[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6260 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6260

  To ensure the energy independence of the United States by promoting 
  research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of 
technologies through a system of grants and prizes on the scale of the 
                      original Manhattan Project.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 12, 2008

  Mr. Forbes introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                  Committee on Science and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To ensure the energy independence of the United States by promoting 
  research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of 
technologies through a system of grants and prizes on the scale of the 
                      original Manhattan Project.

    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 ``New Manhattan Project for Energy 
Independence''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act--
            (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the 
        Commission established under section 7.
            (2) Research.--The term ``research'' includes research on 
        the technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes 
        required to achieve the goals described in section 3.

SEC. 3. GOALS.

    (a) In General.--The purpose of this Act is to enable the 
achievement of each of the following goals:
            (1) Vehicle fuel efficiencies and alternative fuel 
        sources.--Development and manufacturing of a plug-in hybrid 
        vehicle, alternative fuel vehicle, electric vehicle, hydrogen 
        fuel cell vehicle, or other alternative technology vehicle--
                    (A) that is not more than 10 percent more expensive 
                than a comparable model vehicle of the same model year;
                    (B) with--
                            (i) equal acceleration, horsepower, and top 
                        speed performance; and
                            (ii) not more than 20 percent reduction in 
                        cargo space,
                as compared to a comparable model vehicle of the same 
                model year;
                    (C) that meets or exceeds Federal safety standards;
                    (D) that can travel at least 750 miles between 
                refueling; and
                    (E) in the case of a gasoline powered vehicle, that 
                can travel at least 70 miles per gallon of gasoline.
            (2) Green buildings.--Develop and build an energy efficient 
        residential or commercial building that--
                    (A) uses no more than 50 percent of the energy of 
                the average new building of similar size and type;
                    (B) costs no more than 15 percent more to construct 
                than the cost of a building of similar size and type; 
                and
                    (C) can be effectively reproduced in a variety of 
                climate environments found in the United States.
            (3) Solar power.--Construction of a large scale solar 
        thermal power plant or solar photovoltaic power plant capable 
        of generating 300 megawatts or more at a cost of 10 cents or 
        less per kilowatt-hour when all capital and operating expenses 
        are calculated into the cost.
            (4) Biofuels.--Development and production of a biofuel 
        that, when mass produced, does not exceed 105 percent of the 
        cost for the energy equivalent of unleaded gasoline when all 
        capital and operating expenses are calculated into the cost of 
        the biofuel.
            (5) Carbon sequestration.--Development and implementation 
        of a carbon capture and storage system for a large scale coal-
        burning power plant that does not increase operating costs more 
        than 15 percent compared to a baseline design without carbon 
        capture and storage while providing an estimated chance of 
        carbon dioxide escape no greater than 1 percent over 5,000 
        years.
            (6) Nuclear waste.--Development of both--
                    (A) a validated process for remediation of the 
                radioactive waste form so it is no longer harmful to 
                the health or welfare of the environment or individuals 
                for a period to be determined by the Commission, which 
                shall be not less than 5,000 years; and
                    (B) a model that accounts for all the effects of 
                nuclear waste in that process.
            (7) Nuclear fusion.--Development of a sustainable nuclear 
        fusion reaction capable of providing a large-scale (greater 
        than 300 megawatts), sustainable source of electricity for 
        residential, commercial, or government entities.
    (b) Amendment of Goals.--The Secretary of Energy may amend a goal 
described in subsection (a) pursuant to a recommendation from the 
Commission under section 7(b)(5), or on his own initiative, if such 
amendment serves the purpose of achieving the goal of United States 
energy independence through the development of technologies that lead 
to the widespread adoption of improvements that increase energy supply 
or energy efficiency.

SEC. 4. SUMMIT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the President shall convene a summit that includes--
            (1) the principal advisors and directors of all programs in 
        the Federal Government related to the achievement of the goals 
        described in section 3;
            (2) the members of the Commission; and
            (3) leading researchers at the Federal laboratories and 
        representatives of private sector partners engaged in the 
        production and manufacturing of technologies necessary to 
        achieve the goals described in section 3.
    (b) Purpose.--The summit shall be for the purpose of reviewing the 
progress and promise for each of these technologies, the 
interrelationship of these technologies to each other, and additional 
funding resources needed to accelerate the progress of these programs 
toward achieving the goals described in section 3.

SEC. 5. GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and other Federal 
agencies as appropriate, shall carry out a program consisting of a 
collaborative effort with industry, government, and academia to support 
research, development, demonstration, and commercial application 
activities related to achieving the goals described in section 3.
    (b) Grants.--Such program shall consist of grants to researchers, 
large and small businesses, National Laboratories, institutions of 
higher education, or any other qualified applicant, including veterans.
    (c) Limitation on Amount.--No grant shall be made under this 
section in an amount that exceeds 5 percent of the amount authorized 
under section 8(1) for prizes for the achievement of the same goal.
    (d) Cost Sharing.--The Federal share of the costs of a project for 
which a grant is made under this section shall not exceed 15 percent.

SEC. 6. PRIZE PROGRAM.

    (a) Prize Authority.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Energy shall carry out a 
        program to competitively award cash prizes in conformity with 
        this section to advance the research, development, 
        demonstration, and commercial application necessary to achieve 
        the goals described in section 3.
            (2) Advertising and solicitation of competitors.--
                    (A) Advertising.--The Secretary shall widely 
                advertise prize competitions under this section to 
                encourage broad participation by researchers, large and 
                small businesses, institutions of higher education, and 
                any other qualified applicants, including veterans.
                    (B) Announcement through federal register notice.--
                The Secretary shall announce each prize competition 
                under this section by publishing a notice in the 
                Federal Register. This notice shall include essential 
                elements of the competition such as the subject of the 
                competition, the duration of the competition, the 
                eligibility requirements for participation in the 
                competition, the process for participants to register 
                for the competition, the amount of the prize, and the 
                criteria for awarding the prize, which shall include, 
                at a minimum, the achievement of one of the goals 
                described in section 3.
            (3) Announcement of prizes.--The Secretary may not issue a 
        notice required by paragraph (2)(B) until all the funds needed 
        to pay out the announced amount of the prize have been 
        appropriated.
    (b) Prize Categories.--
            (1) Categories.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish a 
        single prize under this section for each of the goals described 
        in paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 3.
            (2) Criteria.--In establishing the criteria required by 
        this section, the Secretary--
                    (A) shall consult with other Federal agencies, 
                including the National Science Foundation; and
                    (B) may consult with other experts such as private 
                organizations, including professional societies, 
                industry associations, and the National Academy of 
                Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering.
    (c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to win a prize under this section, 
an individual or entity--
            (1) shall have complied with all the requirements in 
        accordance with the Federal Register notice required under 
        subsection (a)(2)(B);
            (2) in the case of a private entity, shall be incorporated 
        in and maintain a primary place of business in the United 
        States, and in the case of an individual, whether participating 
        singly or in a group, shall be a citizen of, or an alien 
        lawfully admitted for permanent residence in, the United 
        States; and
            (3) shall not be a Federal entity, a Federal employee 
        acting within the scope of his employment, or an employee of a 
        national laboratory acting within the scope of his employment.
    (d) Award Selection.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Energy shall award prizes 
        under this section on the basis of the criteria published in 
        the notice required under subsection (a)(2)(B), after receiving 
        the recommendations of the Commission under section 7(b)(3).
            (2) Congressional notification.--If the Secretary awards a 
        prize under paragraph (1) in a manner that does not conform to 
        the recommendations of the Commission, the Secretary shall 
        transmit a report to the Congress explaining the reasons for 
        such action.
    (e) Intellectual Property.--The Federal Government shall not, by 
virtue of offering or awarding a prize under this section, be entitled 
to any intellectual property rights derived as a consequence of, or 
direct relation to, the participation by a registered participant in a 
competition authorized by this section. This subsection shall not be 
construed to prevent the Federal Government from negotiating a license 
for the use of intellectual property developed for a prize competition 
under this section.
    (f) Liability.--
            (1) Waiver of liability.--The Secretary of Energy may 
        require registered participants to waive claims against the 
        Federal Government (except claims for willful misconduct) for 
        any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or 
        profits arising from the registered participants' participation 
        in a competition under this section. The Secretary shall give 
        notice of any waiver required under this paragraph in the 
        notice required by subsection (a)(2)(B).
            (2) Liability insurance.--
                    (A) Requirements.--Registered participants in a 
                prize competition under this section shall be required 
                to obtain liability insurance or demonstrate financial 
                responsibility, in amounts determined by the Secretary, 
                for claims by--
                            (i) a third party for death, bodily injury, 
                        or property damage or loss resulting from an 
                        activity carried out in connection with 
                        participation in a competition under this 
                        section; and
                            (ii) the Federal Government for damage or 
                        loss to Government property resulting from such 
                        an activity.
                    (B) Federal government insured.--The Federal 
                Government shall be named as an additional insured 
                under a registered participant's insurance policy 
                required under subparagraph (A) with respect to claims 
                described in clause (i) of that subparagraph, and 
                registered participants shall be required to agree to 
                indemnify the Federal Government against third party 
                claims for damages arising from or related to 
                competition activities under this section.
    (g) Nonsubstitution.--The programs created under this section shall 
not be considered a substitute for Federal research and development 
programs.

SEC. 7. COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--There shall be established the New Manhattan 
Project Commission on Energy Independence.
    (b) Functions.--The Commission shall--
            (1) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, submit to Congress and the President a report 
        containing--
                    (A) recommendations on steps that must be taken in 
                order for the United States to achieve 50 percent 
                energy independence within 10 years and 100 percent 
                energy independence within 20 years; and
                    (B) an assessment of the impact of foreign energy 
                dependence on United States national security;
            (2) advise the Secretary of Energy on the design and 
        operation of the grant program established under section 5;
            (3) make recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on the 
        design and operation, including selection criteria, of the 
        prize program carried out under section 6;
            (4) make recommendations to the Secretary of Energy 
        selecting participants who have achieved a goal for which a 
        prize will be awarded under section 6; and
            (5) submit recommendations to Congress for any amendments 
        to make the goals described in section 3 more stringent, as 
        appropriate because of changing circumstances, if such 
        amendments serve the purpose of achieving the goal of United 
        States energy independence through the development of 
        technologies that lead to the widespread adoption of 
        improvements that increase energy supply or energy efficiency.
    (c) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of 13 members as 
follows:
            (1) The Under Secretary for Science of the Department of 
        Energy.
            (2) The Administrator of the Research and Innovative 
        Technology Administration.
            (3) The Director of the National Science Foundation.
            (4) The Chairman of the Federal Laboratory Consortium for 
        Technology Transfer.
            (5) The President of the National Academy of Sciences.
            (6) 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
        Representatives.
            (7) 2 members appointed by the minority leader of the House 
        of Representatives.
            (8) 2 members appointed by the majority leader of the 
        Senate.
            (9) 2 members appointed by the minority leader of the 
        Senate.
    (d) Terms of Membership.--Each member of the Commission appointed 
under subsection (c)(6) through (9) shall be appointed for a term of 
two years, except that of the members first appointed, one under each 
of those paragraphs shall be appointed for a term of one year. A member 
of the Commission may serve after the expiration of the member's term 
until a successor has taken office.
    (e) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its 
powers but, in the case of a member appointed under subsection (c)(6) 
through (9), shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
appointment was made. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy for an 
unexpired term shall be appointed for the remainder of such term.
    (f) Quorum.--Seven members of the Commission shall constitute a 
quorum.
    (g) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
Chairman or a majority of its members.
    (h) Compensation.--(1) Each member of the Commission shall serve 
without compensation.
    (2) While away from their homes or regular places of business in 
the performance of duties for the Commission, members of the Commission 
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under 
sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
    (i) Staff.--Subject to rules prescribed by the Commission, the 
Commission may appoint personnel as it considers appropriate.
    (j) Applicability of Certain Civil Service Laws.--The staff of the 
Commission shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5, 
United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, 
and shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and 
subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification 
and General Schedule pay rates.
    (k) Experts and Consultants.--The Commission may procure temporary 
and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United 
States Code.
    (l) Hearings and Sessions.--The Commission may, for the purpose of 
carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, 
take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers 
appropriate.
    (m) Powers of Members and Agents.--Any member or agent of the 
Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which 
the Commission is authorized to take by this section.
    (n) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly 
from any department or agency of the United States information 
necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the 
Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that 
information to the Commission.
    (o) Subpoena Power.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission may issue subpoenas 
        requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the 
        production of any evidence relating to any matter under 
        investigation by the Commission. The attendance of witnesses 
        and the production of evidence may be required from any place 
        within the United States at any designated place of hearing 
        within the United States.
            (2) Failure to obey a subpoena.--If a person refuses to 
        obey a subpoena issued under paragraph (1), the Commission may 
        apply to a United States district court for an order requiring 
        that person to appear before the Commission to give testimony, 
        produce evidence, or both, relating to the matter under 
        investigation. The application may be made within the judicial 
        district where the hearing is conducted or where that person is 
        found, resides, or transacts business. Any failure to obey the 
        order of the court may be punished by the court as civil 
        contempt.
            (3) Service of subpoenas.--The subpoenas of the Commission 
        shall be served in the manner provided for subpoenas issued by 
        a United States district court under the Federal Rules of Civil 
        Procedure for the United States district courts.
            (4) Service of process.--All process of any court to which 
        application is made under paragraph (2) may be served in the 
        judicial district in which the person required to be served 
        resides or may be found.
    (p) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Section 14 of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the 
Commission.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Energy--
            (1) for the period encompassing fiscal years 2009 through 
        2018--
                    (A) $500,000,000 for awarding the prize under 
                section 6 for meeting the goal described in section 
                3(1);
                    (B) $250,000,000 for awarding the prize under 
                section 6 for meeting the goal described in section 
                3(2);
                    (C) $250,000,000 for awarding the prize under 
                section 6 for meeting the goal described in section 
                3(3);
                    (D) $1,000,000,000 for awarding the prize under 
                section 6 for meeting the goal described in section 
                3(4);
                    (E) $1,000,000,000 for awarding the prize under 
                section 6 for meeting the goal described in section 
                3(5);
                    (F) $1,000,000,000 for awarding the prize under 
                section 6 for meeting the goal described in section 
                3(6);
                    (G) $10,000,000,000 for awarding the prize under 
                section 6 for meeting the goal described in section 
                3(7); and
                    (H) $10,000,000,000 for carrying out the grant 
                program under section 5; and
            (2) such sums as may be necessary for carrying out this Act 
        for subsequent fiscal years.
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