WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                      Ch. 17

CHAPTER 17

(Senate Bill 21)

AN ACT concerning

State Standby Petroleum Fuel Set-Aside Program - Extension

FOR the purpose of continuing the existence of the State Standby
Petroleum Fuel Set-Aside Program by extending to a certain
date the termination provisions for the program.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Natural Resources

Section 11-211

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1983 Replacement Volume and 1986 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS, Adequate supplies of fuel are essential to the
protection of the public health, safety and welfare of the people
of the State of Maryland; and

WHEREAS, Any severe disruption in fuel supplied for use
within the State would cause grave hardship and pose a threat to
the health and economic well-being of the people of the State;
and

WHEREAS, The existing petroleum distribution system serves
the needs of Maryland fuel users and can be expected to do so
until an acute shortage in petroleum supplies occurs; and

WHEREAS, Pursuant to federal law, including the Emergency
Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-159) as amended by the
Energy Policy and Conservation Act (P.L. 94-163), the Department
of Natural Resources has extensive experience administering a
State set-aside program; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 12287 ended the federal
petroleum pricing and allocation controls including State
set-aside on January 28, 1981; and

WHEREAS, The provisions of the Emergency Petroleum
Allocation Act of 1973, as amended by the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act, authorizing the implementation of a State
set-aside, terminated on September 30, 1981; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly responded to the termination
of that Act by enacting Chapter 364 of the Acts of 1982, which
created a State Standby Petroleum Fuel Set-Aside Program; and

- 387 -