§3391 Natural Gas for Essential Agricultural Uses

Summary

Within 120 days after November 9, 1978, the Secretary of Energy must make a rule that, as much as possible, stops interstate pipelines from cutting off natural gas used for essential farm needs. Gas can only be limited if doing so would still leave enough gas to meet the need set by the Secretary of Agriculture, or if it is needed for higher-priority users. If the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, with the Secretary of Agriculture, finds a non-gas fuel is practical and available as a substitute for a farm use, the rule does not apply to that use. The Secretary of Agriculture must tell the Secretary of Energy and the Commission how much gas (in volumes or percentages) is needed for full food and fiber production. The Agriculture Secretary can join related Commission proceedings and may not use this power to limit crop production. Essential agricultural uses include things like farming, fiber and food processing, irrigation, crop drying, and using gas to make fertilizer or animal feed. High-priority users include people in homes, small commercial users under 50 Mcf on a peak day, schools and hospitals, and any use the Secretary of Energy says would risk life, health, or property.