Understanding Essential Agricultural Use: Legal Insights and Implications

Q: How can I certify my agricultural use?

You must apply for certification through the appropriate federal channels, often requiring documentation of your natural gas use.

Q: What happens if my use is not certified?

Non-certified uses may not receive priority access to natural gas during shortages.

Definition & Meaning

The term essential agricultural use refers to specific uses of natural gas that are critical for agricultural activities. This includes:

Uses in agricultural production, such as crop irrigation and food processing.
Natural fiber production and processing.
Functions as a process fuel or feedstock for producing fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, animal feed, or food, as determined necessary by the Secretary of Agriculture.

This definition is rooted in federal regulations aimed at ensuring that agricultural needs are prioritized in the allocation of natural gas resources.

Table of content

Legal Use & context

Essential agricultural use is primarily referenced in federal regulations, particularly under the Natural Gas Policy Act and related energy regulations. It is significant in contexts involving:

Energy allocation during shortages or emergencies.
Regulatory compliance for agricultural producers and businesses reliant on natural gas.

Users may find relevant legal forms and templates through US Legal Forms to assist in compliance and application processes related to essential agricultural use.

Key legal elements

Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

Here are a couple of examples of essential agricultural use:

A farm using natural gas for irrigation pumping during a drought to maintain crop yields.
A food processing plant utilizing natural gas as a process fuel to ensure food quality and safety (hypothetical example).

Relevant laws & statutes

The key legal references for essential agricultural use include:

10 CFR 580.02 - Defines essential agricultural use in the context of energy regulations.
18 CFR 284.262 - Provides further context on certification and emergency use of natural gas.

Comparison with related terms

Term	Description	Difference
Essential Agricultural Use	Use of natural gas critical for agricultural activities.	Specifically defined and certified by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Non-Essential Agricultural Use	Uses of natural gas not critical for agriculture.	Does not receive priority in allocation during shortages.

Common misunderstandings

What to do if this term applies to you

If you believe your use of natural gas qualifies as essential agricultural use, consider the following steps:

Review the criteria set by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Consult legal forms available through US Legal Forms to assist with certification applications.
Seek professional legal advice if your situation is complex or requires further clarification.

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Quick facts

Typical Uses: Irrigation, food processing, fertilizer production.
Jurisdiction: Federal regulations apply.
Certification: Required from the Secretary of Agriculture.

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

What qualifies as essential agricultural use?

It includes uses of natural gas for agricultural production, processing, and other critical activities certified by the Secretary of Agriculture.

How can I certify my agricultural use?

What happens if my use is not certified?

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Essential Agricultural Use
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