---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 13340"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "13340"
heading: "Low-rank coal research and development"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/13340"
units:
  - "Chapter 134 — Energy Policy"
  - "Subchapter VI — Coal"
  - "Part A — Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application"
---

# §13340. Low-rank coal research and development


The [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) shall pursue a program of research and development with respect to the technologies needed to expand the use of low-rank coals which take into account the unique properties of lignites and sub-bituminous coals, including, but not limited to, the following areas—

- (1) high value-added carbon products;
- (2) fuel cell applications;
- (3) emissions control and combustion efficiencies;
- (4) coal water fuels and underground coal gasification;
- (5) distillates; and
- (6) any other technologies which will assist in the development of niche markets for lignites and sub-bituminous coals.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–486, title XIII, § 1310, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2975.)