§ 6381. Verification examinations
(a)
Authority of Comptroller General
The Comptroller General may conduct verification examinations with respect to the books, records, papers, or other documents of—
(1)
any person who is required to submit energy information to the Secretary, the Department of the Interior, or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission pursuant to any rule, regulation, order, or other legal process of such Secretary, Department or Commission;
(2)
any person who is engaged in the production, processing, refining, transportation by pipeline, or distribution (at other than the retail level) of energy resources—
(b)
Request for examination
The Comptroller General shall conduct verification examinations of any person or company described in subsection (a) of this section, if requested to do so by any duly established committee of the Congress having legislative or oversight responsibilities under the rules of the House of Representatives or of the Senate, with respect to energy matters or any of the laws administered by the Department of the Interior (or the Secretary thereof), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or the Secretary.
(c)
Definitions
For the purposes of this subchapter—
(1)
The term “verification examination” means an examination of such books, records, papers, or other documents of a person or company as the Comptroller General determines necessary and appropriate to assess the accuracy, reliability, and adequacy of the energy information, or financial information, referred to in subsection (a) of this section.