---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 3805"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "3805"
heading: "Research and development activities"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/3805"
units:
  - "Chapter 64 — Methane Transportation Research, Development, and Demonstration"
---

# §3805. Research and development activities


The [Secretary](/usc/15/3802.md?p=b), acting through appropriate agencies and contractors, shall initiate and provide for the conduct of research and development in areas relating to [methane](/usc/15/3802.md?p=a)-fueled [vehicles](/usc/15/3802.md?p=e), including but not limited to—

- (1) flammability and combustibility of [methane](/usc/15/3802.md?p=a) under conditions likely to develop in storage or during vehicular use;
- (2) handling, storage, and distribution of [methane](/usc/15/3802.md?p=a) for vehicular propulsion purposes;
- (3) comprehensive assessment of the relative hazards under identical circumstances of [methane](/usc/15/3802.md?p=a), propane, gasoline, and diesel fuel;
- (4) feasibility, economy, and efficiency of technologies for the production and recovery of [methane](/usc/15/3802.md?p=a) from unconventional and supplemental sources, as provided for in other authorization Acts;
- (5) engine and fuel tank design including, but not limited to, optimum design for dual fuel capacity [vehicles](/usc/15/3802.md?p=e);
- (6) total [vehicle](/usc/15/3802.md?p=e) construction and design;
- (7) the nature and quantities of emissions, and alterations in or alternatives to emission control systems presently in use; and
- (8) overcoming institutional barriers to widespread use including but not limited to restrictions on the transportation of [methane](/usc/15/3802.md?p=a) for vehicular use through tunnels, and the potential expansion of the distribution of [methane](/usc/15/3802.md?p=a) for vehicular purposes.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–512, § 6, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2830.)