An Act to amend section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, and to authorize a trans-Alaska oil pipeline, and for other purposes.
PL 93-153 (S.1081), enacted 11/16/1973

576 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153-NOV. 16, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
"Done at the City of Little Kock, State of Arkansas, this 16th dav 
of March A.D., 1070. 
''FOR OKLAHOMA: 
"GLADE R . KIRKPATRICK, 
"Committee Member. 
"MILTON CRAIG, 
"Committee Member. 
Representative, United States of 
"FOR ARKANSAS: 
"S. KEITH JACKSON, 
"Committee Member. 
" J O H N LUCE, 
"Committee Member. 
"Approved: TRIGG 
TWICHELL, 
America. 
"Attest: WiLLARD B. MILLS, Secretary." 
SEC. 2. In order to carry out the purposes of this Act, and the pur-
poses of ai-ticle X I I I of this compact consented to by Congress by this 
Act, the congressional consent to this compact includes and expressly 
gives the consent of Congress to have the United States of America 
named and joined as a party litigant in any litigation in the United 
States Supreme Court, if the United States of America is an indispens-
able party to such litigation, and if the litigation arises out of this 
compact, or its application, and if a signatory State to this compact is 
a party litigant, in the litigation. 
SEC. 3. The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act, is expressly 
reserved. 
Approved November 13, 1973. 
November 16, 1973 
[S.1081] 
Public Law 93-153 
AN ACT 
To amend section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, and to authorize a 
trans-Alaska oil pipeline, and for other purposes. 
Ac 
amendments and 
trans-Alaska oil 
pipeline authori-
zation. 
67 Stat. 557. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
Mineral Leasing iT^Ued Stotes of AmeHca in Congress assembled^ 
ct of 1920, 
•' 
^ 
' 
TITLE I 
SECTION 101. Section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (41 
Stat. 449), as amended (30 U.S.C. 185), is further amended to read 
as follows: 
"Grant of Authority 
"SEC. 28. (a) Rights-of-way through any Federal lands may be 
granted hj the Secretary of the Interior or appropriate agency head 
for pipeline purposes for the transportation of oil, natural gas, 
synthetic liquid or gaseous fuels, or any refined product produced 
therefrom to any applicant possessing the qualifications provided in 
7/star'79o^°' 
section 1 of this Act, as amended, in accordance with the provisions 
30 use 181. 
of this section. 
87 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153-NOV. 16, 1973 
577 
"Definitions 
"(b) (1) For the purposes of this section 'Federal lands' means all 
lands owned by the United States except lands in the National Park 
System, lands held in trust for an Indian or Indian tribe, and lands on 
the Outer Continental Shelf. A right-of-way through a Federal reser-
vation shall not be granted if the Secretary or agency head deter-
mines that it would be inconsistent with the purposes of the 
reservation. 
" (2) 'Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior. 
"(3) 'Agency head' means the heaa of any Federal department or 
independent Federal office or agency, other than the Secretary of the 
Interior, which has jurisdiction over Federal lands. 
"Inter-Agency Coordination 
"(c) (1) Where the surface of all of the Federal lands involved in 
a proposed right-of-way or permit is under the jurisdiction of one 
Federal agency, the agency head, rather than the Secretary, is author-
ized to giant or renew the right-of-way or permit for the purposes 
set forth in this section. 
"(2) Where the surface of the Federal lands involved is adminis-
tered by the Secretary or by two or more Federal agencies, the Secre-
tary is authorized, after consultation with the agencies involved, to 
grant or renew rights-of-way or permits through the Federal lands 
involved. The Secretary may enter into interagency agreements with 
all other Federal agencies having jurisdiction over Federal lands for 
the purpose of avoiding duplication, assigning responsibility, expedit-
ing review of rights-of-way or permit applications, issuing joint regu-
lations, and assuring a decision based upon a comprehensive review 
of all factors involved in any right-of-way or permit application. 
Each agency head shall administer and enforce the provisions of this 
section, appropriate regulations, and the terms and conditions of 
rights-of-way or permits insofar as they involve Federal lands under 
the agency head's jurisdiction. 
"Width Limitations 
"(d) The width of a right-of-way shall not exceed fifty feet plus 
the ground occupied by the pipeline (that is, the pipe and its related 
facilities) unless the Secretary or agency head finds, and records the 
I'easons for his finding, that in his judgment a wider right-of-w^ay is 
necessary for operation and maintenance after construction, or to pro-
tect the environment or public safety. Related facilities include but 
are not limited to valves, pump stations, supporting structures, bridges, 
monitoring and communication devices, surge and storage tanks, termi-
nals, roads, airstrips and campsites, and they need not necessarily be 
connected or contiguous to the pipe and may be the subjects of separate 
rights-of-way. 
22-150 O - 75 - 39 
578 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153--NOV. 16, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
42 use 4332. 
Construction, 
operation, and 
rehabilitation 
plan, submittal. 
Regulations or 
stipulations. 
"Temporary Permits 
"(e) A right-of-way may be supplemented by such temporary per-
mits for the use of Federal lands in the vicinity of the pipeline as the 
Secretary' or agency head finds are necessary in connection with con-
struction, operation, maintenance, or termination of the pipeline, or 
to protect the natural environment or public safety. 
"Regulatory Authority 
"(f) Rights-of-way or permits granted or renewed pursuant to this 
section shall be subject to regulations promulgated in accord with the 
provisions of this section and shall be subject to such terms and condi-
tions as the Secretary or agency head may prescribe regarding extent, 
duration, survey, location, construction, operation, maintenance, use, 
and termination. 
"Pipeline Safety 
"(g) The Secretary or agency head shall impose requirements for 
the operation of the pipeline and related facilities in a manner that 
w ill protect the safety of workers and protect the public from sudden 
ruptures and slow degradation of the pipeline. 
"Environmental Protection 
"(h) (1) Nothing in this section shall be construed to amend, repeal, 
modify, or change in any way the requirements of section 102(2) (C) 
or any other provision of the National Environmental Policv Act of 
1969 (Public Law 91-190,83 Stat. 852). 
" (2) The Secretary or agency head, prior to granting a right-of-way 
or permit pursuant to this section for a new project which may have 
a significant impact on the environment, shall require the applicant 
to submit a plan of construction, operation, and rehabilitation for such 
right-of-way or permit which shall comply with this section. The Sec-
retary or agency head shall issue regulations or impose stipulations 
which shall include, but shall not be limited to: (A) requirements 
for restoration, revegetation, and curtailment of erosion of the surface 
of the land; (B) requirements to insure that activities in connection 
with the right-of-way or permit will not violate applicable air and 
water quality standards nor related facility siting standards estab-
lished by or pursuant to law; (C) requirements designed to control 
or prevent (i) damage to the environment (including damage to fish 
and wildlife habitat), (ii) damage to public or private property, and 
(iii) hazards to public health and safety; and (D) requirements to 
protect the interests of individuals living in the general area of the 
right-of-way or permit who rely on the fish, wildlife, and biotic 
resources of the area for subsistence purposes. Such regulations shall 
be applicable to every right-of-way or permit granted pursuant to 
this section, and may be made applicable by the Secretary or agency 
head to existing rights-of-way or permits, or rights-of-way or permits 
to be renewed pursuant to this section. 
87 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153-NOV. 16, 1973 
579 
"Disclosure 
"(i) If the applicant is a partnership, corporation, association, or 
other business entity, the Secretary or agency head shall require the 
applicant to disclose the identity of the participants in the entity. 
Such disclosure shall include where applicable (1) the name and 
address of each partner, (2) the name and address of each shareholder 
owning 3 per centum or more of the shares, together with the number 
and percentage of any class of voting shares of the entity which 
such shareholder is authorized to vote, and (3) the name and address 
of each affiliate of the entity together with, in the case of an affiliate 
controlled by the entity, the number of shares and the percentage of 
any class of voting stock of that affiliate owned, directly or indirectly, 
by that entity, and, in the case of an affiliate which controls that entity, 
the number of shares and the percentage of any class of voting 
stock of that entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the affiliate. 
"Technical and Financial Capability 
"(j) The Secretary or agency head shall grant or renew a right-of-
way or permit under this section only when he is satisfied that the 
applicant has the technical and financial capability to construct, 
operate, maintain, and terminate the project for which the right-of-
way or permit is requested in accordance with the requirements of this 
section. 
"Public Hearings 
"(k) The Secretary or agency head by regulation shall establish 
procedures, including public hearings where appropriate, to give 
Federal, State, and local government agencies and the public adequate 
notice and an opportunity to comment upon right-of-way applications 
filed after the date of enactment of this subsection. 
"Reimbursement of Costs 
" (1) The applicant for a right-of-way or permit shall reimburse the 
United States for administrative and other costs incurred in process-
ing the application, and the holder of a right-of-way or permit shall 
reimburse the United States for the costs incurred in monitoring the 
construction, operation, maintenance, and termination of any pipeline 
and related facilities on such right-of-way or permit area and shall 
pay annually in advance the fair market rental value of the right-of-
way or permit, as determined by the Secretary or agency head. 
"Bonding 
" (m) Where he deems it appropriate the Secretary or agency head 
may require a holder of a right-of-way or permit to furnish a bond, or 
other security, satisfactory to the Secretary or agency head to secure 
all or any of the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of 
the right-of-way or permit or by any rule or regulation of the Secre-
tary or agency head. 
80 Stat. 384. 
580 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153-NOV. 16, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
"Duration of Grant 
"(n) Each right-of-way or permit granted or renewed pursuant to 
this section shall be limited to a reasonable term in light of all circum-
stances concerning the project, but in no event more than thirty years. 
In determining the duration of a right-of-way the Secretary or agency 
head shall, among other things, take into consideration the cost of 
the facility, its useful life, and any public purpose it senses. The Secre-
tary or agency head shall renew any right-of-way, in accordance with 
the provisions of this section, so long as the project is in commercial 
operation and is operated and maintained in accordance with all of 
the provisions of this section. 
"Suspension or Termination of Right-of-Way 
"(o)(l) Abandonment of a right-of-way or noncompliance with 
any provision of this section may be grounds for suspension or termi-
nation of the right-of-way if (A) after due notice to the holder of the 
right-of-way, (B) a reasonable opportunity to comply with this sec-
tion, and (C) an appropriate administrative proceedmg pursuant to 
title 5, United States Code, section 554, the Secretary or agency head 
determines that any such ground exists and that suspension or termi-
nation is justified. No administrative proceeding shall be required 
where the right-of-way by its terms provides that it terminates on the 
occurrence of a fixed or agreed upon condition, event, or time. 
"(2) If the Secretary or agency head determines that an immediate 
temporary suspension of activities within a right-of-way or permit 
area is necessary to protect public health or safety or the environment, 
he may abate such activities prior to an administrative proceeding. 
"(3) Deliberate failure of the holder to use the right-of-way for 
the purpose for which it was granted or renewed for any continuous 
two-year period shall constitute a rebuttable presumption of abandon-
ment of the right-of-way: Provided^ That where the failure to use the 
right-of-way is due to circumstances not within the holder's control the 
Secretary or agency head is not required to commence proceedings to 
suspend or terminate the right-of-way. 
"Joint Use of Rights-of-Way 
"(p) In order to minimize adverse environmental impacts and the 
proliferation of separate rights-of-way across Federal lands, the uti-
lization of rights-of-way in common shall be required to the extent 
practical, and each right-of-way or permit shall reserve to the Secre-
tary or agency head the right to grant additional rights-of-way or 
permits for compatible uses on or adjacent to rights-of-way or permit 
area grttnted pursuant to this section. 
"Statutes 
"(q) No rights-of-way for the purposes provided for in this section 
shall be granted or renewed across Federal lands except under and 
subject to the provisions, limitations, and conditions of this section. 
Any application for a right-of-way filed under any other law prior 
to the effective date of this provision may, at the applicant's option, be 
considered as an application under this section. The Secretary or 
agency head may require the applicant to submit any additional infor-
mation he deems necessary to comply with the requirements of this 
section. 
87 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 9 3 - 1 5 3 - N O V . 16, 1973 
581 
"Common Carriers 
"(r) (1) Pipelines and related facilities authorized under this sec-
tion shall be constructed, operated, and maintained as cormnon carriers. 
"(2) (A) The owners or operators of pipelines subject to this sec-
tion shall accept, convey, transport, or purchase without discrimina-
tion all oil or gas delivered to the pipeline without regard to whether 
such oil or gas was produced on Federal or non-Federal lands. 
"(B) In the case of oil or gas produced from Federal lands or from 
the resources on the Federal lands in the vicinity of the pipeline, the 
Secretary may, after a full hearing with due notice thereof to the re'^iu'/ements^'^'"^ 
interested parties and a proper finding of facts, determine the propor-
tionate amounts to be accepted, conveyed, transported or purchased. 
"(3) (A) The common carrier provisions of this section shall not 
apply to any natural gas pipeline operated by any person subject to 
regulation under the Natural Gas Act or by any public utility subject 
^ ^^^ ^^^^ 
to regulation by a State or municipal regulatory agency having juris-
diction to regulate the rates and charges for the sale of natural gas to 
consumers within the State or municipality. 
"(B) Where natural gas not subject to State regulatory or conser-
vation laws governing its purchase by pipelines is offered for sale, 
each such pipeline shall purchase, without discrimination, any such 
natural gas produced in the vicinity of the pipeline. 
"(4) The Government shall in express terms reserve and shall pro-
vide in every lease of oil lands under this Act that the lessee, assignee, 
or beneficiary, if owner or operator of a controlling interest in anj^ 
pipeline or of any company operating the pipeline which may be 
operated accessible to the oil derived from lands under such lease, 
shall at reasonable rates and without discrimination accept and convey 
the oil of the Government or of any citizen or company not the owner 
of any pipeline operating a lease or purchasing gas or oil under the 
provisions of this Act. 
"(5) Whenever the Secretary has reason to believe that any owner 
/nt^r^t^at"°com-
or operator subject to this section is not operating any oil or gas merce commission, 
pipeline in complete accord with its obligations as a common commfssTotT^' 
carrier hereunder, he may request the Attorney General to prosecute united state's dis-
an appropriate proceeding before the Interstate Commerce Commis- *
"
•
=
* '=°"''-
sion or Federal Power Commission or any appropriate State agency or 
the United States district court for the district in which the pipeline 
or any part thereof is located, to enforce such obligation or to impose 
any penalty provided therefor, or the Secretary may, by pi-oceeding 
as provided in this section, suspend or terminate the said grant of 
right-of-way for noncompliance with the provisions of this section. 
"(6) The Secretary or agency head shall require, prior to granting re^iwatr^ ""^i' 
or renewing a right-of-way, that the applicant submit and disclose all mental? '•^^""^' 
plans, contracts, agreements, or other information or material which 
he deems necessary to determine whether a right-of-way shall be 
granted or renewed and the terms and conditions which should be 
included in the right-of-way. Such information may include, but is not 
limited to: (A) conditions for, and agreements among owners or 
operators, regarding the addition of pumping facilities, looping, or 
otherwise increasing the pipeline or terminal's throughput capacity in 
response to actual or anticipated increases in demand; (B) conditions 
for adding or abandoning intake, offtake, or storage points or facili-
ties; and (C) minimum shipment or purchase tenders. 
582 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153-NOV. 16, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
Report to Con-
gress and Presi-
dent. 
83 Stat. 853. 
42 u s e 4332. 
86 Stat. 644. 
50 u s e app. 
2401 note. 
Presidential 
publication. 
Reports to Con-
gress. 
"E,ight-of-Way Corridors 
"(s) In order to minimize adverse environmental impacts and to 
prevent tlie proliferation of separate rights-of-way across Federal 
lands, the Secretary shall, in consultation with other Federal and State 
agencies, review the need for a national system of transportation and 
utility corridors across Federal lands and submit a report of his find-
ings and recommendations to the Congress and the President by 
July 1, 1975. 
"Existing Eights-of-Way 
"(t) The Secretary or agency head may ratify and confirm any 
right-of-way or permit for an oil or gas pipeline or related facility 
that was granted under any provision of law before the effective date 
of this subsection, if it is modified by mutual agreement to comply to 
the extent practical with the provisions of this section. Any action 
taken by the Secretary or agency head pursuant to this subsection shall 
not be considered a major Federal action requiring a detailed state-
ment pursuant to section 102(2) (C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1970 (Public Law 90-190; 42 U.S.C. 4321). 
"Limitations on Export 
"(u) Any domestically produced crude oil transported by pipeline 
over rights-of-way granted pursuant to section 28 of the Mineral 
Leasing Act of 1920, except such crude oil which is either exchanged 
in similar quantity for convenience or increased efficiency of transpor-
tation with persons or the government of an adjacent foreign state, 
or which is temporarily exported for convenience or increased efficiency 
of transportation across parts of an adjacent foreign state and reenters 
the United States, shall be subject to all of the limitations and licens-
ing requirements of the Export Administration Act of 1969 (Act of 
December 30, 1969; 83 Stat. 841) and, in addition, before any crude 
oil subject to this section may be exported under the limitations and 
licensing requirements and penalty and enforcement provisions of 
Mie Export Administration Act of 1969 the President must make and 
publish an express finding that such exports will not diminish the 
total quantity or qualitj^ of petroleum available to the United States, 
and are in the national interest and are in accord with the provisions 
of the Export Administration Act of 1969: Provided^ That the Presi-
dent shall submit reports to the Congress containing findings made 
imder this section, and after the date of receipt of such report Con-
gress shall have a period of sixty calendar days, thirty days of which 
Congress must have been in session, to consider whether exports under 
the terms of this section are in the national interest. If the Congress 
within this time period passes a concurrent resolution of disapproval 
stating disagreement with the President's finding concerning the 
national interest, further exports made pursuant to the aforemen-
tioned Presidential findings shall cease. 
"State Standards 
"(v) The Secretary or agency head shall take into consideration 
and to the extent practical comply with State standards for right-of-
way construction, operation, and maintenance. 
87 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153~NOV. 16, 1973 
583 
''Reports 
"(AV)(1) The Secretary and other appropriate agency heads shall 
report to the House and Senate Committees on Interior and Insular 
Affairs annually on the administration of this section and on the safety 
and environmental requirements imposed pursuant thereto. 
"(2) The Secretary or agency head shall notify the House and 
Senate Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs promptly upon 
receipt of an application for a right-of-way for a pipeline twenty-four 
inches or more in diameter, and no right-of-way for such a pipeline 
shall be granted until sixty days (not counting days on which the 
House of Representatives or the Senate has adjourned for more than 
three days) after a notice of intention to grant the right-of-way, 
together with the Secretary's or agencj head's detailed findings as 
to terms and conditions he i)roposes to impose, has been submitted to 
such committees, unless each committee by resolution waives the 
waiting period. 
"(3) Periodically, but at least once a year, the Secretary of the 
I )epartment of Transportation shall cause the examination of all pipe-
lines and associated facilities on Federal lands and shall cause the 
prompt reporting of any potential leaks or safety problems. 
"(4) The Secretary of the Department of Transportation shall 
report annually to the President, the Congress, the Secretary of the 
Interior, and the Interstate Commerce Commission any potential 
dangers of or actual explosions, or potential or actual spillage on Fed-
eral lands and shall include in such report a statement of corrective 
action taken to prevent such explosion or spillage. 
"Liability 
" (x) (1) The Secretary or agency head shall promulgate regulations 
Regulations and 
and may impose stipulations specifying the extent to which holders of ^*^P"1^''°"^-
rights-of-way and permits under this Act shall be liable to the United 
States for damage or injury incurred by the United States in con-
nection with the right-of-way or permit. Where the right-of-way or 
pennit involves lands which are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the 
Federal Government, the Secretary or agency head shall promulgate 
regulations specifying the extent to which holders shall be liable to 
third parties for injuries incurred in connection with the right-of-way 
or permit. 
"(2) The Secretary or agency head may, by regulation or stipula-
tion, impose a standard of strict liability to govern activities taking 
[)lace on a right-of-way or permit area which the Secretary or agency 
head determines, in his discretion, to present a foreseeable hazard or 
risk of danger to the United States. 
"(8) Regulations and stipulations pursuant to this subsection shall 
not impose strict liability for damage or injury resulting from (A) 
an act of war, or (B) negligence of the United States. 
"(4) Any regulation or stipulation imposing liability without fault 
shall include a maximum limitation on damages commensurate with 
the foreseeable risks or hazards presented. Any liability for damage 
or injury in excess of this amount shall be determined by ordinary 
rules of negligence. 
"(5) The regulations and sti])ulations shall also specify the extent 
to which such holders shall indemnify or hold harmless the United 
States for liability, damage, or claims arising in connection with the 
right-of-way or permit. 
584 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153-NOV. 16, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
•'(()) Any regulation or stipulation promulgated or imposed pur-
suant to this section shall provide that all owners of any interest in, and 
all affiliates or subsidiaries of any holder of, a right-of-way or permit 
shall be liable to the United States in the event that a claim for dam-
age or injury cannot be collected from the holder. 
"(7) In any case where liability without fault is imposed pursuant 
to this subsection and the damages involved were caused by the negli-
gence of a third party, the rules of subrogation shall apply in accord-' 
ance with the law of the jurisdiction where the damage occurred. 
"Antitrust Laws 
•"(y) The grant of a right-of-way or permit pursiTant to this section 
shall grant no immunity from the operation of the Federal antitrust 
laws." 
TITLE I I 
SHORT TITLE 
Citation of title. 
;^K(., 0{)i^ Tliis title may be cited as the "Trans-Alaska Pipeline 
Authorization Act". 
CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS 
SEC\ 20-2. The Congress finds and declares that: 
(a) The early development and delivery of oil and gas from Alaska's 
Xorth Slope to domestic markets is in the national interest because of 
growing domestic shortages and increasing dependence upon insecure 
foreign sources. 
(b) The Department of the Interior and other Federal agencies, 
have, over a long period of time, conducted extensive studies of the 
technical aspects and of the environmental, social, and economic 
impacts of the proposed trans-Alaska oil pipeline, including con-
sideration of a trans-Canada pipeline. 
(c) The earliest possible construction of a trans-Alaska oil pipeline 
from the North Slope of Alaska to Port Valdez in that State will make 
the extensive proven and potential reserves of low-sulfur oil available 
for domestic use and will best serve the national interest. 
(d) A supplemental pipeline to connect the North Slope with a 
trans-Canada pipeline may be needed later and it should be studied 
now, but it should not be regarded as an alternative for a trans-Alaska 
l)ipeline that does not traverse a foreign country. 
CONGRESSIONAL 
AUTHORIZATION 
SEC. 203. (a) The purpose of this title is to insure that, because of 
the extensive governmental studies already made of this project and 
the national interest in early delivery of North Slope oil to domestic 
markets, the trans-Alaska oil pipeline be constructed promptly without 
further administrative or judicial delay or impediment. To accomplish 
this purpose it is the intent of the Congress to exercise its constitu-
tional powers to the fullest extent in the authorizations and directions 
herein made and in limiting judicial review of the actions taken 
pursuant thereto. 
(b) The Congress hereby authorizes and directs the Secretary of 
the Interior and other appropriate Federal officers and agencies to 
issue and take all necessary action to administer and enforce rights-of 
way, permits, leases, and other authorizations that are necessary for or 
related to the construction, operation, and mainteilance of the trans-
Alaska oil pipeline system, including roads and airstrips, as that 
83 Stat. 852. 
42 u s e 4321 
87 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153~NOV. 16, 1973 
585 
system is <>enerally described in the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement issued by the Department of the Interior on March 20, 
11)72. The route of the pipeline may be modified by the Secretary 
to pro\ide during construction greater environmental protection. 
(c) Kights-of-way, permits, leases, and other authorizations issued 
pursuant to this title by the Secretary shall be subject to the provisions 
of section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by title I 
of this Act (except the provisions of subsections (h) (1), (k), (q), (w) 
^"'®' P- ^'^^• 
(2), and (x)) ; all authorizations issued by the Secretary and other 
Federal officers and agencies pursuant to this title shall include the 
terms and conditions required, and may include the terms and condi-
tions permitted, by the provisions of law that would otherwise be 
applicable if this title had not been enacted, and they may waive any 
procedural requii'ements of law or regulation which they deem desira- 
;. ^ t
-
ble to waive in order to accomplish the purposes of this title. The direc-
tion C(mtained in section 203(b) shall supersede the provisions of any 
hiw or regulation relating to an administrative determination as to 
whether the authorizations for construction of the trans-Alaska oil 
[)ipeline shall be issued. 
(d) The actions taken pursuant to this title which relate to the con-
struction and completion of the pipeline system, and to the applications 
tiled in connection therewith necessary to the pipeline's operation at 
full capacity, as described in the Final Environmental Impact State-
ment of the Department of the Interior, shall be taken without fur-
ther action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; and 
the actions of the Federal officers concerning the issuance of the noTe. 
necessary rights-of-way, permits, leases, and other authorizations for 
construction and initial operation at full capacity of said pipeline 
system shall not be subject to judicial review under any law except that 
claims alleging the invalidity of this section may be brought within 
sixty days following its enactment, and claims alleging that an action 
will deny rights under the Constitution of the United States, or that i.^sc prec titie 
the action is beyond the scope of authority conferred by this title, may 
be brought within sixty days following the date of such action. A claim 
shall be barred unless a complaint is filed within the time specified. 
Any such complaint shall be filed in a United States district court, and 
such court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to determine such proceed-
ing in accordance with the procedures hereinafter provided, and no 
other court of the United States, of any State, territory, or possession 
of the United States, or of the District of Columbia, shall have jurisdic-
t ion of any such claim whether in a proceeding instituted prior to or on 
or after the date of tlie enactment of this Act. Any such proceeding 
Hearings, 
shall be assigned for hearing at the earliest possible date, shall take 
[)recedence over all other matters pending on the docket of the district 
court at that time, and shall be expedited in every way by such court. 
Such court shall not have jurisdiction to grant any injunctive relief 
Jigainst the issuance of any right-of-way, permit, lease, or other author-
ization pursuant to this section except in conjunction with a final judg-
ment entered in a case involving a claim filed pursuant to this section. 
Anv re\iew of an interlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order of 
j^ucli distiict court may be had only upon direct appeal to the Supreme 
('ourt of the United States. 
(e) The Secretary of the Interior and the other Federal officers 
Amendments; 
, ' 
. 
1 
• 
1 
• 
1 
1 
modifications. 
and agencies are authorized at any time when necessary to protect the 
public interest, pursuant to the authority of this section and in accord-
ance with its provisions, to amend or modify any right-of-way, permit, 
lease, or other authorization issued under this title. 
Limitation. 
586 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153-NOV. 16, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
LIABILITY 
8KC. 204. (a)(1) Except Avheii the holder of the pipeline right-of-
way granted 23iirsuaiit to this title can prove that damages in connec-
tion with or resulting from activities along or in the vicinity of the 
proposed trans-Alaskan pipeline right-of-way were caused by an 
act of war or negligence of the United States, other government entity, 
or the damaged party, such holder shall be strictly liable to all dam-
aged parties, public or private, without regard to fault for such 
damages, and without regard to ownership of any affected lands, 
structures, fish, wildlife, or biotic or other natural resources relied upon 
by Alaska Natives, Native organizations, or others for subsistence or 
ec^onomic purposes. Claims for such injury or damages may be deter-
mined by arbitration or judicial proceedings. 
(2) Liability under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be 
limited to $50,000,000 for any one incident, and the holders of the 
right-of-way or permit shall be liable for any claim allowed in pro-
portion to their ownership interest in the right-of-way or permit. 
Liability of such holders for damages in excess of $50,000,000 shall be 
in accord wnth ordinary rules of negligence. 
(3) In any case where liability without fault is imposed pursuant 
to this subsection and the damages involved were caused by the negli-
gence of a third party, the rules of subrogation shall apply in accord-
ance with the law of the jurisdiction where the damage occurred. 
(4) Upon order of the Secretary, the holder of a right-of-way or 
permit shall provide emergency subsistence and other aid to an 
affected Alaska Native, Native organization, or other person pending 
expeditious filing of, and determination of, a claim under this sub-
section. 
(5) Where the State of Alaska is the holder of a right-of-way or 
permit under this title, the State shall not be subject to the provisions 
of subsection 204(a), but the holder of the permit or right-of-way for 
the trans-Alaska pipeline shall be subject to that subsection with 
respect to facilities construc:ted or activities conducted under rights-of-
way or permits issued to the State to the extent that such holder 
engages in the construction, operation, maintenance, and termination 
of facilities, or in other activities under rights-of-way or permits issued 
to the State. 
(b) If any area within or without the right-of-way or permit area 
granted under this title is polluted by any activities conducted by 
or on behalf of the holder to whom such right-of-way or permit was 
granted, and such pollution damages or threatens to damage aquatic 
life, wildlife, or public or private pi-operty, the conti"ol and total 
removal of the pollutant shall be at the expense of such holder, includ-
ing any administrative and other costs incurred by the Secretary or 
any other Federal officer or agency. Upon failure of such holder to 
adequately control and remove such pollutant, the Secretary, in coop-
eration with other Federal, State, or local agencies, or in coopera-
tion with such holder, or both, shall have the right to accomplish the 
conti-ol and removal at the expense of such holder. 
(c) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, if oil that 
has been transported through the trans-Alaska pipeline is loaded on 
a v^essel at the terminal facilities of the pipeline, the owner and 
operator of the vessel (jointly and severally) and the Trans-Alaska 
Pipeline Liability Fund established by this subsection, shall be strictly 
liable without regard to fault in accordance with the provisions of this 
subsection for all damages, including clean-up costs, sustained by any 
person or entity, public or private, including residents of Canada, as 
the result of discharges of oil from such vessel. 
87 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153~NOV. 16, 1973 
587 
Limitation. 
86 Stat. 862. 
Trans-Alaska 
Pipeline Liability 
Fee per barrel. 
(2) Strict liability shall not be imposed under this subsection if the 
owner or operator of the vessel, or the Fund, can prove that the dam-
ages were caused by an act of war or by the negligence of the United 
States or other governmental agency. Strict liability shall not be 
imposed under this subsection with respect to the claim of a damaged 
party if the owner or operator of the vessel, or the Fund, can prove 
that the damage was caused by the negligence of such party. 
(3) Strict liability for all claims arising out of any one incident 
shall not exceed $100,000,000. The owner and operator of the vessel 
shall be jointly and severally liable for the first $14,000,000 of such 
claims that are allowed. Financial responsibility for $14,000,000 shall 
be demonstrated in accordance with the provisions of section 311 (p) 
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 
1321 (p)) before the oil is loaded. The Fund shall be liable for the 
balance of the claims that are allowed up to $100,000,000. If the total 
claims allowed exceed $100,000,000, they shall be reduced proportion-
ately. The unpaid portion of any claim may be asserted and adjudi-
cated under other applicable Federal or state law. 
(4) The Trans-Alaska Pipeline Liability Fund is hereby established 
as a non-profit corporate entity that may sue and be sued in its own Fund. 
name. The Fund shall be administered by the holders of the trans- 
Establishment 
Alaska pipeline right-of-way under regulations prescribed by the 
Secretary. The Fund shall be subject to an annual audit by the Comp-
troller General, and a copy of the audit shall be submitted to the 
Congress. 
(5) The operator of the pipeline shall collect from the owner of the 
oil at the time it is loaded on the vessel a fee of five cents per barrel. 
The collection shall cease when $100,000,000 has been accumulated in 
the Fund, and it shall be resumed when the accumulation in the Fund 
falls below $100,000,000. 
(6) The collections under paragraph (5) shall be delivered to the 
Fund. Costs of administration shall be paid from the money paid to 
the Fund, and all sums not needed for administration and the satisfac-
tion of claims shall be invested prudently in income-producing securi-
ties approved by the Secretary. Income from such securities shall be 
added to the principal of the Fund. 
(7) The provisions of this subsection shall apply only to vessels 
engaged in transportation between the terminal facilities of the pipe-
line and ports under the jurisdiction of the United States. Strict lia-
bility under this subsection shall cease when the oil has first been 
brought ashore at a port under the jurisdiction of the United States. 
(8) In any case where liability without regard to fault is imposed 
pursuant to this subsection and the damages involved were caused by 
the unseaworthiness of the vessel or by negligence, the owner and 
operator of the vessel, and the Fund, as the case may be, shall be 
subrogated under applicable State and Federal laws to the rights 
under said laws of any person entitled to recovery hereunder. If any 
subrogee brings an action based on unseaworthiness of the vessel or 
negligence of its owner or operator, it may recover from any affiliate 
of the owner or operator, if the respective owner or operator fails to 
satisfy any claim by the subrogee allowed under this paragraph. 
(9) This subsection shall not be interpreted to preempt the field of 
strict liability or to preclude any State from imposing additional 
requirements. 
'Affiliate. 
588 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153-NOV. 16, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
(10) If the Fund is unable to satisfy a claim asserted and finally 
determined under this subsection, the Fund may borrow the money 
needed to satisfy the claim from any commercial credit source, at the 
lowest available rate of interest, subject to approval of the Secretary. 
(11) For purposes of this subsection only, the term "affiliate" 
includes— 
(A) Any person ownfed or effectively controlled by the vessel 
owner or operator; or 
(B) Any person that effectively controls or has the power effec-
tively to control the vessel owner or operator by— 
(i) stock interest, or 
(ii) representation on a board of directors or similar body, 
or 
(iii) contract or other agreement with other stockliolders, 
or 
(iv) otherwise; or 
(C) Any person which is under common ownership or control 
with the vessel owner or operator. 
(I'l) The term "pei-son" means an individual, a corporation, a part-
nership, an association, a joint-stock company, a business trust, or an 
1
1 nincorporated organization. 
ANTITRUST LAWS 
SEC. 205. The gi-ant of a right-of-way, permit, lease, or other author-
ization pursuant to this title shall grant no immunity from the opera-
t ion of the Federal anti-trust laws. 
ROADS AND AIRPORTS 
SEC. 206. A right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization 
granted under section 203(b) for a road or airstrip as a related facility 
of the trans-Alaska pipeline may provide for the construction of a 
[)ublic road or airstrip. 
TITLE III—NEGOTIATIONS W I T H CANADA 
SEC. 301. The President of the United States is authorized and 
i-e([uested to enter into negotiations with the Government of Canada to 
determine— 
(a) the willingness of the Government of Canada to permit the 
construction of pipelines or other transportation systems across 
Canadian territory for the transport of natural gas and oil from 
Alaska's North Slope to markets in the United States, including 
the use of tankers by way of the Northwest Passage; 
(b) the need for intergovernmental understandings, agree-
ments, or treaties to protect the interests of the Governments of 
Canada and the United States and any party or parties involved 
with the construction, operation, and maintenance of pipelines 
or other transportation systems for the transport of such natural 
gas or oil; 
(c) the terms and conditions under which pipelines or other 
transportation systems could be constructed across Canadian 
territory; 
(d) the desirability of undertaking joiiit studies and investi-
gations designed to insure protection of the eiiAironment. reduce 
legal and regulatory uncertainty, and insure that the respective 
energy requirements of the people of Canada and of the LTnited 
States are adequately met; 
87 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153-NOV. 16, 1973 
589 
(e) the quantity of such oil and natural gas from the North 
Slope of Alaska for which the Government of Canada would 
guarantee transit; and 
(f) the feasibility, consistent with the needs of other sections 
of the United States, of acquiring additional energy from other 
sources that would make unnecessary the shipment of oil from 
the xVlaska pipeline by tanker into the Puget Sound area. 
The President shall report to the House and Senate Committees on 
Presidential re-
Interior and Insular Affairs the actions taken, the progress achieved, srona°commufJes. 
the areas of disagreement, and the matters about which more informa-
tion is needed, together with his recommendations for further action. 
SEC. 302. (a) The Secretarj^ of the Interior is authorized and 
study. 
directed to investigate the feasibility of one or more oil or gas pipelines 
from the North Slope of Alaska to connect with a pipeline through 
Canada that will deliver oil or gas to United States markets. 
(b) All costs associated with making the investigations authorized cJst's^^^^^^^^^'^ 
by subsection (a) shall be charged to any future applicant who is 
granted a right-of-way for one of the routes studied. The Secretary ,f ^^° ^31'° mmit-
shall submit to the House and Senate Committees on Interior and tees. 
Insular Affairs periodic reports of his investigation, and the final 
report of the Secretary shall be submitted within two years from the 
date of this Act. 
SEC. 303. Nothing in this title shall limit the authority of the Secre-
ary of the Interior or any other Federal official to grant a gas or oil 
pipeline right-of-way or permit which he is otherwise authorized by 
law to grant. 
TITLE IV—MISCELLANEOUS 
VESSEL CON'SITJUCTION' STANDARDS 
" 
' ' 
"
' 
' 
SEC. 401. Section 4417a of the Kevised Statutes of the United States 
Effective dates. 
(46 U.S.C. 391a), as amended by the Ports and Waterways Safety Act 
of 1972 (86 Stat. 424, Public Law 92-340), is hereby amended as 
follows: 
"(C) Rules and regulations published pursuant to subsection (7) 
(A) shall be effective not earlier than January 1, 1974, with respect 
to foreign vessels and United States-flag vessels operating in the 
foreign trade, unless the Secretary shall earlier establish rules and 
regulations consonant with international treaty, convention, or agree-
ment, which generally address the regulation of similar topics for 
the protection of the marine environment. In absence of the pro-
mulgation of such rules and regulations consonant with international 
treaty, convention, or agreement, the Secretary shall establish an 
effective date not later than January 1, 1976, with respect to foreign 
vessels and United States-flag vessels operating in the foreign trade, for 
rules and regulations previously published pursuant to this subsection 
(7) which he then deems appropriate. Rules and regulations published 
'pursuant to subsection (7) (A) shall be effective not later than June 
30,1974, with respect to United States-flag vessels engaged in the coast-
wise trade.". 
VESSEL TRAFFIC CONTROL 
SEC. 402. The Secretary of the Department in which the Coast 
Guard is operating is hereby directed to establish a vessel traffic con-
trol system for Prince William Sound and Valdez, Alaska, pursuant 
to authority contained in title I of the Ports and Waterways Safety 
Act of 1972 (86 Stat. 424, Public Law 92-340). 
33 use 1221. 
590 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153-NOV. 16, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
Rules and regu-
lations. 
78 Stat. 252. 
42 u s e 2000d. 
CIVIL RIGHTS 
SEC. 403. The Secretary of the Interior shall take such affirmative 
action as he deems necessary to assure that no person shall, on the 
•grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex, be excluded 
from receiving, or paiticipating in any activity conducted under, any 
permit, right-of-way, public land order, or other Federal authoriza-
tion granted or issued under title II. The Secretary of the Interior 
shall promulgate such rules as he deems necessary to carry out the 
purposes of this subsection and may enforce this subsection, and any 
rules promulgated under this subsection, through agency and depart-
ment provisions and rules which shall be similar to those established 
and in effect under title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 
CONFIRMATION O r T H E DIRECTOR OF THE ENERGY rOLICY OFFICE 
SEC. 404. The Director of the Energy Policy Office in the Executive 
Office of the President shall be appointed by the President, by and 
with the advice-and consent of the Senate: Provided., That if any 
individual who is serving in this office on the date of enactment of this 
Act is nominated for such position, he may continue to act unless and 
until such nomination shall be disapproved by the Senate. 
5 u s e app. II. 
CONFIRMATION OF T H E HEAD OF T H E M I N I N G ENFORCEMENT AND SAFETY 
ADMINISTRATION 
SEC. 40.J. The head of the Mining Enforcement and Safety Adminis-
tration established pursuant to Order Numbered 2953 of the Secretary 
of the Interior issued in accordance Avith the authority provided by 
section 2 of Reorganization Plan Numbered 3 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1262) 
shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and con-
sent of the Senate: Provided., That if any individual who is serving 
in this office on the date of enactment of this Act is nominated for such 
])osition, he may continue to act unless and until such nomination shall 
l)e disapproved by the Senat-e. 
84 Stat. 796. 
12 u s e 1904 
note. 
Lease exemp-
tion qualification. 
Agency inspec-
'tions. 
Regulations, 
EXEMPTION OF FIRST SALE OF CRUDE OIL AND NATt'RAL GAS OF CERTAIN 
LEASES FROM PRICE RESTRAINTS AND ALLOCATION PROGRAMS 
SEC. 406. (a) The first sale of crude oil and natural gas liquids pro-
tluced from any lease Avhose average daily production of such sub-
stances for the preceding calendar month does not exceed ten barrels 
per well shall not be subject to price restraints established pursuant to 
the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970, as amended, or to any alloca-
tion program for fuels or petroleum established pursuant to that Act or 
to any Federal law for the allocation of fuels or petroleum. 
(b) To qualify for the exemption under this section, a lease must 
be operating at the maximum feasible rate of production and in 
accord with recognized conservation practices. 
(c) The agency designated by the President or bjr law to imple-
ment any such fuels or petroleum allocation progi-am'is authorized to 
conduct inspections to insure compliance with this section and shall 
])romulgate and cause to be published regulations implementing the 
provisions of this section. 
87 
STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153-NOV. 16, 1973 
591 
ADVANCE PAYMENTS TO ALASKA 
NATIVES 
SEC. 407. (a) In view of the delay in construction of a pipeline to 
transport North Slope crude oil, the sum of $5,000,000 is authorized 
to be appropriated from the United States Treasury into the Alaska 
Native Fund every six months of each fiscal year beginning with the 
fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, as advance payments chargeal3le 
against the revenues to be paid under section 9 of the Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement Act, until such time as the delivery of North Slope 
crude oil to a pipeline is commenced. 
(b) Section 9 of the Alaskan Native Claims Settlement Act is 
amended by striking the language in subsection (g) thereof and sub-
stituting the following language: "The payments required by this sec-
tion shall continue only until a sum of $500,000,000 has been paid into 
the Alaska Native Fund less the total of advance payments paid into 
the Alaska Native Fund pursuant to section 407 of the Trans-Alaska 
Pipeline Authorization Act. Thereafter, payments which would other-
wise go into the Alaska Native Fund will be made to the United 
States Treasury as reimbursement for the advance payments author-
ized by section 407 of the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline Authorization Act. 
The provisions of this section shall no longer apply, and the reserva-
tion required in patents under this section shall be of no further force 
and effect, after a total sum of $500,000,000 has been paid to the Alaska 
Native Fund and to the United States Treasury pursuant to this 
subsection.". 
Appropriation. 
Infra. 
Fund payments, 
cessation. 
85 Stat. 694. 
43 u s e 1608. 
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AUTHORITY 
SEC. 408. (a) (1) The Congress hereby finds that the investigative 
and law enforcement responsibilities of the Federal Trade Commission 
have been restricted and hampered because of inadequate legal author-
ity to enforce subpenas and to seek preliminary injunctive relief to 
avoid unfair competitive practices. 
(2) The Congress further finds that as a direct result of this inade-
quate legal authority significant delays have occurred in a major 
investigation into the legality of the structure, conduct, and activities 
of the petroleum industry, as well as in other major investigations 
designed to protect the public interest. 
(b) It is the purpose of this Act to grant the Federal Trade Com-
mission the requisite authority to insure prompt enforcement of the 
laws the Commission administers by granting statutory authority to 
directly enforce subpenas issued by the Commission and to seek pre-
liminary injunctive relief to avoid unfair competitive practices. 
(c) Section 5(1) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 
45(1)) is amended by striking subsection (1) and inserting in lieu 
thereof: 
"(1) Any person, partnership, or corporation who violates an order 
of the Commission after it has become final, and while such order 
is in effect, shall forfeit and pay to the United States a civil penalty of 
not more than $10,000 for each violation, which shall accrue to the 
United States and may be recovered in a civil action brought by the 
Attorney General of the United States. Each separate violation of 
such an order shall be a separate offense, except that in the case of a 
violation through continuing failure to obey or neglect to obey a final 
order of the Commission, each day of continuance of such failure or 
neglect shall be deemed a separate offense. In such actions, the United 
States district courts are empowered to grant mandatory injunctions 
and such other and further equitable relief as they deem appropriate 
in the enforcement of such final orders of the Commission." 
Violations. 
52 Stat. 114; 
64 Stat. 21. 
Penalty. 
592 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153-NOV. 16, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
52 Stat. 114; 
64 Stat. 21. 
38 Stat. 721. 
Investigative 
powers. 
Temporary re-
straining orders; 
injunctions. 
52 Stat. 114. 
Enforcement 
proceedings. 
15 u s e 54. 
Supra, 
(d) Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) 
is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection: 
"(m) Whenever in any civil proceeding involving this Act the 
Commission is authorized or required to appear in a court of the 
United States, or to be represented therein by the Attorney General 
of the United States, the Commission may elect to appear in its own 
name by any of its attorneys designated by it for such purpose, after 
formally notifying and consulting with and giving the Attorney Gen-
eral 10 days to take the action proposed by the Commission." 
(e) Section 6 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 46), 
is amended by adding at the end thereof the following proviso: 
^^Provided, That the exception of 'banks and common carriers subject 
to the Act to regulate commerce' from the Commission's powers 
defined in clauses (a) and (b) of this section, shall not be construed to 
limit the Commission's authority to gather and compile information, 
to investigate, or to require reports or answers from, any such corpo-
ration to the extent that such action is necessary to the investigation 
of any corporation, group of corporations, or industry which is not 
engaged or is engaged only incidentally in banking or in business 
as a common carrier subject to the Act to regulate commerce." 
(f) Section 13 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 53) 
is amended by redesignating "(b)" as "(c)" and inserting the follow-
ing new subsection: 
"(b) Whenever the Commission has reason to believe— 
"(1) that any person, partnership, or corporation is violating, 
or is about to violate, any provision of law enforced by the Fed-
eral Trade Commission, and 
" (2) that the enjoining thereof pending the issuance of a com-
plaint by the Commission and until such complaint is dismissed by 
the Commission or set aside by the court on review, or until the 
order of the Commission made thereon has become final, would be 
in the interest of the public— 
the Commission by any of its attorneys designated by it for such 
pur})ose may bring suit in a district court of the United States to 
enjoin any such act or practice. Upon a proper showing that, weighing 
the equities and considering the Commission's likelihood of ultimate 
success, such action would be in the public interest, and after notice to 
the defendant, a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunc-
tion may be granted without bond: Provided, however, That if a 
complaint is not filed within such period (not exceeding 20 days) as 
may be specified by the court after issuance of the temporary restrain-
ing order or preliminary injunction, the order or injunction shall be 
dissolved by the court and be of no further force and effect: Pro-
vided further, That in proper cases the Commission may seek, and 
after proper proof, the court ma}^ issue, a permanent injunction. Any 
such suit shall be brought in the district in which such person, partner-
ship, or corporation resides or transacts business." 
(g) Section 16 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 
56) is amended to read as follows: 
"SEC. 16. Whenever the Federal Trade Commission has reason to 
believe that any person, partnership, or corporation is liable to a 
penalty under section 14 or under subsection (1) of section 5 of this 
Act, it shall— 
"(a) certify the facts to the Attorney General, whose duty it 
shall be to cause appropriate proceedings to be brought for the 
enforcement of the provisions of such section or subsection; or 
"(b) after compliance with the requirements with section 5 (m), 
itself cause such appropriate proceedings to be brought." 
87 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-153-NOV. 16, 1973 
593 
GENERAL ACCOUXTHSTG OFFICE AUTHORITY 
SEC. 409. (a) Section 3502 of title 44, United States Code, is amended 
82 stat. 1302. 
by inserting in the first paragraph defining "Federal agency" after the 
words "the Greneral Accounting Office" and before the words "nor the 
governments" the words "independent Federal regulatory agencies,". 
(b) Chapter 35 of title 44,_United States Code, is amended by adding 
sj J'^^^- ^^^i. 
after section 3511 the following new section: 
"§ 3512. Information for independent regulatory agencies 
"(a) The Comptroller General of the United States shall review the co^mp1rone''/G"en-
collection of information required by independent Federal regulatory erai. 
agencies described in section 3502 of this chapter to assure that infor-
mation required by such agencies is obtained with a minimum burden 
upon business enterprises, especially small business enterprises, and 
other pereons required to furnish the information. LTnnecessary dupli-
cation of efforts in obtaining information already filed with other 
Federal agencies or departments through the use of reports, question-
naires, and other methods shall be eliminated as rapidly as practicable. 
Information collected and tabulated by an independent regulatory 
agency shall, as far as is expedient, be tabulated in a manner to maxi-
mize the usefulness of the infonnation to other Federal agencies and 
the public. 
"(b) In carrying out the policy of this section, the Comptroller 
General shall review all existing information gathering practices of 
independent regulatory agencies as well as requests for additional 
information with a view toward— 
"(1) avoiding duplication of effort by independent regulatory 
agencies, and 
" (2) minimizing the compliance burden on business enterprises 
and other persons. 
"(c) In complying with this section, an independent regulatory 
agency shall not conduct or sponsor the collection of information upon 
an identical item from ten or more persons, other than Federal em-
l)loyees, unless, in advance of adoption or revision of any plans or 
forms to be used in the collection— 
" (1) the agency submitted to the Comptroller General the plans 
or fonns, together with the copies of pertinent regulations and of 
other related materials as the Comptroller General has specified; 
and 
"(2) the Comptroller General has advised that the information 
is not presently available to the independent agency from another 
« > 
source within the Federal Government and has determined that 
the proposed plans or forms are consistent with the provision of 
this section. The Comptroller General shall maintain facilities for 
carrying out the purposes of this section and shall render such 
advice to the requestive independent regulatory agency within 
forty-five days. 
"(d) While the Comptroller General shall determine the availability ^^^5,^^311^0? °^ 
from other Federal sources of the information sought and the appro- a
'
^
e
°
n
^
y
^ derermina-
pi-iateness of the forms for the collection of such information, the 'i°"-
independent regulatory agency shall make the final determination as 
to the necessity of the information in carrying out its statutory respon-
sibilities and whether to collect such information. If no advice is 
received from the Comptroller General within forty-five days, the 
inde])endent regulatory agency may immediately proceed to obtain 
such information. 
22-150 O - 75 - 40 
594 
PUBLIC LAW 93-154-NOV. 16, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
44 use 3508. 
Regulations. 
^Af^^^'^^^o' 
'n^) SiH'tiou :).")0<s(a) of this chapter dealiii<i- with unlawful dis-
closure of information shall apply to the use of information by inde-
pendent regulatory agencies. 
"(f) Tlie Comptroller General may promulgate rules and regula-
tions ne«'essary to carry out this chapter." 
KQl'ITABLE -ALLOCATION OF NORTH SLOPE CRUDE OIL 
SEC. 410. The Congress declares that the crude oil on the North Slope 
of Alaska is an important part of the Nation's oil resources, and that 
the benefits of such crude oil should be equitably shared, directly or 
indirectly, by all regions of the country. The President shall use any 
authority he may have to insure an equitable allocation of available 
North Slope and other crude oil resources and petroleum products 
among all regions and all of the several States. 
SEPARABILITY 
S>X'. 411. If any provision of this Act or the applicability thereof 
is held invalid the remainder of this Act shall not be aifected thereby. 
Approved November 16, 1973. 
Public Law 93-154 
November 16, 1973 
AN AC i 
[s. 2410] 
fp,, jimeiid the Public Health Service Act to provide assistance and encourage-
ment for the development of comprehensive area emergency medical services 
systems. 
Be it enacted 
by the Senate 
and House 
of Repr-esentatives 
of the 
Emergency Med- Ignited Stotes of Anwrica 
in Congress 
assembled, 
ical Services Sys-
tems Act of 1973. 
SHORT TITLE 
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the "Emergency Medical Serv-
ices Systems Act of 1973". 
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEMS 
o/L^!^*i'/-7^^' 
SEC. 2. (a) The Public Health Service Act is amended by adding at 
BO b t a t . 1 3 / . 
1 
1 
(. 
1 
(» 11 
• 
j_*j_i 
42 use 201 
the end thereoi the lollowmg new title: 
note. 
"TITLE XII—EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVI(1^:S 
SYSTEMS 
'DEFINITIONS 
" S E C . 1201. For purposes of this title: 
''(1) The term 'emergency medical services system' means a 
system which provides for the arrangement of personnel, facili-
ties, and equipment for the effective and coordinated delivery, in