USE OF ENERGY FUTURES FOR FUEL PURCHASES.

SEC. 202. USE OF ENERGY FUTURES FOR FUEL PURCHASES. (a) Heating Oil Study.—The Secretary shall conduct a study on— (1) the use of energy futures and options contracts to provide cost-effective protection from sudden surges in the price of heating oil (including No. 2 fuel oil, propane, and kerosene) for State and local government agencies, consumer cooperatives, and other organizations that purchase heating oil in bulk to market to end use consumers in the Northeast (as defined in section 201); and (2) how to most effectively inform organizations identified in paragraph (1) about the benefits and risks of using energy futures and options contracts. (b) Report.—The Secretary shall transmit the study required in this section to the Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 114 STAT. 2037Resources of the Senate not later than 180 days after the enactment of this section. The report shall contain a review of prior studies conducted on the subjects described in subsection (a).