---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 8286a"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "8286a"
heading: "Use of factors and data"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/8286a"
units:
  - "Chapter 91 — National Energy Conservation Policy"
  - "Subchapter VI — Coordination of Federal Energy Conservation Factors and Data"
---

# §8286a. Use of factors and data


Factors and data consented to pursuant to [section 8286 of this title](/usc/42/8286.md) may be revised and agreed to by a consensus of the heads of the various [Federal agencies](/usc/42/8241.md?p=1) involved. Such factors and data shall be used by all [Federal agencies](/usc/42/8241.md?p=1) in establishing and revising various energy conservation standards used by such [agencies](/usc/42/8259.md?p=1), except that other factors and data may be used with respect to the standards applicable to any program if—

- (1) the other factors and data are approved by the [Secretary](/usc/42/8285a.md?p=4) of Energy solely on the basis that such other factors and data are critical to meet the unique needs of the program concerned;
- (2) using the consented to factors and data would cause a [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) of an express provision of law; or
- (3) statutory requirements or responsibilities require a modification of the consented to factors and data.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–294, title V, § 596, June 30, 1980, 94 Stat. 762.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy Security Act, and not as part of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act which comprises this chapter.