---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 7142a"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "7142a"
heading: "Designation of American Museum of Science and Energy"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/7142a"
units:
  - "Chapter 84 — Department of Energy"
  - "Subchapter II — Establishment of Department"
---

# §7142a. Designation of American Museum of Science and Energy

- (a) **In general—** The [Museum](/usc/42/7142d.md?p=1)—
  - (1) is designated as the “American [Museum](/usc/42/7142d.md?p=1) of Science and Energy”; and
  - (2) shall be the official [museum](/usc/42/7142d.md?p=1) of science and energy of the United States.
- (b) **References—** Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the [Museum](/usc/42/7142d.md?p=1) is deemed to be a reference to the “American [Museum](/usc/42/7142d.md?p=1) of Science and Energy”.
- (c) **Property of the United States—**
  - (1) **In general—** The name “American [Museum](/usc/42/7142d.md?p=1) of Science and Energy” is declared the property of the United States.
  - (2) **Use—** The [Museum](/usc/42/7142d.md?p=1) shall have the sole right throughout the United States and its possessions to have and use the name “American [Museum](/usc/42/7142d.md?p=1) of Science and Energy”.
  - (3) **Effect on other rights—** This subsection shall not be construed to conflict or interfere with established or vested rights.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(4) [div. B, title IV, § 401], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–266.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Miscellaneous Appropriations Act, 2001, and also as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001, and not as part of the Department of Energy Organization Act which comprises this chapter.