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Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§5902 Congressional Declaration of Policy and Purpose; Implementation and Administration of Program by Secretary of Energy

Title 42 › CHAPTER 74 — NONNUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › § 5902

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

Requires a fast, nationwide effort to develop technology that supports many energy choices, saves energy, and uses U.S. resources in ways that are socially and environmentally acceptable. It sets up a strong federal program of basic and applied research and practical demonstrations of all potentially useful energy sources and how to use them, run by the Department of Energy. The Energy Secretary must follow this chapter and other laws for nonnuclear work and follow the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 for nuclear work. The program must include earlier 1974 nonnuclear programs, including the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act (Pub. L. 93–409), the Geothermal Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act (Pub. L. 93–410), and the Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act (Pub. L. 93–473).

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §5902

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)It is the policy of the Congress to develop on an urgent basis the technological capabilities to support the broadest range of energy policy options through conservation and use of domestic resources by socially and environmentally acceptable means.
(b)(1)The Congress declares the purpose of this chapter to be to establish and vigorously conduct a comprehensive, national program of basic and applied research and development, including but not limited to demonstrations of practical applications, of all potentially beneficial energy sources and utilization technologies, within the Department.
(2)In carrying out this program, the Secretary shall be governed by the terms of this chapter and other applicable provisions of law with respect to all nonnuclear aspects of the research, development, and demonstration program; and the policies and provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 [42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.], and other provisions of law shall continue to apply to the nuclear research, development, and demonstration program.
(3)In implementing and conducting the research, development, and demonstration programs pursuant to this chapter, the Secretary shall incorporate programs in specific nonnuclear technologies previously enacted into law, including those established by the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974 (Public Law 93–409) [42 U.S.C. 5501 et seq.], the Geothermal Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 (Public Law 93–410), and the Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 (Public Law 93–473).

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is act Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724, as added by act Aug. 30, 1954, ch. 1073, § 1, 68 Stat. 919, which is classified principally to chapter 23 (§ 2011 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 2011 of this title and Tables. The Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is Pub. L. 93–409, Sept. 3, 1974, 88 Stat. 1069, which is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 5501 et seq.) of chapter 71 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 5501 of this title and Tables. The Geothermal Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 (Public Law 93–410), referred to in subsec. (b)(3), was classified generally to chapter 24 (§ 1101 et seq.) of Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3002(i)(3), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2495. The Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974 (Public Law 93–473), referred to in subsec. (b)(3), was classified generally to subchapter II (§ 5551 et seq.) of chapter 71 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3006(e)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2513.

Amendments

2005—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 109–58, § 1009(b)(2)(A), substituted “Department” for “Energy Research and Development Administration”. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 109–58, § 1009(b)(2)(B), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration (hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the ‘Administrator’)”. Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 109–58, § 1009(b)(2)(C), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” and inserted “Demonstration” after “Cooling”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 5902

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110