§3391 Natural gas for essential agricultural uses

Summary

The Secretary of Energy must write a rule within 120 days after November 9, 1978 (and can update it later) saying that, as much as possible, interstate pipelines may not cut off natural gas needed for essential agricultural uses. Gas can only be cut if doing so does not drop deliveries below the amount the Secretary of Agriculture certifies is required for full food and fiber production, or if cutting gas is necessary to supply high-priority users. If the Commission, after consulting the Secretary of Agriculture, finds another fuel is affordable and reasonably available as an alternative, the rule above does not apply to that use. The Secretary of Agriculture must tell the Secretary of Energy and the Commission the gas amounts needed. The Secretary of Agriculture can join related Commission proceedings and may not use this power to limit crop production. Essential agricultural use: farming, fiber and food production and processing, irrigation, crop drying, or use as a process fuel/feedstock for fertilizer, chemicals, animal feed, or food. High-priority user: a home, a small business using less than 50 Mcf on a peak day, a school or hospital, or any use the Secretary of Energy finds would threaten life, health, or property.