42 USC § 10310 - Produced water research and development

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t42/s10310"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "42 USC § 10310 - Produced water research and development"
title_number: 42
title_name: "THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE"
section_number: "10310"
section_name: "Produced water research and development"
chapter_number: 109
chapter_name: "WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title IV, § 4008, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2546.)"
---


# § 10310. Produced water research and development

**(a)** **Establishment** As soon as possible after December 27, 2020, the Secretary of Energy (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”) shall establish a research and development program on produced water to develop—

**(1)** new technologies and practices to reduce the environmental impact; and

**(2)** opportunities for reprocessing of produced water at natural gas or oil development sites.

**(b)** **Prioritization** In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to projects that develop and bring to market—

**(1)** effective systems for on-site management or repurposing of produced water; and

**(2)** new technologies or approaches to reduce the environmental impact of produced water on local water sources and the environment.

**(c)** **Conduct of program** In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall carry out science-based research and development activities to pursue—

**(1)** improved efficiency, technologies, and techniques for produced water recycling stations; and

**(2)** alternative approaches to treating, reusing, storing, or decontaminating produced water.

**(d)** **Authorization of appropriations** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title IV, § 4008, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2546.)

## Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy Act of 2020, and not as part of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 which comprises this chapter.