---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 16294"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "16294"
heading: "Research and development for coal mining technologies"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/16294"
units:
  - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs"
  - "Subchapter IX — Research and Development"
  - "Part F — Fossil Energy"
---

# §16294. Research and development for coal mining technologies

- (a) **Establishment—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall carry out a [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) for research and development on coal mining technologies.
- (b) **Cooperation—** In carrying out the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall cooperate with appropriate Federal agencies, coal producers, trade associations, equipment [manufacturers](/usc/42/300aa–33.md?p=3), institutions of higher education with mining engineering [departments](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1), and other relevant entities.
- (c) **Program—** The research and development activities carried out under this section shall—
  - (1) be guided by the mining research and development priorities identified by the Mining Industry of the Future [Program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) and in the recommendations from relevant reports of the National Academy of Sciences on mining technologies;
  - (2) include activities exploring minimization of [contaminants](/usc/42/1397h.md?p=c-4) in mined coal that contribute to environmental concerns including development and demonstration of electromagnetic wave imaging ahead of mining operations;
  - (3) develop and demonstrate coal bed electromagnetic wave imaging, spectroscopic reservoir analysis technology, and techniques for horizontal drilling in order to—
    - (A) identify areas of high coal gas content;
    - (B) increase methane recovery efficiency;
    - (C) prevent spoilage of domestic coal reserves; and
    - (D) minimize water [disposal](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=7) associated with methane extraction; and
  - (4) expand mining research capabilities at institutions of higher education.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 964, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 892.)