Energy Independence Task Force Act

Establishment— There is established in the executive branch a task force to be known as the “Task Force on Energy Independence” (referred to in this Act as the “Task Force”).

Purpose— The purpose of the Task Force is to examine whether the Russian Federation or any agent or instrumentality of the Russian Federation funded activities of nongovernmental organizations in Western countries which limited the ability of those countries to achieve energy independence and made them more reliant on energy exported from Russia.

Initial meeting— The Task Force shall meet and begin the operations of the Task Force not later than 30 days after the appointment of a simple majority of members of the Task Force.

The extent of efforts backed by the Russian Federation or any agent or instrumentality of the Russian Federation to financially support nongovernmental organizations in Western countries that opposed nuclear energy and fracking.

The success or failure of these efforts to suppress investment by Western countries in diverse energy portfolios.

The extent to which the funding of these organizations has increased the reliance of Western countries on energy exported from the Russian Federation.

The assessment of the level of interdependence of Western countries with the Russian Federation, and the extent to which Western countries are subject to coercion by the Russian Federation, because Western countries lack a diverse energy portfolio.

An assessment of the extent to which energy independence could affect the American economy and provide insulation for Western countries against Russian intimidation.

The extent to which the structure of energy agreements between the Russian Federation and other energy companies used the participation of smaller, more discreet third-party companies to provide the Russian Federation with greater control over the agreements, including an assessment of the role of companies which were subsidiaries of Russian energy companies or which were controlled overtly or covertly by the Russian Federation or instruments of the Russian Federation.

An assessment of the Russian Federation’s control of and investment in energy companies of Western nations, including companies involved in energy distribution, electric power generation, storage of materials, pipeline maintenance, and similar activities.

Hearings— The Task Force may hold such hearings, meet and act at such times and places, and receive such evidence as may be necessary to carry out its duties.

Information from Federal agencies— The Attorney General and the Secretary of Energy shall work with the heads of offices of the Federal Government to ensure that the Task Force has access to such information as the Task Force considers necessary to carry out its duties.

Contracting— The Task Force may enter into contracts to enable it to carry out its duties.

Donations— The Task Force may accept, use, and dispose of donations of services or property.

Postal services— The Task Force may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as a department or agency of the United States.

In general— The chair of the Task Force, in consultation with the vice chair, in accordance with rules agreed upon by the Task Force, may appoint and fix the compensation of a staff director and such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the Task Force to carry out its functions, in accordance with the provisions of title 5, United States Code, except that no rate of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.

Staff of Federal agencies— Upon request of the chair of the Task Force, the head of any executive department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality of the Federal Government may detail, without reimbursement, any of its personnel to the Task Force to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act. Any detail of an employee shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.

Consultant services— The Task Force is authorized to procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, but at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid a person occupying a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.