16 U.S.C. § 2642 : US Code - Section 2642: Responsibilities of Secretary

Search 16 U.S.C. § 2642 : US Code - Section 2642: Responsibilities of Secretary

(a) Authority
The Secretary may periodically notify the State regulatory
authorities, and electric utilities identified pursuant to section
2612(c) of this title, of -
(1) load management techniques and the results of studies and
experiments concerning load management techniques;
(2) developments and innovations in electric utility ratemaking
throughout the United States, including the results of studies
and experiments in rate structure and rate reform;
(3) methods for determining cost of service;
(4) any other data or information which the Secretary
determines would assist such authorities and utilities in
carrying out the provisions of this chapter; and
(5) technologies, techniques, and rate-making methods related
to advanced metering and communications and the use of these
technologies, techniques and methods in demand response programs.
(b) Technical assistance
The Secretary may provide such technical assistance as he
determines appropriate to assist the State regulatory authorities
in carrying out their responsibilities under subchapter II of this
chapter and as is requested by any State regulatory authority
relating to the standards established by subchapter II of this
chapter.
(c) Appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the purposes
of subsection (b) of this section not to exceed $1,000,000 for each
of the fiscal years 1979 and 1980.
(d) Demand response
The Secretary shall be responsible for -
(1) educating consumers on the availability, advantages, and
benefits of advanced metering and communications technologies,
including the funding of demonstration or pilot projects;
(2) working with States, utilities, other energy providers and
advanced metering and communications experts to identify and
address barriers to the adoption of demand response programs; and
(3) not later than 180 days after August 8, 2005, providing
Congress with a report that identifies and quantifies the
national benefits of demand response and makes a recommendation
on achieving specific levels of such benefits by January 1, 2007.