---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 8302"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "8302"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/8302"
units:
  - "Chapter 92 — Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use"
  - "Subchapter I — General Provisions"
---

# §8302. Definitions

- (a) **Generally—** Unless otherwise expressly provided, for the purposes of this chapter—
  - (1) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Energy.
  - (2) The term “person” means any (A) individual, [corporation](/usc/42/2297h.md?p=2), company, partnership, association, firm, institution, society, trust, joint venture, or joint stock company, (B) any [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and any territory or possession of the United States, or (C) any [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) or instrumentality (including any municipality) thereof.
  - (3)
    - (A) Except as provided in [subparagraph (B)](#a-3-B), the term “natural gas” means any fuel consisting in whole or in part of—
      - (i) [natural gas](#a-3-A);
      - (ii) liquid [petroleum](#a-4) gas;
      - (iii) synthetic gas derived from [petroleum](#a-4) or [natural gas](#a-3-A) liquids; or
      - (iv) any [mixture](#a-28) of [natural gas](#a-3-A) and synthetic gas.
    - (B) The term “[natural gas](#a-3-A)” does not include—
      - (i) [natural gas](#a-3-A) which is commercially unmarketable (either by reason of quality or quantity), as determined under rules prescribed by the [Secretary](#a-1);
      - (ii) [natural gas](#a-3-A) produced by the user from a well the maximum efficient production rate of which is less than 250 million [Btu](#a-26)’s per day;
      - (iii) [natural gas](#a-3-A) to the extent the exclusion of such gas is provided for in [subsection (b)](#b); or
      - (iv) synthetic gas, derived from [coal](#a-5) or other [alternate fuel](#a-6), the heat content of which is less than 600 [Btu](#a-26)’s per cubic foot at 14.73 pounds per square inch (absolute) and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
  - (4) The term “petroleum” means crude oil and products derived from crude oil, other than—
    - (A) synthetic gas derived from crude oil;
    - (B) liquid [petroleum](#a-4) gas;
    - (C) liquid, solid, or gaseous waste byproducts of refinery operations which are commercially unmarketable, either by reason of quality or quantity, as determined under rules prescribed by the [Secretary](#a-1); or
    - (D) [petroleum](#a-4) coke or waste gases from industrial operations.
  - (5) The term “coal” means anthracite and bituminous coal, lignite, and any fuel derivative thereof.
  - (6) The term “alternate fuel” means electricity or any fuel, other than [natural gas](#a-3-A) or [petroleum](#a-4), and includes—
    - (A) [petroleum](#a-4) coke, shale oil, uranium, biomass, and municipal, industrial, or agricultural wastes, wood, and renewable and geothermal energy sources;
    - (B) liquid, solid, or gaseous waste byproducts of refinery or industrial operations which are commercially unmarketable, either by reason of quality or quantity, as determined under rules prescribed by the [Secretary](#a-1); and
    - (C) waste gases from industrial operations.
  - (7)
    - (A) The terms “electric powerplant” and “powerplant” mean any stationary [electric generating unit](#a-7-B), consisting of a boiler, a gas turbine, or a combined cycle unit, which produces electric power for purposes of sale or exchange and—
      - (i) has the design capability of consuming any fuel (or [mixture](#a-28) thereof) at a fuel heat input rate of 100 million [Btu](#a-26)’s per hour or greater; or
      - (ii) is in a combination of two or more [electric generating units](#a-7-B) which are located at the same site and which in the aggregate have a design capability of consuming any fuel (or [mixture](#a-28) thereof) at a fuel heat input rate of 250 million [Btu](#a-26)’s per hour or greater.
    - (B) For purposes of [subparagraph (A)](#a-7-A), the term “electric generating unit” does not include—
      - (i) any [electric generating unit](#a-7-B) subject to the licensing jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and
      - (ii) any [cogeneration facility](#a-19), less than half of the annual electric power generation of which is sold or exchanged for resale, as determined by the [Secretary](#a-1).
    - (C) For purposes of [clause (ii)](#a-7-A-ii) of subparagraph (A), there shall be excluded any unit which has a design capability to consume any fuel (including any [mixture](#a-28) thereof) that does not equal or exceed 100 million [Btu](#a-26)’s per hour and the exclusion of which for purposes of such clause is determined by the [Secretary](#a-1), by rule, to be appropriate.
  - (8) The term “new electric powerplant” means—
    - (A) any [electric powerplant](#a-7-A) for which [construction or acquisition began](#a-13) on a date on or after November 9, 1978; and
    - (B) any [electric powerplant](#a-7-A) for which [construction or acquisition began](#a-13) on a date after April 20, 1977, and before November 9, 1978, unless the [Secretary](#a-1) finds the [construction](#a-14) or acquisition of such [powerplant](#a-7-A) could not be canceled, rescheduled, or modified to comply with the applicable requirements of this chapter without—
      - (i) adversely affecting electric system reliability (as determined by the [Secretary](#a-1) after consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the appropriate [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) authority), or
      - (ii) imposing substantial financial penalty (as determined under rules prescribed by the [Secretary](#a-1)).
  - (9)
    - (A) The term “existing electric powerplant” means any [electric powerplant](#a-7-A) other than a [new electric powerplant](#a-8).
    - (B) Any [powerplant](#a-7-A) treated under this chapter as an [existing electric powerplant](#a-9-A) shall not be treated thereafter as a [new electric powerplant](#a-8) merely by reason of a transfer of ownership.
  - (10)
    - (A) The terms “major fuel-burning installation” and “installation” means a stationary unit consisting of a boiler, gas turbine unit, combined cycle unit, or internal combustion engine which—
      - (i) has a design capability of consuming any fuel (or [mixture](#a-28) thereof) at a fuel heat input rate of 100 million [Btu](#a-26)’s per hour or greater; or
      - (ii) is in a combination of two or more such units which are located at the same site and which in the aggregate have a design capability of consuming any fuel (or [mixture](#a-28) thereof) at a fuel heat input rate of 250 million [Btu](#a-26)’s per hour or greater.
    - (B) The terms “[major fuel-burning installation](#a-10-A)” and “[installation](#a-10-A)” do not include—
      - (i) any [electric powerplant](#a-7-A); or
      - (ii) any pump or compressor used solely in connection with the production, gathering, transmission, storage, or distribution of gases or liquids, but only if there is certification to the [Secretary](#a-1) of such use (in accordance with rules prescribed by the [Secretary](#a-1)).
    - (C) For purposes of [clause (ii)](#a-10-A-ii) of subparagraph (A), there shall be excluded any unit which has a design capability to consume any fuel (including any [mixture](#a-28) thereof) that does not equal or exceed 100 million [Btu](#a-26)’s per hour and the exclusion of which for purposes of such clause is determined by the [Secretary](#a-1), by rule to be appropriate.
  - (11) The term “new major fuel-burning installation” means—
    - (A) any [major fuel-burning installation](#a-10-A) on which [construction or acquisition began](#a-13) on a date on or after November 9, 1978; and
    - (B) any [major fuel-burning installation](#a-10-A) on which [construction or acquisition began](#a-13) on a date after April 20, 1977, and before November 9, 1978, unless the [Secretary](#a-1) finds the [construction](#a-14) or acquisition of such [installation](#a-10-A) could not be canceled, rescheduled, or modified to comply with applicable requirements of this chapter without—
      - (i) incurring significant operational detriment of the unit (as determined by the [Secretary](#a-1)); or
      - (ii) imposing substantial financial penalty (as determined under rules prescribed by the [Secretary](#a-1)).
  - (12)
    - (A) The term “existing major fuel-burning installation” means any [installation](#a-10-A) which is not a [new major fuel-burning installation](#a-11).
    - (B) Such term does not include a [major fuel-burning installation](#a-10-A) for the extraction of mineral resources located—
      - (i) on or above the Continental Shelf of the United States, or
      - (ii) on wetlands areas adjacent to the Continental Shelf of the United States,

      where [coal](#a-5) storage is not practicable or would produce adverse effects on environmental quality.

    - (C) Any [installation](#a-10-A) treated as an [existing major fuel-burning installation](#a-12-A) shall not be treated thereafter as a [new major fuel-burning installation](#a-11) merely by reason of a transfer of ownership.
  - (13) The term “construction or acquisition began” means, when used with reference to a certain date, that—
    - (A) [construction](#a-14) in accordance with final drawings or equivalent design documents (as defined by the [Secretary](#a-1), by rule) began on or after that date; or
    - (B)
      - (i) [construction](#a-14) or acquisition had been contracted for on or after that date, or (ii) if the [construction](#a-14) or acquisition had been contracted for before such date, such [construction](#a-14) or acquisition could be canceled, rescheduled, or modified to comply with the applicable requirements of this chapter—
        - (I) without imposing substantial financial penalty, as determined under rules prescribed by the [Secretary](#a-1); and
        - (II) in the case of a [powerplant](#a-7-A), without adversely affecting electric system reliability (as determined by the [Secretary](#a-1) after consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the appropriate [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) authority).
  - (14) The term “construction” means substantial onsite construction or reconstruction, as defined by rule by the [Secretary](#a-1).
  - (15) The term “primary energy source” means the fuel or fuels used by any existing or [new electric powerplant](#a-8), except it does not include, as determined under rules prescribed by the [Secretary](#a-1)—
    - (A) the minimum amounts of fuel required for unit ignition, startup, testing, flame stabilization, and control uses, and
    - (B) the minimum amounts of fuel required to alleviate or prevent (i) unanticipated equipment outages and (ii) emergencies directly affecting the public health, safety, or welfare which would result from electric power outages.
  - (16) The term “site limitation” means, when used with respect to any [powerplant](#a-7-A), any specific physical limitation associated with a particular site which relates to the use of [coal](#a-5) or other [alternate fuels](#a-6) as a [primary energy source](#a-15) for such [powerplant](#a-7-A), such as—
    - (A) inaccessibility to [coal](#a-5) or other [alternate fuels](#a-6);
    - (B) lack of transportation facilities for [coal](#a-5) or other [alternate fuels](#a-6);
    - (C) lack of adequate land or facilities for the handling, use, and storage of [coal](#a-5) or other [alternate fuels](#a-6);
    - (D) lack of adequate land or facilities for the control or [disposal](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=7) of wastes from such [powerplant](#a-7-A), including lack of pollution control equipment or devices necessary to assure compliance with [applicable environmental requirements](#a-17); and
    - (E) lack of an adequate and reliable supply of water, including water for use in compliance with [applicable environmental requirements](#a-17).
  - (17) The term “applicable environmental requirements” includes—
    - (A) any standard, limitation, or other requirement established by or pursuant to Federal or [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) law (including any final order of any Federal or [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) court) applicable to emissions of environmental pollutants (including air and water pollutants) or [disposal](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=7) of solid waste residues resulting from the use of [coal](#a-5) or other [alternate fuels](#a-6) or [natural gas](#a-3-A) or [petroleum](#a-4) as a [primary energy source](#a-15) or from the operation of pollution control equipment in connection with such use, taking into account any variance of law granted or issued in accordance with Federal law or in accordance with [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) law to the extent consistent with Federal law; and
    - (B) any other standard, limitation, or other requirement established by, or pursuant to, the Clean Air Act [[42 U.S.C. 7401](/usc/42/7401.md) et seq.], the Federal Water Pollution Control Act [[33 U.S.C. 1251](/usc/33/1251.md) et seq.], the Solid Waste Disposal Act [[42 U.S.C. 6901](/usc/42/6901.md) et seq.], or the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [[42 U.S.C. 4321](/usc/42/4321.md) et seq.].
  - (18)
    - (A) The term “peakload powerplant” means a [powerplant](#a-7-A) the electrical generation of which in kilowatt hours does not exceed, for any 12-calendar-month period, such [powerplant](#a-7-A)’s design capacity multiplied by 1,500 hours.
    - (B) The term “intermediate load powerplant” means a [powerplant](#a-7-A) (other than a [peakload powerplant](#a-18-A)), the electrical generation of which in kilowatt hours does not exceed, for any 12-calendar-month period, such [powerplant](#a-7-A)’s design capacity multiplied by 3,500 hours.
    - (C) The term “base load powerplant” means a [powerplant](#a-7-A) the electrical generation of which in kilowatt hours exceeds, for any 12-calendar-month period, such [powerplant](#a-7-A)’s design capacity multiplied by 3,500 hours.
    - (D) Not later than 90 days after November 9, 1978, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall prescribe rules under which a [powerplant](#a-7-A)’s design capacity may be determined for purposes of this paragraph.
  - (19) the[^1] term “cogeneration facility” means an [electric powerplant](#a-7-A) which produces—
    - (A) electric power; and
    - (B) any other form of useful energy (such as steam, gas, or heat) which is, or will be, used for industrial, commercial, or space heating purposes.
  - (20) The term “cost”, unless the context indicates otherwise, means total costs (both operating and capital) incurred over the estimated remaining useful life of an [electric powerplant](#a-7-A), discounted to present value, as determined by the [Secretary](#a-1) (in the case of [powerplants](#a-7-A), in consultation with the [State regulatory authorities](#a-21)). In the case of an [electric powerplant](#a-7-A), such costs shall take into account any change required in the use of [existing electric powerplants](#a-9-A) in the relevant dispatching system and other economic factors which are included in planning for the production, transmission, and distribution of electric power within such system.
  - (21) The term “State regulatory authority” means any [State agency](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=12) which has ratemaking authority with respect to the sale of electricity by any [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) regulated [electric utility](#a-23).
  - (22) The term “air pollution control agency” has the same meaning as given such term by section 302(b) of the Clean Air Act [[42 U.S.C. 7602(b)](/usc/42/7602.md?p=b)].
  - (23) The term “electric utility” means any [person](#a-2), including any [affiliate](#a-24), or [Federal agency](#a-25) which sells electric power.
  - (24) The term “affiliate”, when used in relation to a [person](#a-2), means another [person](#a-2) which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such [person](#a-2).
  - (25) The term “Federal agency” means each authority of the Government of the United States, whether or not it is within or subject to review by another [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), but does not include—
    - (A) the Congress;
    - (B) the courts of the United States;
    - (C) the governments of the territories or possessions of the United States; and
    - (D) the government of the District of Columbia.
  - (26) The term “Btu” means British thermal unit.
  - (27) the term “Mcf” means, when used in relation to [natural gas](#a-3-A), 1,000 cubic feet of [natural gas](#a-3-A).
  - (28) The term “mixture”, when used in relation to fuels used in a unit, means a mixture of such fuels or a combination of such fuels used simultaneously or alternately in such unit.
  - (29) The term “fluidized bed combustion” means combustion of fuel in connection with a bed of inert material, such as limestone or dolomite, which is held in a fluid-like [state](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) by the means of air or other gases being passed through such materials.
- (b) **Special rules relating to definitions of natural gas and alternate fuel—**
  - (1) Subject to [paragraph (2)](#b-2), [natural gas](#a-3-A) which is to be used by a [powerplant](#a-7-A) shall for purposes of this chapter (other than this subsection), be excluded from the definition of “[natural gas](#a-3-A)” under [subsection (a)(3)(B)(iii)](#a-3-B-iii) and shall be included within the definition of “[alternate fuel](#a-6)” under [subsection (a)(6)](#a-6) if the [person](#a-2) proposing to use such [natural gas](#a-3-A) certifies to the [Secretary](#a-1) (together with such supporting documents as the [Secretary](#a-1) may require) that—
    - (A) such [person](#a-2) owns, or is entitled to receive, at the point of manufacture, synthetic gas derived from [coal](#a-5) or another [alternate fuel](#a-6);
    - (B) the [Btu](#a-26) content of such synthetic gas is equal to, or greater than, the [Btu](#a-26) content of the [natural gas](#a-3-A) to be covered by this subsection by reason of such certification, plus the approximate [Btu](#a-26) content of any [natural gas](#a-3-A) consumed or lost in transportation;
    - (C) such [person](#a-2) delivers, or arranges for the delivery of, such synthetic gas to a [pipeline](#b-4) or [pipelines](#b-4) which by transport or displacement are capable of delivering such synthetic gas, mixed with [natural gas](#a-3-A), to such [person](#a-2); and
    - (D) all necessary permits, licenses, or approvals from appropriate Federal, [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14), and local [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) (including Indian tribes) have been obtained for [construction](#a-14) and operation of the facilities for the manufacture of the synthetic gas involved.
  - (2) The application of [paragraph (1)](#b-1) with respect to the use of [natural gas](#a-3-A) by any [powerplant](#a-7-A) shall be conditioned on the [person](#a-2) using such [natural gas](#a-3-A) submitting to the [Secretary](#a-1) a report not later than one year after certification is made under [paragraph (1)](#b-1), and annually thereafter, containing the following information:
    - (A) the source, amount, quality, and point of delivery to the [pipeline](#b-4) of the synthetic gas to which [paragraph (1)](#b-1) applied during the annual period ending with the calendar month preceding the date of such report; and
    - (B) the amount, quality, and point of delivery by the [pipeline](#b-4) to such [person](#a-2) of the [natural gas](#a-3-A) covered by [paragraph (1)](#b-1) which is used by the [person](#a-2) during such annual period.
  - (3) Repealed. Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(2)(H), May 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 310.
  - (4) For purposes of this subsection, the term “pipeline” means any interstate or intrastate pipeline or local distribution company.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be capitalized.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 95–620, title I, § 103, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3292; Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(2), May 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 310.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b)(1), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 95–620, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3289, known as the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 8301 of this title and Tables.

The Clean Air Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(17)(B), is act July 14, 1955, ch. 360, 69 Stat. 322, which is classified generally to chapter 85 (§ 7401 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7401 of this title and Tables.

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(17)(B), is act June 30, 1948, ch. 758, as amended generally by Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 816, which is classified generally to chapter 26 (§ 1251 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1251 of Title 33 and Tables.

The Solid Waste Disposal Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(17)(B), is title II of Pub. L. 89–272, Oct. 20, 1965, 79 Stat. 997, as amended generally by Pub. L. 94–580, § 2, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2795, which is classified generally to chapter 82 (§ 6901 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6901 of this title and Tables.

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (a)(17)(B), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§ 4321 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of this title and Tables.

### Amendments

1987—Subsec. (a)(13)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(2)(A), inserted “and” at end of subcl. (I), substituted period for “; or” at end of subcl. (II), and struck out subcl. (III) which read as follows: “in the case of a major fuel-burning installation, without incurring significant operational detriment of the unit (as determined by the Secretary).”

Subsec. (a)(15). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(2)(B), struck out “or major fuel-burning installation” after “electric powerplant”.

Subsec. (a)(16). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(2)(C), struck out “or installation” after “any powerplant” in introductory provisions and after “such powerplant” in introductory provisions and subpar. (D).

Subsec. (a)(19). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(2)(D), struck out “or a major fuel-burning installation” after “electric powerplant”.

Subsec. (a)(20). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(2)(E), struck out “or major fuel-burning installation” after “life of an electric powerplant”.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(2)(F), struck out “or major fuel-burning installation” after “used by a powerplant” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(1)(D). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(2)(G), substituted a period for “, except that for purposes of the prohibition under section 8311(2) of this title against powerplants being constructed without the capability of using coal or another alternate fuel, only permits, licenses, and approvals for the construction of such synthetic gas facilities shall be required under this subparagraph to be certified and documented.”

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(2)(F), struck out “or major fuel-burning installation” after “by any powerplant” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(2)(H), struck out par. (3) which read as follows: “In the case of any boiler subject to a prohibition under section 8371 of this title, the preceding provisions of this subsection shall apply with respect to such boiler to the same extent and in the same manner as they apply in the case of major fuel-burning installations.”

### Executive Documents

### Transfer of Functions

For transfer of certain functions from Nuclear Regulatory Commission to Chairman thereof, see Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1980, 45 F.R. 40561, 94 Stat. 3585, set out as a note under section 5841 of this title.