---
kind: "section"
citation: "30 U.S.C. § 662"
title: "30"
title_heading: "Mineral Lands and Mining"
number: "662"
heading: "Powers and duties of Secretary"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/30/662"
units:
  - "Chapter 18 — Coal Research and Development"
---

# §662. Powers and duties of Secretary


The [Secretary](/usc/30/661.md?p=b-2) shall—

- (1) develop through [research](/usc/30/661.md?p=b-1), new and more efficient methods of mining, preparing, and utilizing coal;
- (2) contract for, sponsor, cosponsor, and promote the coordination of, [research](/usc/30/661.md?p=b-1) with recognized interested groups, including but not limited to, coal trade associations, coal [research](/usc/30/661.md?p=b-1) associations, educational institutions, and agencies of States and political subdivisions of States;
- (3) establish technical advisory committees composed of recognized experts in various aspects of coal [research](/usc/30/661.md?p=b-1) to assist in the examination and evaluation of [research](/usc/30/661.md?p=b-1) progress and of all [research](/usc/30/661.md?p=b-1) proposals and contracts and to insure the avoidance of duplication of [research](/usc/30/661.md?p=b-1); and
- (4) cooperate to the fullest extent possible with other departments, agencies, and independent establishments of the Federal Government and with State governments, and with all other interested agencies, governmental and nongovernmental.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 86–599, § 2, July 7, 1960, 74 Stat. 336; Pub. L. 109–58, title X, § 1009(a)(1)(B), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 934.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2005—Pub. L. 109–58 struck out “shall establish within the Department of the Interior an Office of Coal Research, and through such Office” after “The Secretary” in introductory provisions.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Termination of Advisory Committees

Advisory committees in existence on Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period following Jan. 5, 1973, unless, in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. Advisory committees established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See section 1013 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.