Item 478 |
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A. The Oil Overcharge Expendable Trust Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller and the interest earned by investment of funds credited to the Oil Overcharge Expendable Trust Fund shall be allocated to such fund periodically. This fund represents the Commonwealth's proportionate share of the recoveries from the Exxon Corporation, Diamond Shamrock Refining and Marketing Company, Stripper Well and the Texaco Corporation litigations, for petroleum pricing violations between 1973 and 1981.
B.1. Any expenditure involving oil overcharges by the Exxon Corporation shall be utilized according to regulations and procedures of the five state energy conservation and benefits programs specified in the Warner Amendment (Section 155, P.L. 97-377) to provide restitution to the broad class of parties injured by the alleged overcharges. These programs are:
a. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, 42 U.S.C. § 8621 et seq.
b. State Energy Conservation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 6321 et seq.
c. Energy Extension Service, 42 U.S.C. § 7001 et seq.
d. Institutional Conservation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 6371 et seq.
e. Weatherization Assistance Program, 42 U.S.C. § 6861 et seq.
2. Any expenditure involving oil overcharges from the approved settlement In Re: The Department of Energy Stripper Well Litigation (MDL No. 378) or the approved settlement in the case of the Diamond Shamrock Refining and Marketing Company (Civil Action No. C2-84-1432) shall be utilized to fund one or more energy-related programs which are designed to benefit, directly or indirectly, consumers of petroleum products. These programs shall be limited to:
a. Administration and operation of the five energy conservation and benefit programs specified under the Warner Amendment (Section 155, P.L. 97-377),
b. Those programs approved by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Hearings and Appeals in Subpart V Refund Proceedings,
c. Those programs referenced in the Chevron consent order (46 FR 52221), and
d. Such other restitutionary programs approved by the District Court or the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Hearings and Appeals.
C. Before appropriations to the Oil Overcharge Expendable Trust Fund can be expended, approval for the use of the funds must be obtained from the United States Department of Energy. Applications to the United States Department of Energy must be made through the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.
D. The Governor shall submit such statements and reports as are required by court orders, settlements, or the Departments of Energy or Health and Human Services regarding use(s) of these funds and shall also report to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees on the activities funded by transfers from this Item only in fiscal years in which activities have occured.