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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 831d. Directors; maintenance and operation of plant for production, sale, and distribution of fertilizer and power
The board is authorized -
(a) To contract with commercial producers for the production of
such fertilizers or fertilizer materials as may be needed in the
Government's program of development and introduction in excess of
that produced by Government plants. Such contracts may provide
either for outright purchase of materials by the board or only for
the payment of carrying charges on special materials manufactured
at the board's request for its program.
(b) To arrange with farmers and farm organizations for
large-scale practical use of the new forms of fertilizers under
conditions permitting an accurate measure of the economic return
they produce.
(c) To cooperate with National, State, district, or county
experimental stations or demonstration farms, with farmers,
landowners, and associations of farmers or landowners, for the use
of new forms of fertilizer or fertilizer practices during the
initial or experimental period of their introduction, and for
promoting the prevention of soil erosion by the use of fertilizers
and otherwise.
(d) The board, in order to improve and cheapen the production of
fertilizer, is authorized to manufacture and sell fixed nitrogen,
fertilizer, and fertilizer ingredients at Muscle Shoals by the
employment of existing facilities, by modernizing existing plants,
or by any other process or processes that in its judgment shall
appear wise and profitable for the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen
or the cheapening of the production of fertilizer.
(e) Under the authority of this chapter the board may make
donations or sales of the product of the plant or plants operated
by it to be fairly and equitably distributed through the agency of
county demonstration agents, agricultural colleges, or otherwise as
the board may direct, for experimentation, education, and
introduction of the use of such products in cooperation with
practical farmers so as to obtain information as to the value,
effect, and best methods of their use.
(f) The board is authorized to make alterations, modifications,
or improvements in existing plants and facilities, and to construct
new plants.
(g) In the event it is not used for the fixation of nitrogen for
agricultural purposes or leased, then the board shall maintain in
stand-by condition nitrate plant numbered 2, or its equivalent, for
the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, for the production of
explosives in the event of war or a national emergency, until the
Congress shall by joint resolution release the board from this
obligation, and if any part thereof be used by the board for the
manufacture of phosphoric acid or potash, the balance of nitrate
plant numbered 2 shall be kept in stand-by condition.
(h) To establish, maintain, and operate laboratories and
experimental plants, and to undertake experiments for the purpose
of enabling the Corporation to furnish nitrogen products for
military purposes, and nitrogen and other fertilizer products for
agricultural purposes in the most economical manner and at the
highest standard of efficiency.
(i) To request the assistance and advice of any officer, agent,
or employee of any executive department or of any independent
office of the United States, to enable the Corporation the better
to carry out its powers successfully, and as far as practicable
shall utilize the services of such officers, agents, and employees,
and the President shall, if in his opinion the public interest,
service, or economy so require, direct that such assistance,
advice, and service be rendered to the Corporation, and any
individual that may be by the President directed to render such
assistance, advice, and service shall be thereafter subject to the
orders, rules, and regulations of the board: Provided, That any
invention or discovery made by virtue of and incidental to such
service by an employee of the Government of the United States
serving under this section, or by any employee of the Corporation,
together with any patents which may be granted thereon, shall be
the sole and exclusive property of the Corporation, which is
authorized to grant such licenses thereunder as shall be authorized
by the board: Provided further, That the board may pay to such
inventor such sum from the income from sale of licenses as it may
deem proper.
(j) Upon the requisition of the Secretary of the Army or the
Secretary of the Navy to manufacture for and sell at cost to the
United States explosives or their nitrogenous content.
(k) Upon the requisition of the Secretary of the Army, the
Corporation shall allot and deliver without charge to the
Department of the Army so much power as shall be necessary in the
judgment of said Department for use in operation of all locks,
lifts, or other facilities in aid of navigation.
(l) To produce, distribute, and sell electric power, as herein
particularly specified.
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