### Question
How does the law define tar sands?


### Answer
Under *42 U.S.C. § 13554*, **tar sands** is defined as:

> any consolidated or unconsolidated rock (other than coal, oil shale, or gilsonite) that either—


(A) contains a hydrocarbonaceous material with a gas-free viscosity, at original reservoir temperature, greater than 10,000 centipoise

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 13554*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 134-ENERGY POLICY > SUBCHAPTER XII-MISCELLANEOUS > Part B-Other Miscellaneous Provisions**

