30 U.S.C. § 1315 — Advisory Council on Coal Research

(a) Establishment and members. An Advisory Council on Coal Research is established. It consists of: (1) the Secretary of Energy, as chair; (2) the Interior Department’s Director of the United States Bureau of Mines; (3) the President of the National Academy of Sciences; (4) the President of the National Academy of Engineering; (5) the Director of the United States Geological Survey; and (6) six people appointed by the Energy Secretary who have coal-research and mining experience or training and represent higher-education institutions, industrial coal and coal-derived-fuel users, the coal industry, mine workers, nonindustrial consumers, and environmental-preservation institutions.

(b) Advice. The Council advises the Energy Secretary about general administration of this subchapter and gives any additional advice the Secretary requests.

(c) Annual report. By December 31 of each year, the Council must report its findings and recommendations, including proposed changes to this subchapter, to the President. The President must send each report to Congress.

(d) Compensation and travel. (1) A Council member who is not a regular United States officer or employee receives compensation set by the Energy Secretary, not above the daily GS-18 rate under title 5, section 5332. When serving away from home or the regular workplace, the member may receive travel costs and daily living allowances authorized by section 5703 for intermittent Government workers. (2) Government officers and employees receive reimbursement for necessary travel, living, and other expenses incurred doing Council work.

(e) Alternates. If a member appointed under (1)-(5) cannot attend a meeting, that member must appoint a suitable alternate to represent the member at that meeting.