---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 13339"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "13339"
heading: "Underground coal gasification"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/13339"
units:
  - "Chapter 134 — Energy Policy"
  - "Subchapter VI — Coal"
  - "Part A — Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application"
---

# §13339. Underground coal gasification

- (a) **Program—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) shall conduct a research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program for underground coal gasification technology for in-situ conversion of coal to a cleaner burning, easily transportable gaseous fuel. The goal and objective of this program shall be to accelerate the development and commercialization of underground coal gasification. In carrying out this program, the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) shall give equal consideration to all ranks of coal.
- (b) **Demonstration projects—** As part of the program authorized in [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) may solicit proposals for underground coal gasification technology [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) to fulfill the goal and objective of [subsection (a)](#a).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–486, title XIII, § 1309, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2975.)