Federal Oil Spill Research Committee

(a)

In general

Section 7001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2761) is amended to read as follows:

7001.

Federal Oil Spill Research Committee

(a)

Establishment

There is established a committee, to be known as the Federal Oil Spill Research Committee (referred to in this section as the Committee). (b)

Membership

(1)

Composition

The Committee shall be composed of— (A)at least 1 representative of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; (B)at least 1 representative of the Coast Guard; (C)at least 1 representative of the Environmental Protection Agency; and (D)at least 1 representative of each of such other Federal agencies as the President considers to be appropriate. (2)

Chairperson

The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (referred to in this section as the Under Secretary) shall designate a Chairperson from among members of the Committee who represent the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (3)

Meetings

At a minimum, the members of the Committee shall meet once each quarter. (c)

Duties of the Committee

(1)

Research

The Committee shall— (A)coordinate a comprehensive program of oil pollution research, technology development, and demonstration among the Federal agencies, in cooperation and coordination with industry, institutions of higher education, research institutions, State governments, tribal governments, and other countries, as the Committee considers to be appropriate; and (B)foster cost-effective research mechanisms, including the joint funding of research. (2)

Reports on current State of oil discharge prevention and response capabilities

(A)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Oil Spill Technology and Research Act of 2010, the Committee shall submit to Congress a report on the state of oil discharge prevention and response capabilities that— (i)identifies current research programs conducted by governments, universities, and corporate entities; (ii)assesses the current status of knowledge on oil pollution prevention, response, and mitigation technologies; (iii)establishes national research priorities and goals for oil pollution technology development relating to prevention, response, mitigation, and environmental effects; (iv)identifies regional oil pollution research needs and priorities for a coordinated program of research at the regional level developed in consultation with the State and local governments and Indian tribes; (v)assesses the current state of discharge response equipment, and determines areas in need of improvement, including with respect to the quantity, age, quality, and effectiveness of equipment, or necessary technological improvements; (vi)assesses— (I)the current state of real-time data available to mariners, including data on water level, currents, and weather (including predictions); and (II)whether a lack of timely information increases the risk of oil discharges; and (vii)includes such other information or recommendations as the Committee determines to be appropriate. (B)

5-year updates

Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of the Oil Spill Technology and Research Act of 2010, and every 5 years thereafter, the Committee shall submit to Congress a report updating the information contained in the previous report submitted under subparagraph (A). (d)

Research and development program

(1)

In general

In carrying out the duties of the Committee under subsection (c)(1), the Committee shall establish a program to conduct oil pollution research and development. (2)

Program elements

The program established under paragraph (1) shall provide for research, development, and demonstration of new or improved technologies and methods that are effective in preventing, detecting, or responding to, mitigating, and restoring damage from oil discharges and that protect the environment, including each of the following: (A)High priority research areas described in the reports under subsection (c)(2). (B)Environmental effects of acute and chronic oil discharges on coastal and marine resources, including impacts on protected areas and protected species. (C)Long-term effects of major discharges and the long-term cumulative effects of smaller endemic discharges. (D)New technologies to detect accidental or intentional overboard discharges. (E)Response, containment, and removal capabilities, such as improved booms, oil skimmers, and storage capacity. (F)Oil discharge risk assessment methods, including the identification of areas of high risk and potential risk reductions for the prevention of discharges. (G)Capabilities for predicting the environmental fate, transport, and effects of oil discharges, including prediction of the effectiveness of discharge response systems to contain and remove oil discharges. (H)Methods to restore and rehabilitate natural resources and ecosystem functions damaged by oil discharges. (I)Research and training, in consultation with the National Response Team, to improve the ability of industry and the Federal Government to remove an oil discharge quickly and effectively. (J)Oil pollution technology evaluation. (K)Any other priorities identified by the Committee. (3)

Implementation plan

(A)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of submission of the report under subsection (c)(2)(A), the Committee shall submit to Congress a plan for the implementation of the program required by paragraph (1). (B)

Assessment by national academy of sciences

The Chairperson of the Committee, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy of Sciences shall— (i)provide advice and guidance in the preparation and development of the plan required by subparagraph (A); and (ii)assess the adequacy of the plan as submitted, and submit a report to Congress on the conclusions of the assessment. (e)

Grant program in support of research and development program

(1)

In general

The Under Secretary of Commerce shall manage a program of competitive grants to universities or other research institutions, or groups of universities or research institutions, for the purposes of conducting the program established under subsection (d). (2)

Applications and conditions

In conducting the program, the Under Secretary— (A)shall establish a notification and application procedure; (B)may establish such conditions and require such assurances as are appropriate to ensure the efficiency and integrity of the grant program; and (C)may provide grants under the program on a matching or nonmatching basis. (f)

Advice and guidance

(1)

In general

The Committee shall accept comments and input from State and local governments, Indian tribes, industry representatives, and other stakeholders in carrying out the duties of the Committee under subsection (c). (2)

Advisory council

The Committee may establish an Advisory Council consisting of nongovernment experts and stakeholders for the purpose of providing guidance to the Committee on matters under this section. (g)

Facilitation

The Committee may develop joint partnerships or enter into memoranda of agreement or memoranda of understanding with institutions of higher education, States, and other entities to facilitate the research program required by subsection (d). (h)

Annual reports

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Oil Spill Technology and Research Act of 2010, and annually thereafter, the Chairperson of the Committee shall submit to Congress a report that describes— (1)the activities carried out under this section during the preceding fiscal year; and (2)the activities that are proposed to be carried out under this section for the fiscal year during which the report is submitted. (i)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out this section— (1)$200,000 for fiscal year 2010, to remain available until expended, for use in entering into arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences and for paying other expenses incurred in developing the reports and research program under this section; and (2)$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2012, to remain available until expended.

(b)

Termination of Authority of Interagency Committee

(1)

In general

The Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research established under section 7001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2761) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act), and all authority of that Committee, terminate on the date of enactment of this Act. (2)

Funding

Any funds made available for the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research described in paragraph (1) and remaining available as of the date of enactment of this Act shall be transferred to and available for use by the Federal Oil Spill Research Committee (as established by the amendment made by subsection (a)), without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation.