PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 13, 1999
Energy Policy and Conservation Act Amendments - Reformulates the purposes of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) so as to grant the President specific authority to fulfill U.S. obligations under the international energy program. Repeals its current purposes to: (1) reduce energy demand through implementation of energy conservation plans; (2) increase fossil fuel supply through price incentives and production requirements; and (3) reduce demand for petroleum products and natural gas through programs designed to enhance the use of domestic coal resources.(Sec. 3) Encompasses within EPCA jurisdiction an international energy supply shortage which the President determines to be of an emergency nature.(Sec. 4) Repeals the statutory incentive program to develop underground coal mines.Replaces prohibitions against lease bidding arrangements for oil and natural gas interests located on the Outer Continental Shelf by a major oil company affiliate, with the mandate that the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) establish a program for setting joint bidding terms for exploration and development of crude oil, natural gas, and minerals located on such Shelf. Mandates that such program consider the goals of ensuring a fair return and encouraging timely and efficient resource development.Repeals restrictions controlling oil or gas production at the maximum efficient rate and temporary emergency production rate.Repeals Federal policy to provide for the creation of an Early Storage Reserve.Removes from the ambit of EPCA jurisdiction: (1) the Early Storage Reserve; (2) the Industrial Petroleum Reserve; (3) the Regional Petroleum Reserve; and (4) other storage reserves. Terminates the SPR Office in the Federal Energy Administration.Repeals the mandate for SPR expansion and for an SPR Plan.Details the authorities conferred upon the Secretary to develop, operate, or maintain the SPR.Repeals guidelines for storage, transport, or exchange of petroleum products, including: (1) fill operation by the President; (2) crude oil from Naval Petroleum Reserve Number 1 and reduction in fill-rate requirements; (3) suspension of fill operations during emergency situations; (4) test program of storage of refined petroleum products; and (5) distribution of the SPR.Replaces SPR distribution guidelines with a directive to the Secretary to: (1) sell SPR petroleum products at public auction to the highest bidder without regard to any Federal, State, or local regulation controlling petroleum product sales; and (2) conduct a continuing evaluation of drawdown and sales procedures. Cites the maximum barrels of petroleum products permissible in any SPR test drawdown, sale or exchange.Repeals the mandate for a study regarding Naval Petroleum Reserve Number 4.Revamps the contents of the Secretary's annual status report to Congress regarding SPR operations.Permits the use of SPR Petroleum Account funds by the Secretary for test drawdown and sales of petroleum products from the Reserve. Repeals guidelines governing: (1) use of the SPR Petroleum Account to meet expenses pertaining to interim storage facilities for SPR petroleum products; and (2) contracts for which no implementing legislation is needed.Extends, from FY 1999 to 2003, the authorities granted to implement domestic supply availability.(Sec. 5) Repeals the statutory plan for: (1) general emergency authorities; and (2) energy emergency preparedness. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 through 2003 for domestic renewable energy industry and related service industries.Extends from FY 1999 to 2003 the Federal authorities granted to implement standby energy authorities.
People & committees
Sen. Murkowski, Frank H. [R-AK] · R–AK
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
The committee substitute agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S11656)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 287.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-163.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-163.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Subcommittee on Energy Research, Development, Production and Regulation. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 106-329.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5299, S5301)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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