U.S. Code > Title 42 The Public Health and Welfare > CHAPTER 134—ENERGY POLICY > SUBCHAPTER XII—MISCELLANEOUS > Part B—Other Miscellaneous Provisions > § 13552. Use of energy futures for fuel purchases

§ 13552. Use of energy futures for fuel purchases

(a) Fuel study
The Secretary shall conduct a study—
(1) to ascertain if the use of energy futures and options contracts could provide cost-effective protection for Government entities (including Government purchases for military purposes and for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) and consumer cooperatives (or any organization whose purpose is to purchase fuel in bulk) from unanticipated surges in the price of fuel; and
(2) to ascertain how such Government entities or consumer cooperatives may be educated in the prudent use of energy futures and options contracts to maximize their purchasing effectiveness, protect themselves against unanticipated surges in the price of fuel, and minimize fuel costs.
(b) Pilot program
The Secretary shall conduct a pilot program, commencing not later than 30 days after the transmission of the study required in subsection (b) [1] of this section, to educate such governmental entities, consumer cooperatives, or other organizations on the prudent and cost-effective use of energy futures and options contracts to increase their protection against unanticipated surges in the price of fuel and thereby increase the efficiency of their fuel purchase or assistance programs.
(c) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

[1] See References in Text note below.