PRIA Logo™
Title 15, Commerce and TradeRelease 119-110

§3361 Declaration of Emergency

Title 15 › CHAPTER 60 — NATURAL GAS POLICY › SUBCHAPTER III — ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES AND REQUIREMENTS › Part A — Emergency Authority › § 3361

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The President may declare or extend a natural gas supply emergency for the whole country or a region if two things are true. First, a serious gas shortage that could hurt high‑priority uses exists or is about to happen. Second, using the powers in sections 3362 or 3363 is reasonably needed after trying other options as fully as possible. The emergency ends either when the President says the shortage no longer exists or is not imminent, or 120 days after the declaration, whichever comes first. The President may declare further extensions after that.

Full Legal Text

Title 15, §3361

Commerce and Trade, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Presidential declaration
The President may declare a natural gas supply emergency (or extend a previously declared emergency) if he finds that—
(1)a severe natural gas shortage, endangering the supply of natural gas for high-priority uses, exists or is imminent in the United States or in any region thereof; and
(2)the exercise of authorities under section 3362 or section 3363 of this title is reasonably necessary, having exhausted other alternatives to the maximum extent practicable, to assist in meeting natural gas requirements for such high-priority uses.
(b)Limitation
(1)Expiration
Any declaration of a natural gas supply emergency (or extension thereof) under subsection (a), shall terminate at the earlier of— (A)
(B)120 days after the date of such declaration of emergency (or extension thereof).
(2)Extensions
Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the President from extending, under subsection (a), any emergency (or extension thereof), previously declared under subsection (a), upon the expiration of such declaration of emergency (or extension thereof) under paragraph (1)(B).

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Executive Documents

Delegation of Functions Functions of President under this subchapter, except for authority to declare, extend, and terminate a national gas supply emergency pursuant to this section, delegated to Secretary of Energy, see section 1–101 of Ex. Ord. No. 12235, Sept. 3, 1980, 45 F.R. 58803, set out as a note under section 3364 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

15 U.S.C. § 3361

Title 15, Commerce and Trade

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110