---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 6346"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "6346"
heading: "Sustainable manufacturing initiative"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/6346"
units:
  - "Chapter 77 — Energy Conservation"
  - "Subchapter III — Improving Energy Efficiency"
  - "Part C — Industrial Energy Efficiency"
---

# §6346. Sustainable manufacturing initiative

- (a) **In general—** As part of the Office of [Energy Efficiency](/usc/42/6291.md?p=5) and Renewable [Energy](/usc/42/6291.md?p=3) of the Department of [Energy](/usc/42/6291.md?p=3), the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1), on the request of a [manufacturer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=12), shall carry out onsite technical assessments to identify opportunities for—
  - (1) maximizing the [energy efficiency](/usc/42/6291.md?p=5) of industrial processes and cross-cutting systems;
  - (2) preventing pollution and minimizing waste;
  - (3) improving efficient use of water in manufacturing processes;
  - (4) conserving natural resources; and
  - (5) achieving such other goals as the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) determines to be appropriate.
- (b) **Coordination—** To implement any recommendations resulting from an onsite technical assessment carried out under [subsection (a)](#a) and to accelerate the adoption of new and existing technologies and processes that improve [energy efficiency](/usc/42/6291.md?p=5), the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) shall coordinate with—
  - (1) the Advanced Manufacturing Office of the Department of [Energy](/usc/42/6291.md?p=3);
  - (2) the [Building](/usc/42/6321.md?p=c-2) Technologies Office of the Department of [Energy](/usc/42/6291.md?p=3);
  - (3) the Federal [Energy](/usc/42/6291.md?p=3) Management Program of the Department of [Energy](/usc/42/6291.md?p=3); and
  - (4) the private sector and other appropriate [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), including the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
- (c) **Research and development program for sustainable manufacturing and industrial technologies and processes—** As part of the industrial [efficiency](/usc/42/6311.md?p=13-H) programs of the Department of [Energy](/usc/42/6291.md?p=3), the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) shall carry out a joint industry-government partnership program to research, develop, and demonstrate new sustainable manufacturing and industrial technologies and processes that maximize the [energy efficiency](/usc/42/6291.md?p=5) of [industrial plants](/usc/42/6321.md?p=c-5), reduce pollution, and conserve natural resources.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 94–163, title III, § 376, as added Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title V, § 40522(a), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1067.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 6346, Pub. L. 94–163, title III, § 376, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 938; Pub. L. 95–619, title IV, § 461(d)(1), title VI, § 691(b)(2), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3275, 3288, set forth general provisions relating to compliance with former part C reporting requirements, use of information, and absence of liability for failure to meet energy efficiency improvement targets, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 99–509, title III, § 3101(b), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1888.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Wage Rate Requirements

For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of this title.