Interpretation Of The New Energy Bill And What It Means To Oil Shale Development
Shale Oil Information Center
The interpretation of the schedule for oil shale project development as outlined in the new energy bill. All projections are assuming that the energy bill will go into effect on August 1, 2005.
As quickly as possible, a Task Force will be organized by the DOE consisting of representatives of the departments of Energy, Interior and Defense, affected state Governors, and all local community representatives. The Task Force charge is to make recommendations regarding Strategic unconventional fuel resources and Partnerships with Alberta, Canada and/or foreign nations for purposes of sharing information.
In addition, the Office of Petroleum Reserves of the DOE shall develop and implement a multi-faceted plan for strategic fuels.
Further, the DOI is established as lead agency to coordinate all Federal authorizations and environmental reviews.
November 1, 2005: DOI report to Congress on status of Environmental Impact Statement, lease sales and schedule.
February 1, 2006: DOI implement R&D leasing
February 1, 2007: DOI complete programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for commercial leasing program; DOE Task Force report to Congress and the President plus annual reports for following 5 years; DOE/OPR report to Congress plus annual reports for following 5 years; DOI issue regulations to implement their role as lead agency for permitting and the like.
August 1, 2007: DOI issue final regulations for commercial leasing program.
February 1, 2008: DOI, after consultation with affected governors and all interested parties and finding sufficient support and interest, may conduct commercial lease sales.
Not scheduled as yet are actions pertaining to DOE national oil shale and tar sands assessment, DOE cost-shared demonstration technologies, and DOD fuel procurement.
Comments and/or further insight about the energy bill should be sent to hq@shaleoilinfo.org.
