§13369 Establishment of data base and study of transportation rates

Summary

The Secretary must check what federal data already exist and decide if information on rail and pipeline transportation rates for domestic coal, oil, and gas from January 1, 1988, through December 31, 1997, is reasonably available. If it is not, the Secretary must create a database that, as fully as possible, contains those rates. Contract rates must be kept confidential. Rail contract rate data must be obtained only in aggregate form from the Surface Transportation Board and kept private. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) must see whether any federal agency is studying how rates and shipping patterns were affected by the Clean Air Act as amended by the Act enacted November 15, 1990 (Public Law 101–549), and other federal policies. If no suitable study exists or its results will not be ready for Congress on time, the EIA must start one. The Secretary must report to Congress on the EIA’s finding within one year after October 24, 1992, submit any database or study results within three years after that date, and update and resubmit them within eight years after that date. The Secretary and EIA must consult the Chairmen of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Surface Transportation Board.