
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC13554]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                       CHAPTER 134--ENERGY POLICY
 
                      SUBCHAPTER XII--MISCELLANEOUS
 
                 Part B--Other Miscellaneous Provisions
 
Sec. 13554. Tar sands


(a) Policy

    It is the policy of the United States to promote the development and 
production, by all means consistent with sound engineering, economic, 
and environmental practices, of deposits of tar sands.

(b) ``Tar sands'' defined

    (1) For purposes of this section, the term ``tar sands'' means any 
consolidated or unconsolidated rock (other than coal, oil shale, or 
gilsonite) that either--
        (A) contains a hydrocarbonaceous material with a gas-free 
    viscosity, at original reservoir temperature, greater than 10,000 
    centipoise; or
        (B) contains a hydrocarbonaceous material and is produced by 
    mining or quarrying.

    (2) Nothing in this section is intended or shall be construed to 
affect in any way the definition of the term tar sands under any other 
provision of Federal law.

(c) Study

    The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, 
shall submit a study to the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate within one year after 
October 24, 1992. Such study shall identify and evaluate the development 
potential of sources of tar sands in the United States. The study shall 
also identify and evaluate processes for extracting oil from the 
identified tar sand sources, including existing tar sands waste 
tailings, and evaluate the environmental benefits of, and the potential 
for co-production of minerals and metals from, such processes.

(d) Authorization of appropriations

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary for each of the fiscal years 1993 and 1994 to carry out this 
section.

(Pub. L. 102-486, title XXX, Sec. 3016, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3129.)
