USC Subchapter III

in effect

43 U.S.C. § 1862 Natural gas distribution

(a) Expanded participation by local distribution companies in acquisition of leases and development of natural gas resourcesThe purpose of this section is to encourage expanded participation by local distribution companies in acquisition of leases and development of natural gas resources on the Outer Continental Shelf by facilitating the transportation in interstate commerce of natural gas, which is produced from a lease located on the Outer Continental Shelf and owned, in whole or in part, by a local distribution company, from such lease to the service area of such local distribution company. (b) Application and issuance of certificates of public convenience and necessity for transportation of natural gasThe Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall, after opportunity for presentation of written and oral views, promulgate and publish in the Federal Register a statement of Commission policy which carries out the purpose of this section and sets forth the standards under which the Commission will consider applications for, and, as appropriate, issue certificates of public convenience and necessity, pursuant to section 717f of title 15, for the transportation in interstate commerce of natural gas, which is produced from a lease located on the Outer Continental Shelf and owned, in whole or in part, by a local distribution company, from such lease to the service area of such local distribution company. Such statement of policy shall specify the criteria, limitations, or requirements the Commission will apply in determing— 11 So in original. Probably should be “determining—”.(1) whether the application of any local distribution company qualifies for consideration under the statement of policy; and (2) whether the public convenience and necessity will be served by the issuance of the requested certificate of transportation. Such statement of policy shall also set forth the terms or limitations on which the Commission may condition, pursuant to section 717f of title 15, the issuance of a certificate of transportation under such statement of policy. To the maximum extent practicable, such statement shall be promulgated and published within one year after September 18, 1978. (c) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section, the term—(1) “local distribution company” means any person—(A) engaged in the distribution of natural gas at retail, including any subsidiary or affiliate thereof engaged in the exploration and production of natural gas; and (B) regulated, or operated as a public utility, by a State or local government or agency thereof; (2) “interstate commerce” shall have the same meaning as such term has under section 717a(7) of title 15; and (3) “Commission” means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

43 U.S.C. § 1863 Unlawful employment practices; regulations

Each agency or department given responsibility for the promulgation or enforcement of regulations under this chapter or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act [43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.] shall take such affirmative action as deemed necessary to prohibit all unlawful employment practices and to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex, be excluded from receiving or participating in any activity, sale, or employment, conducted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. The agency or department shall promulgate such rules as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, and any rules promulgated under this section, whether through agency and department provisions or rules, shall be similar to those established and in effect under title VI and title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq., 2000e et seq.].

43 U.S.C. § 1864 Disclosure of financial interests by officers and employees of Department of the Interior

(a) Annual written statementEach officer or employee of the Department of the Interior who—(1) performs any function or duty under this chapter or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act [43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.], as amended by this Act; and (2) has any known financial interest in any person who (A) applies for or receives any permit or lease under, or (B) is otherwise subject to the provisions of this chapter or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act [43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.], shall, beginning on February 1, 1979, annually file with the Secretary of the Interior a written statement concerning all such interests held by such officer or employee during the preceeding 11 So in original. Probably should be “preceding”. calendar year. Such statement shall be available to the public. (b) “Known financial interest” defined; enforcement; report to CongressThe Secretary of the Interior shall—(1) within ninety days after September 18, 1978—(A) define the term “known financial interest” for purposes of subsection (a) of this section; and (B) establish the methods by which the requirement to file written statements specified in subsection (a) of this section will be monitored and enforced, including appropriate provisions for the filing by such officers and employees of such statements and the review by the Secretary of such statements; and (2) report to the Congress on June 1 of each calendar year with respect to such disclosures and the actions taken in regard thereto during the preceding calendar year. (c) Officers and employees in nonregulatory or nonpolicymaking positionsIn the rules prescribed in subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary may identify specific positions within the Department of the Interior which are of a nonregulatory or nonpolicymaking nature and provide that officers or employees occupying such positions shall be exempt from the requirements of this section. (d) PenaltiesAny officer or employee who is subject to, and knowingly violates, this section shall be fined not more than $2,500 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

43 U.S.C. § 1865 Investigation of reserves of oil and gas in Outer Continental Shelf

The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a continuing investigation to determine an estimate of the total discovered crude oil and natural gas reserves by fields (including proved and indicated reserves) and undiscovered crude oil and natural gas resources (including hypothetical and speculative resources) of the Outer Continental Shelf. The Secretary of the Interior shall provide a biennial report to Congress on June 30 of every odd numbered year on the results of such investigation.

43 U.S.C. § 1866 Relationship to existing law

(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to amend, modify, or repeal any provision of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 [16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.], the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.], the Mining and Mineral Policy Act of 1970 [30 U.S.C. 21a], or any other Act. (b) Nothing in this chapter or any amendment made by this Act to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) or any other Act shall be construed to affect or modify the provisions of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) which provide for the transferring and vesting of functions to and in the Secretary of Energy or any component of the Department of Energy.