[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 397 Reported in Senate (RS)]





                                                       Calendar No. 448

106th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                 S. 397

                          [Report No. 106-232]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of Energy to establish a multiagency program 
in support of the Materials Corridor Partnership Initiative to promote 
energy efficient, environmentally sound economic development along the 
 border with Mexico through the research, development, and use of new 
                         materials technology.

_______________________________________________________________________

                             March 9, 2000

        Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the title





                                                       Calendar No. 448
106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                 S. 397

                          [Report No. 106-232]

To authorize the Secretary of Energy to establish a multiagency program 
in support of the Materials Corridor Partnership Initiative to promote 
energy efficient, environmentally sound economic development along the 
 border with Mexico through the research, development, and use of new 
                         materials technology.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 10, 1999

 Mr. Bingaman (for himself and Mr. Domenici) introduced the following 
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                           Natural Resources

                             March 9, 2000

 Reported by Mr. Murkowski, with an amendment and an amendment to the 
                                 title
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To authorize the Secretary of Energy to establish a multiagency program 
in support of the Materials Corridor Partnership Initiative to promote 
energy efficient, environmentally sound economic development along the 
 border with Mexico through the research, development, and use of new 
                         materials technology.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``National Materials Corridor 
Partnership Act of 1999''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. FINDINGS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Congress finds that--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the region adjacent to the 2,000-mile border 
        between the United States and Mexico is an important region for 
        energy-intensive manufacturing and materials industries 
        critical to the economic and social wellbeing of both 
        countries;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) there are currently more than 800 
        multinational firms (including firms known as ``maquiladoras'') 
        representing United States investments of more than 
        $1,000,000,000 in the San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Baja 
        California, border region and in the El Paso, Texas, and 
        Juarez, Chihuahua, border region;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) materials and materials-related industries 
        comprise a major portion of the industries operating on both 
        sides of the border, amounting to more than $6,800,000,000 in 
        annual commerce on the Mexican side alone;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) there are a significant number of major 
        institutions in the border States of both countries currently 
        conducting academic and research activities in 
        materials;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5)(A) the United States Government currently 
        invests approximately $1,000,000,000 annually in materials 
        research, of which, in 1996, the Department of Energy funded 
        the largest proportion of civilian materials research; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (B) there are also major materials programs at the 
        National Science Foundation, the National Institute of 
        Standards and Technology, and Department of Defense, among 
        other entities;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) the United States and Mexico have invested 
        heavily in domestic and binational cooperative programs to 
        address major concerns for the natural resources, environment, 
        and public health of the United States-Mexico border region, 
        expending hundreds of millions of dollars annually in those 
        efforts;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7)(A) scientific and technical advances in 
        materials and materials processing provide major opportunities 
        for--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (i) significantly improving energy 
                efficiency;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (ii) reducing emissions of global climate 
                change gases;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (iii) using recycled natural resources as 
                primary materials for industrial production; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (iv) minimizing industrial wastes and 
                pollution; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (B) such advances will directly benefit both sides 
        of the United States-Mexico border by encouraging energy 
        efficient, environmentally sound economic development that 
        protects the health and natural resources of the border 
        region;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8)(A) promoting clean materials industries in the 
        border region that are energy efficient has been identified as 
        a high priority issue by the United States-Mexico Foundation 
        for Science Cooperation; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (B) at the 1998 discussions of the United States-
        Mexico Binational Commission, Mexico formally proposed joint 
        funding of a ``Materials Corridor Partnership Initiative'', 
        proposing $1,000,000 to implement the Initiative if matched by 
        the United States;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) recognizing the importance of materials and 
        materials processing, academic and research institutions in the 
        border States of both the United States and Mexico, in 
        conjunction with private sector partners of both countries, and 
        with strong endorsement from the Government of Mexico, in 1998 
        organized the Materials Corridor Council to implement a 
        cooperative program of materials research and development, 
        education and training, and sustainable industrial development 
        as part of the Materials Corridor Partnership Initiative; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (10) successful implementation of the Materials 
        Corridor Partnership Initiative would advance important United 
        States energy, environmental, and economic goals not only in 
        the United States-Mexico border region but also as a model for 
        similar collaborative materials initiatives in other regions of 
        the world.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. PURPOSE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The purpose of this Act is to establish a multiagency 
program in support of the Materials Corridor Partnership Initiative 
referred to in section 2(8) to promote energy efficient, 
environmentally sound economic development along the United States-
Mexico border through the research, development, and use of new 
materials technology.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    In this Act:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Program.--The term ``program'' means the 
        program established under section 5(a).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
        Secretary of Energy.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 
              PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Establishment.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
        comprehensive program to promote energy efficient, 
        environmentally sound economic development along the United 
        States-Mexico border through the research, development, and use 
        of new materials technology.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Considerations.--In developing the program, 
        the Secretary shall give due consideration to the proposal made 
        to the United States-Mexico Binational Commission for the 
        Materials Corridor Partnership Initiative.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Participation of Other Federal Agencies.--The 
Secretary shall organize and conduct the program jointly with--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the Department of State;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the Environmental Protection Agency;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) the National Science Foundation;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) the National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) any other departments or agencies the 
        participation of which the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Participation of the Private Sector.--When 
appropriate, funds made available under this Act shall be made 
available for research and development or education and training 
activities that are conducted with the participation and support of 
private sector organizations located in the United States and, subject 
to section 7(c)(2), Mexico, to promote and accelerate in the United 
States-Mexico border region the use of energy efficient, 
environmentally sound technologies and other advances resulting from 
the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Mexican Resource Contributions.--The Secretary shall--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) encourage public, private, nonprofit, and 
        academic organizations located in Mexico to contribute 
        significant financial and other resources to the program; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) take any such contributions into account in 
        conducting the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Transfer of Technology From National Laboratories.--In 
conducting the program, the Secretary shall emphasize the transfer and 
use of materials technology developed by the national laboratories of 
the Department of Energy before the date of enactment of this 
Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 6. ACTIVITIES AND MAJOR PROGRAM ELEMENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Activities.--Funds made available under this Act shall 
be made available for research and development and education and 
training activities that are primarily focused on materials, and the 
synthesis, processing, and fabrication of materials, that promote--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) improvement of energy efficiency;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) elimination or minimization of emissions of 
        global climate change gases and contaminants;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) minimization of industrial wastes and 
        pollutants; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) use of recycled resources as primary materials 
        for industrial production.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Major Program Elements.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The program shall have the 
        following major elements:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Applied research, focused on maturing 
                and refining materials technologies to demonstrate the 
                feasibility or utility of the materials 
                technologies.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Basic research, focused on the 
                discovery of new knowledge that may eventually prove 
                useful in creating materials technologies to promote 
                energy efficient, environmentally sound 
                manufacturing.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Education and training, focused on 
                educating and training scientists, engineers, and 
                workers in the border region in energy efficient, 
                environmentally sound materials technologies.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Applied research.--Applied research projects 
        under paragraph (1)(A) should typically involve significant 
        participation from private sector organizations that would use 
        or sell such a technology.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Basic research.--Basic research projects 
        conducted under paragraph (1)(B) should typically be led by an 
        academic or other research institution.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 7. PARTICIPATION OF DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES OTHER THAN 
              THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Agreement.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with 
the departments and agencies referred to in section 5(b) on the 
coordination and implementation of the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Actions of Departments and Agencies.--Any action of a 
department or agency under an agreement under subsection (a) shall be 
the responsibility of that department or agency and shall not be 
subject to approval by the Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Use of Funds.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Secretary and the departments 
        and agencies referred to in section 5(b) may use funds made 
        available for the program for research and development or 
        education and training activities carried out by--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) State and local governments and 
                academic, nonprofit, and private organizations located 
                in the United States; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) State and local governments and 
                academic, nonprofit, and private organizations located 
                in Mexico.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Condition.--Funds may be made available to a 
        State or local government or organization located in Mexico 
        only if a government or organization located in Mexico (which 
        need not be the recipient of the funds) contributes a 
        significant amount of financial or other resources to the 
        project to be funded.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Transfer of Funds.--The Secretary may transfer funds 
to the departments and agencies referred to in section 5(b) to carry 
out the responsibilities of the departments and agencies under this 
Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 8. PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Establishment.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish an 
        advisory committee consisting of representatives of the 
        private, academic, and public sectors.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Considerations.--In establishing the advisory 
        committee, the Secretary shall take into consideration 
        organizations in existence on the date of enactment of this 
        Act, such as the Materials Corridor Council and the Business 
        Council for Sustainable Development-Gulf Mexico.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Consultation and Coordination.--Departments and 
agencies of the United States to which funds are made available under 
this Act shall consult and coordinate with the advisory committee in 
identifying and implementing the appropriate types of projects to be 
funded under this Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 9. FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Federal departments and agencies 
participating in the program may provide financial and technical 
assistance to other organizations to achieve the purpose of the 
program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Applied Research.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Use of cooperative agreements.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Federal departments and 
                agencies shall, to the extent practicable, use 
                cooperative agreements to fund applied research 
                activities by organizations outside the Federal 
                Government.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) National laboratories.--In the case of 
                an applied research activity conducted by a national 
                laboratory, a funding method other than a cooperative 
                agreement may be used if such a funding method would be 
                more administratively convenient.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Federal share.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The Federal Government 
                shall pay not more than 50 percent of the cost of 
                applied research activities under the 
                program.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Qualified funding and resources.--No 
                funds or other resources expended either before the 
                start of a project under the program or outside the 
                scope of work covered by the funding method determined 
                under paragraph (1) shall be credited toward the non-
                Federal share of the cost of the project.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Basic Research and Education and Training.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Federal departments and agencies 
        shall, to the extent practicable, use grants to fund basic 
        research and education and training activities by organizations 
        outside the Federal Government.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) National laboratories.--In the case of a basic 
        research or education activity conducted by a national 
        laboratory, a funding method other than a grant may be used if 
        such a funding method would be more administratively 
        convenient.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Federal share.--The Federal Government may 
        fund 100 percent of the cost of the basic research and 
        education and training activities of the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Competitive Selection.--All projects funded under the 
program shall be competitively selected using such selection criteria 
as the Secretary, in consultation with the departments and agencies 
referred to in section 5(b), determines to be appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Accounting Standards.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Waiver.--To facilitate participation in the 
        program, Federal departments and agencies may waive any 
        requirements for Government accounting standards by 
        organizations that have not established such 
        standards.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) GAAP.--Generally accepted accounting 
        principles shall be sufficient for projects under the 
        program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) No Construction.--No program funds may be used for 
construction.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
Act $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2004.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Materials Corridor and 
United States-Mexico Border Technology Partnership Act of 2000''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) the 2,000 mile long United States-Mexico border region, 
        extending 100 kilometers north and south of the international 
        boundary, has undergone rapid economic growth that has provided 
        economic opportunity to millions of people;
            (2) the border region's rapid economic growth has 
        unfortunately created serious problems including pollution, 
        hazardous wastes, and the inefficient use of resources that 
        threaten people's health and the prospects for long-term 
        economic growth in the region;
            (3) there are a significant number of major institutions in 
        the border States of both countries currently conducting 
        research, development and testing activities in technologies 
        that might help alleviate these problems;
            (4)(A) these new technologies may provide major 
        opportunities for significantly--
                    (i) minimizing industrial wastes and pollution that 
                may pose a threat to public health;
                    (ii) reducing emissions of atmospheric pollutants;
                    (iii) using recycled natural resources as primary 
                materials for industrial production; and
                    (iv) improving energy efficiency; and
            (B) such advances will directly benefit both sides of the 
        United States-Mexico border by encouraging energy efficient, 
        environmentally sound economic development that improves the 
        health and protects the natural resources of the border region;
            (5) in August 1998, the binational United States-Mexico 
        Border Region Hazardous Wastes Forum, organized by the 
        Department of Energy's Carlsbad Area Office, resulted in a 
        consensus of experts from the United States and Mexico that the 
        Department of Energy's science and technology could be 
        leveraged to address key environmental issues in the border 
        region while fostering further economic development of the 
        border region;
            (6) the Carlsbad Area Office, which manages the Waste 
        Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, New Mexico, is well suited 
        to lead a multiagency program focused on the problems of the 
        border region given its significant expertise in hazardous 
        materials and location near the border;
            (7)(A) promoting clean materials industries in the border 
        region that are energy efficient has been identified as a high 
        priority issue by the United States-Mexico Foundation for 
        Science Cooperation; and
            (B) at the 1998 discussions of the United States-Mexico 
        Binational Commission, Mexico formally proposed joint funding 
        of a ``Materials Corridor Partnership Initiative'', proposing 
        $1,000,000 to implement the Initiative if matched by the United 
        States;
            (8) recognizing the importance of materials processing, 
        research institutions in the border States of both the United 
        States and Mexico, in conjunction with private sector partners 
        of both nations, and with strong endorsement from the 
Government of Mexico, in 1998 organized the Materials Corridor Council 
to implement a cooperative program of materials research and 
development, education and training, and sustainable industrial 
development as part of the Materials Corridor Partnership Initiative; 
and
            (9) successful implementation of this Act would advance 
        important United States energy, environmental, and economic 
        goals not only in the United States-Mexico border region but 
        also serve as a model for similar collaborative, transnational 
        initiatives in other regions of the world.

SEC. 3. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to establish a multiagency program to--
            (1) alleviate the problems caused by rapid economic 
        development along the United States-Mexico border;
            (2) support the Materials Corridor Partnership Initiative 
        referred to in section 2(7); and
            (3) promote energy efficient, environmentally sound 
        economic development along that border through the development 
        and use of new technologies, particularly hazardous waste and 
        materials technologies.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Program.--The term ``program'' means the program 
        established under section 5(a).
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.

SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
        multiagency program to--
                    (A) alleviate the problems caused by rapid economic 
                development along the United States-Mexico border, 
                particularly those associated with public health and 
                environmental security;
                    (B) support the Materials Corridor Partnership 
                Initiative; and
                    (C) promote energy efficient, environmentally sound 
                economic development along that border through the 
                development and use of new technologies, particularly 
                hazardous waste and materials technologies.
            (2) Considerations.--In developing the program, the 
        Secretary shall give due consideration to the proposal made to 
        the United States-Mexico Binational Commission for the 
        Materials Corridor Partnership Initiative.
            (3) Program management.--This program shall be managed for 
        the Secretary by the Department's Carlsbad Area Office, with 
        support, as necessary, from the Albuquerque Operations Office.
    (b) Participation of Other Federal Agencies and Commissions.--The 
Secretary shall organize and conduct the program jointly with--
            (1) the Department of State;
            (2) the Environmental Protection Agency;
            (3) the National Science Foundation;
            (4) the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
            (5) the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission; and
            (6) any other departments, agencies, or commissions the 
        participation of which the Secretary considers appropriate.
    (c) Participation of the Private Sector.--When appropriate, funds 
made available under this act shall be made available for technology 
deployment, research, and training activities that are conducted with 
the participation and support of private sector organizations located 
in the United States and, subject to section 7(c)(2), Mexico, to 
promote and accelerate in the United States-Mexico border region the 
use of energy efficient, environmentally sound technologies and other 
advances resulting from the program.
    (d) Mexican Resource Contributions.--The Secretary shall--
            (1) encourage public, private, nonprofit, and academic 
        organizations located in Mexico to contribute significant 
        financial and other resources to the program; and
            (2) take any such contributions into account in conducting 
        the program.
    (e) Transfer of Technology From National Laboratories.--In 
conducting the program, the Secretary shall emphasize the transfer and 
use of technology developed by the national laboratories of the 
Department of Energy.

SEC. 6. ACTIVITIES AND MAJOR PROGRAM ELEMENTS.

    (a) Activities.--Funds made available under this Act shall be made 
available for technology deployment, research, and training activities, 
particularly related to hazardous waste and materials technologies, 
that will alleviate the problems caused by rapid economic development 
along the United States-Mexico border, that focus on issues related to 
the protection of public health and environmental security, and that 
promote--
            (1) minimization of industrial wastes and pollutants;
            (2) reducing emissions of atmospheric pollutants;
            (3) use of recycled resources as primary materials for 
        industrial production; and
            (4) improvement of energy efficiency.
    (b) Major Program Elements.--
            (1) In general.--The program shall have the following major 
        elements, all of which shall emphasize hazardous waste and 
        materials technologies:
                    (A) Technology Deployment, focused on the clear, 
                operational demonstration of the utility of well 
                developed technologies in new organizations or 
                settings.
                    (B) Research, focused on developing, maturing, and 
                refining technologies to investigate or improve the 
                feasibility or utility of the technologies.
                    (C) Training, focused on training businesses, 
                industries, and their workers in the border region in 
                energy efficient, environmentally sound technologies 
                that minimize waste, decrease public health risks, 
                increase recycling, and improve environmental security.
            (2) Technology deployment and research.--Projects under 
        paragraph (1)(A) and (1)(B) should typically involve 
        significant participation from private sector organizations 
        that would use or sell such a technology.

SEC. 7. PARTICIPATION OF DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES, AND COMMISSIONS OTHER 
              THAN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.

    (a) Agreement.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the 
departments, agencies, and commissions referred to in section 5(b) on 
the coordination and implementation of the program.
    (b) Actions of Departments, Agencies, and Commissions.--Any action 
of a department, agency, or commission under an agreement under 
subsection (a) shall be the responsibility of that department, agency, 
or commission and shall not be subject to approval by the Secretary.
    (c) Use of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary and the departments, 
        agencies, and commissions referred to in section 5(b) may use 
        funds made available for the program for technology deployment, 
        research, or training activities carried out by--
                    (A) State and local governments and academic, 
                nonprofit, and private organizations located in the 
                United States; and
                    (B) State and local governments and academic, 
                nonprofit, and private organizations located in Mexico.
            (2) Condition.--Funds may be made available to a State or 
        local government or organization located in Mexico only if a 
        government or organization located in Mexico (which need not be 
        the recipient of the funds) contributes a significant amount of 
        financial or other resources to the project to be funded.
    (d) Transfer of Funds.--The Secretary may transfer funds to the 
departments, agencies, and commissions referred to in section 5(b) to 
carry out the responsibilities of the departments, agencies, and 
commissions under this Act.

SEC. 8. PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish an advisory 
        committee consisting of representatives of the private, 
        academic, and public sectors.
            (2) Considerations.--In establishing the advisory 
        committee, the Secretary shall take into consideration 
        organizations in existence on the date of enactment of this 
        Act, such as the Materials Corridor Council and the Business 
        Council for Sustainable Development-Gulf Mexico.
    (b) Consultation and Coordination.--Departments, agencies, and 
commissions of the United States to which funds are made available 
under this Act shall consult and coordinate with the advisory committee 
in identifying and implementing the appropriate types of projects to be 
funded under this Act.

SEC. 9. FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--Federal departments, agencies, and commissions 
participating in the program may provide financial and technical 
assistance to other organizations to achieve the purpose of the 
program.
    (b) Technology Deployment and Research.--
            (1) Use of cooperative agreements.--
                    (A) In general.--Federal departments, agencies, and 
                commissions shall, to the extent practicable, use 
                cooperative agreements to fund technology deployment 
                and research activities by organizations outside the 
                Federal Government.
                    (B) National laboratories.--In the case of a 
                technology deployment or research activity conducted by 
                a national laboratory, a funding method other than a 
                cooperative agreement may be used if such a funding 
                method would be more administratively convenient.
            (2) Federal share.--
                    (A) In general.--The Federal Government shall pay 
                not more than 50 percent of the cost of technology 
                deployment or research activities under the program.
                    (B) Qualified funding and resources.--No funds or 
                other resources expended either before the start of a 
                project under the program or outside the scope of work 
                covered by the funding method determined under 
                paragraph (1) shall be credited toward the non-Federal 
                share of the cost of the project.
    (c) Training.--
            (1) In general.--Federal departments, agencies, and 
        commissions shall, to the extent practicable, use grants to 
        fund training activities by organizations outside the Federal 
        Government.
            (2) National laboratories.--In the case of a training 
        activity conducted by a national laboratory, a funding method 
        other than a grant may be used if such a funding method would 
        be more administratively convenient.
            (3) Federal share.--The Federal Government may fund 100 
        percent of the cost of the training activities of the program.
            (d) Selection.--All projects funded under contracts, 
        grants, or cooperative agreements established under this 
        program shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be selected 
        in an open, competitive process using such selection criteria 
        as the Secretary, through his program management, and in 
        consultation with the departments, agencies, and commissions 
        referred to in section 5(b), determines to be appropriate. Any 
        such selection process shall weigh the benefits to the border 
        region.
    (e) Accounting Standards.--
            (1) Waiver.--To facilitate participation in the program, 
        Federal departments, agencies, and commissions may waive any 
        requirements for Government accounting standards by 
        organizations that have not established such standards.
            (2) GAAP.--Generally accepted accounting principles shall 
        be sufficient for projects under the program.
    (f) No Construction.--No program funds may be used for 
construction.

SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act 
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2004.
            Amend the title so as to read: ``To authorize the Secretary 
        of Energy to establish a multiagency program to alleviate the 
        problems caused by rapid economic development along the United 
        States-Mexico border, particularly those associated with public 
        health and environmental security, to support the Materials 
        Corridor Partnership Initiative, and to promote energy 
        efficient, environmentally sound economic development along 
        that border through the development and use of new technology, 
        particularly hazardous waste and materials technology.''.