§16295 Oil and Gas Research Programs

Summary

The Secretary must run a research and development program for oil and gas. It covers exploration and production, gas hydrates, extending reservoir life, transport and distribution, ultraclean fuels, heavy oil/oil shale/tar sands, and related environmental work. The goal is to give U.S. oil and gas producers—especially independent operators—better science and technology so fewer people and communities face economic harm when domestic supplies fall. By August 8, 2007 (2 years after August 8, 2005) and every 2 years after, the Interior Secretary must report to Congress on estimates of reserves, reserve growth, and undiscovered oil and gas in Federal and State waters off Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi. The Secretary must also create a national clean energy and power center or consortium, using the Clean Power and Energy Research Consortium that existed on August 8, 2005, to cut emissions and work on six areas: gas turbine efficiency, reducing power-plant emissions, energy conservation, using alternative fuels and renewables, advanced materials for harsh environments, and energy education.