Bill Number: S. 597
Short Title: Comprehensive and Balanced Energy Policy Act of 2001 (A portion of the bill is entitled Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2001)
Introduced: March 22, 2001
Sponsor: Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)

Purpose: To provide for a comprehensive and balanced national energy policy.

Summary: Establishes: (1) the National Commission on Energy and Climate Change; and (2) the Interagency Working Group on Clean Energy Technology Transfer. Authorizes the States to develop energy infrastructure regional coordination. Mandates periodic reviews of regulations to identify barriers to market entry for emerging energy technologies. Amends the Federal Power Act to establish the Electric Reliability Organization. Establishes the Public Benefits Fund. Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize electrification grants for rural and remote communities. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to mandate a comprehensive Indian energy program. Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to establish the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe disclosure requirements regarding: (1) energy sources used to generate electricity; and (2) specified consumer protections and privacy. Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to establish: (1) a wholesale electricity market data information system; and (2) wholesale electric energy rates in the western energy market. Prescribes guidelines governing: (1) renewable energy resources; (2) distributed generation facilities; and (3) hydroelectric relicensing. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) assess cost and performance goals for a national coal-based technology development and applications program; and (2) implement a power plant improvement initiative program. Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2001 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to revise indemnification and liability guidelines. Sets a deadline for a specified Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas lease sale. Mandates an accelerated research and development program regarding pipeline integrity of natural gas and hazardous liquids. Prescribes guidelines for statutory mechanisms that increase vehicle fuel efficiency or provide vehicle alternatives in order to limit demand for petroleum products by light-duty vehicles. Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to revise alternative fuel requirements for Federal fleets. Establishes: (1) the Federal Energy Bank; and (2) the High Performance Schools Program. Energy Science and Technology Enhancement Act - Delineates goals for enhanced research and development programs that target: (1) energy efficiency; (2) renewable energy; (3) fossil energy; (4) nuclear energy; and (5) fundamental energy science. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish national energy research and development advisory boards; (2) monitor workforce trends pertaining to skilled technical personnel supporting energy technology industries; (3) establish traineeship grant programs for technically skilled personnel; and (4) develop employee training guidelines to support electric supply system reliability and safety.