[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2197 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2197
To improve the global competitiveness of the United States in science
and energy technology, to strengthen basic research programs at the
Department of Energy, and to provide support for mathematics and
science education at all levels through the resources available through
the Department of Energy, including at the National Laboratories.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 26, 2006
Mr. Domenici (for himself, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Alexander, Ms. Mikulski,
Mr. Lugar, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Obama, Mr. Warner, Mr. Lieberman,
Mr. Bond, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Burns, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Craig, Ms. Cantwell,
Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Menendez, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Thomas, Mr.
Kerry, Mr. Smith, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Leahy, Mr.
Allen, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Talent, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Chambliss, Ms.
Stabenow, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Dayton, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Salazar, Mr.
Martinez, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Biden, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Hagel,
Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Pryor, Ms. Collins, Mr. Vitter, and Ms. Landrieu)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve the global competitiveness of the United States in science
and energy technology, to strengthen basic research programs at the
Department of Energy, and to provide support for mathematics and
science education at all levels through the resources available through
the Department of Energy, including at the National Laboratories.
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 ``Protecting America's Competitive
Edge Through Energy Act of 2006'' or the ``PACE-Energy Act''.
SEC. 2. MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, AND ENGINEERING EDUCATION AT THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.
(a) Science Education Programs.--Section 3164 of the Department of
Energy Science Education Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C. 7381a) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) as
subsections (c) through (e), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
``(b) Organization of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering
Education Programs.--
``(1) Director of mathematics, science and engineering
education.--The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary
for Science (referred to in this subsection as the `Under
Secretary'), shall appoint a Director of Mathematics, Science,
and Engineering Education (referred to in this subsection as
the `Director') with the principal responsibility for
administering mathematics, science, and engineering education
programs of the Department.
``(2) Qualifications.--The Director shall be an individual,
who by reason of professional background and experience, is
specially qualified to advise the Under Secretary on all
matters pertaining to mathematics, science, and engineering
education at the Department.
``(3) Duties.--The Director shall--
``(A) oversee all mathematics, science, and
engineering education programs of the Department;
``(B) represent the Department as the principal
interagency liaison for all mathematics, science, and
engineering education programs, unless otherwise
represented by the Secretary or the Under Secretary;
``(C) prepare the annual budget and advise the
Under Secretary on all budgetary issues for
mathematics, science, and engineering education
programs of the Department; and
``(D) perform other such matters related to
mathematics, science, and engineering education as are
required by the Secretary or the Under Secretary.
``(4) Staff and other resources.--The Secretary shall
assign to the Director such personnel and other resources as
the Secretary considers necessary to permit the Director to
carry out the duties of the Director.
``(5) Assessment.--The Secretary shall offer to enter into
a contract with the National Academy of Sciences under which
the National Academy, not later than 5 years after, and not
later than 10 years after, the date of enactment of this
paragraph, shall assess the performance of the mathematics,
science, and engineering education programs of the Department.
``(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to
carry out this subsection.''; and
(3) by striking subsection (d) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)) and inserting the following:
``(d) Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education Fund.--The
Secretary shall establish a Mathematics, Science, and Engineering
Education Fund, using not less than 0.3 percent of the amount made
available to the Department for research, development, demonstration,
and commercial application for each fiscal year, to carry out sections
3165, 3166, and 3167.''.
(b) Definition.--Section 3168 of the Department of Energy Science
Education Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C. 7381d) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(5) National laboratory.--The term `National Laboratory'
has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).''.
(c) Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education Programs.--The
Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C. 7381
et seq.) is amended--
(1) by inserting after section 3162 the following:
``Subpart A--Science Education Enhancement'';
(2) in section 3169, by striking ``part'' and inserting
``subpart''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``Subpart B--Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education Programs
``SEC. 3170. DEFINITIONS.
``In this subpart:
``(1) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of
Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education.
``(2) National laboratory.--The term `National Laboratory'
has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
``CHAPTER 1--ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIALTY SCHOOLS FOR MATHEMATICS AND
SCIENCE
``SEC. 3171. ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIALTY SCHOOLS FOR MATHEMATICS AND
SCIENCE.
``(a) In General.--Consistent with sections 3165 and 3166, the
Director shall make available necessary funds for a program using
scientific and engineering staff of the National Laboratories, in which
the staff--
``(1) assists teaching courses at statewide specialty
secondary schools that provide comprehensive mathematics and
science (including engineering) education; and
``(2) uses National Laboratory scientific equipment in the
teaching of the courses.
``(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of the Protecting America's Competitive Edge Through Energy
Act of 2006, the Director shall submit a report to the appropriate
committees of Congress detailing the impact of the activities assisted
with funds made available under this section.
``CHAPTER 2--EXPERIENTIAL-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
``SEC. 3175. EXPERIENTIAL-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.
``(a) Internships Authorized.--From the amounts authorized under
subsection (d), the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall
establish a summer internship program for middle school and secondary
school students that shall--
``(1) provide the students with internships at the National
Laboratories; and
``(2) promote experiential, hands-on learning in
mathematics or science.
``(b) Eligibility Criteria.--The Director shall establish criteria
to determine the sufficient level of academic preparedness necessary
for a student to be eligible for an internship under this section.
``(c) Priority.--
``(1) In general.--The Director shall give priority for an
internship under this section to a student who meets the
eligibility criteria described in subsection (b) and who
attends a school--
``(A)(i) in which not less than 40 percent of the
children enrolled in the school are from low-income
families; or
``(ii) that is designated with a school locale code
of 7 or 8, as determined by the Secretary of Education;
and
``(B) for which there is--
``(i) a high percentage of teachers who are
not teaching in the academic subject areas or
grade levels in which the teachers were trained
to teach;
``(ii) a high teacher turnover rate; or
``(iii) a high percentage of teachers with
emergency, provisional, or temporary
certification or licenses.
``(2) Coordination.--The Director shall consult with the
Secretary of Education in order to determine whether a student
meets the priority requirements of this subsection.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2007 through 2013.
``CHAPTER 3--NATIONAL LABORATORIES CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS
AND SCIENCE EDUCATION
``SEC. 3181. NATIONAL LABORATORIES CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS
AND SCIENCE EDUCATION.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish at each of the
National Laboratories a program to support a Center of Excellence in
Mathematics and Science at 1 public secondary school located in the
region of the National Laboratory to provide assistance in accordance
with subsection (c).
``(b) Goals.--The Secretary shall establish goals and performance
assessments for each Center of Excellence authorized under subsection
(a).
``(c) Assistance.--Consistent with sections 3165 and 3166, the
Director shall make available necessary funds for a program using
scientific and engineering staff of the National Laboratories, during
which the staff--
``(1) assists teaching courses at the Centers of Excellence
in Mathematics and Science; and
``(2) uses National Laboratory scientific equipment in the
teaching of the courses.
``(d) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall consider the results of the
performance assessments required under subsection (b) in any
performance review of a National Laboratories management and operations
contractor.
``CHAPTER 4--SUMMER INSTITUTES
``SEC. 3185. SUMMER INSTITUTES.
``(a) Definition of Summer Institute.--In this section, the term
`summer institute' means an institute at a National Laboratory,
conducted during the summer, that--
``(1) is conducted for a period of not less than 2 weeks;
``(2) includes, as a component, a program that provides
direct interaction between students and faculty; and
``(3) provides for follow-up training during the academic
year.
``(b) Summer Institute Programs Authorized.--The Secretary, acting
through the Director, shall establish or expand program of summer
institutes at each of the National Laboratories to provide additional
training to strengthen the mathematics and science teaching skills of
teachers employed at public schools in kindergarten through grade 12
education, with a particular focus on teachers of kindergarten through
grade 8.
``CHAPTER 5--DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIST PROGRAM
``SEC. 3191. DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIST PROGRAM.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to promote
scientific and academic excellence at National Laboratories.
``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary, acting through the Director
and in consultation with the Director of the Office of Science, shall
establish a program to support the appointment of distinguished
scientists by National Laboratories.
``(c) Qualifications.--Successful candidates under this section
shall be persons who, by reason of professional background and
experience, are able to bring international recognition to the
appointing National Laboratory in their field of scientific endeavor.
``(d) Selection.--A distinguished scientist appointed under this
section shall be selected through an open peer review process.
``(e) Appointment.--An appointment by a National Laboratory under
this section shall be at the rank of the highest grade of distinguished
scientist or technical staff of the National Laboratory.
``(f) Duration.--An appointment under this section shall be for 6
years, consisting of 2 3-year funding allotments.
``(g) Use of Funds.--Funds made available under this section may be
used for--
``(1) the salary of the distinguished scientist and support
staff;
``(2) undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral
appointments;
``(3) research-related equipment;
``(4) professional travel; and
``(5) such other requirements as the Director determines
are necessary to carry out the purpose of the program.
``(h) Review.--
``(1) In general.--The appointment of a distinguished
scientist under this section shall be reviewed at the end of
the first 3-year allotment for the distinguished scientist
through an open peer review process to determine if the
appointment is meeting the purpose of this section under
subsection (a).
``(2) Funding.--Funding of the appointment of the
distinguished scientist for the second 3-year allotment shall
be determined based on the review conducted under paragraph
(1).''.
SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY EARLY-CAREER RESEARCH GRANTS.
(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to authorize
research grants in the Department of Energy for early-career scientists
and engineers for purposes of pursuing independent research.
(b) Definition of Eligible Early-Career Researcher.--In this
section, the term ``eligible early-career researcher'' means an
individual who--
(1) completed a doctorate or other terminal degree not more
than 10 years before the date of enactment of this Act and has
demonstrated promise in the field of science, technology,
engineering, or mathematics; or
(2) has an equivalent professional qualification in the
field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
(c) Grant Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Energy, through the
Director of the Office of Science of the Department of Energy,
shall award not less than 65 grants per year to outstanding
eligible early-career researchers to support the work of such
researchers in the Department, particularly the National
Laboratories, or other federally-funded research and
development centers.
(2) Application.--An eligible early-career researcher who
desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit to
the Secretary of Energy an application at such time, in such
manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary
may require.
(3) Special consideration.--In awarding grants under this
section, the Secretary of Energy shall give special
consideration to eligible early-career researchers who have
followed alternative career paths such as working part-time or
in non-academic settings, or who have taken a significant
career break or other leave of absence.
(4) Duration and amount.--A grant under this section shall
be 5 years in duration. An eligible early career-researcher who
receives a grant under this section shall receive $100,000 for
each year of the grant period.
(5) Use of funds.--An eligible early career-researcher who
receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds
for basic research in natural sciences, engineering,
mathematics, or computer sciences at the Department of Energy,
particularly the National Laboratories, or other federally-
funded research and development center.
(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section--
(A) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(B) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(C) $19,500,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(D) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(E) $32,500,000 for fiscal year 2011.
SEC. 4. ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AUTHORITY-ENERGY.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) ARPA-E.--The term ``ARPA-E'' means the Advanced
Research Projects Authority--Energy established under
subsection (b).
(2) Fund.--The term ``Fund'' means the Acceleration Fund
for Research and Development of Energy Technologies established
under subsection (c).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
(4) Under secretary.--The term ``Under Secretary'' means
the position of Under Secretary for Science established under
section 202(b) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42
U.S.C. 7132(b)).
(b) ARPA-E.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established the Advanced
Research Projects Authority--Energy.
(2) Director.--ARPA-E shall be headed by a Director, who
shall be appointed by the Secretary and report to the Under
Secretary.
(3) Responsibilities.--The Director shall use the Fund to
award competitive, merit-based grants, cooperative agreements,
and contracts to public or private entities (including
businesses, federally funded research and development centers,
and institutions of higher education) to--
(A) support basic and applied energy research to
promote revolutionary changes in technologies that
would promote the missions of the Department of Energy;
(B) advance the development, testing, evaluation,
and deployment of critical energy technologies; and
(C) accelerate prototyping and development of
technologies that would address national energy
priorities.
(4) Targeted competitions.--The Director may solicit
proposals to address areas of national need in science and
energy technology, as identified by the Director.
(5) Coordination.--The Director--
(A) shall ensure that the activities of ARPA-E are
coordinated with activities of other appropriate
research agencies; and
(B) may carry out projects under this section
jointly with other agencies.
(6) Personnel.--
(A) In general.--In hiring personnel for ARPA-E,
the Secretary shall have the hiring and management
authorities described in section 1101 of the Strom
Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 1999 (Public Law 105-261; 5 U.S.C. 3104 note).
(B) Term.--The term of appointments for an employee
under subparagraph (A) may not exceed 5 years, except
that the Secretary may renew the term of appointment of
the employee for an additional term of 5 years.
(7) Demonstrations.--The Director shall periodically hold
energy technology demonstrations to improve contact among
technology developers, vendors, and acquisition personnel.
(c) Fund.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of
the United States a revolving fund, to be known as the
``Acceleration Fund for Research and Development of Energy
Technologies'', consisting of--
(A) such amounts as are appropriated to the Fund
under paragraph (5); and
(B) any interest earned on investment of amounts in
the Fund under paragraph (3).
(2) Expenditures from fund.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), on
request by the Director, the Secretary of the Treasury
shall transfer from the Fund to the Director such
amounts as the Director determines are necessary to
carry out this section.
(B) Administrative expenses.--An amount not
exceeding 5 percent of the amounts in the Fund shall be
available for each fiscal year to pay the
administrative expenses necessary to carry out this
section.
(3) Investment of amounts.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury
shall invest such portion of the Fund as is not, in the
judgment of the Secretary of the Treasury, required to
meet current withdrawals.
(B) Interest-bearing obligations.--Investments may
be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the
United States.
(C) Acquisition of obligations.--For the purpose of
investments under subparagraph (A), obligations may be
acquired--
(i) on original issue at the issue price;
or
(ii) by purchase of outstanding obligations
at the market price.
(D) Sale of obligations.--Any obligation acquired
by the Fund may be sold by the Secretary of the
Treasury at the market price.
(E) Credits to fund.--The interest on, and the
proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any
obligations held in the Fund shall be credited to, and
form a part of, the Fund.
(4) Transfers of amounts.--
(A) In general.--The amounts required to be
transferred to the Fund under this subsection shall be
transferred at least monthly from the general fund of
the Treasury to the Fund on the basis of estimates made
by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(B) Adjustments.--Proper adjustment shall be made
in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior
estimates were in excess of or less than the amounts
required to be transferred.
(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Fund--
(A) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(B) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(C) $700,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(D) $900,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(E) $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
FOR BASIC RESEARCH.
Section 971(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16311(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) $5,320,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(5) $5,851,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
``(6) $6,436,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
``(7) $7,080,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.''.
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