peak power require-
ments through onsite generation; 
(v) the provision of reactive power or 
volt-ampere reactives; 
(vi) an emergency supply of power; 
(vii) offsets to investments in genera-
tion, transmission, or distribution facilities 
that would otherwise be recovered through 
rates; 
(viii) diminished land use effects and 
right-of-way acquisition costs; and 
(ix) reducing the vulnerability of a 
system to terrorism; and 
(B) any rate-related issue that may impede 
or otherwise discourage the expansion of cogen-
eration and small power production facilities, 
including a review of whether rates, rules, or 
other requirements imposed on the facilities are 
comparable to rates imposed on customers of the
899 
HR 6 PAP 
same class that do not have cogeneration or 
small power production. 
(3) VALUATION OF BENEFITS.—In carrying out 
the study, the Secretary shall determine an appro-
priate method of valuing potential benefits under 
varying circumstances for individual cogeneration or 
small power production units. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— 
(1) complete the study; 
(2) provide an opportunity for public comment 
on the results of the study; and 
(3) submit to the President and Congress a re-
port describing— 
(A) the results of the study; and 
(B) information relating to the public com-
ments received under paragraph (2). 
(c) PUBLICATION.—After submission of the report 
under subsection (b) to the President and Congress, the Sec-
retary shall publish the report. 
SEC. 1319. STUDY ON INVENTORY OF PETROLEUM AND NAT-
URAL GAS STORAGE. 
(a) DEFINITION OF PETROLEUM.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘petroleum’’ means— 
(1) crude oil;
900 
HR 6 PAP 
(2) motor gasoline; 
(3) jet fuel; 
(4) distillates; and 
(5) propane. 
(b) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a 
study of petroleum and natural gas storage capacity 
and operational inventory levels, nationwide and by 
major geographical regions. 
(2) INCLUSIONS.—The study shall include an 
analysis of, for petroleum and natural gas— 
(A) historical normal ranges of inventory 
levels; 
(B) historical and projected storage capac-
ity trends; 
(C) estimated operation inventory levels 
below which outages, delivery slowdown, ration-
ing, interruptions in service, or other indicators 
of shortage begin to appear; 
(D) explanations for inventory levels drop-
ping below normal ranges; and 
(E) the ability of industry to meet the de-
mand of the United States for petroleum and 
natural gas without shortages or price spikes, if 
inventory levels are below normal ranges.
901 
HR 6 PAP 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the results of the study, including— 
(1) the findings of the study; and 
(2) any recommendations of the Secretary for 
preventing future supply shortages. 
SEC. 1320. NATURAL GAS SUPPLY SHORTAGE REPORT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a report on natural gas supplies and demand. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the report under sub-
section (a) is to develop recommendations for achieving a 
balance between natural gas supply and demand in order 
to— 
(1) provide residential consumers with natural 
gas at reasonable and stable prices; 
(2) accommodate long-term maintenance and 
growth of domestic natural gas-dependent industrial, 
manufacturing, and commercial enterprises; 
(3) facilitate the attainment of national ambient 
air quality standards under the Clean Air Act (43 
U.S.C. 7401 et seq.); 
(4) achieve continued progress in reducing the 
emissions associated with electric power generation; 
and
902 
HR 6 PAP 
(5) support the development of the preliminary 
phases of hydrogen-based energy technologies. 
(c) COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS.—The report shall in-
clude a comprehensive analysis of, for the period beginning 
on January 1, 2004, and ending on December 31, 2015, 
natural gas supply and demand in the United States, in-
cluding— 
(1) estimates of annual domestic demand for 
natural gas, taking into consideration the effect of 
Federal policies and actions that are likely to increase 
or decrease the demand for natural gas; 
(2) projections of annual natural gas supplies, 
from domestic and foreign sources, under Federal 
policies in existence on the date of enactment of this 
Act; 
(3) an identification of estimated natural gas 
supplies that are not available under those Federal 
policies; 
(4) scenarios for decreasing natural gas demand 
and increasing natural gas supplies that compare the 
relative economic and environmental impacts of Fed-
eral policies that— 
(A) encourage or require the use of natural 
gas to meet air quality, carbon dioxide emission 
reduction, or energy security goals;
903 
HR 6 PAP 
(B) encourage or require the use of energy 
sources other than natural gas, including coal, 
nuclear, and renewable sources; 
(C) support technologies to develop alter-
native sources of natural gas and synthetic gas, 
including coal gasification technologies; 
(D) encourage or require the use of energy 
conservation and demand side management 
practices; and 
(E) affect access to domestic natural gas 
supplies; and 
(5) recommendations for Federal actions to 
achieve the purposes described in subsection (b), in-
cluding recommendations that— 
(A) encourage or require the use of energy 
sources other than natural gas, including coal, 
nuclear, and renewable sources; 
(B) encourage or require the use of energy 
conservation or demand side management prac-
tices; 
(C) support technologies for the development 
of alternative sources of natural gas and syn-
thetic gas, including coal gasification tech-
nologies; and
904 
HR 6 PAP 
(D) would improve access to domestic nat-
ural gas supplies. 
(d) CONSULTATION.—In preparing the report under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with— 
(1) experts in natural gas supply and demand; 
and 
(2) representatives of— 
(A) State and local governments; 
(B) tribal organizations; and 
(C) consumer and other organizations. 
(e) HEARINGS.—In preparing the report under sub-
section (a), the Secretary may hold public hearings and 
provide other opportunities for public comment, as the Sec-
retary considers appropriate. 
SEC. 1321. SPLIT-ESTATE FEDERAL OIL AND GAS LEASING 
AND DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES. 
(a) REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In consultation with affected 
private surface owners, representatives of the oil and 
gas industry, and other interested parties, the Sec-
retary of the Interior shall undertake a review of the 
current policies and practices with respect to manage-
ment of Federal subsurface oil and gas development 
activities and the effects of those activities on the pri-
vately owned surface.
905 
HR 6 PAP 
(2) INCLUSIONS.—The review shall include— 
(A) a comparison of the rights and respon-
sibilities under existing mineral and land law 
for the owner of a Federal mineral lease, the pri-
vate surface owners and the Department; 
(B) a comparison of the surface owner con-
sent provisions in section 714 of the Surface 
Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 
(30 U.S.C. 1304) concerning surface mining of 
Federal coal deposits and the surface owner con-
sent provisions for oil and gas development, in-
cluding coalbed methane production; 
(C) an analysis and comparison of existing 
State laws addressing surface owner protection 
on split estates in which the surface estate is pri-
vately held and the subsurface estate is federally 
owned, or other split estate situations; and 
(D) recommendations for administrative or 
legislative action necessary to facilitate reason-
able access for Federal oil and gas activities 
while addressing surface owner concerns and 
minimizing impacts to private surface. 
(b) REPORT.—The Secretary of the Interior shall re-
port the results of such review to Congress not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
906 
HR 6 PAP 
SEC. 1322. RESOLUTION OF FEDERAL RESOURCE DEVELOP-
MENT CONFLICTS IN THE POWDER RIVER 
BASIN. 
(a) REVIEW.—The Secretary of the Interior shall re-
view Federal and State laws in existence on the date of en-
actment of this Act in order to resolve any conflict relating 
to the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana be-
tween— 
(1) the development of Federal coal; and 
(2) the development of Federal and non-Federal 
coalbed methane. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
submit to Congress a report that— 
(1) describes methods of resolving a conflict de-
scribed in subsection (a); and 
(2) identifies a method preferred by the Sec-
retary of the Interior, including proposed legislative 
language, if any, required to implement the method. 
SEC. 1323. STUDY OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary shall enter into a contract 
with the National Academy of Sciences under which the Na-
tional Academy of Sciences, not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, shall conduct a study of 
whether the goals of energy efficiency standards are best 
served—
907 
HR 6 PAP 
(1) by measuring energy consumed, and effi-
ciency improvements, at the site of energy consump-
tion; or 
(2) through the full fuel cycle, beginning at the 
source of energy production. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the study under subsection (a). 
SEC. 1324. TELECOMMUTING STUDY. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) FEDERAL
EMPLOYEE.—The term ‘‘Federal 
employee’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘em-
ployee’’ in section 2105 of title 5, United States Code. 
(2) 
TELECOMMUTING.—The 
term 
‘telecom-
muting’’ means the performance of work functions 
using communications technologies, which eliminates 
or substantially reduces the need to commute to and 
from traditional worksites. 
(b) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Secretary, in consulta-
tion with the Chairperson of the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, the Director of the Office of Personnel Manage-
ment, the Administrator of General Services, and the Ad-
ministrator of National Telecommunications and Informa-
tion Administration, shall conduct a study of the energy
908 
HR 6 PAP 
conservation implications of the widespread adoption of 
telecommuting by Federal employees in the United States. 
(c) INCLUSIONS.—The study under subsection (b) shall 
include an analysis of the following subjects in relation to 
the energy saving potential of telecommuting by Federal 
employees: 
(1) Reductions of energy use and energy costs in 
commuting and regular office heating, cooling, and 
other operations. 
(2) Other energy reductions accomplished by tele-
commuting. 
(3) Existing regulatory barriers that hamper 
telecommuting, including barriers to broadband tele-
communications services deployment. 
(4) Collateral benefits to the environment, family 
life, and other values. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
President and Congress a report on the study under sub-
section (b), including a description of the results of the 
analysis of each of subject referred to in subsection (c). 
SEC. 1325. OIL BYPASS FILTRATION TECHNOLOGY. 
The Secretary and the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency shall—
909 
HR 6 PAP 
(1) conduct a joint study of the benefits of oil by-
pass filtration technology in— 
(A) reducing demand for oil; and 
(B) protecting the environment; 
(2) evaluate various products and manufacturers 
with respect to oil bypass filtration technology; and 
(3) after conducting the evaluation under para-
graph (2), examine the feasibility of using oil bypass 
filtration technology in Federal motor vehicle fleets. 
SEC. 1326. TOTAL INTEGRATED THERMAL SYSTEMS. 
The Secretary shall— 
(1) conduct a study of the benefits of total inte-
grated thermal systems in— 
(A) reducing demand for oil; and 
(B) protecting the environment; and 
(2) examine the feasibility of using total inte-
grated thermal systems in Federal motor vehicle fleets 
(including the motor vehicle fleet of the Department 
of Defense). 
SEC. 1327. UNIVERSITY COLLABORATION. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report that examines the feasibility of promoting 
collaborations between large institutions of higher education 
and small institutions of higher education (as determined
910 
HR 6 PAP 
by the Secretary) through grants, contracts, and cooperative 
agreements made by the Secretary for energy projects. 
(b) CONSIDERATION.—In preparing the report under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall take into consideration 
the feasibility of providing incentives for including small 
institutions of higher education (including institutions that 
primarily serve minorities), as determined by the Sec-
retary, in— 
(1) energy research grants; 
(2) contracts; and 
(3) cooperative agreements. 
SEC. 1328. HYDROGEN PARTICIPATION STUDY. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
evaluating methodologies to ensure the widest participation 
practicable in setting goals and milestones under the hydro-
gen program of the Department, including international 
participants. 
SEC. 1329. OVERALL EMPLOYMENT IN A HYDROGEN ECON-
OMY. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out 
a study of the likely effects of a transition to a hydro-
gen economy on overall employment in the United 
States.
911 
HR 6 PAP 
(2) CONTENTS.—In completing the study, the 
Secretary shall take into consideration— 
(A) the replacement effects of new goods and 
services; 
(B) international competition; 
(C) workforce training requirements; 
(D) multiple possible fuel cycles, including 
usage of raw materials; 
(E) rates of market penetration of tech-
nologies; and 
(F) regional variations based on geography. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report describing the findings, conclusions, and rec-
ommendations of the study under subsection (a). 
SEC. 1330. STUDY OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR 
ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Academy of Public Admin-
istration under which the Academy shall conduct a study 
to assess management practices for research, development, 
and demonstration programs at the Department. 
(b) SCOPE OF THE STUDY.—The study shall con-
sider—
912 
HR 6 PAP 
(1) management practices that act as barriers 
between the Office of Science and offices conducting 
mission-oriented research; 
(2) recommendations for management practices 
that would improve coordination and bridge the inno-
vation gap between the Office of Science and offices 
conducting mission-oriented research; 
(3) the applicability of the management prac-
tices used by the Department of Defense Advanced Re-
search Programs Agency to research programs at the 
Department; 
(4) the advisability of creating an agency within 
the Department modeled after the Department of De-
fense Advanced Research Projects Agency; 
(5) recommendations for management practices 
that could best encourage innovative research and effi-
ciency at the Department; and 
(6) any other relevant considerations. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the study conducted under this section.
913 
HR 6 PAP 
SEC. 1331. EFFECT OF ELECTRICAL CONTAMINANTS ON RE-
LIABILITY OF ENERGY PRODUCTION SYS-
TEMS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into a contract with 
the National Academy of Sciences under which the National 
Academy of Sciences shall determine the effect that electrical 
contaminants (such as tin whiskers) may have on the reli-
ability of energy production systems, including nuclear en-
ergy. 
SEC. 1332. ALTERNATIVE FUELS REPORTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress reports on the potential for each of biodiesel and 
hythane to become major, sustainable, alternative fuels. 
(b) BIODIESEL REPORT.—The report relating to bio-
diesel submitted under subsection (a) shall— 
(1) provide a detailed assessment of— 
(A) potential biodiesel markets and manu-
facturing capacity; and 
(B) environmental and energy security ben-
efits with respect to the use of biodiesel; 
(2) identify any impediments, especially in in-
frastructure needed for production, distribution, and 
storage, to biodiesel becoming a substantial source of
914 
HR 6 PAP 
fuel for conventional diesel and heating oil applica-
tions; 
(3) identify strategies to enhance the commercial 
deployment of biodiesel; and 
(4) include an examination and recommenda-
tions, as appropriate, of the ways in which biodiesel 
may be modified to be a cleaner-burning fuel. 
(c) HYTHANE
REPORT.—The report relating to 
hythane submitted under subsection (a) shall— 
(1) provide a detailed assessment of potential 
hythane markets and the research and development 
activities that are necessary to facilitate the commer-
cialization of hythane as a competitive, environ-
mentally-friendly transportation fuel; 
(2) address— 
(A) the infrastructure necessary to produce, 
blend, distribute, and store hythane for wide-
spread commercial purposes; and 
(B) other potential market barriers to the 
commercialization of hythane; 
(3) examine the viability of producing hydrogen 
using energy-efficient, environmentally friendly meth-
ods so that the hydrogen can be blended with natural 
gas to produce hythane; and
915 
HR 6 PAP 
(4) include an assessment of the modifications 
that would be required to convert compressed natural 
gas vehicle engines to engines that use hythane as 
fuel. 
(d) GRANTS
FOR REPORT COMPLETION.—The Sec-
retary may use such sums as are available to the Secretary 
to provide, to 1 or more colleges or universities selected by 
the Secretary, grants for use in carrying out research to 
assist the Secretary in preparing the reports required to 
be submitted under subsection (a). 
SEC. 1333. FINAL ACTION ON REFUNDS FOR EXCESSIVE 
CHARGES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) The state of California experienced an energy 
crisis; 
(2) FERC issued an order requiring a refund of 
the portion of charges on the sale of electric energy 
that was unjust or unreasonable during that crisis; 
(3) As of the date of enactment of this act, none 
of the refunds ordered to date have been received by 
the state of California; and 
(4) the Commission has ruled that the state of 
California is entitled to approximately $3 billion in 
refunds; the state of California maintains that that 
$8.9 billion in refunds is owed.
916 
HR 6 PAP 
(b) FERC shall— 
(1) seek to conclude its investigation into the un-
just or unreasonable charges incurred by California 
during the 2000–2001 electricity crisis as soon as pos-
sible; 
(2) seek to ensure that refunds the Commission 
determines are owed to the State of California are 
paid to the state of California; and 
(3) submit to Congress a report by December 31, 
2005 describing the actions taken by the Commission 
to date under this section and timetables for further 
actions. 
SEC. 1334. FUEL CELL AND HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY 
STUDY. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) according to the National Academy of 
Sciences, ‘‘Greenhouse gases are accumulating in 
Earth’s atmosphere as a result of human activities, 
causing surface air temperatures and subsurface 
ocean temperatures to rise . . . Human-induced 
warming and associated sea level rises are expected to 
continue through the 21st century.’’; 
(2) in 2001, the Intergovernmental Panel on Cli-
mate Change (IPCC) concluded that the average tem-
perature of the Earth can be expected to rise between
917 
HR 6 PAP 
2.5 and 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit in this century and 
‘‘there is new and stronger evidence that most of the 
warming observed over the last 50 years is attrib-
utable to human activities’’; 
(3) the National Academy of Sciences has stated 
that ‘‘the IPCC’s conclusion that most of the observed 
warming of the last 50 years is likely to have been 
due to the increase of greenhouse gas concentrations 
accurately reflects the current thinking of the sci-
entific community on this issue’’ and that ‘‘there is 
general agreement that the observed warming is real 
and particularly strong within the past twenty 
years’’; 
(4) a significant Federal investment toward the 
development of fuel cell technologies and the transi-
tion from petroleum to hydrogen in vehicles could sig-
nificantly contribute to the reduction of carbon diox-
ide emissions by reducing fuel consumption; 
(5) a massive infusion of resources and leader-
ship from the Federal Government would be needed to 
create the necessary fuel cell technologies that provide 
alternatives to petroleum and the more efficient use of 
energy; and 
(6) the Federal Government would need to com-
mit to developing, in conjunction with private indus-
918 
HR 6 PAP 
try and academia, advanced vehicle technologies and 
the necessary hydrogen infrastructure to provide al-
ternatives to petroleum. 
(b) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
enter into a contract with the National Academy of 
Sciences and the National Research Council to carry 
out a study of fuel cell technologies that provides a 
budget roadmap for the development of fuel cell tech-
nologies and the transition from petroleum to hydro-
gen in a significant percentage of the vehicles sold by 
2020. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out the study, 
the National Academy of Sciences and the National 
Research Council shall— 
(A) establish as a goal the maximum per-
centage practicable of vehicles that the National 
Academy of Sciences and the National Research 
Council determines can be fueled by hydrogen by 
2020; 
(B) determine the amount of Federal and 
private funding required to meet the goal estab-
lished under subparagraph (A);
919 
HR 6 PAP 
(C) determine what actions are required to 
meet the goal established under subparagraph 
(A); 
(D) examine the need for expanded and en-
hanced Federal research and development pro-
grams, changes in regulations, grant programs, 
partnerships between the Federal Government 
and industry, private sector investments, infra-
structure investments by the Federal Government 
and industry, educational and public informa-
tion initiatives, and Federal and State tax in-
centives to meet the goal established under sub-
paragraph (A); 
(E) consider whether other technologies 
would be less expensive or could be more quickly 
implemented than fuel cell technologies to achieve 
significant reductions in carbon dioxide emis-
sions; 
(F) take into account any reports relating 
to fuel cell technologies and hydrogen-fueled vehi-
cles, including— 
(i) the report prepared by the National 
Academy of Engineering and the National 
Research Council in 2004 entitled ‘‘Hydro-