9-29-06, House Agreed to Bill by Voice Vote
Referred to Senate
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6203
AN ACT
To provide for Federal energy research, development, demonstration,
and commercial application activities, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Alternative Energy Research and Development
Act'.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act--
(1) the term `biomass' has the meaning given that term in section 932(a)(1)
of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16232(a)(1));
(2) the term `cellulosic feedstock' has the meaning given the term `lignocellulosic
feedstock' in section 932(a)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16232(a)(2));
(3) the term `Department' means the Department of Energy;
(4) the term `institution of higher education' has the meaning given that
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001(a));
(5) the term `National Laboratory' has the meaning given the term `nonmilitary
energy laboratory' in section 903(3) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(42 U.S.C. 16182(3)); and
(6) the term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Energy.
SEC. 3. ADVANCED BIOFUEL TECHNOLOGIES.
(a) In General- The Secretary shall carry out a program of research, development,
demonstration, and commercial application for production of motor and other
fuels from biomass.
(b) Objectives- The Secretary shall design the program under this section
to--
(1) develop technologies that would make ethanol produced from cellulosic
feedstocks cost competitive with ethanol produced from corn by 2012;
(2) conduct research and development on how to apply advanced genetic
engineering and bioengineering techniques to increase the efficiency and
lower the cost of industrial-scale production of liquid fuels from cellulosic
feedstocks; and
(3) conduct research and development on the production of hydrocarbons
other than ethanol from biomass.
(c) Institution of Higher Education Grants- The Secretary shall designate
not less than 10 percent of the funds appropriated under subsection (d)
for each fiscal year to carry out the program for grants to competitively
selected institutions of higher education around the country focused on
meeting the objectives stated in subsection (b).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations- From amounts authorized to be appropriated
under section 931(c) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16231(c)),
there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this
section--
(1) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(2) such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2008 and
2009.
SEC. 4. ADVANCED HYDROGEN STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES.
(a) In General- The Secretary shall carry out a program of research, development,
demonstration, and commercial application for technologies to enable practical
onboard storage of hydrogen for use as a fuel for light-duty motor vehicles.
(b) Objective- The Secretary shall design the program under this section
to develop practical hydrogen storage technologies that would enable a hydrogen-fueled
light-duty motor vehicle to travel 300 miles before refueling.
SEC. 5. ADVANCED SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGIES.
(a) In General- The Secretary shall carry out a program of research, development,
demonstration, and commercial application for advanced solar photovoltaic
technologies.
(b) Objectives- The Secretary shall design the program under this section
to develop technologies that would--
(1) make electricity generated by solar photovoltaic power cost-competitive
by 2015; and
(2) enable the widespread use of solar photovoltaic power.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary to carry out this section--
(1) $148,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(2) such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2008 through
2011.
SEC. 6. ADVANCED WIND ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES.
(a) In General- The Secretary shall carry out a program of research, development,
demonstration, and commercial application for advanced wind energy technologies.
(b) Objectives- The Secretary shall design the program under this section
to--
(1) improve the efficiency and lower the cost of wind turbines;
(2) minimize adverse environmental impacts; and
(3) develop new small-scale wind energy technologies for use in low wind
speed environments.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary to carry out this section--
(1) $44,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(2) such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2008 through
2011.
SEC. 7. CONTINUING PROGRAMS.
The Secretary shall continue to carry out the research, development, demonstration,
and commercial application activities authorized in sections 921(b)(1) (for
distributed energy), 923 (for micro-cogeneration technology), and 931(a)(2)(C),
(D),and (E)(i) (for geothermal energy, hydropower, and ocean energy) of
the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
SEC. 8. PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
(a) Short Title- This section may be cited as the `Plug-In Hybrid Electric
Vehicle Act of 2006'.
(b) Definitions- In this section:
(1) BATTERY- The term `battery' means a device or system for the electrochemical
storage of energy.
(2) E85- The term `E85' means a fuel blend containing 85 percent ethanol
and 15 percent gasoline by volume.
(3) ELECTRIC DRIVE TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY- The term `electric drive
transportation technology' means--
(A) vehicles that use an electric motor for all or part of their motive
power and that may or may not use offboard electricity, including battery
electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric
vehicles, flexible fuel plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and electric
rail; and
(B) related equipment, including electric equipment necessary to recharge
a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
(4) FLEXIBLE FUEL PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE- The term `flexible
fuel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle' means a plug-in hybrid electric
vehicle warranted by its manufacturer as capable of operating on any combination
of gasoline or E85 for its onboard internal combustion or heat engine.
(5) HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE- The term `hybrid electric vehicle' means
a vehicle that--
(A) can be propelled using liquid combustible fuel and electric power
provided by an onboard battery; and
(B) utilizes regenerative power capture technology to recover energy
expended in braking the vehicle for use in recharging the battery.
(6) PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE- The term `plug-in hybrid electric
vehicle' means a hybrid electric onroad light-duty vehicle that can be
propelled solely on electric power for a minimum of 20 miles under city
driving conditions, and that is capable of recharging its battery from
an offboard electricity source.
(c) Program- The Secretary shall conduct a program of research, development,
demonstration, and commercial application on technologies needed for the
development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric drive transportation,
including--
(1) high capacity, high efficiency batteries, to--
(A) improve battery life, energy storage capacity, and power delivery
capacity, and lower cost; and
(B) minimize waste and hazardous material production in the entire value
chain, including after the end of the useful life of the batteries;
(2) high efficiency onboard and offboard charging components;
(3) high power drive train systems for passenger and commercial vehicles
and for supporting equipment;
(4) onboard energy management systems, power trains, and systems integration
for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, flexible fuel plug-in hybrid electric
vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles, including efficient cooling systems
and systems that minimize the emissions profile of such vehicles; and
(5) lightweight materials, including research, development, demonstration,
and commercial application to reduce the cost of materials such as steel
alloys and carbon fibers.
(d) Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program-
(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary shall establish a competitive grant pilot
demonstration program to provide not more than 25 grants annually to State
governments, local governments and public entities, metropolitan transportation
authorities, or combinations thereof to carry out a project or projects
for demonstration of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
(A) REQUIREMENTS- The Secretary shall issue requirements for applying
for grants under the demonstration pilot program. The Secretary shall
require that applications, at a minimum, include a description of how
data will be--
(I) performance of the vehicle or vehicles and the components, including
the battery, energy management, and charging systems, under various
driving speeds, trip ranges, traffic, and other driving conditions;
(II) costs of the vehicle or vehicles, including acquisition, operating,
and maintenance costs, and how the project or projects will be self-sustaining
after Federal assistance is completed; and
(III) emissions of the vehicle or vehicles, including greenhouse
gases, and the amount of petroleum displaced as a result of the
project or projects; and
(ii) summarized for dissemination to the Department, other grantees,
and the public.
(B) PARTNERS- An applicant under subparagraph (A) may carry out a project
or projects under the pilot program in partnership with one or more
private or nonprofit entities, which may include institutions of higher
education, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic
Serving Institutions, and other minority-serving institutions.
(A) PREFERENCE- When making awards under this subsection, the Secretary
shall consider each applicant's previous experience involving plug-in
hybrid electric vehicles and shall give preference to proposals that--
(i) provide the greatest demonstration per award dollar, with preference
increasing as the number of miles that a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
can be propelled solely on electric power under city driving conditions
increases; and
(ii) maximize the non-Federal share of project funding and demonstrate
the greatest likelihood that each project proposed in the application
will be maintained or expanded after Federal assistance under this
subsection is completed.
(B) BREADTH OF DEMONSTRATIONS- In awarding grants under this subsection,
the Secretary shall ensure the program will demonstrate plug-in hybrid
electric vehicles under various circumstances, including--
(iii) driving conditions;
(iv) climate conditions; and
to optimize understanding and function of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
(4) PILOT PROJECT REQUIREMENTS-
(A) SUBSEQUENT FUNDING- An applicant that has received a grant in one
year may apply for additional funds in subsequent years, but the Secretary
shall not provide more than $10,000,000 in Federal assistance under
the pilot program to any applicant for the period encompassing fiscal
years 2007 through fiscal year 2011.
(B) INFORMATION- The Secretary shall establish mechanisms to ensure
that the information and knowledge gained by participants in the pilot
program are shared among the pilot program participants and are available
to other interested parties, including other applicants.
(5) AWARD AMOUNTS- The Secretary shall determine grant amounts, but the
maximum size of grants shall decline as the cost of producing plug-in
hybrid electric vehicles declines or the cost of converting a hybrid electric
vehicle to a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle declines.
(e) Cost Sharing- The Secretary shall carry out the program under this section
in compliance with section 988(a) through (d) and section 989 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352(a) through (d) and 16353).
(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary--
(1) for carrying out subsection (c), $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2008
and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2009 through
2011; and
(2) for carrying out subsection (d), $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2008
and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2009 through
2011.
SEC. 9. PHOTOVOLTAIC DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
(a) Short Title- This section may be cited as the `Solar Utilization Now
Demonstration Act of 2006' or the `SUN Act of 2006'.
(b) In General- The Secretary shall establish a program of grants to States
to demonstrate advanced photovoltaic technology.
(1) ABILITY TO MEET REQUIREMENTS- To receive funding under the program
under this section, a State must submit a proposal that demonstrates,
to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that the State will meet the requirements
of subsection (g).
(2) COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS- If a State has received funding under
this section for the preceding year, the State must demonstrate, to the
satisfaction of the Secretary, that it complied with the requirements
of subsection (g) in carrying out the program during that preceding year,
and that it will do so in the future, before it can receive further funding
under this section.
(3) FUNDING ALLOCATION- Except as provided in subsection (d), each State
submitting a proposal that meets the requirements under subsection (c)
shall receive funding under the program based on the proportion of United
States population in the State according to the 2000 census. In each fiscal
year, the portion of funds attributable under this paragraph to States
that have not submitted proposals that meet the requirements under subsection
(c) in the time and manner specified by the Secretary shall be distributed
pro rata to the States that have submitted proposals that meet the requirements
under subsection (c) in the specified time and manner.
(d) Competition- If more than $80,000,000 is available for the program under
this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate 75 percent
of the total amount of funds available according to subsection (c)(3), and
shall award the remaining 25 percent on a competitive basis to the States
with the proposals the Secretary considers most likely to encourage the
widespread adoption of photovoltaic technologies. In awarding funds under
this subsection, the Secretary may give preference to proposals that would
demonstrate the use of newer materials or technologies.
(e) Proposals- Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this
Act, and in each subsequent fiscal year for the life of the program, the
Secretary shall solicit proposals from the States to participate in the
program under this section.
(f) Competitive Criteria- In awarding funds in a competitive allocation
under subsection (d), the Secretary shall consider--
(1) the likelihood of a proposal to encourage the demonstration of, or
lower the costs of, advanced photovoltaic technologies; and
(2) the extent to which a proposal is likely to--
(A) maximize the amount of photovoltaics demonstrated;
(B) maximize the proportion of non-Federal cost share; and
(C) limit State administrative costs.
(g) State Program- A program operated by a State with funding under this
section shall provide competitive awards for the demonstration of advanced
photovoltaic technologies. Each State program shall--
(1) require a contribution of at least 60 percent per award from non-Federal
sources, which may include any combination of State, local, and private
funds, except that at least 10 percent of the funding must be supplied
by the State;
(2) limit awards for any single project to a maximum of $1,000,000;
(3) prohibit any nongovernmental recipient from receiving more than $1,000,000
per year;
(4) endeavor to fund recipients in the commercial, industrial, institutional,
governmental, and residential sectors;
(5) limit State administrative costs to no more than 10 percent of the
grant;
(6) report annually to the Secretary on--
(A) the amount of funds disbursed;
(B) the amount of photovoltaics purchased; and
(C) the results of the monitoring under paragraph (7);
(7) provide for measurement and verification of the output of a representative
sample of the photovoltaics systems demonstrated throughout the average
working life of the systems, or at least 20 years;
(8) require that applicant buildings must have received an independent
energy efficiency audit during the 6-month period preceding the filing
of the application; and
(9) encourage Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving
Institutions, and other minority-serving institutions to apply for grants
under this program.
(h) Unexpended Funds- If a State fails to expend any funds received under
subsection (c) or (d) within 3 years of receipt, such remaining funds shall
be returned to the Treasury.
(i) Reports- The Secretary shall report to Congress 5 years after funds
are first distributed to the States under this section--
(1) the amount of photovoltaics demonstrated;
(2) the number of projects undertaken;
(3) the administrative costs of the program;
(4) the amount of funds that each State has not received because of a
failure to submit a qualifying proposal, as described in subsection (c)(3);
(5) the results of the monitoring under subsection (g)(7); and
(6) the total amount of funds distributed, including a breakdown by State.
(j) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary for the purposes of carrying out this section--
(1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
(2) such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2009 through
2011.
SEC. 10. ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Energy Efficient Building Pilot Grant Program-
(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to award grants
to businesses and organizations for new construction of energy efficient
buildings, or major renovations of buildings that will result in energy
efficient buildings, to demonstrate innovative energy efficiency technologies,
especially those sponsored by the Department.
(2) AWARDS- The Secretary shall award grants under this subsection competitively
to those applicants whose proposals--
(i) likelihood to meet or exceed the standards referred to in subsection
(b)(2);
(ii) likelihood to maximize cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities;
and
(iii) advanced energy efficiency technologies; and
(B) maximize the leverage of private investment for costs related to
increasing the energy efficiency of the building.
(3) CONSIDERATION- The Secretary shall give due consideration to proposals
for buildings that are likely to serve low and moderate income populations.
(4) AMOUNT OF GRANTS- Grants under this subsection shall be for up to
50 percent of design and energy modeling costs, not to exceed $50,000
per building. No single grantee may be eligible for more than 3 grants
per year under this program.
(A) INITIAL PAYMENT- The Secretary shall pay 50 percent of the total
amount of the grant to grant recipients upon selection.
(B) REMAINDER OF PAYMENT- The Secretary shall pay the remaining 50 percent
of the grant only after independent certification, by a professional
engineer or other qualified professional, that operational buildings
are energy efficient buildings as defined in subsection (b).
(C) FAILURE TO COMPLY- The Secretary shall not provide the remainder
of the payment unless the building is certified within 6 months after
operation of the completed building to meet the requirements described
in subparagraph (B), or in the case of major renovations the building
is certified within 6 months of the completion of the renovations.
(6) REPORT TO CONGRESS- Not later than 3 years after awarding the first
grant under this subsection, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress
a report containing--
(A) the total number and dollar amount of grants awarded under this
subsection; and
(B) an estimate of aggregate cost and energy savings enabled by the
pilot program under this subsection.
(7) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES- Administrative expenses for the program under
this subsection shall not exceed 10 percent of appropriated funds.
(b) Definition of Energy Efficient Building- For purposes of this section
the term `energy efficient building' means a building that--
(1) achieves a reduction in energy consumption of--
(A) at least 30 percent for new construction, compared to the energy
standards set by the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (in
the case of residential buildings) or ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004; or
(B) at least 20 percent for major renovations, compared to energy consumption
before renovations are begun;
(2) is constructed or renovated in accordance with the most current, appropriate,
and applicable voluntary consensus standards, as determined by the Secretary,
such as those listed in the assessment under section 914(b), or revised
or developed under section 914(c), of the Energy Policy Act of 2005; and
(3) after construction or renovation--
(A) uses heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems that perform
at no less than Energy Star standards; or
(B) if Energy Star standards are not applicable, uses Federal Energy
Management Program recommended heating, ventilating, and air conditioning
products.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary for carrying out this section--
(1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
(2) such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2009 through
2011.
SEC. 11. ENERGY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.
Section 917 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16197) is amended
to read as follows:
`SEC. 917. ADVANCED ENERGY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTERS.
`(a) Grants- Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the
Alternative Energy Research and Development Act, the Secretary shall make
grants to nonprofit institutions, State and local governments, cooperative
extension services, or universities (or consortia thereof), to establish
a geographically dispersed network of Advanced Energy Technology Transfer
Centers, to be located in areas the Secretary determines have the greatest
need of the services of such Centers. In establishing the network, the Secretary
shall consider the special needs and opportunities for increased energy
efficiency for manufactured and site-built housing, including construction,
renovation, and retrofit. In making awards under this section, the Secretary
shall--
`(1) give priority to applicants already operating or partnered with an
outreach program capable of transferring knowledge and information about
advanced energy efficiency methods and technologies;
`(2) ensure that, to the extent practicable, the program enables the transfer
of knowledge and information--
`(A) about a variety of technologies and
`(B) in a variety of geographic areas; and
`(3) give preference to applicants that would significantly expand on
or fill a gap in existing programs in a geographical region.
`(b) Activities- Each Center shall operate a program to encourage demonstration
and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies through
education and outreach to building and industrial professionals, and to
other individuals and organizations with an interest in efficient energy
use. Funds awarded under this section may be used for the following activities:
`(1) Developing and distributing informational materials on technologies
that could use energy more efficiently.
`(2) Carrying out demonstrations of advanced energy methods and technologies.
`(3) Developing and conducting seminars, workshops, long-distance learning
sessions, and other activities to aid in the dissemination of knowledge
and information on technologies that could use energy more efficiently.
`(4) Providing or coordinating onsite energy evaluations, including instruction
on the commissioning of building heating and cooling systems, for a wide
range of energy end-users.
`(5) Examining the energy efficiency needs of energy end-users to develop
recommended research projects for the Department.
`(6) Hiring experts in energy efficient technologies to carry out activities
described in paragraphs (1) through (5).
`(c) Application- A person seeking a grant under this section shall submit
to the Secretary an application in such form and containing such information
as the Secretary may require. The Secretary may award a grant under this
section to an entity already in existence if the entity is otherwise eligible
under this section. The application shall include, at a minimum--
`(1) a description of the applicant's outreach program, and the geographic
region it would serve, and of why the program would be capable of transferring
knowledge and information about advanced energy technologies that increase
efficiency of energy use;
`(2) a description of the activities the applicant would carry out, of
the technologies that would be transferred, and of any other organizations
that will help facilitate a regional approach to carrying out those activities;
`(3) a description of how the proposed activities would be appropriate
to the specific energy needs of the geographic region to be served;
`(4) an estimate of the number and types of energy end-users expected
to be reached through such activities; and
`(5) a description of how the applicant will assess the success of the
program.
`(d) Selection Criteria- The Secretary shall award grants under this section
on the basis of the following criteria, at a minimum:
`(1) The ability of the applicant to carry out the proposed activities.
`(2) The extent to which the applicant will coordinate the activities
of the Center with other entities as appropriate, such as State and local
governments, utilities, universities, and National Laboratories.
`(3) The appropriateness of the applicant's outreach program for carrying
out the program described in this section.
`(4) The likelihood that proposed activities could be expanded or used
as a model for other areas.
`(e) Cost-Sharing- In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall require
cost-sharing in accordance with the requirements of section 988 for commercial
application activities.
`(1) INITIAL GRANT PERIOD- A grant awarded under this section shall be
for a period of 5 years.
`(2) INITIAL EVALUATION- Each grantee under this section shall be evaluated
during its third year of operation under procedures established by the
Secretary to determine if the grantee is accomplishing the purposes of
this section described in subsection (a). The Secretary shall terminate
any grant that does not receive a positive evaluation. If an evaluation
is positive, the Secretary may extend the grant for 3 additional years
beyond the original term of the grant.
`(3) ADDITIONAL EXTENSION- If a grantee receives an extension under paragraph
(2), the grantee shall be evaluated again during the second year of the
extension. The Secretary shall terminate any grant that does not receive
a positive evaluation. If an evaluation is positive, the Secretary may
extend the grant for a final additional period of 3 additional years beyond
the original extension.
`(4) LIMITATION- No grantee may receive more than 11 years of support
under this section without reapplying for support and competing against
all other applicants seeking a grant at that time.
`(g) Prohibition- None of the funds awarded under this section may be used
for the construction of facilities.
`(h) Definitions- For purposes of this section:
`(1) ADVANCED ENERGY METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES- The term `advanced energy
methods and technologies' means all methods and technologies that promote
energy efficiency and conservation, including distributed generation technologies,
and life-cycle analysis of energy use.
`(2) CENTER- The term `Center' means an Advanced Energy Technology Transfer
Center established pursuant to this section.
`(3) DISTRIBUTED GENERATION- The term `distributed generation' means an
electric power generation technology, including photovoltaic, small wind
and micro-combined heat and power, that is designed to serve retail electric
consumers on-site.
`(4) COOPERATIVE EXTENSION- The term `Cooperative Extension' means the
extension services established at the land-grant colleges and universities
under the Smith-Lever Act of May 8, 1914.
`(5) LAND-GRANT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES- The term `land-grant colleges
and universities' means--
`(A) 1862 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601));
`(B) 1890 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of that Act); and
`(C) 1994 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of that Act).
`(i) Authorization of Appropriations- In addition to amounts otherwise authorized
to be appropriated in section 911, there are authorized to be appropriated
for the program under this section such sums as may be appropriated.'.
SEC. 12. GREEN ENERGY EDUCATION.
(a) Definition- For the purposes of this section:
(1) DIRECTOR- The term `Director' means the Director of the National Science
Foundation.
(2) HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDING- The term `high performance building' has
the meaning given that term in section 914(a) of the Energy Policy Act
of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16194(a)).
(b) Graduate Training in Energy Research and Development-
(1) FUNDING- In carrying out research, development, demonstration, and
commercial application activities authorized for the Department, the Secretary
may contribute funds to the National Science Foundation for the Integrative
Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program to support projects
that enable graduate education related to such activities.
(2) CONSULTATION- The Director shall consult with the Secretary when preparing
solicitations and awarding grants for projects described in paragraph
(1).
(c) Curriculum Development for High Performance Building Design-
(1) FUNDING- In carrying out advanced energy technology research, development,
demonstration, and commercial application activities authorized for the
Department related to high performance buildings, the Secretary may contribute
funds to curriculum development activities at the National Science Foundation
for the purpose of improving undergraduate or graduate interdisciplinary
engineering and architecture education related to the design and construction
of high performance buildings, including development of curricula, of
laboratory activities, of training practicums, or of design projects.
A primary goal of curriculum development activities supported under this
section shall be to improve the ability of engineers, architects, and
planners to work together on the incorporation of advanced energy technologies
during the design and construction of high performance buildings.
(2) CONSULTATION- The Director shall consult with the Secretary when preparing
solicitations and awarding grants for projects described in paragraph
(1).
(3) PRIORITY- In awarding grants with respect to which the Secretary has
contributed funds under this subsection, the Director shall give priority
to applications from departments, programs, or centers of a school of
engineering that are partnered with schools, departments, or programs
of design, architecture, and city, regional, or urban planning, and due
consideration to applications from Historically Black Colleges and Universities
and other minority serving institutions.
SEC. 13. ARPA-E STUDY.
(a) In General- The Secretary shall enter into an arrangement with the National
Academy of Sciences to conduct a detailed study of, and make further recommendations
on, the October 2005 National Academy of Sciences recommendation to establish
an Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (in this section referred to
as ARPA-E).
(b) Report- Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress the study described in subsection
(a) and the Secretary's response to the findings, conclusions, and recommendations
of that study.
(c) Terms of Reference- The Secretary shall ensure that the study described
in subsection (a) addresses the following questions:
(1) What basic research related to new energy technologies is occurring
now, what entities are funding it, and what is preventing the results
of that research from reaching the market?
(2) What economic evidence indicates that the limiting factor in the market
penetration of new energy technologies is a lack of basic research on
pathbreaking new technologies? What barriers do those trying to develop
new energy technologies face during later stages of research and development?
(3) To what extent is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency an
appropriate model for an energy research agency, given that the Federal
Government would not be the primary customer for its technology and where
cost is an important concern?
(4) How would research and development sponsored by ARPA-E differ from
research and development conducted by the National Laboratories or sponsored
by the Department through the Office of Science, the Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Office of Fossil Energy, the Office
of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, and the Office of Nuclear
Energy?
(5) Should industry or National Laboratories be recipients of ARPA-E grants?
What institutional or organizational arrangements would be required to
ensure that ARPA-E sponsors transformational, rather than incremental,
research and development?
SEC. 14. COAL METHANATION.
(a) Program- The Secretary shall establish a program of research, development,
demonstration, and commercial application of coal gasification facilities
that convert coal into pipeline quality gaseous fuels for direct use or
subsequent chemical or physical conversion.
(b) Procedures- The program established under subsection (a) shall be carried
out using procedures described in title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of
2005.
SEC. 15. ALTERNATIVE BIOBASED FUELS AND ULTRA LOW SULFUR DIESEL.
(a) Alternative Fuel and ULSD Infrastructure and Additives Research and
Development- The Secretary, in consultation with the National Institute
of Standards and Technology, shall carry out a program of research, development,
demonstration, and commercial application of materials to be added to alternative
biobased fuels and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuels to make them more compatible
with existing infrastructure used to store and deliver petroleum-based fuels
to the point of final sale. The program shall address--
(1) materials to prevent or mitigate--
(A) corrosion of metal, plastic, rubber, cork, fiberglass, glues, or
any other material used in pipes and storage tanks;
(B) dissolving of storage tank sediments;
(D) contamination from water or other adulterants or pollutants;
(E) poor flow properties related to low temperatures;
(F) oxidative and thermal instability in long-term storage and use;
(G) increased volatile emissions;
(H) microbial contamination;
(I) problems associated with electrical conductivity; and
(J) increased nitrogen oxide emissions;
(2) alternatives to conventional methods for refurbishment and cleaning
of gasoline and diesel tanks, including tank lining applications; and
(3) other problems as identified by the Secretary in consultation with
the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
(b) Sulfur Testing for Diesel Fuels-
(1) PROGRAM- The Secretary, in consultation with the National Institute
of Standards and Technology, shall carry out a research, development,
and demonstration program on portable, low-cost, and accurate methods
and technologies for testing of sulfur content in fuel, including Ultra
Low Sulfur Diesel and Low Sulfur Diesel.
(2) SCHEDULE OF DEMONSTRATIONS- Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall begin demonstrations of technologies
under paragraph (1).
(c) Standard Reference Materials and Data Base Development- Not later than
6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Institute
of Standards and Technology shall develop a physical properties data base
and standard reference materials for alternative fuels. Such data base and
standard reference materials shall be maintained and updated as appropriate
as additional alternative fuels become available.
SEC. 16. BIOENERGY.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations- Section 931 of the Energy Policy Act
of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16231) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting `, including $25,000,000 for section
932(d)(1)(B)(v)' after `section 932(d)';
(2) in subsection (c)(2), by inserting `, including $25,000,000 for section
932(d)(1)(B)(v)' after `section 932(d)'; and
(3) in subsection (c)(3), by inserting `, including $25,000,000 for section
932(d)(1)(B)(v)' after `section 932(d)'.
(b) Bioenergy Program- Section 932(d)(1)(B) of the Energy Policy Act of
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16232(d)(1)(B)) is amended--
(1) by striking `and' at the end of clause (iii); and
(2) by adding after clause (iv) the following new clause:
`(v) biodegradable natural plastics from biomass; and'.
Passed the House of Representatives September 29, 2006.
Attest:
Clerk.
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6203
AN ACT
To provide for Federal energy research, development, demonstration, and
commercial application activities, and for other purposes.
END
