[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2483 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2483

   To provide for research, development, and demonstration on energy 
technologies to ensure the Nation's continued supply and efficient use 
   of affordable, reliable, and clean energy, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 24, 2007

Mr. Hall of Texas (for himself, Mrs. Biggert, Mr. McCaul of Texas, Mr. 
    Smith of Texas, Mr. Gingrey, and Mr. Inglis of South Carolina) 
 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
                         Science and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To provide for research, development, and demonstration on energy 
technologies to ensure the Nation's continued supply and efficient use 
   of affordable, reliable, and clean energy, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Energy for America 
Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                        TITLE I--PRODUCED WATER

Sec. 101. Short title.
Sec. 102. Findings.
Sec. 103. Definitions.
Sec. 104. Purposes.
Sec. 105. Sunset.
Sec. 106. Funding.
                           TITLE II--BIOMASS

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Definitions.
Sec. 203. Advanced biofuel technologies.
Sec. 204. Bioenergy.
              TITLE III--PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Sec. 301. Short title.
Sec. 302. Near-term vehicle technology program.
                        TITLE IV--ENERGY STORAGE

Sec. 401. Short title.
Sec. 402. Findings.
Sec. 403. Energy storage systems for electricity transmission and 
                            distribution.
                  TITLE V--ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS

Sec. 501. Short title.
Sec. 502. Energy efficient building grant program.
                            TITLE VI--ARPA-E

Sec. 601. Advanced Research Projects Authority-Energy (ARPA-E).
                   TITLE VII--GREEN ENERGY EDUCATION

Sec. 701. Short title.
Sec. 702. Definition.
Sec. 703. Graduate training in energy research and development.
Sec. 704. Curriculum development for high performance building design.
              TITLE VIII--CARBON CAPTURE AND SEQUESTRATION

Sec. 801. Carbon capture and sequestration study.

                        TITLE I--PRODUCED WATER

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Produced Water Utilization Act of 
2007''.

SEC. 102. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds as follows:
            (1) The population of the United States is increasing, and 
        as the population increases, additional potable water supplies 
        are required to sustain individuals, agricultural production, 
        and industrial users, particularly in the Mountain West and 
        desert Southwest, where water resources are scarce.
            (2) During the development of domestic energy sources, 
        including coalbed methane, oil, and natural gas, water may be 
        extracted from underground sources and brought to the surface, 
        often increasing energy production from subsurface geological 
        formations in the process.
            (3) Produced water frequently contains increased levels of 
        potentially harmful dissolved solids, rendering much of the 
        water nonpotable and unsuitable for agricultural or industrial 
        uses, and encouraging reinjection of the water to subsurface 
        geological formations to safely dispose of it, which may lead 
        to reduced production of domestic energy resources and 
        increased costs to producers.
            (4) Increasing environmentally responsible surface 
        utilization of produced water would--
                    (A) increase water supplies available for 
                agricultural and industrial use;
                    (B) reduce the amount of produced water returned to 
                underground formations; and
                    (C) increase domestic energy production by reducing 
                costs associated with reinjection of produced water to 
                the subsurface.

SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Existing program.--The term ``existing program'' means 
        a program at the Department of Energy which is engaged in 
        research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
        application of technologies for unconventional domestic natural 
        gas production and other domestic petroleum production as of 
        the date of enactment of this Act.
            (2) Produced water.--The term ``produced water'' means 
        water from an underground source that is brought to the surface 
        as part of the process of exploration for or development of 
        coalbed methane, oil, natural gas, or any other substance to be 
        used as an energy source.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.

SEC. 104. PURPOSES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out under this title, in 
conjunction with an existing program, a program of research, 
development, and demonstration of technologies for environmentally 
sustainable utilization of produced water for use for agriculture, 
irrigation, municipal, or industrial uses, or other environmentally 
sustainable purposes. The program shall be designed to maximize the 
utilization of produced water in the United States by increasing the 
quality of produced water and reducing the environmental impacts of 
produced water.
    (b) Program Elements.--The program under this title shall address 
the following areas, including improving safety and minimizing 
environmental impacts of activities within each area:
            (1) Produced water recovery, including research for 
        desalination and demineralization to reduce total dissolved 
        solids in the produced water.
            (2) Produced water utilization for agricultural, 
        irrigation, municipal, or industrial uses, or other 
        environmentally sustainable purposes.
            (3) Reinjection of produced water into subsurface 
        geological formations to increase energy production.
    (c) Program Administration.--The program under this title shall be 
administered by a consortium, administering an existing program, whose 
members have collectively demonstrated capabilities and experience in 
planning and managing research, development, demonstration, and 
commercial application programs for unconventional natural gas and 
other petroleum production and produced water utilization.
    (d) Activities at the National Energy Technology Laboratory.--The 
Secretary, through the National Energy Technology Laboratory, shall 
carry out a program of research, development, and demonstration 
activities complementary to and supportive of the research, 
development, and demonstration programs under subsection (b).
    (e) Consultation.--In carrying out this title, the Secretary shall 
consult regularly with the Secretary of the Interior and the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

SEC. 105. SUNSET.

    The authority provided by this title shall terminate on September 
30, 2016.

SEC. 106. FUNDING.

    (a) Allocation.--Amounts appropriated for this title for each 
fiscal year shall be allocated as follows:
            (1) 75 percent shall be for activities under section 
        104(a), (b), and (c).
            (2) 25 percent shall be for activities under section 104(d) 
        and other activities under section 104, including 
        administrative functions such as program direction, overall 
        program oversight, and contract management.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this title $20,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2008 through 2016.

                           TITLE II--BIOMASS

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Biomass Research, Development, and 
Demonstration Act of 2007''.

SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purposes of this title--
            (1) 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)); and
            (2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy.

SEC. 203. ADVANCED BIOFUEL TECHNOLOGIES.

    (a) Amendments.--Section 932 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16232) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting ``, including motor 
        and other fuels from biomass'' after ``biofuels''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as 
                paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively;
                    (B) by adding the following new paragraph after 
                paragraph (1):
            ``(2) technologies that would make biofuels produced from 
        cellulosic feedstocks cost competitive with biofuels produced 
        from corn by 2012;'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated by 
                subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, by inserting ``, 
                including through conducting research and development 
                on the production of hydrocarbons and bioproducts other 
                than ethanol from biomass'' after ``systems''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated by 
                subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, by inserting ``, 
                including through conducting research and development 
                on how to apply advanced genetic engineering and 
                advanced bioengineering techniques to increase the 
                efficiency and lower the cost of industrial-scale 
                production of liquid fuels from cellulosic feedstocks'' 
                after ``facilities''.
    (b) Institution of Higher Education Grants.--The Secretary shall 
designate not less than 10 percent of the funds appropriated for 
carrying out section 932(d) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
16232(d)) for grants to competitively selected institutions of higher 
education around the country focused on meeting the objectives stated 
in such section 932(d).
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 931(c) of the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16231(c)) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``$100,000,000'' and 
        inserting ``$150,000,000'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``$125,000,000'' and 
        inserting ``$160,000,000''; and
            (3) in subsection (c)(3), by striking ``$150,000,000'' and 
        inserting ``$175,000,000''.

SEC. 204. BIOENERGY.

    (a) 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 in or 
                        from biomass; and''.
    (b) 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 before the semicolon 
        the following: ``, including $25,000,000 for activities under 
        section 932(d)(1)(B)(v)'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(2), by inserting before the semicolon 
        the following: ``, including $25,000,000 for activities under 
        section 932(d)(1)(B)(v)''; and
            (3) in subsection (c)(3), by inserting before the period 
        the following: ``, including $25,000,000 for activities under 
        section 932(d)(1)(B)(v)''.

              TITLE III--PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES

SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle 
Act of 2007''.

SEC. 302. NEAR-TERM VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Battery.--The term ``battery'' means a device or system 
        for the electrochemical storage of energy.
            (2) Biomass.--The term ``biomass'' has meaning given the 
        term in section 932 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
        16232).
            (3) E85.--The term ``E85'' means a fuel blend containing 85 
        percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline by volume.
            (4) 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, fuel cell 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.
            (5) Flexible fuel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.--The 
        term ``flexible fuel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle'' means a 
        plug-in hybrid electric vehicle--
                    (A) warranted by its manufacturer as capable of 
                operating on any combination of gasoline or E85 for its 
                onboard internal combustion or heat engine; or
                    (B) that uses a fuel cell for battery charging when 
                disconnected from offboard power sources.
            (6) Fuel cell vehicle.--The term ``fuel cell vehicle'' 
        means an onroad vehicle that uses a fuel cell (as defined in 
        section 803 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
        16152)).
            (7) Hybrid electric vehicle.--The term ``hybrid electric 
        vehicle'' means an onroad vehicle that--
                    (A) can operate on either liquid combustible fuel 
                or 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.
            (8) Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.--The term ``plug-in 
        hybrid electric vehicle'' means a hybrid electric vehicle that 
        can operate 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.
            (9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.
    (b) 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, 
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.
    (c) 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, metropolitan transportation authorities, or 
        combinations thereof to carry out a project or projects for 
        demonstration of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
            (2) Applications.--
                    (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) collected on the--
                                    (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 
                entities.
            (3) Selection criteria.--
                    (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 operate solely on electric power 
                        under city driving conditions increases; and
                            (ii) demonstrate the greatest commitment on 
                        the part of the applicant to ensure funding for 
                        the proposed project or projects and 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--
                            (i) driving speeds;
                            (ii) trip ranges;
                            (iii) driving conditions;
                            (iv) climate conditions; and
                            (v) topography,
                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 2008 through fiscal year 
                2012.
                    (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.
    (d) 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).
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary--
            (1) for carrying out subsection (b), $250,000,000 for each 
        of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, of which up to $50,000,000 
        may be used for the program described in paragraph (5) of that 
        subsection; and
            (2) for carrying out subsection (c), $50,000,000 for each 
        of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

                        TITLE IV--ENERGY STORAGE

SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Energy Storage Solutions for 
America Act of 2007''.

SEC. 402. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) as demand rises by an estimated 40 percent in the 
        electricity sector by 2030, we will need solutions that are 
        clean, reliable, and affordable; and
            (2) improved energy storage capability will allow for more 
        wind and solar energy because it addresses the problem of 
        intermittency inherent in these renewable sources of energy.

SEC. 403. ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION AND 
              DISTRIBUTION.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Energy Storage 
        Advisory Council established under subsection (c).
            (2) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
        Department of Energy.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.
    (b) Program.--The Secretary shall carry out a research, 
development, and demonstration program to support the ability of the 
United States to remain globally competitive in energy storage systems 
for electricity transmission and distribution.
    (c) Energy Storage Advisory Council.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish an 
        Energy Storage Advisory Council.
            (2) Composition.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                Council shall consist of not less than 15 individuals 
                appointed by the Secretary, based on recommendations of 
                the National Academy of Sciences.
                    (B) Energy storage industry.--The Council shall 
                consist primarily of representatives of the energy 
                storage industry of the United States.
                    (C) Chairperson.--The Secretary shall select a 
                Chairperson for the Council from among the members 
                appointed under subparagraph (A).
            (3) Meetings.--
                    (A) In general.--The Council shall meet not less 
                than once a year.
                    (B) Federal advisory committee act.--The Federal 
                Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2) shall apply to 
                a meeting of the Council.
            (4) Plans.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, in conjunction with the Secretary, the 
        Council shall develop 5-year plans for integrating basic and 
        applied research so that the United States retains a globally 
        competitive domestic energy storage industry for electricity 
        transmission and distribution.
            (5) Review.--The Council shall--
                    (A) assess the performance of the Department in 
                meeting the goals of the plans developed under 
                paragraph (4); and
                    (B) make specific recommendations to the Secretary 
                on programs or activities that should be established or 
                terminated to meet those goals.
    (d) Basic Research Program.--The Secretary shall conduct a basic 
research program on energy storage systems to support electricity 
transmission and distribution, including--
            (1) materials design;
            (2) materials synthesis and characterization;
            (3) electrolytes, including bioelectrolytes;
            (4) surface and interface dynamics; and
            (5) modeling and simulation.
    (e) Applied Research Program.--The Secretary shall conduct an 
applied research program on energy storage systems to support 
electricity transmission and distribution technologies.
    (f) Review by National Academy of Sciences.--Not later than 5 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall offer to 
enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to 
assess the performance of the Department in making the United States 
globally competitive in energy storage systems for electricity 
transmission and distribution.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out--
            (1) the basic research program under subsection (d) 
        $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012; and
            (2) the applied research program under subsection (e) 
        $80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

                  TITLE V--ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS

SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Energy Efficient Buildings Act of 
2007''.

SEC. 502. 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 of Energy (in this title 
        referred to as 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 of 
        Energy.
            (2) Awards.--The Secretary shall award grants under this 
        subsection competitively to those applicants whose proposals--
                    (A) best demonstrate--
                            (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.
            (5) Grant payments.--
                    (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 $10,000,000 
for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

                            TITLE VI--ARPA-E

SEC. 601. ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AUTHORITY-ENERGY (ARPA-E).

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Department of Energy through existing authorities 
        and programs promotes technology transfer of basic and applied 
        research funded by the Department of Energy and performed at 
        its national laboratories, nonprofit and educational 
        institutions, and the private sector, but there is a need to 
        more quickly identify opportunities to accelerate the 
        commercial application of new energy technologies to meet 
        national energy needs.
            (2) The principal Department of Energy program 
        organizations that already oversee various projects for basic 
        and applied research and commercialization of new energy 
        technologies are the Office of Science, the Office of Energy 
        Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the National Nuclear Security 
        Administration, the Office of Fossil Energy, the Office of 
        Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, and the Office of 
        Nuclear Energy.
            (3) A more fully integrated Departmental approach to 
        advanced energy research will help bridge the gap between basic 
        research and applied technology to overcome long-term and high-
        risk technological barriers to the development of advanced 
        energy technologies.
    (b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            (1) the term ``ARPA-E project'' means a project identified 
        by the Secretary that shows promise to accelerate efforts to 
        overcome long-term and high-risk technological barriers to the 
        development of advanced energy technologies, including projects 
        on--
                    (A) advanced basic energy-related research that 
                shows unique innovation and scientific and technical 
                merit and the potential for commercial application;
                    (B) development of resultant technologies and 
                processes for energy supply and efficient end use; and
                    (C) demonstration and commercial application of the 
                most promising energy technologies and research 
                applications on both a large and small scale; and
            (2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy.
    (c) Selection Criteria.--In identifying ARPA-E projects for 
support, the Secretary shall--
            (1) ensure that ARPA-E projects do not alter the 
        Department's current balance of effort along the spectrum of 
        energy research and development activities;
            (2) consider the novelty, scientific and technical merit, 
        and potential transformative nature of the proposed projects;
            (3) consider the demonstrated capabilities of the 
        applicants to successfully carry out the proposed research 
        project;
            (4) consider the viability of avenues for commercial 
        application, including the transfer of technologies to the 
        private and public sector; and
            (5) consider such other criteria as are established by the 
        Secretary.
    (d) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary for carrying out ARPA-E projects--
            (1) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
            (2) $125,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
            (3) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
            (4) $275,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
            (5) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
    (e) Personnel.--
            (1) Hiring of personnel.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
        program of experimental use of special personnel management 
        authority in order to facilitate recruitment of eminent experts 
        in science or engineering for ARPA-E projects.
            (2) Special personnel management authority.--Under such 
        program the Secretary may utilize the hiring and management 
        authorities described in section 1101(b), (c), and (d) of the 
        Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
        Year 1999 (5 U.S.C. 3104 note), except that--
                    (A) for purposes of subsection (b)(1), the number 
                of positions that may be appointed shall be no more 
                than 20; and
                    (B) for purposes of subsection (c), the term of 
                initial appointments for employees may not exceed 3 
                years.
    (f) Protection of Information.--
            (1) In general.--Disclosure of information that is 
        submitted to the Department of Energy under a competitive or 
        noncompetitive process pursuant to the authority granted in 
        this section is not required under section 552 of title 5, 
        United States Code, for five years after the date on which the 
        information is received by the Department of Energy. Such 
        information includes--
                    (A) a proposal, proposal abstract, and supporting 
                documents;
                    (B) a business plan submitted on a confidential 
                basis; or
                    (C) technical information submitted on a 
                confidential basis.
            (2) Project information.--The Secretary, for a period of up 
        to five years from the receipt by the Department of information 
        that results from any transaction identified as an ARPA-E 
        project, and which is of a character that it would be protected 
        from disclosure under the meaning of section 552(b)(4) of title 
        5, United States Code, if the information had been obtained 
        from a non-Government party, may provide appropriate 
        protections against the dissemination of such information, 
        including exemption from subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, 
        United States Code.
    (g) Cost Sharing.--Any transaction authorized by this section shall 
be cost shared according to the principles set forth in section 988 of 
the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352).
    (h) Coordination With Other Agencies.--The Secretary may coordinate 
program activities associated with an ARPA-E project with other 
agencies, and may enter into agreements with other agencies to further 
the success of an ARPA-E project. Where appropriate the Secretary shall 
coordinate technology transfer efforts with the Technology Transfer 
Coordinator established in section 1001 of the Energy Policy Act of 
2005.
    (i) Award of Prize Money.--To the extent considered appropriate by 
the Secretary, the Secretary may exercise the authority provided in 
section 1008 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16396) to 
award prizes for achievements under an ARPA-E project.
    (j) Relationship to Other Authorities.--The authorities granted by 
this section are in addition to existing authorities granted to the 
Secretary, and are not intended to supersede or modify any existing 
authorities.
    (k) Issuance of Directive.--Not later than 120 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Department of Energy shall issue a 
Directive that sets forth how the Department intends to identify, 
manage, and administer ARPA-E projects.
    (l) Initial Projects.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall designate up to 2 ARPA-E 
projects for funding.
    (m) Report to Congress.--Not later than one year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress 
describing the status of any proposed or existing ARPA-E projects.
    (n) Positive Recommendation.--The Secretary shall take no actions 
under this section unless the study conducted under section 1821(b)(3) 
of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 contains a recommendation that the 
management practices used by the Defense Advanced Research Projects 
Agency are applicable to the research programs at the Department of 
Energy.

                   TITLE VII--GREEN ENERGY EDUCATION

SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Green Energy Education Act of 
2007''.

SEC. 702. DEFINITION.

    For the purposes of this title:
            (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)).
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.

SEC. 703. GRADUATE TRAINING IN ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Funding.--In carrying out research, development, demonstration, 
and commercial application activities authorized for the Department of 
Energy, 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.
    (b) Consultation.--The Director shall consult with the Secretary 
when preparing solicitations and awarding grants for projects described 
in subsection (a).

SEC. 704. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDING DESIGN.

    (a) Funding.--In carrying out advanced energy technology research, 
development, demonstration, and commercial application activities 
authorized for the Department of Energy 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, 
landscape architects, and planners to work together on the 
incorporation of advanced energy technologies during the design and 
construction of high performance buildings.
    (b) Consultation.--The Director shall consult with the Secretary 
when preparing solicitations and awarding grants for projects described 
in subsection (a).
    (c) Priority.--In awarding grants with respect to which the 
Secretary has contributed funds under this section, 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.

              TITLE VIII--CARBON CAPTURE AND SEQUESTRATION

SEC. 801. CARBON CAPTURE AND SEQUESTRATION STUDY.

    Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Energy shall transmit to the Congress the results of a 
study on the feasibility of large-scale biological sequestration of 
carbon dioxide for coal power systems, including an analysis of the 
feasibility of creating a closed loop carbon cycle through biological 
sequestration.
                                 <all>