Source: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2010-title42/html/USCODE-2010-title42-chap149.htm
Timestamp: 2014-10-02 12:46:22
Document Index: 592507124

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n16137', '§15801', '§2', '§1', '§5001', '§1', '§1', '§431', '§431', '§15991', '§501', '§3501', '§801', '§901', '§1201', '§79', '§1261', '§1261', '§16451', '§79', '§15811', '§106', '§15812', '§107', '§15813', '§111', '§15821', '§124', '§315', '§315', '§315', '§125', '§15823', '§126', '§1601', '§15824', '§127', '§15831', '§133', '§15832', '§134', '§15833', '§140', '§15834', '§141', '§6201', '§15841', '§152', '§15842', '§154', '§15851', '§201', '§203', '§3501', '§15853', '§206', '§15854', '§208', '§15855', '§210', '§6', '§15871', '§225', '§1001', '§15872', '§226', '§15873', '§234', '§1001', '§15874', '§237', '§15881', '§242', '§1322', '§15882', '§243', '§15891', '§252', '§15901', '§341', '§341', '§15902', '§342', '§341', '§15903', '§343', '§15904', '§344', '§1331', '§15905', '§345', '§1331', '§15906', '§348', '§15907', '§349', '§15908', '§351', '§11001', '§15909']

CHAPTER 149—NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY AND PROGRAMS
15801.Definitions.
15811.Voluntary commitments to reduce industrial energy intensity.
15812.Advanced building efficiency testbed.
15813.Enhancing energy efficiency in management of Federal lands.
15821.Energy efficient appliance rebate programs.
15822.Energy efficient public buildings.
15823.Low income community energy efficiency pilot program.
15824.State Technologies Advancement Collaborative.
15831.Public energy education program.
15832.Energy efficiency public information initiative.
15833.Energy efficiency pilot program.
15834.Report on failure to comply with deadlines for new or revised energy conservation standards.
15841.Energy-efficient appliances.
15842.Energy strategy for HUD.
15851.Assessment of renewable energy resources.
15852.Federal purchase requirement.
15853.Rebate program.
15854.Sugar Cane Ethanol Program.
15855.Grants to improve the commercial value of forest biomass for electric energy, useful heat, transportation fuels, and other commercial purposes.
15871.Coordination of geothermal leasing and permitting on Federal lands.
15872.Assessment of geothermal energy potential.
15873.Deposit and use of geothermal lease revenues for 5 fiscal years.
15874.Intermountain West Geothermal Consortium.
15881.Hydroelectric production incentives.
15882.Hydroelectric efficiency improvement.
15891.Projects enhancing insular energy independence.
15901.Definition of Secretary.
15902.Program on oil and gas royalties in-kind.
15903.Marginal property production incentives.
15904.Incentives for natural gas production from deep wells in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
15905.Royalty relief for deep water production.
15906.North Slope Science Initiative.
15907.Orphaned, abandoned, or idled wells on Federal land.
15908.Preservation of geological and geophysical data.
15909.Gas hydrate production incentive.
15910.Enhanced oil and natural gas production through carbon dioxide injection.
15911.Denali Commission.
15912.Comprehensive inventory of OCS oil and natural gas resources.
15921.Management of Federal oil and gas leasing programs.
15922.Consultation regarding oil and gas leasing on public land.
15923.Methodology.
15924.Pilot project to improve Federal permit coordination.
15925.Fair market value determinations for linear rights-of-way across public lands and national forests.
15926.Energy right-of-way corridors on Federal land.
15927.Oil shale, tar sands, and other strategic unconventional fuels.
15928.Consultation regarding energy rights-of-way on public land.
15941.Great Lakes oil and gas drilling ban.
15942.NEPA review.
15951.Findings and definitions.
15952.Federal-State regulatory coordination and assistance.
15961.Authorization of appropriations.
15962.Project criteria.
15963.Report.
15964.Clean coal centers of excellence.
15965.Time limit for award; extension.
15971.Integrated coal/renewable energy system.
15972.Loan to place Alaska clean coal technology facility in service.
15973.Western integrated coal gasification demonstration project.
15974.Coal gasification.
15975.Petroleum coke gasification.
15976.Electron scrubbing demonstration.
15977.Department of Energy transportation fuels from Illinois basin coal.
15991.Inventory requirement.
16001.Energy efficiency in federally assisted housing.
16011.Demonstration hydrogen production at existing nuclear power plants.
16012.Prohibition on assumption by United States Government of liability for certain foreign incidents.
16013.Authorization of appropriations.
16014.Standby support for certain nuclear plant delays.
16021.Project establishment.
16022.Project management.
16023.Project organization.
16024.Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
16025.Project timelines and authorization of appropriations.
16041.Nuclear facility and materials security.
16042.Department of Homeland Security consultation.
16051.Joint flexible fuel/hybrid vehicle commercialization initiative.
16061.Hybrid vehicles.
16062.Domestic manufacturing conversion grant program.
16071.Pilot program.
16072.Reports to Congress.
16073.Authorization of appropriations.
16081.Fuel cell transit bus demonstration.
16091.Clean school bus program.
16091a.Clean school bus program.
16092.Diesel truck retrofit and fleet modernization program.
16093.Fuel cell school buses.
16101.Railroad efficiency.
16102.Diesel fueled vehicles.
16103.Conserve by Bicycling Program.
16104.Reduction of engine idling.
16105.Biodiesel engine testing program.
16106.Ultra-efficient engine technology for aircraft.
16121.Definitions.
16122.Federal and State procurement of fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen energy systems.
16123.Federal procurement of stationary, portable, and micro fuel cells.
16131.Definitions.
16132.National grant, rebate, and loan programs.
16133.State grant, rebate, and loan programs.
16134.Evaluation and report.
16135.Outreach and incentives.
16136.Effect of part.
16137.Authorization of appropriations.
16138.EPA authority to accept diesel emissions reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects.
16139.Settlement agreement provisions.
16151.Purposes.
16152.Definitions.
16153.Plan.
16154.Programs.
16155.Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Task Force.
16156.Technical Advisory Committee.
16157.Demonstration.
16158.Codes and standards.
16159.Disclosure.
16160.Reports.
16161.Solar and wind technologies.
16162.Technology transfer.
16163.Miscellaneous provisions.
16164.Cost sharing.
16165.Savings clause.
16181.Goals.
16182.Definitions.
16191.Energy efficiency.
16192.Next Generation Lighting Initiative.
16193.National Building Performance Initiative.
16194.Building standards.
16195.Secondary electric vehicle battery use program.
16196.Energy Efficiency Science Initiative.
16197.Advanced Energy Technology Transfer Centers.
16211.Distributed energy and electric energy systems.
16212.High power density industry program.
16213.Micro-cogeneration energy technology.
16214.Distributed energy technology demonstration programs.
16215.Electric transmission and distribution programs.
16231.Renewable energy.
16232.Bioenergy program.
16233.Low-cost renewable hydrogen and infrastructure for vehicle propulsion.
16234.Concentrating solar power research program.
16235.Renewable energy in public buildings.
16251.Production incentives for cellulosic biofuels.
16252.Education.
16253.Small business bioproduct marketing and certification grants.
16254.Regional bioeconomy development grants.
16255.Preprocessing and harvesting demonstration grants.
16256.Education and outreach.
16271.Nuclear energy.
16272.Nuclear energy research programs.
16273.Advanced fuel cycle initiative.
16274.University nuclear science and engineering support.
16274a.Integrated University Program.
16275.Department of Energy civilian nuclear infrastructure and facilities.
16276.Security of nuclear facilities.
16277.Alternatives to industrial radioactive sources.
16291.Fossil energy.
16292.Coal and related technologies program.
16293.Carbon capture and sequestration research, development, and demonstration program.
16294.Research and development for coal mining technologies.
16295.Oil and gas research programs.
16296.Low-volume oil and gas reservoir research program.
16297.Complex Well Technology Testing Facility.
16311.Science.
16312.Fusion energy sciences program.
16313.Catalysis research program.
16314.Hydrogen.
16315.Solid state lighting.
16316.Advanced scientific computing research and development program.
16317.Systems biology program.
16318.Fission and fusion energy materials research program.
16319.Energy and water supplies.
16320.Spallation Neutron Source.
16321.Rare Isotope Accelerator.
16322.Office of Scientific and Technical Information.
16323.Science and engineering education pilot program.
16324.Energy research fellowships.
16325.Science and Technology Scholarship Program.
16341.Western Hemisphere energy cooperation.
16342.International energy training.
16351.Availability of funds.
16352.Cost sharing.
16353.Merit review of proposals.
16354.External technical review of departmental programs.
16355.National Laboratory designation.
16356.Report on equal employment opportunity practices.
16357.Strategy and plan for science and energy facilities and infrastructure.
16358.Strategic research portfolio analysis and coordination plan.
16359.Competitive award of management contracts.
16360.Western Michigan demonstration project.
16361.Arctic Engineering Research Center.
16362.Barrow Geophysical Research Facility.
16371.Program authority.
16372.Ultra-deepwater and unconventional onshore natural gas and other petroleum research and development program.
16373.Additional requirements for awards.
16374.Advisory committees.
16375.Limits on participation.
16376.Sunset.
16377.Definitions.
16378.Funding.
16391.Improved technology transfer of energy technologies.
16392.Technology Infrastructure Program.
16393.Small business advocacy and assistance.
16394.Outreach.
16395.Relationship to other laws.
16396.Prizes for achievement in grand challenges of science and technology.
16411.Workforce trends and traineeship grants.
16412.Training guidelines for nonnuclear electric energy industry personnel.
16413.National Center for Energy Management and Building Technologies.
16414.National Power Plant Operations Technology and Educational Center.
16421.Third-party finance.
16421a.Western Area Power Administration borrowing authority.
16422.Advanced transmission technologies.
16423.Advanced Power System Technology Incentive Program.
16431.Federal utility participation in transmission organizations.
16432.Study on the benefits of economic dispatch.
16441.Funding new interconnection and transmission upgrades.
16451.Definitions.
16452.Federal access to books and records.
16453.State access to books and records.
16454.Exemption authority.
16455.Affiliate transactions.
16456.Applicability.
16457.Effect on other regulations.
16458.Enforcement.
16459.Savings provisions.
16460.Implementation.
16461.Transfer of resources.
16462.Service allocation.
16463.Authorization of appropriations.
16471.Consumer privacy and unfair trade practices.
16481.Commission defined.
16491.Energy production incentives.
16492.Regulation of certain oil used in transformers.
16493.National Priority Project Designation.
16494.Oxygen-fuel.
16501.Commercial byproducts from municipal solid waste and cellulosic biomass loan guarantee program.
16502.Advanced Biofuel Technologies Program.
16503.Sugar ethanol loan guarantee program.
16511.Definitions.
16512.Terms and conditions.
16513.Eligible projects.
16514.Authorization of appropriations.
16515.Limitation on commitments to guarantee loans.
16516.Temporary program for rapid deployment of renewable energy and electric power transmission projects.
16521.Report on energy integration with Latin America.
16522.Low-volume gas reservoir study.
16523.Alaska natural gas pipeline.
16524.Study on the benefits of economic dispatch.
SUBCHAPTER XVII—PROTECTING AMERICA'S COMPETITIVE EDGE THROUGH ENERGY
16531.Definitions.
16532.Nuclear science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education.
16533.Hydrocarbon systems science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education.
16534.Department of Energy early career awards for science, engineering, and mathematics researchers.
16535.Discovery science and engineering innovation institutes.
16536.Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) graduate fellowship program.
16537.Distinguished scientist program.
16538.Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy.
§15801. Definitions
Except as otherwise provided, in this Act:
The term “Department” means the Department of Energy.
The term “institution of higher education” has the meaning given the term in section 1001(a) of title 20.
The term “institution of higher education” includes an organization that—
(i) is organized, and at all times thereafter operated, exclusively for the benefit of, to perform the functions of, or to carry out the functions of one or more organizations referred to in subparagraph (A); and
(ii) is operated, supervised, or controlled by or in connection with one or more of those organizations.
(3) National Laboratory
The term “National Laboratory” means any of the following laboratories owned by the Department:
(A) Ames Laboratory.
(B) Argonne National Laboratory.
(C) Brookhaven National Laboratory.
(D) Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
(E) Idaho National Laboratory.
(F) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
(G) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
(H) Los Alamos National Laboratory.
(I) National Energy Technology Laboratory.
(J) National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
(K) Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
(L) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
(M) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.
(N) Sandia National Laboratories.
(O) Savannah River National Laboratory.
(P) Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.
(Q) Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.
(5) Small business concern
The term “small business concern” has the meaning given the term in section 632 of title 15.
(Pub. L. 109–58, §2, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 604.)
This Act, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 109–58, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 594, as amended, known as the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which enacted this chapter and enacted, amended, and repealed numerous other sections and notes in the Code. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note below and Tables.
Pub. L. 111–364, §1, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 4056, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 16131 to 16134 and 16137 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 16131 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2010’.”
Pub. L. 110–69, title V, §5001, Aug. 9, 2007, 121 Stat. 600, provided that: “This title [enacting subchapter XVII of this chapter and sections 7381g to 7381r of this title, amending sections 7381a, 7381d, 7381e, and 16311 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 7381g of this title] may be cited as the ‘Protecting America's Competitive Edge Through Energy Act’ or the ‘PACE–Energy Act’.”
Pub. L. 109–375, §1, Dec. 1, 2006, 120 Stat. 2656, provided that: “This Act [amending section 15855 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Sierra National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2006’.”
Pub. L. 109–58, §1(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 594, provided that: “This Act [see Tables for classification] may be cited as the ‘Energy Policy Act of 2005’.”
Pub. L. 109–58, title IV, §431, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 760, provided that: “This subtitle [subtitle D (§§431–438) of title IV of Pub. L. 109–58, enacting part C (§15991) of subchapter IV of this chapter, amending sections 201, 202a, 203, and 207 of Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 201 of Title 30] may be cited as the ‘Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 2005’.”
Pub. L. 109–58, title V, §501, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 763, provided that: “This title [enacting subchapter V of this chapter, section 7144e of this title, and chapter 37 (§3501 et seq.) of Title 25, Indians, amending section 5315 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and section 4132 of Title 25, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 3501 of Title 25] may be cited as the ‘Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act of 2005’.”
Pub. L. 109–58, title VIII, §801, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 844, provided that: “This title [enacting subchapter VIII of this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Act of 2005’.”
Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §901, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 856, provided that: “This title [enacting subchapter IX of this chapter, amending sections 8101 and 8102 of Title 7, Agriculture, and section 5523 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, enacting provisions set out as notes under section 8102 of Title 7 and section 2001 of Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining, amending provisions set out as notes under section 8101 of Title 7, and section 1902 of Title 30 may be cited as the ‘Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2005’.”
Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1201, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 941, provided that: “This title [enacting subchapter XII of this chapter and sections 824j–1 and 824o to 824w of Title 16, Conservation, amending sections 796, 824, 824a–3, 824b, 824e, 824j, 824m, 825e, 825f, 825l to 825o, 825o–1, 2621, 2622, 2625, 2634, and 2642 of Title 16, repealing chapter 2C (§79 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, and sections 824n and 825q of Title 16, and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 16451 of this title and sections 824b, 824o, 824q, and 2642 of Title 16] may be cited as the ‘Electricity Modernization Act of 2005’.”
Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1261, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 972, provided that: “This subtitle [subtitle F (§§1261–1277) of title XII of Pub.L. 109–58, enacting part D (§16451 et seq.) of subchapter XII of this chapter, amending sections 824 and 824m of Title 16, Conservation, repealing chapter 2C (§79 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, and section 825q of Title 16, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 16451 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005’.”
§15811. Voluntary commitments to reduce industrial energy intensity
(a) Definition of energy intensity
In this section, the term “energy intensity” means the primary energy consumed for each unit of physical output in an industrial process.
(b) Voluntary agreements
The Secretary may enter into voluntary agreements with one or more persons in industrial sectors that consume significant quantities of primary energy for each unit of physical output to reduce the energy intensity of the production activities of the persons.
(c) Goal
Voluntary agreements under this section shall have as a goal the reduction of energy intensity by not less than 2.5 percent each year during the period of calendar years 2007 through 2016.
The Secretary, in cooperation with other appropriate Federal agencies, shall develop mechanisms to recognize and publicize the achievements of participants in voluntary agreements under this section.
A person that enters into an agreement under this section and continues to make a good faith effort to achieve the energy efficiency goals specified in the agreement shall be eligible to receive from the Secretary a grant or technical assistance, as appropriate, to assist in the achievement of those goals.
Not later than each of June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2017, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that—
(1) evaluates the success of the voluntary agreements under this section; and
(2) provides independent verification of a sample of the energy savings estimates provided by participating firms.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, §106, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 611.)
§15812. Advanced Building Efficiency Testbed
The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, shall establish an Advanced Building Efficiency Testbed program for the development, testing, and demonstration of advanced engineering systems, components, and materials to enable innovations in building technologies. The program shall evaluate efficiency concepts for government and industry buildings, and demonstrate the ability of next generation buildings to support individual and organizational productivity and health (including by improving indoor air quality) as well as flexibility and technological change to improve environmental sustainability. Such program shall complement and not duplicate existing national programs.
(b) Participants
The program established under subsection (a) shall be led by a university with the ability to combine the expertise from numerous academic fields including, at a minimum, intelligent workplaces and advanced building systems and engineering, electrical and computer engineering, computer science, architecture, urban design, and environmental and mechanical engineering. Such university shall partner with other universities and entities who have established programs and the capability of advancing innovative building efficiency technologies.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $6,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2008, to remain available until expended. For any fiscal year in which funds are expended under this section, the Secretary shall provide one-third of the total amount to the lead university described in subsection (b), and provide the remaining two-thirds to the other participants referred to in subsection (b) on an equal basis.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, §107, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 612.)
§15813. Enhancing energy efficiency in management of Federal lands
It is the sense of the Congress that Federal agencies should enhance the use of energy efficient technologies in the management of natural resources.
(b) Energy efficient buildings
To the extent practicable, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall seek to incorporate energy efficient technologies in public and administrative buildings associated with management of the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National Forest System, National Marine Sanctuaries System, and other public lands and resources managed by the Secretaries.
(c) Energy efficient vehicles
To the extent practicable, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall seek to use energy efficient motor vehicles, including vehicles equipped with biodiesel or hybrid engine technologies, in the management of the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National Forest System, National Marine Sanctuaries System, and other public lands and resources managed by the Secretaries.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, §111, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 615.)
§15821. Energy efficient appliance rebate programs
(1) Eligible State
The term “eligible State” means a State that meets the requirements of subsection (b).
(2) Energy Star program
(3) Residential Energy Star product
The term “residential Energy Star product” means a product for a residence that is rated for energy efficiency under the Energy Star program.
(4) State energy office
The term “State energy office” means the State agency responsible for developing State energy conservation plans under section 6322 of this title.
(5) State program
The term “State program” means a State energy efficient appliance rebate program described in subsection (b)(1).
(b) Eligible States
A State shall be eligible to receive an allocation under subsection (c) if the State—
(1) establishes (or has established) a State energy efficient appliance rebate program to provide rebates to residential consumers for the purchase of residential Energy Star products, or products with improved energy efficiency in cold climates, to replace used appliances of the same type;
(2) submits an application for the allocation at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require; and
(3) provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the State will use the allocation to supplement, but not supplant, funds made available to carry out the State program.
(c) Amount of allocations
Subject to paragraph (2), for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate to the State energy office of each eligible State to carry out subsection (d) an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying the amount made available under subsection (f) for the fiscal year by the ratio that the population of the State in the most recent calendar year for which data are available bears to the total population of all eligible States in that calendar year.
(2) Minimum allocations
For each fiscal year, the amounts allocated under this subsection shall be adjusted proportionately so that no eligible State is allocated a sum that is less than an amount determined by the Secretary.
(d) Use of allocated funds
The allocation to a State energy office under subsection (c) may be used to pay up to 50 percent of the cost of establishing and carrying out a State program.
(e) Issuance of rebates
Rebates may be provided to residential consumers that meet the requirements of the State program. The amount of a rebate shall be determined by the State energy office, taking into consideration—
(1) the amount of the allocation to the State energy office under subsection (c);
(2) the amount of any Federal or State tax incentive available for the purchase of the residential Energy Star product or product with improved energy efficiency in a cold climate; and
(3) the difference between the cost of the residential Energy Star product or product with improved energy efficiency in a cold climate and the cost of an appliance that is not a residential Energy Star product or product with improved energy efficiency in a cold climate, but is of the same type as, and is the nearest capacity, performance, and other relevant characteristics (as determined by the State energy office) to, the residential Energy Star product or product with improved energy efficiency in a cold climate.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, §124, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 110–140, title III, §315(b), Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1572.)
2007—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 110–140, §315(b)(1), inserted “, or products with improved energy efficiency in cold climates,” after “residential Energy Star products”.
Subsec. (e)(2), (3). Pub. L. 110–140, §315(b)(2), inserted “or product with improved energy efficiency in a cold climate” after “residential Energy Star product” wherever appearing.
The Secretary may make grants to the State agency responsible for developing State energy conservation plans under section 6322 of this title, or, if no such agency exists, a State agency designated by the Governor of the State, to assist units of local government in the State in improving the energy efficiency of public buildings and facilities—
State energy offices receiving grants under this section shall—
(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, §125, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 618.)
§15823. Low income community energy efficiency pilot program
The Secretary is authorized to make grants to units of local government, private, non-profit community development organizations, and Indian tribe economic development entities to improve energy efficiency; identify and develop alternative, renewable, and distributed energy supplies; and increase energy conservation in low income rural and urban communities.
(b) Purpose of grants
The Secretary may make grants on a competitive basis for—
(1) investments that develop alternative, renewable, and distributed energy supplies;
(2) energy efficiency projects and energy conservation programs;
(3) studies and other activities that improve energy efficiency in low income rural and urban communities;
(4) planning and development assistance for increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and facilities; and
(5) technical and financial assistance to local government and private entities on developing new renewable and distributed sources of power or combined heat and power generation.
For purposes of this section, the term “Indian tribe” means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaskan Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
For the purposes of this section there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2008.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, §126, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 618.)
The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is Pub. L. 92–203, Dec. 18, 1971, 85 Stat. 688, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 33 (§1601 et seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1601 of Title 43 and Tables.
§15824. State Technologies Advancement Collaborative
The Secretary, in cooperation with the States, shall establish a cooperative program for research, development, demonstration, and deployment of technologies in which there is a common Federal and State energy efficiency, renewable energy, and fossil energy interest, to be known as the “State Technologies Advancement Collaborative” (referred to in this section as the “Collaborative”).
The Collaborative shall—
(1) leverage Federal and State funding through cost-shared activity;
(2) reduce redundancies in Federal and State funding; and
(3) create multistate projects to be awarded through a competitive process.
The Collaborative shall be administered through an agreement between the Department and appropriate State-based organizations.
Funding for the Collaborative may be provided from—
(1) amounts specifically appropriated for the Collaborative; or
(2) amounts that may be allocated from other appropriations without changing the purpose for which the amounts are appropriated.
There are authorized to carry out this section such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, §127, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 619.)
§15831. Public energy education program
Not later than 180 days after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall convene an organizational conference for the purpose of establishing an ongoing, self-sustaining national public energy education program.
The Secretary shall invite to participate in the conference individuals and entities representing all aspects of energy production and distribution, including—
(1) industrial firms;
(2) professional societies;
(3) educational organizations;
(4) trade associations; and
(5) governmental agencies.
(c) Purpose, scope, and structure
The purpose of the conference shall be to establish an ongoing, self-sustaining national public energy education program to examine and recognize interrelationships between energy sources in all forms, including—
(A) conservation and energy efficiency;
(B) the role of energy use in the economy; and
(C) the impact of energy use on the environment.
(2) Scope and structure
Taking into consideration the purpose described in paragraph (1), the participants in the conference invited under subsection (b) shall design the scope and structure of the program described in subsection (a).
The Secretary shall provide technical assistance and other guidance necessary to carry out the program described in subsection (a).
(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, §133, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 622.)
§15832. Energy efficiency public information initiative
The Secretary shall carry out a comprehensive national program, including advertising and media awareness, to inform consumers about—
(1) the need to reduce energy consumption during the 4-year period beginning on August 8, 2005;
(2) the benefits to consumers of reducing consumption of electricity, natural gas, and petroleum, particularly during peak use periods;
(3) the importance of low energy costs to economic growth and preserving manufacturing jobs in the United States; and
(4) practical, cost-effective measures that consumers can take to reduce consumption of electricity, natural gas, and gasoline, including—
(A) maintaining and repairing heating and cooling ducts and equipment;
(B) weatherizing homes and buildings;
(C) purchasing energy efficient products; and
(D) proper tire maintenance.
The program carried out under subsection (a) shall—
(1) include collaborative efforts with State and local government officials and the private sector; and
(2) incorporate, to the maximum extent practicable, successful State and local public education programs.
Not later than July 1, 2009, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the effectiveness of the program under this section.
(d) Termination of authority
The program carried out under this section shall terminate on December 31, 2010.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $90,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, §134, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 623.)
§15833. Energy efficiency pilot program
The Secretary shall establish a pilot program under which the Secretary provides financial assistance to at least 3, but not more than 7, States to carry out pilot projects in the States for—
(1) planning and adopting statewide programs that encourage, for each year in which the pilot project is carried out—
(A) energy efficiency; and
(B) reduction of consumption of electricity or natural gas in the State by at least 0.75 percent, as compared to a baseline determined by the Secretary for the period preceding the implementation of the program; or
(2) for any State that has adopted a statewide program as of August 8, 2005, activities that reduce energy consumption in the State by expanding and improving the program.
A State that receives financial assistance under subsection (a)(1) shall submit to the Secretary independent verification of any energy savings achieved through the statewide program.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010, to remain available until expended.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, §140, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 647.)
§15834. Report on failure to comply with deadlines for new or revised energy conservation standards
The Secretary shall submit a report to Congress regarding each new or revised energy conservation or water use standard which the Secretary has failed to issue in conformance with the deadlines established in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act [42 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.]. Such report shall state the reasons why the Secretary has failed to comply with the deadline for issuances of the new or revised standard and set forth the Secretary's plan for expeditiously prescribing such new or revised standard. The Secretary's initial report shall be submitted not later than 6 months following August 8, 2005, and subsequent reports shall be submitted whenever the Secretary determines that additional deadlines for issuance of new or revised standards have been missed.
(b) Implementation report
Every 6 months following the submission of a report under subsection (a) until the adoption of a new or revised standard described in such report, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress an implementation report describing the Secretary's progress in implementing the Secretary's plan or the issuance of the new or revised standard.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, §141, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 648.)
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 94–163, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 871, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 77 (§6201 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6201 of this title and Tables.
§15841. Energy-efficient appliances
In purchasing appliances, a public housing agency shall purchase energy-efficient appliances that are Energy Star products or FEMP-designated products, as such terms are defined in section 8259b of this title, unless the purchase of energy-efficient appliances is not cost-effective to the agency.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, §152, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 649.)
§15842. Energy strategy for HUD
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall develop and implement an integrated strategy to reduce utility expenses through cost-effective energy conservation and efficiency measures and energy efficient design and construction of public and assisted housing. The energy strategy shall include the development of energy reduction goals and incentives for public housing agencies. The Secretary shall submit a report to Congress, not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, on the energy strategy and the actions taken by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to monitor the energy usage of public housing agencies and shall submit an update every 2 years thereafter on progress in implementing the strategy.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, §154, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 650.)
§15851. Assessment of renewable energy resources
(a) Resource assessment
Not later than 6 months after August 8, 2005, and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall review the available assessments of renewable energy resources within the United States, including solar, wind, biomass, ocean (including tidal, wave, current, and thermal), geothermal, and hydroelectric energy resources, and undertake new assessments as necessary, taking into account changes in market conditions, available technologies, and other relevant factors.
(b) Contents of reports
Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall publish a report based on the assessment under subsection (a). The report shall contain—
(1) a detailed inventory describing the available amount and characteristics of the renewable energy resources; and
(2) such other information as the Secretary believes would be useful in developing such renewable energy resources, including descriptions of surrounding terrain, population and load centers, nearby energy infrastructure, location of energy and water resources, and available estimates of the costs needed to develop each resource, together with an identification of any barriers to providing adequate transmission for remote sources of renewable energy resources to current and emerging markets, recommendations for removing or addressing such barriers, and ways to provide access to the grid that do not unfairly disadvantage renewable or other energy producers.
For the purposes of this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §201, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 650.)
The term “biomass” means any lignin waste material that is segregated from other waste materials and is determined to be nonhazardous by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and any solid, nonhazardous, cellulosic material that is derived from—
The term “renewable energy” means electric energy generated from solar, wind, biomass, landfill gas, ocean (including tidal, wave, current, and thermal), geothermal, municipal solid waste, or new hydroelectric generation capacity achieved from increased efficiency or additions of new capacity at an existing hydroelectric project.
For purposes of determining compliance with the requirement of this section, the amount of renewable energy shall be doubled if—
(Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §203, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 652.)
The Energy Policy Act of 1992, referred to in subsec. (c)(3), is Pub. L. 102–486, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2776, as amended. Title XXVI of the Act is classified generally to chapter 37 (§3501 et seq.) of Title 25, Indians. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 13201 of this title and Tables.
§15853. Rebate program
The Secretary shall establish a program providing rebates for consumers for expenditures made for the installation of a renewable energy system in connection with a dwelling unit or small business.
(2) Amount of rebate
Rebates provided under the program established under paragraph (1) shall be in an amount not to exceed the lesser of—
(A) 25 percent of the expenditures described in paragraph (1) made by the consumer; or
(B) $3,000.
For purposes of this section, the term “renewable energy system” has the meaning given that term in section 6865(c)(6)(A) of this title.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for carrying out this section, to remain available until expended—
(A) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(B) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(C) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(D) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
(E) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §206(c), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 655.)
§15854. Sugar Cane Ethanol Program
(a) Definition of program
In this section, the term “program” means the Sugar Cane Ethanol Program established by subsection (b).
There is established within the Environmental Protection Agency a program to be known as the “Sugar Cane Ethanol Program”.
Subject to the availability of appropriations under subsection (d), in carrying out the program, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall establish a project that is—
(A) carried out in multiple States—
(i) in each of which is produced cane sugar that is eligible for loans under section 7272 of title 7, or a similar subsequent authority; and
(ii) at the option of each such State, that have an incentive program that requires the use of ethanol in the State; and
(B) designed to study the production of ethanol from cane sugar, sugarcane, and sugarcane byproducts.
A project described in paragraph (1) shall—
(A) be limited to sugar producers and the production of ethanol in the States of Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and Hawaii, divided equally among the States, to demonstrate that the process may be applicable to cane sugar, sugarcane, and sugarcane byproducts;
(B) include information on the ways in which the scale of production may be replicated once the sugar cane industry has located sites for, and constructed, ethanol production facilities; and
(C) not last more than 3 years.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $36,000,000, to remain available until expended.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §208, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 656.)
§15855. Grants to improve the commercial value of forest biomass for electric energy, useful heat, transportation fuels, and other commercial purposes
The term “biomass” means nonmerchantable materials or precommercial thinnings that are byproducts of preventive treatments, such as trees, wood, brush, thinnings, chips, and slash, that are removed—
(A) to reduce hazardous fuels;
(B) to reduce or contain disease or insect infestation; or
(C) to restore forest health.
(2) Indian tribe
The term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 450b(e) of title 25.
(3) Nonmerchantable
For purposes of subsection (b), the term “nonmerchantable” means that portion of the byproducts of preventive treatments that would not otherwise be used for higher value products.
The term “person” includes—
(B) a community (as determined by the Secretary concerned);
(C) an Indian tribe;
(D) a small business or a corporation that is incorporated in the United States; and
(E) a nonprofit organization.
(5) Preferred community
The term “preferred community” means—
(A) any Indian tribe;
(B) any town, township, municipality, or other similar unit of local government (as determined by the Secretary concerned) that—
(i) has a population of not more than 50,000 individuals; and
(ii) the Secretary concerned, in the sole discretion of the Secretary concerned, determines contains or is located near Federal or Indian land, the condition of which is at significant risk of catastrophic wildfire, disease, or insect infestation or which suffers from disease or insect infestation; or
(C) any county that—
(i) is not contained within a metropolitan statistical area; and
(ii) the Secretary concerned, in the sole discretion of the Secretary concerned, determines contains or is located near Federal or Indian land, the condition of which is at significant risk of catastrophic wildfire, disease, or insect infestation or which suffers from disease or insect infestation.
(6) Secretary concerned
The term “Secretary concerned” means the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior.
(b) Biomass commercial use grant program
The Secretary concerned may make grants to any person in a preferred community that owns or operates a facility that uses biomass as a raw material to produce electric energy, sensible heat, or transportation fuels to offset the costs incurred to purchase biomass for use by such facility.
A grant under this subsection may not exceed $20 per green ton of biomass delivered.
(3) Monitoring of grant recipient activities
As a condition of a grant under this subsection, the grant recipient shall keep such records as the Secretary concerned may require to fully and correctly disclose the use of the grant funds and all transactions involved in the purchase of biomass. Upon notice by a representative of the Secretary concerned, the grant recipient shall afford the representative reasonable access to the facility that purchases or uses biomass and an opportunity to examine the inventory and records of the facility.
(c) Improved biomass use grant program
The Secretary concerned may make grants to persons to offset the cost of projects to develop or research opportunities to improve the use of, or add value to, biomass. In making such grants, the Secretary concerned shall give preference to persons in preferred communities.
The Secretary concerned shall select a grant recipient under paragraph (1) after giving consideration to—
(A) the anticipated public benefits of the project, including the potential to develop thermal or electric energy resources or affordable energy;
(B) opportunities for the creation or expansion of small businesses and micro-businesses;
(C) the potential for new job creation;
(D) the potential for the project to improve efficiency or develop cleaner technologies for biomass utilization; and
(E) the potential for the project to reduce the hazardous fuels from the areas in greatest need of treatment.
(3) Grant amount
A grant under this subsection may not exceed $500,000.
There are authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 and $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2016 to carry out this section.
Not later than October 1, 2010, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, and the Committee on Resources, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, a report describing the results of the grant programs authorized by this section. The report shall include the following:
(1) An identification of the size, type, and use of biomass by persons that receive grants under this section.
(2) The distance between the land from which the biomass was removed and the facility that used the biomass.
(3) The economic impacts, particularly new job creation, resulting from the grants to and operation of the eligible operations.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §210, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 658; Pub. L. 109–375, §6, Dec. 1, 2006, 120 Stat. 2658.)
2006—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–375 substituted “$50,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 and $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2016” for “$50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2016”.
§15871. Coordination of geothermal leasing and permitting on Federal lands
Not later than 180 days after August 8, 2005, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall enter into and submit to Congress a memorandum of understanding in accordance with this section, the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (as amended by this Act) [30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.], and other applicable laws, regarding coordination of leasing and permitting for geothermal development of public lands and National Forest System lands under their respective jurisdictions.
(b) Lease and permit applications
The memorandum of understanding shall—
(1) establish an administrative procedure for processing geothermal lease applications, including lines of authority, steps in application processing, and time limits for application procession;
(2) establish a 5-year program for geothermal leasing of lands in the National Forest System, and a process for updating that program every 5 years; and
(3) establish a program for reducing the backlog of geothermal lease application pending on January 1, 2005, by 90 percent within the 5-year period beginning on August 8, 2005, including, as necessary, by issuing leases, rejecting lease applications for failure to comply with the provisions of the regulations under which they were filed, or determining that an original applicant (or the applicant's assigns, heirs, or estate) is no longer interested in pursuing the lease application.
(c) Data retrieval system
The memorandum of understanding shall establish a joint data retrieval system that is capable of tracking lease and permit applications and providing to the applicant information as to their status within the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, including an estimate of the time required for administrative action.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §225, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 665.)
The Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 91–581, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1566, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 23 (§1001 et seq.) of Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1001 of Title 30 and Tables.
This Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 109–58, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 594, as amended, known as the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which enacted this chapter and enacted, amended, and repealed numerous other sections and notes in the Code. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 15801 of this title and Tables.
§15872. Assessment of geothermal energy potential
Not later than 3 years after August 8, 2005, and thereafter as the availability of data and developments in technology warrants, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey and in cooperation with the States, shall—
(1) update the Assessment of Geothermal Resources made during 1978; and
(2) submit to Congress the updated assessment.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §226, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 665.)
§15873. Deposit and use of geothermal lease revenues for 5 fiscal years
(a) Deposit of geothermal resources leases
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, amounts received by the United States in the first 5 fiscal years beginning after August 8, 2005, as rentals, royalties, and other payments required under leases under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 [30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.], excluding funds required to be paid to State and county governments, shall be deposited into a separate account in the Treasury.
(b) Use of deposits
Amounts deposited under subsection (a) shall be available to the Secretary of the Interior for expenditure, without further appropriation and without fiscal year limitation, to implement the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 [30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.] and this Act.
(c) Transfer of funds
For the purposes of coordination and processing of geothermal leases and geothermal use authorizations on Federal land the Secretary of the Interior may authorize the expenditure or transfer of such funds as are necessary to the Forest Service.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §234, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 671.)
The Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b), is Pub. L. 91–581, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1566, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 23 (§1001 et seq.) of Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1001 of Title 30 and Tables.
This Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 109–58, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 594, as amended, known as the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which enacted this chapter and enacted, amended, and repealed numerous other sections and notes in the Code. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 15801 of this title and Tables.
§15874. Intermountain West Geothermal Consortium
(a) Participation authorized
The Secretary, acting through the Idaho National Laboratory, may participate in a consortium described in subsection (b) to address science and science policy issues surrounding the expanded discovery and use of geothermal energy, including from geothermal resources on public lands.
The consortium referred to in subsection (a) shall—
(1) be known as the “Intermountain West Geothermal Consortium”;
(2) be a regional consortium of institutions and government agencies that focuses on building collaborative efforts among the universities in the State of Idaho, other regional universities, State agencies, and the Idaho National Laboratory;
(3) include Boise State University, the University of Idaho (including the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute), the Oregon Institute of Technology, the Desert Research Institute with the University and Community College System of Nevada, and the Energy and Geoscience Institute at the University of Utah;
(4) be hosted and managed by Boise State University; and
(5) have a director appointed by Boise State University, and associate directors appointed by each participating institution.
The Secretary, acting through the Idaho National Laboratory and subject to the availability of appropriations, will provide financial assistance to Boise State University for expenditure under contracts with members of the consortium to carry out the activities of the consortium.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §237, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 673.)
§15881. Hydroelectric production incentives
(a) Incentive payments
For electric energy generated and sold by a qualified hydroelectric facility during the incentive period, the Secretary shall make, subject to the availability of appropriations, incentive payments to the owner or operator of such facility. The amount of such payment made to any such owner or operator shall be as determined under subsection (e) of this section. Payments under this section may only be made upon receipt by the Secretary of an incentive payment application which establishes that the applicant is eligible to receive such payment and which satisfies such other requirements as the Secretary deems necessary. Such application shall be in such form, and shall be submitted at such time, as the Secretary shall establish.
(1) Qualified hydroelectric facility
The term “qualified hydroelectric facility” means a turbine or other generating device owned or solely operated by a non-Federal entity which generates hydroelectric energy for sale and which is added to an existing dam or conduit.
(2) Existing dam or conduit
The term “existing dam or conduit” means any dam or conduit the construction of which was completed before August 8, 2005, and which does not require any construction or enlargement of impoundment or diversion structures (other than repair or reconstruction) in connection with the installation of a turbine or other generating device.
(3) Conduit
The term “conduit” has the same meaning as when used in section 823a(a)(2) of title 16.
The terms defined in this subsection shall apply without regard to the hydroelectric kilowatt capacity of the facility concerned, without regard to whether the facility uses a dam owned by a governmental or nongovernmental entity, and without regard to whether the facility begins operation on or after August 8, 2005.
(c) Eligibility window
Payments may be made under this section only for electric energy generated from a qualified hydroelectric facility which begins operation during the period of 10 fiscal years beginning with the first full fiscal year occurring after August 8, 2005.
(d) Incentive period
A qualified hydroelectric facility may receive payments under this section for a period of 10 fiscal years (referred to in this section as the “incentive period”). Such period shall begin with the fiscal year in which electric energy generated from the facility is first eligible for such payments.
(e) Amount of payment
Payments made by the Secretary under this section to the owner or operator of a qualified hydroelectric facility shall be based on the number of kilowatt hours of hydroelectric energy generated by the facility during the incentive period. For any such facility, the amount of such payment shall be 1.8 cents per kilowatt hour (adjusted as provided in paragraph (2)), subject to the availability of appropriations under subsection (g), except that no facility may receive more than $750,000 in 1 calendar year.
The amount of the payment made to any person under this section as provided in paragraph (1) shall be adjusted for inflation for each fiscal year beginning after calendar year 2005 in the same manner as provided in the provisions of section 29(d)(2)(B) 1 of title 26, except that in applying such provisions the calendar year 2005 shall be substituted for calendar year 1979.
No payment may be made under this section to any qualified hydroelectric facility after the expiration of the period of 20 fiscal years beginning with the first full fiscal year occurring after August 8, 2005, and no payment may be made under this section to any such facility after a payment has been made with respect to such facility for a period of 10 fiscal years.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the purposes of this section $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2015.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §242, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 677.)
Section 29 of title 26, referred to in subsec. (e)(2), was renumbered section 45K of title 26 by Pub. L. 109–58, title XIII, §1322(a)(1), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 1011.
§15882. Hydroelectric efficiency improvement
The Secretary shall make incentive payments to the owners or operators of hydroelectric facilities at existing dams to be used to make capital improvements in the facilities that are directly related to improving the efficiency of such facilities by at least 3 percent.
Incentive payments under this section shall not exceed 10 percent of the costs of the capital improvement concerned and not more than 1 payment may be made with respect to improvements at a single facility. No payment in excess of $750,000 may be made with respect to improvements at a single facility.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section not more than $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2015.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §243, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 678.)
§15891. Projects enhancing insular energy independence
(a) Project feasibility studies
On a request described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall conduct a feasibility study of a project to implement a strategy or project identified in the plans submitted to Congress pursuant to section 1492 of title 48 as having the potential to—
(A) significantly reduce the dependence of an insular area on imported fossil fuels; or
(B) provide needed distributed generation to an insular area.
(2) Request
The Secretary shall conduct a feasibility study under paragraph (1) on—
(A) the request of an electric utility located in an insular area that commits to fund at least 10 percent of the cost of the study; and
(B) if the electric utility is located in the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau, written support for that request by the President or the Ambassador of the affected freely associated state.
The Secretary shall consult with regional utility organizations in—
(A) conducting feasibility studies under paragraph (1); and
(B) determining the feasibility of potential projects.
(4) Feasibility
For the purpose of a feasibility study under paragraph (1), a project shall be determined to be feasible if the project would significantly reduce the dependence of an insular area on imported fossil fuels, or provide needed distributed generation to an insular area, at a reasonable cost.
On a determination by the Secretary (in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior) that a project is feasible under subsection (a) and a commitment by an electric utility to operate and maintain the project, the Secretary may provide such technical and financial assistance as the Secretary determines is appropriate for the implementation of the project.
(2) Regional utility organizations
In providing assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider providing the assistance through regional utility organizations.
(A) $500,000 for each fiscal year for project feasibility studies under subsection (a); and
(B) $4,000,000 for each fiscal year for project implementation under subsection (b).
(2) Limitation of funds received by insular areas
No insular area may receive, during any 3-year period, more than 20 percent of the total funds made available during that 3-year period under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) unless the Secretary determines that providing funding in excess of that percentage best advances existing opportunities to meet the objectives of this section.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §252, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 682.)
§15901. Definition of Secretary
In this part, the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title III, §341, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 697.)
This part, referred to in text, was in the original “this subtitle”, meaning subtitle E (§§341–357) of title III of Pub. L. 109–58, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 697, which enacted this part, amended sections 6504, 6506a, 6507, and 6508 of this title, sections 184 and 226 of Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining, and section 1337 of Title 43, Public Lands, and enacted provisions set out as a note under section 226 of Title 30. For complete classification of subtitle E to the Code, see Tables.
§15902. Program on oil and gas royalties in-kind
(a) Applicability of section
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this section applies to all royalty in-kind accepted by the Secretary on or after August 8, 2005, under any Federal oil or gas lease or permit under—
(1) section 192 of title 30;
(2) section 1353 of title 43; or
(3) any other Federal law governing leasing of Federal land for oil and gas development.
All royalty accruing to the United States shall, on the demand of the Secretary, be paid in-kind. If the Secretary makes such a demand, the following provisions apply to the payment:
(1) Satisfaction of royalty obligation
Delivery by, or on behalf of, the lessee of the royalty amount and quality due under the lease satisfies royalty obligation of the lessee for the amount delivered, except that transportation and processing reimbursements paid to, or deductions claimed by, the lessee shall be subject to review and audit.
(2) Marketable condition
(A) Definition of marketable condition
In this paragraph, the term “in marketable condition” means sufficiently free from impurities and otherwise in a condition that the royalty production will be accepted by a purchaser under a sales contract typical of the field or area in which the royalty production was produced.
Royalty production shall be placed in marketable condition by the lessee at no cost to the United States.
(3) Disposition by the Secretary
(A) sell or otherwise dispose of any royalty production taken in-kind (other than oil or gas transferred under section 1353(a)(3) of title 43 1 for not less than the market price; and
(B) transport or process (or both) any royalty production taken in-kind.
(4) Retention by the Secretary
The Secretary may, notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, retain and use a portion of the revenues from the sale of oil and gas taken in-kind that otherwise would be deposited to miscellaneous receipts, without regard to fiscal year limitation, or may use oil or gas received as royalty taken in-kind (referred to in this paragraph as “royalty production”) to pay the cost of—
(A) transporting the royalty production;
(B) processing the royalty production;
(C) disposing of the royalty production; or
(D) any combination of transporting, processing, and disposing of the royalty production.
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary may not use revenues from the sale of oil and gas taken in-kind to pay for personnel, travel, or other administrative costs of the Federal Government.
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Secretary may use a portion of the revenues from royalty in-kind sales, without fiscal year limitation, to pay salaries and other administrative costs directly related to the royalty in-kind program.
(c) Reimbursement of cost
If the lessee, pursuant to an agreement with the United States or as provided in the lease, processes the royalty gas or delivers the royalty oil or gas at a point not on or adjacent to the lease area, the Secretary shall—
(1) reimburse the lessee for the reasonable costs of transportation (not including gathering) from the lease to the point of delivery or for processing costs; or
(2) allow the lessee to deduct the transportation or processing costs in reporting and paying royalties in-value for other Federal oil and gas leases.
(d) Benefit to the United States required
The Secretary may receive oil or gas royalties in-kind only if the Secretary determines that receiving royalties in-kind provides benefits to the United States that are greater than or equal to the benefits that are likely to have been received had royalties been taken in-value.
Not later than September 30, 2006, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that addresses—
(A) actions taken to develop business processes and automated systems to fully support the royalty-in-kind capability to be used in tandem with the royalty-in-value approach in managing Federal oil and gas revenue; and
(B) future royalty-in-kind businesses operation plans and objectives.
(2) Reports on oil or gas royalties taken in-kind
For each of fiscal years 2006 through 2015 in which the United States takes oil or gas royalties in-kind from production in any State or from the outer Continental Shelf, excluding royalties taken in-kind and sold to refineries under subsection (h), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes—
(A) the 1 or more methodologies used by the Secretary to determine compliance with subsection (d), including the performance standard for comparing amounts received by the United States derived from royalties in-kind to amounts likely to have been received had royalties been taken in-value;
(B) an explanation of the evaluation that led the Secretary to take royalties in-kind from a lease or group of leases, including the expected revenue effect of taking royalties in-kind;
(C) actual amounts received by the United States derived from taking royalties in-kind and costs and savings incurred by the United States associated with taking royalties in-kind, including administrative savings and any new or increased administrative costs; and
(D) an evaluation of other relevant public benefits or detriments associated with taking royalties in-kind.
(f) Deduction of expenses
Before making payments under section 191 of title 30 or section 1337(g) of title 43 of revenues derived from the sale of royalty production taken in-kind from a lease, the Secretary shall deduct amounts paid or deducted under subsections (b)(4) and (c) and deposit the amount of the deductions in the miscellaneous receipts of the Treasury.
(2) Accounting for deductions
When the Secretary allows the lessee to deduct transportation or processing costs under subsection (c), the Secretary may not reduce any payments to recipients of revenues derived from any other Federal oil and gas lease as a consequence of that deduction.
(g) Consultation with States
(1) shall consult with a State before conducting a royalty in-kind program under this part within the State;
(2) may delegate management of any portion of the Federal royalty in-kind program to the State except as otherwise prohibited by Federal law; and
(3) shall consult annually with any State from which Federal oil or gas royalty is being taken in-kind to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the royalty in-kind program provides revenues to the State greater than or equal to the revenues likely to have been received had royalties been taken in-value.
(h) Small refineries
(1) Preference
If the Secretary finds that sufficient supplies of crude oil are not available in the open market to refineries that do not have their own source of supply for crude oil, the Secretary may grant preference to those refineries in the sale of any royalty oil accruing or reserved to the United States under Federal oil and gas leases issued under any mineral leasing law, for processing or use in those refineries at private sale at not less than the market price.
(2) Proration among refineries in production area
In disposing of oil under this subsection, the Secretary may, at the discretion of the Secretary, prorate the oil among refineries described in paragraph (1) in the area in which the oil is produced.
(i) Disposition to Federal agencies
(1) Onshore royalty
Any royalty oil or gas taken by the Secretary in-kind from onshore oil and gas leases may be sold at not less than the market price to any Federal agency.
(2) Offshore royalty
Any royalty oil or gas taken in-kind from a Federal oil or gas lease on the outer Continental Shelf may be disposed of only under section 1353 of title 43.
(j) Federal low-income energy assistance programs
In disposing of royalty oil or gas taken in-kind under this section, the Secretary may grant a preference to any person, including any Federal or State agency, for the purpose of providing additional resources to any Federal low-income energy assistance program.
Not later than 3 years after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress—
(A) assessing the effectiveness of granting preferences specified in paragraph (1); and
(B) providing a specific recommendation on the continuation of authority to grant preferences.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title III, §342, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 697.)
This part, referred to in subsec. (g)(1), was in the original “this subtitle”, meaning subtitle E (§§341–357) of title III of Pub. L. 109–58, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 697, which enacted this part, amended sections 6504, 6506a, 6507, and 6508 of this title, sections 184 and 226 of Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining, and section 1337 of Title 43, Public Lands, and enacted provisions set out as a note under section 226 of Title 30. For complete classification of subtitle E to the Code, see Tables.
§15903. Marginal property production incentives
(a) Definition of marginal property
Until such time as the Secretary issues regulations under subsection (e) that prescribe a different definition, in this section, the term “marginal property” means an onshore unit, communitization agreement, or lease not within a unit or communitization agreement, that produces on average the combined equivalent of less than 15 barrels of oil per well per day or 90,000,000 British thermal units of gas per well per day calculated based on the average over the 3 most recent production months, including only wells that produce on more than half of the days during those 3 production months.
(b) Conditions for reduction of royalty rate
Until such time as the Secretary issues regulations under subsection (e) that prescribe different standards or requirements, the Secretary shall reduce the royalty rate on—
(1) oil production from marginal properties as prescribed in subsection (c) if the spot price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil at Cushing, Oklahoma, is, on average, less than $15 per barrel (adjusted in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers, United States city average, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) for 90 consecutive trading days; and
(2) gas production from marginal properties as prescribed in subsection (c) if the spot price of natural gas delivered at Henry Hub, Louisiana, is, on average, less than $2.00 per million British thermal units (adjusted in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers, United States city average, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) for 90 consecutive trading days.
(c) Reduced royalty rate
When a marginal property meets the conditions specified in subsection (b), the royalty rate shall be the lesser of—
(A) 5 percent; or
(B) the applicable rate under any other statutory or regulatory royalty relief provision that applies to the affected production.
(2) Period of effectiveness
The reduced royalty rate under this subsection shall be effective beginning on the first day of the production month following the date on which the applicable condition specified in subsection (b) is met.
(d) Termination of reduced royalty rate
A royalty rate prescribed in subsection (c)(1) shall terminate—
(1) with respect to oil production from a marginal property, on the first day of the production month following the date on which—
(A) the spot price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil at Cushing, Oklahoma, on average, exceeds $15 per barrel (adjusted in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers, United States city average, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) for 90 consecutive trading days; or
(B) the property no longer qualifies as a marginal property; and
(2) with respect to gas production from a marginal property, on the first day of the production month following the date on which—
(A) the spot price of natural gas delivered at Henry Hub, Louisiana, on average, exceeds $2.00 per million British thermal units (adjusted in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers, United States city average, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) for 90 consecutive trading days; or
(B) the property no longer qualifies as a marginal property.
(e) Regulations prescribing different relief
(1) Discretionary regulations
The Secretary may by regulation prescribe different parameters, standards, and requirements for, and a different degree or extent of, royalty relief for marginal properties in lieu of those prescribed in subsections (a) through (d).
(2) Mandatory regulations
Unless a determination is made under paragraph (3), not later than 18 months after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall by regulation—
(A) prescribe standards and requirements for, and the extent of royalty relief for, marginal properties for oil and gas leases on the outer Continental Shelf; and
(B) define what constitutes a marginal property on the outer Continental Shelf for purposes of this section.
To the extent the Secretary determines that it is not practicable to issue the regulations referred to in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide a report to Congress explaining such determination by not later than 18 months after August 8, 2005.
(4) Considerations
In issuing regulations under this subsection, the Secretary may consider—
(A) oil and gas prices and market trends;
(B) production costs;
(C) abandonment costs;
(D) Federal and State tax provisions and the effects of those provisions on production economics;
(E) other royalty relief programs;
(F) regional differences in average wellhead prices;
(G) national energy security issues; and
(H) other relevant matters, as determined by the Secretary.
(f) Savings provision
Nothing in this section prevents a lessee from receiving royalty relief or a royalty reduction pursuant to any other law (including a regulation) that provides more relief than the amounts provided by this section.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title III, §343, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 700.)
§15904. Incentives for natural gas production from deep wells in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico
(a) Royalty incentive regulations for ultra deep gas wells
Not later than 180 days after August 8, 2005, in addition to any other regulations that may provide royalty incentives for natural gas produced from deep wells on oil and gas leases issued pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.), the Secretary shall issue regulations granting royalty relief suspension volumes of not less than 35 billion cubic feet with respect to the production of natural gas from ultra deep wells on leases issued in shallow waters less than 400 meters deep located in the Gulf of Mexico wholly west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes west longitude. Regulations issued under this subsection shall be retroactive to the date that the notice of proposed rulemaking is published in the Federal Register.
(2) Suspension volumes
The Secretary may grant suspension volumes of not less than 35 billion cubic feet in any case in which—
(A) the ultra deep well is a sidetrack; or
(B) the lease has previously produced from wells with a perforated interval the top of which is at least 15,000 feet true vertical depth below the datum at mean sea level.
(A) Ultra deep well
The term “ultra deep well” means a well drilled with a perforated interval, the top of which is at least 20,000 true vertical depth below the datum at mean sea level.
(B) Sidetrack
The term “sidetrack” means a well resulting from drilling an additional hole to a new objective bottom-hole location by leaving a previously drilled hole.
(ii) Inclusion
The term “sidetrack” includes—
(I) drilling a well from a platform slot reclaimed from a previously drilled well;
(II) re-entering and deepening a previously drilled well; and
(III) a bypass from a sidetrack, including drilling around material blocking a hole or drilling to straighten a crooked hole.
(b) Royalty incentive regulations for deep gas wells
Not later than 180 days after August 8, 2005, in addition to any other regulations that may provide royalty incentives for natural gas produced from deep wells on oil and gas leases issued pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.), the Secretary shall issue regulations granting royalty relief suspension volumes with respect to production of natural gas from deep wells on leases issued in waters more than 200 meters but less than 400 meters deep located in the Gulf of Mexico wholly west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes west longitude. The suspension volumes for deep wells within 200 to 400 meters of water depth shall be calculated using the same methodology used to calculate the suspension volumes for deep wells in the shallower waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and in no case shall the suspension volumes for deep wells within 200 to 400 meters of water depth be lower than those for deep wells in shallower waters. Regulations issued under this subsection shall be retroactive to the date that the notice of proposed rulemaking is published in the Federal Register.
The Secretary may place limitations on the royalty relief granted under this section based on market price. The royalty relief granted under this section shall not apply to a lease for which deep water royalty relief is available.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title III, §344, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 702.)
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (b), is act Aug. 7, 1953, ch. 345, 67 Stat. 462, as amended, which is classified generally to subchapter III (§1331 et seq.) of chapter 29 of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1331 of Title 43 and Tables.
§15905. Royalty relief for deep water production
Subject to subsections (b) and (c), for each tract located in water depths of greater than 400 meters in the Western and Central Planning Area of the Gulf of Mexico (including the portion of the Eastern Planning Area of the Gulf of Mexico encompassing whole lease blocks lying west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes West longitude), any oil or gas lease sale under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) occurring during the 5-year period beginning on August 8, 2005, shall use the bidding system authorized under section 8(a)(1)(H) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(a)(1)(H)).
(b) Suspension of royalties
The suspension of royalties under subsection (a) shall be established at a volume of not less than—
(1) 5,000,000 barrels of oil equivalent for each lease in water depths of 400 to 800 meters;
(2) 9,000,000 barrels of oil equivalent for each lease in water depths of 800 to 1,600 meters;
(3) 12,000,000 barrels of oil equivalent for each lease in water depths of 1,600 to 2,000 meters; and
(4) 16,000,000 barrels of oil equivalent for each lease in water depths greater than 2,000 meters.
The Secretary may place limitations on royalty relief granted under this section based on market price.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title III, §345, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 703.)
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is act Aug. 7, 1953, ch. 345, 67 Stat. 462, as amended, which is classified generally to subchapter III (§1331 et seq.) of chapter 29 of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1331 of Title 43 and Tables.
§15906. North Slope Science Initiative
To ensure that the Initiative is conducted through a comprehensive science strategy and implementation plan, the Initiative shall, at a minimum—
(1) identify and prioritize information needs for inventory, monitoring, and research activities to address the individual and cumulative effects of past, ongoing, and anticipated development activities and environmental change on the North Slope;
(2) develop an understanding of information needs for regulatory and land management agencies, local governments, and the public;
(3) focus on prioritization of pressing natural resource management and ecosystem information needs, coordination, and cooperation among agencies and organizations;
(4) coordinate ongoing and future inventory, monitoring, and research activities to minimize duplication of effort, share financial resources and expertise, and assure the collection of quality information;
(5) identify priority needs not addressed by agency science programs in effect on August 8, 2005, and develop a funding strategy to meet those needs;
(6) provide a consistent approach to high caliber science, including inventory, monitoring, and research;
(A) accumulated and ongoing research; and
(B) contemporary and traditional local knowledge; and
(8) ensure through appropriate peer review that the science conducted by participating agencies and organizations is of the highest technical quality.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title III, §348, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 708.)
§15907. Orphaned, abandoned, or idled wells on Federal land
The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall establish a program not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, to remediate, reclaim, and close orphaned, abandoned, or idled oil and gas wells located on land administered by the land management agencies within the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture.
The program under subsection (a) shall—
(1) include a means of ranking orphaned, abandoned, or idled wells sites for priority in remediation, reclamation, and closure, based on public health and safety, potential environmental harm, and other land use priorities;
(2) provide for identification and recovery of the costs of remediation, reclamation, and closure from persons or other entities currently providing a bond or other financial assurance required under State or Federal law for an oil or gas well that is orphaned, abandoned, or idled; and
(3) provide for recovery from the persons or entities identified under paragraph (2), or their sureties or guarantors, of the costs of remediation, reclamation, and closure of such wells.
(c) Cooperation and consultations
In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
(1) work cooperatively with the Secretary of Agriculture and the States within which Federal land is located; and
(2) consult with the Secretary of Energy and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.
Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall submit to Congress a plan for carrying out the program under subsection (a).
(e) Idled well
For the purposes of this section, a well is idled if—
(1) the well has been nonoperational for at least 7 years; and
(2) there is no anticipated beneficial use for the well.
(f) Federal reimbursement for orphaned well reclamation pilot program
(1) Reimbursement for remediating, reclaiming, and closing wells on land subject to a new lease
The Secretary shall carry out a pilot program under which, in issuing a new oil and gas lease on federally owned land on which 1 or more orphaned wells are located, the Secretary—
(A) may require, other than as a condition of the lease, that the lessee remediate, reclaim, and close in accordance with standards established by the Secretary, all orphaned wells on the land leased; and
(B) shall develop a program to reimburse a lessee, through a royalty credit against the Federal share of royalties owed or other means, for the reasonable actual costs of remediating, reclaiming, and closing the orphaned wells pursuant to that requirement.
(2) Reimbursement for reclaiming orphaned wells on other land
In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary—
(A) may authorize any lessee under an oil and gas lease on federally owned land to reclaim in accordance with the Secretary's standards—
(i) an orphaned well on unleased federally owned land; or
(ii) an orphaned well located on an existing lease on federally owned land for the reclamation of which the lessee is not legally responsible; and
(B) shall develop a program to provide reimbursement of 100 percent of the reasonable actual costs of remediating, reclaiming, and closing the orphaned well, through credits against the Federal share of royalties or other means.
The Secretary may issue such regulations as are appropriate to carry out this subsection.
(g) Technical assistance program for non-Federal land
The Secretary of Energy shall establish a program to provide technical and financial assistance to oil and gas producing States to facilitate State efforts over a 10-year period to ensure a practical and economical remedy for environmental problems caused by orphaned or abandoned oil and gas exploration or production well sites on State or private land.
The Secretary of Energy shall work with the States, through the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, to assist the States in quantifying and mitigating environmental risks of onshore orphaned or abandoned oil or gas wells on State and private land.
The program under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A) mechanisms to facilitate identification, if feasible, of the persons currently providing a bond or other form of financial assurance required under State or Federal law for an oil or gas well that is orphaned or abandoned;
(B) criteria for ranking orphaned or abandoned well sites based on factors such as public health and safety, potential environmental harm, and other land use priorities;
(C) information and training programs on best practices for remediation of different types of sites; and
(D) funding of State mitigation efforts on a cost-shared basis.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
Of the amounts authorized under paragraph (1), $5,000,000 are authorized for each fiscal year for activities under subsection (f).
(Pub. L. 109–58, title III, §349, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 709.)
§15908. Preservation of geological and geophysical data
This section may be cited as the “National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program Act of 2005”.
The Secretary shall carry out a National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program in accordance with this section—
(1) to archive geologic, geophysical, and engineering data, maps, well logs, and samples;
(2) to provide a national catalog of such archival material; and
(3) to provide technical and financial assistance related to the archival material.
Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a plan for the implementation of the Program.
(d) Data archive system
The Secretary shall establish, as a component of the Program, a data archive system to provide for the storage, preservation, and archiving of subsurface, surface, geological, geophysical, and engineering data and samples. The Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Committee, shall develop guidelines relating to the data archive system, including the types of data and samples to be preserved.
(2) System components
The system shall be comprised of State agencies that elect to be part of the system and agencies within the Department of the Interior that maintain geological and geophysical data and samples that are designated by the Secretary in accordance with this subsection. The Program shall provide for the storage of data and samples through data repositories operated by such agencies.
(3) Limitation of designation
The Secretary may not designate a State agency as a component of the data archive system unless that agency is the agency that acts as the geological survey in the State.
(4) Data from Federal land
The data archive system shall provide for the archiving of relevant subsurface data and samples obtained from Federal land—
(A) in the most appropriate repository designated under paragraph (2), with preference being given to archiving data in the State in which the data were collected; and
(B) consistent with all applicable law and requirements relating to confidentiality and proprietary data.
(e) National catalog
As soon as practicable after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall develop and maintain, as a component of the Program, a national catalog that identifies—
(A) data and samples available in the data archive system established under subsection (d);
(B) the repository for particular material in the system; and
(C) the means of accessing the material.
The Secretary shall make the national catalog accessible to the public on the site of the Survey on the Internet, consistent with all applicable requirements related to confidentiality and proprietary data.
The Advisory Committee shall advise the Secretary on planning and implementation of the Program.
(2) New duties
In addition to its duties under the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31a et seq.), the Advisory Committee shall perform the following duties:
(A) Advise the Secretary on developing guidelines and procedures for providing assistance for facilities under subsection (g)(1).
(B) Review and critique the draft implementation plan prepared by the Secretary under subsection (c).
(C) Identify useful studies of data archived under the Program that will advance understanding of the Nation's energy and mineral resources, geologic hazards, and engineering geology.
(D) Review the progress of the Program in archiving significant data and preventing the loss of such data, and the scientific progress of the studies funded under the Program.
(E) Include in the annual report to the Secretary required under section 5(b)(3) 1 of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31d(b)(3)) an evaluation of the progress of the Program toward fulfilling the purposes of the Program under subsection (b).
(1) Archive facilities
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall provide financial assistance to a State agency that is designated under subsection (d)(2) for providing facilities to archive energy material.
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall provide financial assistance to any State agency designated under subsection (d)(2) for studies and technical assistance activities that enhance understanding, interpretation, and use of materials archived in the data archive system established under subsection (d).
(3) Federal share
The Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out with assistance under this subsection shall be not more than 50 percent of the total cost of the activity.
(4) Private contributions
The Secretary shall apply to the non-Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out with assistance under this subsection the value of private contributions of property and services used for that activity.
(h) Report
The Secretary shall include in each report under section 8 of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31g)—
(1) a description of the status of the Program;
(2) an evaluation of the progress achieved in developing the Program during the period covered by the report; and
(3) any recommendations for legislative or other action the Secretary considers necessary and appropriate to fulfill the purposes of the Program under subsection (b).
(i) Maintenance of State effort
It is the intent of Congress that the States not use this section as an opportunity to reduce State resources applied to the activities that are the subject of the Program.
(1) Advisory Committee
The term “Advisory Committee” means the advisory committee established under section 5 of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31d).
The term “Program” means the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program carried out under this section.
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey.
(4) Survey
The term “Survey” means the United States Geological Survey.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title III, §351, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 711.)
The National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992, referred to in subsec. (f)(2), is Pub. L. 102–285, May 18, 1992, 106 Stat. 166, which is classified principally to sections 31a to 31h of Title 43, Public Lands. Par. (3) of section 5(b) of the Act was redesignated par. (4) by Pub. L. 111–11, title XI, §11001(f)(2)(B), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1415, and is now classified to section 31d(b)(4) of Title 43. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 31a of Title 43 and Tables.
§15909. Gas hydrate production incentive
The purpose of this section is to promote natural gas production from the natural gas hydr