To assess the impact of future gas supply interruptions, the Energy Information Administration is considering the use of mandatory surveys after using emergency surveys in the past that followed volatile swings in supplies and prices. EIA surveyed gas and distillate energy markets last winter in an emergency survey to gauge the impact on prices during fuel switching.

EIA has not set a date for more data requests, but has requested approval from the Office of Management Budget to conduct surveys on a contingency basis. With approval, EIA would have forms ready in the event of gas or heating oil price spikes.

Comments on the proposal would be taken over the summer months to allow comment “in a non-emergency setting,” which also would allow OMB time to review the forms without an emergency request looming — basically, before the winter months arrive.

The survey would only be used when the EIA administrator deemed it necessary, according to the request. EIA could limit the geographic area to be surveyed and the frequency of data collection. It added that it did not expect to use the forms “on a national basis.”

The survey request is available for review on the DOE web site, www.eia.doe.gov, and comments are due by July 30. The fax number is (202) 586-4420. Contact DOE’s William Trapmann at (202) 586-6408 for more information.

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