---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 8502"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "8502"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/8502"
units:
  - "Chapter 93 — Emergency Energy Conservation"
---

# §8502. Definitions


For purposes of this chapter—

- (1) The term “severe energy supply interruption”, when used with respect to [motor fuel](#3) or any other energy source, means a national energy supply shortage of such energy source which the President determines—
  - (A) is, or is likely to be, of significant scope and duration;
  - (B) may cause major adverse impact on national security or the national economy; and
  - (C) results, or is likely to result, from an interruption in the energy supplies of the United States, including supplies of imported petroleum products, or from sabotage or an act of God.
- (2) The term “international energy program” has the meaning given that term in [section 6202(7) of this title](/usc/42/6202.md?p=7).
- (3) The term “motor fuel” means gasoline and diesel fuel.
- (4) The term “person” includes (A) any individual, (B) any [corporation](/usc/42/2297h.md?p=2), company, association, firm, partnership, society, trust, joint venture, or joint stock company, and (C) the government or any [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) of the United States or any [State](#8) or political subdivision thereof.
- (5) The term “vehicle” means any vehicle propelled by [motor fuel](#3) and manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways.
- (6) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Energy.
- (7) The term “Governor” means the chief executive officer of a [State](#8).
- (8) The term “State” means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–102, title II, § 202, Nov. 5, 1979, 93 Stat. 757.)