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Title 25 — Indians

Chapter 37 — Indian Energy

§ 3505. Federal power marketing administrations

Statutory text

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration and the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration.

(2)

The term “power marketing administration” means—

(A)

the Bonneville Power Administration;

(B)

the Western Area Power Administration; and

(C)

any other power administration the power allocation of which is used by or for the benefit of an Indian tribe located in the service area of the administration.

(b)

Encouragement of Indian tribal energy development

Each Administrator shall encourage Indian tribal energy development by taking such actions as the Administrators determine to be appropriate, including administration of programs of the power marketing administration, in accordance with this section.

(c)

Action by Administrators

In carrying out this section, in accordance with laws in existence on —

(1)

each Administrator shall consider the unique relationship that exists between the United States and Indian tribes;

(2)

power allocations from the Western Area Power Administration to Indian tribes may be used to meet firming and reserve needs of Indian-owned energy projects on Indian land;

(3)

the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration may purchase non-federally generated power from Indian tribes to meet the firming and reserve requirements of the Western Area Power Administration; and

(4)

each Administrator shall not—

(A)

pay more than the prevailing market price for an energy product; or

(B)

obtain less than prevailing market terms and conditions.

(d)

Assistance for transmission system use

(1)

An Administrator may provide technical assistance to Indian tribes seeking to use the high-voltage transmission system for delivery of electric power.

(2)

The costs of technical assistance provided under paragraph (1) shall be funded—

(A)

by the Secretary of Energy using nonreimbursable funds appropriated for that purpose; or

(B)

by any appropriate Indian tribe.

(e)

Power allocation study

Not later than 2 years after , the Secretary of Energy shall submit to Congress a report that—

(1)

describes the use by Indian tribes of Federal power allocations of the power marketing administration (or power sold by the Southwestern Power Administration) to or for the benefit of Indian tribes in a service area of the power marketing administration; and

(2)

identifies—

(A)

the quantity of power allocated to, or used for the benefit of, Indian tribes by the Western Area Power Administration;

(B)

the quantity of power sold to Indian tribes by any other power marketing administration; and

(C)

barriers that impede tribal access to and use of Federal power, including an assessment of opportunities to remove those barriers and improve the ability of power marketing administrations to deliver Federal power.

(f)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $750,000, non-reimbursable, to remain available until expended.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

  1. Energy Policy Act of 1992

    Pub. L. 102–486 title XXVI § 2605 · 106 Stat. 2776

    Enacted · 25 U.S.C. § 3505

    (Pub. L. 102–486, title XXVI, § 2605, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title V, § 503(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 776.)

    Source evidence

    Code source credit
    (Pub. L. 102–486, title XXVI, § 2605, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title V, § 503(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 776.)

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    SEC. 2605. INDIAN ENERGY RESOURCE COMMISSION. (a) Establishment.— There is hereby established the Indian Energy Resource Commission (hereafter in this section referred to as the “Commission”). (b) Membership.— The Commission shall consist of— (1) 8 members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior from recommendations submitted by Indian tribes with developable energy resources, at least 4 of whom shall be elected tribal leaders; (2) 3 members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior from recommendations submitted by the Governors of States that have Indian reservations with developable energy resources; (3) 2 members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior from among individuals in the private sector with expertise in tribal and State taxation of energy resources; (4) 2 members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior from individuals with expertise in oil and gas royalty management administration, including auditing and accounting; (5) 2 members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior from individuals in the private sector with expertise in energy development; (6) 1 member appointed by the Secretary of the Interior from recommendations submitted by National environmental organizations; (7) the Secretary of the Interior, or his designee; and (8) the Secretary of Energy, or his designee. (c) Appointments.— Members of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this title. (d) Vacancies.— A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made. A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect the powers of the Commission. (e) Chairperson.— The members of the Commission shall elect a Chairperson from among the members of the Commission. (f) Quorum.— Eleven members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings. (g) Organizational Meeting.— The Commission shall hold an organizational meeting to establish the rules and procedures of the Commission not later than 30 days after the members are first appointed to the Commission. (h) Compensation.— Each member of the Commission who is not an officer or employee of the United States shall be compensated at a rate established by the Commission, not to exceed the rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged in the actual performance of duties as a member of the Commission. Each member of the Commission who is an officer or employee of the United States shall receive no additional compensation. (i) Travel.— While away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of duties for the Commission, all members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at a rate established by the Commission not to exceed the rates authorized for employees under sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code. (j) Commission Staff.— (1) Executive director.— The Commission shall appoint an Executive Director who shall be compensated at a rate established by the Commission not to exceed the rate of basic pay payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. (2) Additional personnel.— With the approval of the Commission, the Executive Director may appoint and fix the compensation of such additional personnel as the Executive Director considers necessary to carry out the duties of the Commission. Such appointments shall be made in accordance with the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, but at rates not to exceed the rate of basic pay payable for level 15 of the General Schedule. (3) Experts and consultants.— Subject to such rules as may be issued by the Commission, the Chairperson may procure temporary and intermittent services of experts and consultants to the same extent as is authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, but at rates not to exceed $200 a day for individuals. (4) Personnel detail authorized.— Upon the request of the Chairperson, the head of any Federal agency is authorized to detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of such agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under this title. Such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege. (k) Duties of the Commission.— The Commission shall— (1) develop proposals to address the dual taxation by Indian tribes and States of the extraction of mineral resources on Indian reservations; (2) make recommendations to improve the management, administration, accounting and auditing of royalties associated with the production of oil and gas on Indian reservations; (3) develop alternatives for the collection and distribution of royalties associated with production of oil and gas on Indian reservations; (4) develop proposals on incentives to foster the development of energy resources on Indian reservations; (5) identify barriers or obstacles to the development of energy resources on Indian reservations, and make recommendations designed to foster the development of energy resources on Indian reservations and promote economic development; (6) develop proposals for the promotion of vertical integration of the development of energy resources on Indian reservations; and (7) develop proposals on taxation incentives to foster the development of energy resources on Indian reservations including, but not limited to, investment tax credits and enterprise zone credits. (l) Powers of the Commission.— The powers of the Commission shall include the following: (1) For the purpose of carrying out its duties under this section, the Commission may hold hearings, take testimony, and receive evidence at such times and places as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the Commission. (2) Any member or employee of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which the Commission is authorized to take by this section. (3) The Commission may secure directly from any Federal agency such information as may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its duties under this section. (m) Commission Report.— (1) In general.— The Commission shall, within 12 months after funds are made available to carry out this section, prepare and transmit to the President, the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives, the Select Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, a report containing the recommendations and proposals specified in subsection (k). (2) Review and comment.— Prior to submission of the report required under this section, the Chairman shall circulate a draft of the report to Indian tribes and States that have Indian reservations with developable energy resources and other interested tribes and States for review and comment. (n) Authorization of Appropriations.— There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission $1,000,000 to carry out this section. Such sum shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation, until expended. (o) Termination.— The Commission shall terminate 30 days after submitting the final report required by subsection (m).

1 of 1 references resolved to an enrolled provision

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 3505, Pub. L. 102–486, title XXVI, § 2605, , 106 Stat. 3115; Pub. L. 103–437, § 10(e)(1), (2)(D), , 108 Stat. 4589, related to Indian Energy Resource Commission, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 109–58.

Credits

(Pub. L. 102–486, title XXVI, § 2605, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title V, § 503(a), , 119 Stat. 776.)

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