Economic Regulatory Administration

The Economic Regulatory Administration (ERA) was a U.S. government agency established in 1974 to oversee energy pricing and availability, especially for oil and natural gas, during a time of energy shortages. Its role was to regulate and promote fair pricing, ensure reliable energy supplies, and help coordinate policies to manage energy resources efficiently. The ERA operated within the Department of Energy before being absorbed into other agencies around 1981. Essentially, it was tasked with balancing the interests of consumers, producers, and the economy by overseeing energy markets and preventing price abuses.