STUDY OF THE ADEQUACY OF TRANSPORTATION OF DOMESTICALLY-PRODUCED RENEWABLE FUEL BY RAILROADS AND OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORTATION.

SEC. 245. STUDY OF THE ADEQUACY OF TRANSPORTATION OF DOMESTICALLY-PRODUCED RENEWABLE FUEL BY RAILROADS AND OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORTATION.(a) Study.—(1) In general.—The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation, shall jointly conduct a study of the adequacy of transportation of domestically-produced renewable fuels by railroad and other modes of transportation as designated by the Secretaries.(2) Components.—In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretaries shall—(A) consider the adequacy of existing railroad and other transportation and distribution infrastructure, equipment, service and capacity to move the necessary quantities of domestically-produced renewable fuel within the timeframes;(B)(i) consider the projected costs of moving the domestically-produced renewable fuel by railroad and other modes of transportation; and(ii) consider the impact of the projected costs on the marketability of the domestically-produced renewable fuel;(C) identify current and potential impediments to the reliable transportation and distribution of adequate supplies of domestically-produced renewable fuel at reasonable prices, including practices currently utilized by domestic producers, shippers, and receivers of renewable fuels;(D) consider whether adequate competition exists within and between modes of transportation for the transportation and distribution of domestically-produced renewable fuel and, whether inadequate competition leads to an unfair price for the transportation and distribution of domestically-produced renewable fuel or unacceptable service for transportation of domestically-produced renewable fuel;(E) consider whether Federal agencies have adequate legal authority to address instances of inadequate competition when inadequate competition is found to prevent domestic producers for renewable fuels from obtaining a fair and reasonable transportation price or acceptable service for the transportation and distribution of domestically-produced renewable fuels;121 STAT. 1547(F) consider whether Federal agencies have adequate legal authority to address railroad and transportation service problems that may be resulting in inadequate supplies of domestically-produced renewable fuel in any area of the United States;(G) consider what transportation infrastructure capital expenditures may be necessary to ensure the reliable transportation of adequate supplies of domestically-produced renewable fuel at reasonable prices within the United States and which public and private entities should be responsible for making such expenditures; and(H) provide recommendations on ways to facilitate the reliable transportation of adequate supplies of domestically-produced renewable fuel at reasonable prices.(b) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall jointly submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that describes the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).