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U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON DC 20585

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 15, 2008

EIA Issues Federal Register Notice Regarding
Public Release of Weekly Petroleum and Natural Gas Data

Today, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) published a notice in the Federal Register requesting comments on the process and technologies used for disseminating its Weekly Petroleum Status Report (WPSR) and Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report (WNGSR).

EIA developed its current dissemination processes and information technologies in an attempt to meet the goal of providing fair access to any interested user, but has recently faced challenges that may require changes in the process and technologies used for disseminating this weekly data. Release of these reports has been met with increasing interest and access through automated retrieval programs, or “robots,” with some robots designed to submit requests so rapidly that their total load has reduced overall server performance and impaired access by others.

The notice requests comments on several questions regarding appropriate standards of fair information release, timing, possible security policies and effective technology solutions. Written comments are due within 30 days, and will be posted on the EIA website. After consideration of the comments, EIA will issue, in the Federal Register, a description of revised policies, processes and technologies used to disseminate the WPSR and WNGSR.

The Federal Register notice can be found at:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-24487.pdf

The information described in this press release was prepared by the Energy Information Administration, the independent statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. The information and the press release should be attributed to the Energy Information Administration and should not be construed as advocating or reflecting any policy position of the Department of Energy or any other organization.


EIA Press Contact: National Energy Information Center, (202) 586‑8800

EIA-2008-11

Contact:

National Energy Information Center
Phone:(202) 586-8800
FAX:(202) 586-0727


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