§3391 Natural Gas for Essential Agricultural Uses

Summary

The Secretary of Energy must make a rule within 120 days after November 9, 1978, and can change it later. The rule says that interstate pipeline plans must not cut off natural gas needed for essential agricultural uses, except if the cutback still leaves the farm with the minimum gas needed for those uses or if it is needed to serve high-priority users. An exception applies if the Commission and the Secretary of Agriculture find a different fuel (not natural gas) is affordable and available for that farm use. The Secretary of Agriculture must tell the Secretary of Energy and the Commission how much gas (by volume or percent) people or groups need for full food and fiber production. The Secretary of Agriculture can join Commission hearings about the rule. The Secretary of Agriculture may not use this power to limit crop production. Definitions (one line each): essential agricultural use = farm- and food-related uses the Secretary of Agriculture says are necessary for full food and fiber production; high-priority user = people in homes, small commercial users using under 50 Mcf on a peak day, schools/hospitals/similar institutions, or any use the Secretary of Energy says would risk life, health, or property if cut off.