USC Subchapter XII

USC Subchapter XII
in effect

42 U.S.C. § 13541 Research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities

(a) Research, development, and demonstration(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, research, development, and demonstration activities under this Act may be carried out under the procedures of the Federal Nonnuclear Research and Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5901–5920), the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), or any other Act under which the Secretary is authorized to carry out such activities, but only to the extent the Secretary is authorized to carry out such activities under each such Act. An objective of any demonstration program under this Act shall be to determine the technical and commercial feasibility of energy technologies. (2) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, in carrying out research, development, and demonstration programs and activities under this Act, the Secretary may use, to the extent authorized under applicable provisions of law, contracts, cooperative agreements, cooperative research and development agreements under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 [15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.], grants, joint ventures, and any other form of agreement available to the Secretary. (b) Commercial applicationExcept as otherwise provided in this Act, in carrying out commercial application programs and commercial application activities under this Act, the Secretary may use, to the extent authorized under applicable provisions of law, contracts, cooperative agreements, cooperative research and development agreements under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 [15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.], grants, joint ventures, and any other form of agreement available to the Secretary. An objective of any commercial application program under this Act shall be to accelerate the transition of technologies from the research and development stage. (c) “Joint venture” definedFor purposes of this section, the term “joint venture” has the meaning given the term “joint research and development venture” under section 4301(a)(6) and (b) of title 15, except that such term may apply under this section to research, development, demonstration, and commercial application joint ventures. (d) Protection of informationSection 12(c)(7) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 [15 U.S.C. 3710a(c)(7)], relating to the protection of information, shall apply to research, development, demonstration, and commercial application programs and activities under this Act. (e) Guidelines and proceduresThe Secretary shall provide guidelines and procedures for the transition, where appropriate, of energy technologies from research through development and demonstration under subsection (a) to commercial application under subsection (b). Nothing in this section shall preclude the Secretary from—(1) entering into a contract, cooperative agreement, cooperative research and development agreement under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 [15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.], grant, joint venture, or any other form of agreement available to the Secretary under this section that relates to research, development, demonstration, and commercial application; or (2) extending a contract, cooperative agreement, cooperative research and development agreement under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, grant, joint venture, or any other form of agreement available to the Secretary that relates to research, development, and demonstration to cover commercial application. (f) Application of sectionThis section shall not apply to any contract, cooperative agreement, cooperative research and development agreement under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 [15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.], grant, joint venture, or any other form of agreement available to the Secretary that is in effect as of October 24, 1992.

42 U.S.C. § 13542 Cost sharing

(a) Research and developmentExcept as otherwise provided in this Act, for research and development programs carried out under this Act, the Secretary shall require a commitment from non-Federal sources of at least 20 percent of the cost of the project. The Secretary may reduce or eliminate the non-Federal requirement under this subsection if the Secretary determines that the research and development is of a basic or fundamental nature. (b) Demonstration and commercial applicationExcept as otherwise provided in this Act, the Secretary shall require at least 50 percent of the costs directly and specifically related to any demonstration or commercial application project under this Act to be provided from non-Federal sources. The Secretary may reduce the non-Federal requirement under this subsection if the Secretary determines that the reduction is necessary and appropriate considering the technological risks involved in the project and is necessary to meet the objectives of this Act. (c) Calculation of amountIn calculating the amount of the non-Federal commitment under paragraph (1) or (2), the Secretary shall include cash, personnel, services, equipment, and other resources. (d) Tennessee Valley AuthorityFunds derived by the Tennessee Valley Authority from its power program may be used for all or part of any cost sharing requirements under this section, except to the extent that such funds are provided by annual appropriation Acts.

42 U.S.C. § 13552 Use of energy futures for fuel purchases

(a) Fuel studyThe Secretary shall conduct a study—(1) to ascertain if the use of energy futures and options contracts could provide cost-effective protection for Government entities (including Government purchases for military purposes and for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) and consumer cooperatives (or any organization whose purpose is to purchase fuel in bulk) from unanticipated surges in the price of fuel; and (2) to ascertain how such Government entities or consumer cooperatives may be educated in the prudent use of energy futures and options contracts to maximize their purchasing effectiveness, protect themselves against unanticipated surges in the price of fuel, and minimize fuel costs. (b) Pilot programThe Secretary shall conduct a pilot program, commencing not later than 30 days after the transmission of the study required in subsection (b),11 See References in Text note below. to educate such governmental entities, consumer cooperatives, or other organizations on the prudent and cost-effective use of energy futures and options contracts to increase their protection against unanticipated surges in the price of fuel and thereby increase the efficiency of their fuel purchase or assistance programs. (c) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

42 U.S.C. § 13553 Energy subsidy study

(a) In generalThe Secretary shall contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of energy subsidies that—(1) are in effect on October 24, 1992; or (2) have been in effect prior to October 24, 1992. (b) Report to CongressNot later than 18 months after October 24, 1992, the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress,11 So in original. The comma probably should not appear. the results of such study to be accompanied by recommendations for legislation, if any. (c) Contents(1) In generalThe study shall identify and quantify the direct and indirect subsidies and other legal and institutional factors that influence decisions in the marketplace concerning fuels and energy technologies. (2) Topics for examinationThe study shall examine—(A) fuel and technology choices that are—(i) available on October 24, 1992; or (ii) reasonably foreseeable on October 24, 1992; (B) production subsidies for the extraction of raw materials; (C) subsidies encouraging investment in large capital projects; (D) indemnification; (E) fuel cycle subsidies, including waste disposal; (F) government research and development support; and (G) other relevant incentives and disincentives. (d) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000 for each of the fiscal years 1993 and 1994.

42 U.S.C. § 13554 Tar sands

(a) PolicyIt is the policy of the United States to promote the development and production, by all means consistent with sound engineering, economic, and environmental practices, of deposits of tar sands. (b) “Tar sands” defined(1) For purposes of this section, the term “tar sands” means any consolidated or unconsolidated rock (other than coal, oil shale, or gilsonite) that either—(A) contains a hydrocarbonaceous material with a gas-free viscosity, at original reservoir temperature, greater than 10,000 centipoise; or (B) contains a hydrocarbonaceous material and is produced by mining or quarrying. (2) Nothing in this section is intended or shall be construed to affect in any way the definition of the term tar sands under any other provision of Federal law. (c) StudyThe Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall submit a study to the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate within one year after October 24, 1992. Such study shall identify and evaluate the development potential of sources of tar sands in the United States. The study shall also identify and evaluate processes for extracting oil from the identified tar sand sources, including existing tar sands waste tailings, and evaluate the environmental benefits of, and the potential for co-production of minerals and metals from, such processes. (d) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1993 and 1994 to carry out this section.

42 U.S.C. § 13555 Consultative Commission on Western Hemisphere Energy and Environment

(a) FindingsThe Congress finds that—(1) there is growing mutual economic interdependence among the countries of the Western Hemisphere; (2) energy and environmental issues are intrinsically linked and must be considered together when formulating policy on the broader issue of sustainable economic development for the Western Hemisphere as a whole; (3) when developing their respective energy infrastructures, countries in the Western Hemisphere must consider existing and emerging environmental constraints, and do so in a way that results in sustainable long-term economic growth; (4) the coordination of respective national energy and environmental policies of the governments of the Western Hemisphere could be substantially improved through regular consultation among these countries; (5) the development, production and consumption of energy can affect environmental quality, and the environmental consequences of energy-related activities are not confined within national boundaries, but are regional and global in scope; (6) although the Western Hemisphere is richly endowed with indigenous energy resources, an insufficient energy supply would severely constrain future opportunities for sustainable economic development and growth in each of these member countries; and (7) the energy markets of the United States are linked with those in other countries of the Western Hemisphere and the world. (b) “Commission” definedFor purposes of this section, the term “Commission” means the Consultative Commission on Western Hemisphere Energy and Environment. (c) NegotiationsThe President is authorized to direct the United States representative to the Organization of American States to initiate negotiations with the Organization of American States for the establishment of a Consultative Commission on Western Hemisphere Energy and Environment under the auspices of the Organization of American States. (d) The CommissionIn the course of the negotiations, the following shall be pursued:(1) ObjectivesThe objectives of the Commission shall be—(A) to evaluate from the viewpoint of the Western Hemisphere as a whole the energy and environmental situations, trends, and policies of the countries of the participating governments necessary to support sustainable economic development; (B) to recommend to the participating governments actions, policies, and institutional arrangements that will enhance cooperation and policy coordination among their respective countries in the future development and use of indigenous energy resources and technologies, and in the future development and implementation of measures to protect the environment of the Western Hemisphere; and (C) to recommend to the participating governments actions and policies that will enhance energy and environmental cooperation and coordination among the countries of the Western Hemisphere and the world. (2) Composition of CommissionThe Commission shall include representatives of—(A) the respective foreign energy and environmental ministries or departments of the participating governments; (B) the parliamentary or legislative bodies with legislative responsibilities for energy and environmental matters; and (C) other governmental and non-governmental observers appointed by the heads of each participating government on the basis of their experience and expertise. (3) SecretariatA small secretariat shall be chosen by the participating governments for their expertise in the areas of energy and the environment. (4) Sunset provisionThe Commission’s authority—(A) shall terminate five years from the date of the agreement under which it was created; and (B) may be extended for a five-year term at the expiration of the previous term by agreement of the participating governments. (e) ReportThe President shall, within one year after October 24, 1992, report to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, on the progress toward the establishment of the Commission and achievement of the purposes of this section.

42 U.S.C. § 13556 Disadvantaged business enterprises

(a) General ruleTo the extent practicable, the head of each agency shall provide that the obligation of not less than 10 percent of the total combined amounts obligated for contracts and subcontracts by each agency under this Act and amendments made by this Act pursuant to competitive procedures within the meaning of either division C (except sections 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41, or chapter 137 legacy provisions (as such term is defined in section 3016 of title 10), shall be expended either with—(1) small business concerns controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or women; (2) historically Black colleges and universities; (3) colleges and universities having a student body in which more than 20 percent of the students are Hispanic Americans or Native Americans; or (4) qualified HUBZone small business concerns. (b) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:(1) The term “small business concern” has the meaning such term has under section 632 of title 15. However, for purposes of contracts and subcontracts requiring engineering services the applicable size standard shall be that established for military and aerospace equipment and military weapons. (2) The term “socially and economically disadvantaged individuals” has the meaning such term has under section 637(d) of title 15 and relevant subcontracting regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. (3) The term “qualified HUBZone small business concern” has the meaning given that term in section 632(p) 11 See References in Text note below. of title 15.

42 U.S.C. § 13557 Sense of Congress on risk assessments

It is the sense of Congress that Federal agencies conducting assessments of risks to human health and the environment from energy technology, production, transport, transmission, distribution, storage, use, or conservation activities shall use sound and objective scientific practices in assessing such risks, shall consider the best available science (including peer reviewed studies), and shall include a description of the weight of the scientific evidence concerning such risks.

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