42 U.S.C. § 8451 — National coal policy study

(a) Study. The President, acting through the Secretary^* (of Energy) and the Administrator^* of the Environmental Protection Agency, had to fully investigate and study the alternative national uses of coal^* available in the U.S. to meet the country's energy needs, while staying consistent with environmental protection and full-employment policy. The study was required to identify and evaluate: current and future U.S. coal needs; current and future voluntary and mandatory energy-conservation measures and how much they could cut coal needs; coal production, transportation, conversion, and use requirements, now and in the future; how extensive and adequate federal, state^*, local, and private coal research and development programs are, including their money, staff, and legal authority; programs to develop coal-mining technology that increases coal production and use while protecting miners' health and safety; alternative strategies for meeting expected coal needs while achieving other national goals like security and environmental protection; existing and likely future government policies and laws affecting the coal industry, to see what changes might help create an effective, fair national energy policy; and the most efficient use of the nation's coal resources, considering economic, social, environmental, technological, defense, and other factors.

(b) Report. Within 18 months after this chapter took effect, the President had to send Congress a report on the study, with findings and recommendations, including determinations and recommendations about: the nation's projected coal needs, nationally and regionally, for the next 20 years, especially for electric power; the coal resources available or needed, including research and development programs that could improve efficient, economical fuel use consistent with environmental rules; the air, water, and other pollution caused by meeting coal needs, and any programs to remove technological or economic obstacles to reducing that pollution; existing federal, state, and local policies and programs that significantly affect coal availability, production, or efficient use, and the ability to meet the nation's energy and environmental needs; and whether transportation systems — roads, railroads, and waterways — are adequate for the expected growth in coal production and use. Before sending this report to Congress, the President had to publish a notice and summary of the proposed report in the Federal Register, make copies available, give the public at least 90 days to submit written comments, and make any changes to the report that seemed appropriate based on those comments.

(c) Funding. Congress authorized up to $18,000,000 for fiscal years 1979 and 1980, to be split between the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, to carry out this section.