---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 6283"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "6283"
heading: "Summer fill and fuel budgeting programs"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/6283"
units:
  - "Chapter 77 — Energy Conservation"
  - "Subchapter II — Standby Energy Authorities"
  - "Part C — Summer Fill and Fuel Budgeting Programs"
---

# §6283. Summer fill and fuel budgeting programs

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Budget contract—** The term “budget contract” means a contract between a [retailer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=13) and a consumer under which the heating expenses of the consumer are spread evenly over a period of months.
  - (2) **Fixed-price contract—** The term “fixed-price contract” means a contract between a [retailer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=13) and a consumer under which the [retailer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=13) charges the consumer a set price for propane, kerosene, or heating oil without regard to market price fluctuations.
  - (3) **Price cap contract—** The term “price cap contract” means a contract between a [retailer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=13) and a consumer under which the [retailer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=13) charges the consumer the market price for propane, kerosene, or heating oil, but the cost of the propane, kerosene, or heating oil may exceed a maximum amount stated in the contract.
- (b) **Assistance—** At the request of the chief executive officer of a [State](/usc/42/6202.md?p=4), the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) shall provide information, [technical assistance](/usc/42/6371.md?p=17), and funding—
  - (1) to develop education and outreach programs to encourage consumers to fill their [storage facilities](/usc/42/6232.md?p=10) for propane, kerosene, and heating oil during the summer months; and
  - (2) to promote the use of budget contracts, price cap contracts, fixed-price contracts, and other advantageous financial arrangements,

  to avoid severe seasonal price increases for and supply shortages of those products.

- (c) **Preference—** In implementing this section, the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) shall give preference to [States](/usc/42/6202.md?p=4) that contribute public funds or leverage private funds to develop [State](/usc/42/6202.md?p=4) summer fill and fuel budgeting programs.
- (d) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
  - (1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2001; and
  - (2) such sums as are necessary for each fiscal year thereafter.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 94–163, title II, § 273, as added Pub. L. 106–469, title VI, § 602(a), Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2040; amended Pub. L. 109–58, title III, § 301(b)(2), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 683.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2005—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–58 struck out heading and text of subsec. (e). Text read as follows: “Section 6285 of this title does not apply to this section.”