PUBLIC LAW 95-91— AUG. 4, 1977 91 STAT. 567 



DEFIN'mONS 



Sec. 2. (a) As used in this Act, unless otherwise provided or indi- 42 USC 7101. 

 cated by the context, the term the "Department" means the Depart- 

 ment of Energy or any component thereof, including the Federal 

 Energy Regulatory Commission. 



(b) As used in this Act (1) reference to "function" includes refer- 

 ence to any duty, obligation, power, authority, responsibility, right, 

 privilege, and activity, or the plural thereof, as the case may be ; and 

 (2) reference to "perform", when used in relation to functions, 

 includes the undertaking, fulfillment, or execution of any duty or 

 obligation ; and the exercise of power, authority, rights, and privileges. 



(c) As used in this Act, "Federal lease" means an agreement which, 

 for any consideration, including but not limited to, bonuses, rents, 

 or royalties conferred and covenants to be observed, authorizes a 

 person to explore for, or develop, or produce (or to do any or all of 

 these) oil and gas, coal, oil shale, tar sands, and geothermal resources 

 on lands or interests in lands under Federal jurisdiction. 



TITLE I— DECLARATION OF FINDINGS AND PURPOSES 



FINDINGS 



Sec. 101. The Congress of the United States finds that— *2 USC 7111. 



(1) the United States faces an increasing shortage of nonre- 

 newable energy resources; 



(2) this energy shortage and our increasing dependence on 

 foreign energy supplies present a serious threat to the national 

 security of the United States and to the liealth, safety and wel- 

 fare of its citizens; 



(3) a strong national energy program is needed to meet the 

 present and future energy needs of the Nation consistent with 

 overall national economic, environmental and social goals; 



(4^ responsibility for energy policy, regulation, and research, 

 development and demonstration is fragmented in many depart- 

 ments and agencies and thus does not allow for the comprehensive, 

 centralized focus necessary for effective coordination of energy 

 supply and conservation programs ; and 



(5) formulation and implementation of a national energy pro- 

 gram require the integration of major Federal energy functions 

 into a single department in the executive branch. 



PURPOSES 



Sec. 102. The Congress therefore declares that the establishment 42 USC 7112. 

 of a Department of Energy is in the public interest and will promote 

 the general welfare by assuring coordinated and effective administra- 

 tion of Federal energy policy and programs. It is the purpose of this 

 Act— 



(1) to establish a Department of Energy in the executive 

 branch ; 



(2) to achieve, throusrh the Department, effective management 

 of energy functions of the Federal Government, including con- 

 sultation with thehead=of other Federal departments and asrencies 

 in order to encourage them to establish and observe po1ic'e= con- 

 sistent with n coordinated energy policy, and to promote moTimum 

 possible energy conservation measures in connection with the 

 activities within their respective jurisdictions; 



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