A bill to modify the authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to conduct investigations, to increase the criminal penalties for violations of the Federal Power Act and the Natural Gas Act, and to authorize the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to contract for consultant services.

Amends the Natural Gas Act and the Federal Power Act to: (1) provide that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is not subject to the consent of the Office of Management and Budget or any other Federal agency when it elects to exercise its investigative authority; and (2) increase criminal penalties for violations of these Acts.

Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to authorize the Chairman of FERC to contract for consultant services to assist the Commission in carrying out its responsibilities.

States that in contracting for those services the Chairman shall not be subject to any law relating to conflicts of interest.