recommend to the Congress from time to time authorization for construction and operation, or for participation in the construction and operation, of a demonstration plant for any process which he determines, on the basis of subsections (a) and (b) above, has great promise of accomplishing the purposes of this Act, such recommendation to be accompanied by a report on the size, location, and cost of the proposed plant and the engineering and economic details with respect thereto;

study methods for the recovery and marketing of commercially valuable byproducts resulting from the conversion of saline water; and undertake economic studies and surveys to determine present and prospective costs of producing water for beneficial consumptive purposes in various parts of the United States by the leading saline water processes as compared with other standard methods.

In carrying out his functions under section 2 of this Act, the Secretary may --

acquire the services of chemists, physicists, engineers, and other personnel by contract or otherwise;

enter into contracts with educational institutions, scientific organizations, and industrial and engineering firms;

make research and training grants;

utilize the facilities of Federal scientific laboratories;

establish and operate necessary facilities and test sites at which to carry on the continuous research, testing, development, and programming necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Act;