15 U.S.C. § 2841 : US Code - Section 2841: Study by Secretary of Energy

Search 15 U.S.C. § 2841 : US Code - Section 2841: Study by Secretary of Energy

(a) Consultation with Chairman of Federal Trade Commission,
Attorney General, and other agencies deemed appropriate by
Secretary
The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Chairman of the
Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General and other
agencies as the Secretary deems appropriate, shall conduct a study
of the extent to which producers, refiners, and other suppliers of
motor fuel subsidize the sale of such motor fuel at retail or
wholesale with profits obtained from other operations.
(b) Scope
Such study shall examine -
(1) the role of vertically integrated operations in
facilitating subsidization of sales of motor fuel at wholesale or
retail;
(2) the extent to which such subsidization is predatory and
presents a threat to competition;
(3) the profitability of various segments of the petroleum
industry;
(4) the impact of prohibiting such subsidization on the
competitive viability of various segments of the petroleum
industry, on prices of motor fuel to consumers and on the health
and structure of the petroleum industry as a whole; and
(5) such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(c) Notice to interested parties and opportunity to present written
and oral data, views and arguments
In conducting the study required by this section, the Secretary
shall give appropriate notice and afford interested persons an
opportunity to present written and oral data, views and arguments
concerning such study.
(d) Report to Congress; contents and time for submission;
Presidential promulgation of rules establishing interim measures;
submission date and duration of interim measures; Congressional
approval of interim measures
(1) The Secretary shall report the results of the study required
by this section, together with such recommendations for legislative
action and such statistical evidence as he deems appropriate to the
Congress on or before the expiration of the eighteenth month after
June 19, 1978.
(2) If the President determines that interim measures are
necessary and appropriate to maintain the competitive viability of
the marketing sector of the petroleum industry during Congressional
consideration of the recommendations contained in the report
submitted under paragraph (1), he shall prescribe, by rule, in
accordance with the procedures set forth in section 6393(a) of
title 42 such interim measures.
(3) No interim measure proposed by the President under this
section may be submitted after January 1, 1980, and the effect of
such measure if approved by the Congress under paragraph (4) may
not extend beyond 18 months after such Congressional approval.
(4) Such interim measure shall not take effect unless approved by
both Houses of Congress as if it were a contingency plan under
section 6422 of title 42: Provided, That the 60-day period referred
to in such section shall be extended to 90 days for purposes of
this section.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.