Applied sciences in renewable energy pilot program

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary of Energy shall establish a research pilot program for award grants to partnerships to improve education and training in support of applied sciences in the field of renewable energy as part of a comprehensive program to enhance the quality of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction at the secondary school and undergraduate levels. Grants under this section may be used for— (1)professional development and training for teachers; (2)purchase, rental, or leasing of equipment, instrumentation, and other educational and training materials; (3)improvement of facilities for providing education and training experiences in applied sciences in the field of renewable energy; (4)development of instructional programs designed to integrate education and training in applied sciences in renewable energy with the practical application of that education and training; (5)recruitment and retention of new faculty; (6)encouraging collaboration between faculty and industry partners; (7)supporting outreach efforts to recruit students; and (8)assessment of the activities funded under this Act. (b)

Partnerships

Grants awarded under subsection (a) shall be to the institution described in paragraph (1), as part of a partnership that— (1)includes a 2-year degree granting institution of higher education offering an associates degree in applied science in a renewable energy field; (2)includes a 4-year degree granting institution of higher education; (3)includes a business or eligible nonprofit organization and labor organization; and (4)may include a State educational agency, other public agency, National Laboratory, or community-based organization. (c)

Preference

The Secretary of Energy shall give preference to awarding grants under this section for partnerships— (1)whose proposal incorporates a technical preparation program described in section 203(c) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2373(c)); or (2)who can demonstrate the likely long-term stability of the program without continued Federal funding. (d)

Diversity of subject matter

The Secretary of Energy shall ensure that, to the extent possible, grants are provided under this Act for partnerships representing a wide diversity of renewable energy fields. (e)

Federal share

The Federal share of the cost of activities carried out using amounts from a grant under subsection (a) shall not exceed 40 percent. (f)

Limitation

No single grant under subsection (a) may be made in an amount greater than $1,000,000 per year. (g)

Public information

The Secretary of Energy shall make publicly available all curricula, planning documents, and other materials related to a project supported by a grant made under this Act. (h)

Project reports

The Secretary of Energy shall require grant recipients under subsection (a) to submit a report to the Secretary, not later than 3 years after receiving the grant, on the results of the project supported by the grant. Each such report shall include an assessment of which elements of the project supported with the grant were successful and which were not, along with an identification and analysis of improvements that could have made the project more successful. The Secretary shall make all reports submitted under this subsection available to the public. (i)

Definition

For purposes of this section, the term renewable energy has the meaning given that term in section 609(a)(3) and (4) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 918c(a)(3) and (4)).