42 U.S.C. § 13340 — Low-rank coal research and development

The Secretary of Energy must run a program of research and development on technologies to expand the use of low-rank coals. This must take into account the special properties of lignite and sub-bituminous coal. The program includes, but is not limited to: (1) high value-added carbon products; (2) fuel cell uses; (3) controlling emissions and improving how efficiently the coal burns; (4) coal-water fuels and underground coal gasification (turning coal into gas while it is still underground); (5) distillates — liquid products made by refining coal; and (6) any other technologies that help develop niche markets for lignite and sub-bituminous coal.