---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 13472"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "13472"
heading: "High efficiency heat engines"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/13472"
units:
  - "Chapter 134 — Energy Policy"
  - "Subchapter IX — Energy and Environment"
  - "Part B — Electricity Generation and Use"
---

# §13472. High efficiency heat engines

- (a) **Program direction—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) shall conduct a 5-year program, in accordance with sections [13541](/usc/42/13541.md) and [13542](/usc/42/13542.md) of this title, to improve the efficiency of heat engines. Such program shall—
  - (1) include field demonstrations of sufficient scale and number so as to demonstrate technical and economic feasibility;
  - (2) incorporate materials that increase engine efficiency; and
  - (3) cover advanced engine designs for electric and industrial power generation for a range of small-, mid-, and large-scale applications, including—
    - (A) mechanically recuperated gas turbines;
    - (B) intercooled gas turbines with steam injection or recuperation;
    - (C) gas turbines utilizing reformed fuels or hydrogen; and
    - (D) high efficiency, simple cycle gas turbines.
- (b) **Program goal—** The goal of the program established under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be to develop heat engines that can achieve over 50 percent efficiency in the mid-term.
- (c) **Program plan—** Within 180 days after October 24, 1992, the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) shall prepare and submit to the Congress a 5-year program plan, to be included in the plan required under [section 13451(c) of this title](/usc/42/13451.md?p=c), to guide the activities under this section. In preparing the program plan, the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) shall consult with appropriate representatives of industry, institutions of higher education, Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), including the Environmental Protection [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) and national laboratories, and professional and technical societies.
- (d) **Proposals—** Within 1 year after October 24, 1992, the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) shall solicit proposals for conducting activities under this section.
- (e) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) for carrying out this section such sums as may be necessary to be derived from sums authorized under [section 13451(e) of this title](/usc/42/13451.md?p=e).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–486, title XXI, § 2112, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3072.)