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(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’
means the Federal Communications Commission.
(3) NTIA.—The term ‘‘NTIA’’ means the Na-
tional Telecommunications and Information Admin-
istration of the Department of Commerce.
(4) TELECOMMUTING.—The term ‘‘telecom-
muting’’ means the performance of work functions
using communications technologies, thereby elimi-
nating or substantially reducing the need to com-
mute to and from traditional worksites.
(5) FEDERAL EMPLOYEE.—The term ‘‘Federal
employee’’ has the meaning provided the term ‘‘em-
ployee’’ by section 2105 of title 5, United States
Code.
SEC. 1607. LIHEAP REPORT.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall transmit to Congress a report on how the Low-In-
come Home Energy Assistance Program could be used
more effectively to prevent loss of life from extreme tem-
peratures. In preparing such report, the Secretary shall
consult with appropriate officials in all 50 States and the
District of Columbia.
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SEC. 1608. OIL BYPASS FILTRATION TECHNOLOGY.
The Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of
the Environmental Protection Agency shall—
(1) conduct a joint study of the benefits of oil
bypass filtration technology in reducing demand for
oil and protecting the environment;
(2) examine the feasibility of using oil bypass
filtration technology in Federal motor vehicle fleets;
and
(3) include in such study, prior to any deter-
mination of the feasibility of using oil bypass filtra-
tion technology, the evaluation of products and var-
ious manufacturers.
SEC. 1609. TOTAL INTEGRATED THERMAL SYSTEMS.
The Secretary of Energy shall—
(1) conduct a study of the benefits of total inte-
grated thermal systems in reducing demand for oil
and protecting the environment; and
(2) examine the feasibility of using total inte-
grated thermal systems in Department of Defense
and other Federal motor vehicle fleets.
SEC. 1610. UNIVERSITY COLLABORATION.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall transmit to Con-
gress a report that examines the feasibility of promoting
collaborations between large institutions of higher edu-
1142
cation and small institutions of higher education through
grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements made by the
Secretary for energy projects. The Secretary shall also
consider providing incentives for the inclusion of small in-
stitutions of higher education, including minority-serving
institutions, in energy research grants, contracts, and co-
operative agreements.
SEC. 1611. RELIABILITY AND CONSUMER PROTECTION AS-
SESSMENT.
Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, and each 5 years thereafter, the Federal En-
ergy Regulatory Commission shall assess the effects of the
exemption of electric cooperatives and government-owned
utilities from Commission regulation under section 201(f)
of the Federal Power Act. The assessment shall include
any effects on—
(1) reliability of interstate electric transmission
networks;
(2) benefit to consumers, and efficiency, of
competitive wholesale electricity markets;
(3) just and reasonable rates for electricity con-
sumers; and
(4) the ability of the Commission to protect
electricity consumers.
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If the Commission finds that the 201(f) exemption results
in adverse effects on consumers or electric reliability, the
Commission shall make appropriate recommendations to
Congress pursuant to section 311 of the Federal Power
Act.
Passed the House of Representatives June 15, 2004.
Attest:
Clerk.