
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC12401]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
 CHAPTER 128--HYDROGEN RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
 
Sec. 12401. Finding, purposes, and definitions


(a) Finding

    Congress finds that it is in the national interest to accelerate 
efforts to develop a domestic capability to economically produce 
hydrogen in quantities that will make a significant contribution toward 
reducing the Nation's dependence on conventional fuels.

(b) Purposes

    The purposes of this chapter are--
        (1) to direct the Secretary of Energy to conduct a research, 
    development, and demonstration program leading to the production, 
    storage, transport, and use of hydrogen for industrial, residential, 
    transportation, and utility applications;
        (2) to direct the Secretary to develop a technology assessment 
    and information transfer program among the Federal agencies and 
    aerospace, transportation, energy, and other entities; and
        (3) to develop renewable energy resources as a primary source of 
    energy for the production of hydrogen.

(c) Definitions

    As used in this chapter, the term:
        (1) ``critical technology'' (or ``critical technical issue'') 
    means a technology (or issue) that, in the opinion of the Secretary, 
    requires understanding and development in order to take the next 
    needed step in the development of hydrogen as an economic fuel or 
    storage medium;
        (2) ``Department'' means the Department of Energy; and
        (3) ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy.

(Pub. L. 101-566, Sec. 102, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2797; Pub. L. 104-
271, title I, Sec. 101, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3304.)


                               Amendments

    1996--Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 104-271, Sec. 101(a), amended par. (1) 
generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: ``to direct the 
Secretary to prepare a comprehensive 5-year comprehensive program 
management plan that will identify and resolve critical technical issues 
necessary for the realization of a domestic capability to produce, 
distribute, and use hydrogen economically within the shortest time 
practicable;''.
    Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104-271, Sec. 101(b), added par. (2) and 
redesignated former par. (2) as (3).


                      Short Title of 1996 Amendment

    Section 1 of Pub. L. 104-271 provided that: ``This Act [enacting 
section 7238 of this title, amending this section and sections 12402 to 
12405, 12407, 12408, and 13436 of this title, and enacting provisions 
set out as notes under sections 7238, 12403, and 13436 of this title] 
may be cited as the `Hydrogen Future Act of 1996'.''


                               Short Title

    Section 101 of Pub. L. 101-566 provided that: ``This Act [enacting 
this chapter] may be referred to as the `Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen 
Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990'.''
