42 U.S.C. § 13472 — High efficiency heat engines

(a) Program direction. The Secretary had to run a 5-year program, following sections 13541 and 13542, to improve heat engine efficiency. The program must (1) include field demonstrations big enough and numerous enough to show the technology works technically and economically; (2) use materials that raise engine efficiency; and (3) cover advanced engine designs for electric and industrial power generation at small, mid, and large scale, including mechanically recuperated gas turbines, intercooled gas turbines with steam injection or recuperation, gas turbines that use reformed fuels or hydrogen, and high-efficiency simple-cycle gas turbines. (b) Program goal. The goal is to develop heat engines that can reach over 50 percent efficiency in the mid-term. (c) Program plan. Within 180 days after October 24, 1992, the Secretary had to give Congress a 5-year plan — to be folded into the plan required under section 13451(c) — guiding this section's work, after consulting industry, colleges, federal agencies (including the EPA and national laboratories), and professional and technical groups. (d) Proposals. Within 1 year after October 24, 1992, the Secretary had to ask for proposals to carry out this section. (e) Authorization of appropriations. Congress authorized whatever money is needed for this section, to come from the funds authorized under section 13451(e).