---
kind: "section"
citation: "30 U.S.C. § 1008"
title: "30"
title_heading: "Mineral Lands and Mining"
number: "1008"
heading: "Byproducts"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/30/1008"
units:
  - "Chapter 23 — Geothermal Resources"
---

# §1008. Byproducts


If the production, use, or conversion of geothermal steam is susceptible of producing a valuable [byproduct](/usc/30/1001.md?p=d) or [byproducts](/usc/30/1001.md?p=d), including commercially demineralized water for beneficial uses in accordance with applicable State water laws, the [Secretary](/usc/30/1001.md?p=a) shall require substantial beneficial production or use thereof unless, in individual circumstances he modifies or waives this requirement in the interest of conservation of natural resources or for other reasons satisfactory to him. However, the production or use of such [byproducts](/usc/30/1001.md?p=d) shall be subject to the rights of the holders of preexisting leases, claims, or permits covering the same land or the same minerals, if any.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 91–581, § 9, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1570; Pub. L. 109–58, title II, § 236(9), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 672.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2005—Pub. L. 109–58 inserted section catchline.