30 U.S.C. § 2004 — National Research Council study

Page 387 TITLE 30—MINERAL LANDS AND MINING § 2004 (C) acquire and reprocess seismic data suitable for characterizing methane hydrate accumulations; (D) assist in developing technologies re- quired for efficient and environmentally sound development of methane hydrate re- sources; (E) promote education and training in methane hydrate resource research and re- source development through fellowships or other means for graduate education and training; (F) conduct basic and applied research to assess and mitigate the environmental im- pact of hydrate degassing (including both natural degassing and degassing associated with commercial development); (G) develop technologies to reduce the risks of drilling through methane hydrates; and (H) conduct exploratory drilling, well test- ing, and production testing operations on permafrost and non-permafrost gas hydrates in support of the activities authorized by this paragraph, including drilling of one or more full-scale production test wells. (2) Competitive peer review Funds made available under paragraph (1) shall be made available based on a competitive process using external scientific peer review of proposed research. (c) Methane hydrates advisory panel (1) In general The Secretary shall establish an advisory panel (including the hiring of appropriate staff) consisting of representatives of indus- trial enterprises, institutions of higher edu- cation, oceanographic institutions, State agencies, and environmental organizations with knowledge and expertise in the natural gas hydrates field, to— (A) assist in developing recommendations and broad programmatic priorities for the methane hydrate research and development program carried out under subsection (a)(1); (B) provide scientific oversight for the methane hydrates program, including as- sessing progress toward program goals, eval- uating program balance, and providing rec- ommendations to enhance the quality of the program over time; and (C) not later than 2 years after August 8, 2005, and at such later dates as the panel considers advisable, submit to Congress— (i) an assessment of the methane hydrate research program; and (ii) an assessment of the 5-year research plan of the Department of Energy. (2) Conflicts of interest In appointing each member of the advisory panel established under paragraph (1), the Sec- retary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the appointment of the mem- ber does not pose a conflict of interest with re- spect to the duties of the member under this chapter. (3) Meetings The advisory panel shall— (A) hold the initial meeting of the advi- sory panel not later than 180 days after the date of establishment of the advisory panel; and (B) meet biennially thereafter. (4) Coordination The advisory panel shall coordinate activi- ties of the advisory panel with program man- agers of the Department of Energy at appro- priate National Laboratories. (d) Construction costs None of the funds made available to carry out this section may be used for the construction of a new building or the acquisition, expansion, re- modeling, or alteration of an existing building (including site grading and improvement and ar- chitect fees). (e) Responsibilities of the Secretary In carrying out subsection (b)(1), the Sec- retary shall— (1) facilitate and develop partnerships among government, industrial enterprises, and institutions of higher education to research, identify, assess, and explore methane hydrate resources; (2) undertake programs to develop basic in- formation necessary for promoting long-term interest in methane hydrate resources as an energy source; (3) ensure that the data and information de- veloped through the program are accessible and widely disseminated as needed and appro- priate; (4) promote cooperation among agencies that are developing technologies that may hold promise for methane hydrate resource de- velopment; (5) report annually to Congress on the re- sults of actions taken to carry out this chap- ter; and (6) ensure, to the maximum extent prac- ticable, greater participation by the Depart- ment of Energy in international cooperative efforts. (Pub. L. 106–193, § 4, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 968(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 895.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 4 of Pub. L. 106–193 was set out in a note under section 1902 of this title prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 106–193 by Pub. L. 109–58. § 2004. National Research Council study (a) Agreement for Study The Secretary shall offer to enter into an agreement with the National Research Council under which the National Research Council shall— (1) conduct a study of the progress made under the methane hydrate research and de- velopment program implemented under this chapter; and (2) make recommendations for future meth- ane hydrate research and development needs. (b) Report Not later than September 30, 2009, the Sec- retary shall submit to Congress a report con- Page 388 TITLE 30—MINERAL LANDS AND MINING § 2005 taining the findings and recommendations of the National Research Council under this section. (Pub. L. 106–193, § 5, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 968(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 898.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 5 of Pub. L. 106–193 was set out in a note under section 1902 of this title prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 106–193 by Pub. L. 109–58. § 2005. Reports and studies for Congress The Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Re- sources of the Senate copies of any report or study that the Department of Energy prepares at the direction of any committee of Congress relating to the methane hydrate research and development program implemented under this chapter. (Pub. L. 106–193, § 6, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 968(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 898.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 6 of Pub. L. 106–193 was set out in a note under section 1902 of this title prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 106–193 by Pub. L. 109–58. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries CHANGE OF NAME Committee on Science of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Science and Technology of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007. Committee on Science and Technology of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Science, Space, and Tech- nology of House of Representatives by House Resolu- tion No. 5, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Jan. 5, 2011. § 2006. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this chapter, to remain available until expended— (1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; (2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; (3) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; (4) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and (5) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2010. (Pub. L. 106–193, § 7, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 968(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 898.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 7 of Pub. L. 106–193 was set out in a note under section 1902 of this title prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 106–193 by Pub. L. 109–58.