---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 8322"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "8322"
heading: "Permanent exemptions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/8322"
units:
  - "Chapter 92 — Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use"
  - "Subchapter II — New Facilities"
  - "Part B — Exemptions"
---

# §8322. Permanent exemptions

- (a) **Permanent exemption due to lack of alternate fuel supply, site limitations, environmental requirements, or adequate capital—**
  - (1) After consideration of a petition (and comments thereon) for an exemption for a [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A) from the prohibitions of part A, the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1) shall, by order, grant a permanent exemption under this subsection with respect to [natural gas](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-3-A) or [petroleum](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-4), if he finds that the petitioner has demonstrated that despite diligent good faith efforts—
    - (A) it is likely that an adequate and reliable supply of [coal](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-5) or other [alternate fuel](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-6) of the quality necessary to conform with design and operational requirements for use as a [primary energy source](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-15) (i) will not be available within the first 10 years of the useful life of the [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A), or (ii) will not be available at a cost (taking into account associated facilities for the transportation and use of such fuel) which, based upon the best practicable estimates, does not substantially exceed the cost, as determined by rule by the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1), of the fuel that would be used as a [primary energy source](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-15) during the useful life of the [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A) involved;
    - (B) one or more [site limitations](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-16) exist which would not permit the location or operation of such [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A) using [coal](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-5) or any other [alternate fuel](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-6) as a [primary energy source](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-15);
    - (C) the prohibitions of part A could not be satisfied without violating [applicable environmental requirements](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-17); or
    - (D) the required use of [coal](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-5) or any other [alternate fuel](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-6) would not allow the petitioner to obtain adequate capital for the financing of such [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A).
  - (2) The demonstration required to be made by a petitioner under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) shall be made with respect to the site of such [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A) and reasonable alternative sites.
- (b) **Permanent exemption due to certain State or local requirements—** After consideration of a petition (and comments thereon) for an exemption for a [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A) from the prohibitions of part A, the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1) may, by order, grant a permanent exemption under this subsection with respect to [natural gas](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-3-A) or [petroleum](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-4), if he finds that the petitioner has demonstrated that—
  - (1) with respect to the proposed site of the [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A), the [construction](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-14) or operation of such a facility using [coal](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-5) or any other [alternate fuel](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-6) is infeasible because of a [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) or local requirement (other than a building code or a nuisance or zoning law);
  - (2) there is no reasonable alternative site for such [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A) which meets the criteria set forth in subsection [(a)(1)(A)](#a-1-A) through (D); and
  - (3) the granting of the exemption would be in the public interest and would be consistent with the purposes of this chapter.
- (c) **Permanent exemption for cogeneration—** After consideration of a petition (and comments thereon) for an exemption from one or more of the prohibitions of part A for a [cogeneration facility](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-19), the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1) may, by order, grant a permanent exemption under this subsection with respect to [natural gas](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-3-A) or [petroleum](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-4), if he—
  - (1) finds that the petitioner has demonstrated that economic and other benefits of cogeneration are unobtainable unless [petroleum](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-4) or [natural gas](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-3-A), or both, are used in such facility, and
  - (2) includes in the final order a statement of the basis for such finding.
- (d) **Permanent exemption for certain mixtures containing natural gas or petroleum—** After consideration of a petition (and comments thereon) for an exemption for a [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A) from the prohibitions of part A, the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1) shall, by order, grant a permanent exemption under this subsection with respect to [natural gas](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-3-A) or [petroleum](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-4), if he finds that the petitioner has demonstrated that—
  - (1) the [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A) uses, or proposes to use, a [mixture](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-28) of [petroleum](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-4) or [natural gas](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-3-A) and [coal](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-5) or another [alternate fuel](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-6) as a [primary energy source](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-15); and
  - (2) the amount of the [petroleum](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-4) or [natural gas](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-3-A) used in such [mixture](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-28) will not exceed the minimum percentage of the total [Btu](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-26) heat input of the [primary energy sources](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-15) of such [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A) needed to maintain reliability of operation of such [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A) consistent with maintaining a reasonable level of fuel efficiency, as determined in accordance with rules prescribed by the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1).
- (e) **Permanent exemption for emergency purposes—** After consideration of a petition (and comments thereon) for an exemption from one or more of the prohibitions of part A for a [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A), the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1) shall, by order, grant a permanent exemption under this subsection with respect to [natural gas](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-3-A) or [petroleum](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-4), if he finds that the petitioner has demonstrated that such [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A) will be maintained and operated only for emergency purposes (as defined by rule by the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1)).
- (f) **Permanent exemption for powerplants necessary to maintain reliability of service—** After consideration of a petition (and comments thereon) for an exemption for a [powerplant](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-7-A) from one or more of the prohibitions of part A, the [Secretary](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-1) may, by order, grant a permanent exemption under this subsection with respect to [natural gas](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-3-A) or [petroleum](/usc/42/8302.md?p=a-4) if he finds that the petitioner has demonstrated that—
  - (1) such exemption is necessary to prevent impairment of reliability of service, and
  - (2) the petitioner, despite diligent good faith efforts, is not able to make the demonstration necessary to obtain an exemption under subsection [(a)](#a) or [(b)](#b) in the time required to prevent such impairment of service.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 95–620, title II, § 212, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3300; Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(6), May 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 312.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), 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.

### Amendments

1987—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(6)(A)–(C), substituted “from” for “or installation from one or more of” in introductory provisions, substituted “the fuel that would be used” for “using imported petroleum” and struck out “or installation” after “powerplant” wherever appearing in subpar. (A), and struck out “or installation” after “powerplant” in subpars. (B) and (D).

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(1)(D), struck out “—

“(A) in the case of a new major fuel-burning installation, be made with respect to the site of such installation proposed by the petitioner; and

“(B) in the case of a new electric powerplant,”

after “paragraph (1) shall”.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(6)(E), struck out par. (3) which read as follows: “Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, a powerplant which has been granted an exemption under subsection (h) may not be granted an exemption under this subsection.”

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(6)(A), (B), (F), in introductory provisions substituted “from” for “or installation from one or more of”, in par. (1) struck out “or installation” after “powerplant”, and in par. (2) struck out “in the case of a powerplant,” after “(2)”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(6)(A), (B), (G), struck out “(1)” before “After consideration of”, substituted “from” for “installation from one or more of” in introductory provisions, redesignated subpars. (A) and (B) of former par. (1) as pars. (1) and (2), respectively, struck out “or installation” after “powerplant” wherever appearing in such pars., and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “In the case of a new major fuel-burning installation, the percentage determined by the Secretary under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) shall not be less than 25 percent.”

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(6)(B), struck out “or installation” after “powerplant” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(6)(H), struck out subsec. (g) which related to issuance, by order of Secretary of Energy, of permanent exemptions for use of natural gas or petroleum for peakload powerplants.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(6)(H), struck out subsec. (h) which related to issuance, by order of Secretary of Energy, of permanent exemptions for use of petroleum for intermediate load powerplants.

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(6)(H), struck out subsec. (i) which related to issuance, by order of Secretary of Energy, of permanent exemptions for use of natural gas or petroleum for installations based upon product or process requirements.

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 100–42, § 1(c)(6)(H), struck out subsec. (j) which related to issuance, by order of Secretary of Energy, of permanent exemptions for use of natural gas or petroleum for installations necessary to meet scheduled equipment outages.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Exemption for Certain Electric Powerplants as Effective Prior to 180 Days After November 9, 1978

For effectiveness of exemption for certain electric powerplants as prior to 180 days after Nov. 9, 1978, see section 902(a) of Pub. L. 95–620, set out as a note under section 8301 of this title.