§ 17191. Definitions

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1. 2007

   Advanced Geothermal Energy Research and Development Act of 2007

   Pub. L. 110–140 title VI § 612 · 121 Stat. 1492

   Enacted · 42 U.S.C. § 17191

   Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 612, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1679

   Source evidence

   Code source credit
   Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 612, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1679

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   SEC. 612. DEFINITIONS.   For purposes of this subtitle: (1) Engineered.— When referring to enhanced geothermal systems, the term “engineered” means subjected to intervention, including intervention to address one or more of the following issues: (A) Lack of effective permeability or porosity or open fracture connectivity within the reservoir. (B) Insufficient contained geofluid in the reservoir. (C) A low average geothermal gradient, which necessitates deeper drilling. (2) Enhanced geothermal systems.— The term “enhanced geothermal systems” means geothermal reservoir systems that are engineered, as opposed to occurring naturally. (3) Geofluid.— The term “geofluid” means any fluid used to extract thermal energy from the Earth which is transported to the surface for direct use or electric power generation, except that such term shall not include oil or natural gas. (4) Geopressured resources.— The term “geopressured resources” mean geothermal deposits found in sedimentary rocks under higher than normal pressure and saturated with gas or methane. (5) Geothermal.— The term “geothermal” refers to heat energy stored in the Earth’s crust that can be accessed for direct use or electric power generation. (6) Hydrothermal.— The term “hydrothermal” refers to naturally occurring subsurface reservoirs of hot water or steam. (7) Systems approach.— The term “systems approach” means an approach to solving problems or designing systems that attempts to optimize the performance of the overall system, rather than a particular component of the system.

2. 2020

   Energy Act of 2020

   Pub. L. 116–260 § 3002(a) · 134 Stat. 1182

   Amended · 42 U.S.C. § 17191(1)

   Pub. L. 116–260, § 3002(a), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) defined the term “engineered”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Par. (1). Pub. L. 116–260, § 3002(a), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) defined the term “engineered”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (a) Definitions.— Section 612 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17191) is amended— (1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: “(1) Engineered.— When referring to enhanced geothermal systems, the term ‘engineered’ means designed to access subsurface heat, including stimulation and nonstimulation technologies to address one or more of the following issues: “(A) Lack of effective permeability, porosity or open fracture connectivity within the heat reservoir. “(B) Insufficient contained geofluid in the heat reservoir. “(C) A low average geothermal gradient which necessitates deeper drilling, or the use of alternative heat sources or heat generation processes.” ; (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (7) as paragraphs (3) through (8), respectively; and (3) by adding after paragraph (1) the following: “(2) Eligible entity.— The term ‘eligible entity’ means any of the following entities: “(A) An institution of higher education. “(B) A National laboratory. “(C) A Federal research agency. “(D) A State research agency. “(E) A nonprofit research organization. “(F) An industrial entity. “(G) A consortium of 2 or more entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (F).” .

3. 2020

   Energy Act of 2020

   Pub. L. 116–260 § 3002(a)(2) · 134 Stat. 1182

   1. Added · 42 U.S.C. § 17191(2)(8)

      Pub. L. 116–260, § 3002(a)(2), (3), added par. (2)

   2. Redesignated · 42 U.S.C. § 17191(2)(8)

      Pub. L. 116–260, § 3002(a)(2), (3), redesignated former pars. (2) to (7) as (3) to (8), respectively

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Pars. (2) to (8). Pub. L. 116–260, § 3002(a)(2), (3), added par. (2) and redesignated former pars. (2) to (7) as (3) to (8), respectively.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (7) as paragraphs (3) through (8), respectively; and

4 of 4 references resolved to an enrolled provision