II 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1497 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 24, 2007 Mr. Cardin introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To promote the energy independence of the United States, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Energy Independence Act of 2007.

2.

Purpose and goals

The purpose of this Act is to provide support for projects and activities to facilitate the energy independence of the United States so as to ensure that— (1)all but 10 percent of the energy needs of the United States are supplied by domestic energy sources by calendar year 2017; and (2)all but 20 percent of the energy needs of the United States are supplied by non-fossil fuel sources by calendar year 2037.

3.

Energy Policy Commission

(a)

Establishment

(1)

In general

There is established a commission, to be known as the National Commission on Energy Independence (referred to in this section as the Commission). (2)

Membership

The Commission shall be composed of 15 members, of whom— (A)3 shall be appointed by the President; (B)3 shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; (C)3 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; (D)3 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and (E)3 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. (3)

Co-chairpersons

(A)

In general

The President shall designate 2 co-chairpersons from among the members of the Commission appointed. (B)

Political affiliation

The co-chairpersons designated under subparagraph (A) shall not both be affiliated with the same political party. (4)

Deadline for appointment

Members of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (5)

Term; vacancies

(A)

Term

A member of the Commission shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. (B)

Vacancies

Any vacancy in the Commission— (i)shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and (ii)shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. (b)

Purpose

The Commission shall conduct a comprehensive review of the energy policy of the United States by— (1)reviewing relevant analyses of the current and long-term energy policy of, and conditions in, the United States; (2)identifying problems that may threaten the achievement by the United States of long-term energy policy goals, including energy independence; (3)analyzing potential solutions to problems that threaten the long-term ability of the United States to achieve those energy policy goals; and (4)providing recommendations that will ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the energy policy goals of the United States are achieved. (c)

Report and recommendations

(1)

In general

Not later than December 31 of each of calendar years 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015, the Commission shall submit to Congress and the President a report on the progress of United States in meeting the long-term energy policy goal of energy independence, including a detailed statement of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Commission. (2)

Legislative language

If a recommendation submitted under paragraph (1) involves legislative action, the report shall include proposed legislative language to carry out the action. (d)

Commission personnel matters

(1)

Staff and director

The Commission shall have a staff headed by an Executive Director. (2)

Staff appointment

The Executive Director may appoint such personnel as the Executive Director and the Commission determine to be appropriate. (3)

Experts and consultants

With the approval of the Commission, the Executive Director may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. (4)

Federal agencies

(A)

Detail of government employees

(i)

In general

Upon the request of the Commission, the head of any Federal agency may detail, without reimbursement, any of the personnel of the Federal agency to the Commission to assist in carrying out the duties of the Commission. (ii)

Nature of detail

Any detail of a Federal employee under clause (i) shall not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil service status or privileges of the Federal employee. (B)

Technical assistance

Upon the request of the Commission, the head of a Federal agency shall provide such technical assistance to the Commission as the Commission determines to be necessary to carry out the duties of the Commission. (e)

Resources

(1)

In general

The Commission shall have reasonable access to materials, resources, statistical data, and such other information from Executive agencies as the Commission determines to be necessary to carry out the duties of the Commission. (2)

Form of requests

The co-chairpersons of the Commission shall make requests for access described in paragraph (1) in writing, as necessary.