[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.
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