Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 96 Part 2.djvu/770

 96 STAT. 2132

Ante, p. 2098.

PUBLIC LAW 97-424—JAN. 6, 1983 this section, except where the provision of law establishing such limitation specifically amends or limits the applicability of this sentence. Sums allocated pursuant to this section shall not be considered to be sums allocated for purposes of section 104(b) of the Highway Improvement Act of 1982. (c) In order to carry out this section there is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund, other than the Mass Transit Account, such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years ending September 30, 1983, September 30, 1984, September 30, 1985, and September 30, 1986.". (b) The analysis for chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: "157. Minimum allocation.". DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS-RAIL HIGHWAY CROSSINGS

SEC. 151. Section 163(p) of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973, 23 USC 130 note, as amended, is amended by inserting after "1982," the following: "and $50,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1983, and $50,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1984, and $50,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1985, and $50,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1986," and by adding at the end thereof the following: "Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any project which is not under construction, according to the Secretary of Transportation, by September 30, 1985, shall not be eligible for additional funds under this authorization.". STUDY OF METHANE CONVERSION FOR HIGHWAY FUEL USE

23 USC 307 note.

Report to Congress.

SEC. 152. The Secretary of Transportation shall study, out of any funds available to the Secretary of Transportation for research purposes, the potential for recovering methane which is released in the process of offshore oil drilling and converting such methane on a floating conversion plant located at the drilling site into methanol for use as a fuel for highway vehicles. Such study shall include, but need not be limited to, a determination of the quality and quantity of the methane which is released at offshore drilling sites at various locations and the costs involved in recovering such methane and converting it in the manner described in the preceding sentence. The Secretary shall also determine the permitting requirements which would apply to such floating conversion plants and the most effective way to implement those permitting requirements. The Secretary shall report to the Congress the results of the study under this section not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act. EMERGENCY REUEP

SEC. 153. (a)(1) The first sentence of subsection (a) of section 125 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking the first sentence thereof and inserting in lieu thereof the following: "An emergency fund is authorized for expenditure by the Secretary, subject to the provisions of this section and section 120 of this title, for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads, and trails which the Secretary shall find have suffered serious damage as the result of (1) natural disaster over a wide area such as by floods, hurricanes, tidal waves, earthquakes, severe storms, or landslides, or (2) catastrophic

�