[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 42 (Monday, March 12, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H2408-H2411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     ENERGY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ACT

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 85) to provide for the establishment of centers to encourage 
demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy methods and 
technologies, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 85

       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 ``Energy Technology Transfer 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. ENERGY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.

       Section 917 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16197) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 917. ADVANCED ENERGY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTERS.

       ``(a) Grants.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     enactment of the Energy Technology Transfer Act, the 
     Secretary shall make grants to nonprofit institutions, State 
     and local governments, cooperative extension services, or 
     institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof), to 
     establish a geographically dispersed network of Advanced 
     Energy Technology Transfer Centers, to be located in areas 
     the Secretary determines have the greatest need of the 
     services of such Centers. In making awards under this 
     section, the Secretary shall--
       ``(1) give priority to applicants already operating or 
     partnered with an outreach program capable of transferring 
     knowledge and information about advanced energy efficiency 
     methods and technologies;
       ``(2) ensure that, to the extent practicable, the program 
     enables the transfer of knowledge and information--
       ``(A) about a variety of technologies and
       ``(B) in a variety of geographic areas;
       ``(3) give preference to applicants that would 
     significantly expand on or fill a gap in existing programs in 
     a geographical region; and
       ``(4) consider the special needs and opportunities for 
     increased energy efficiency for manufactured and site-built 
     housing, including construction, renovation, and retrofit.
       ``(b) Activities.--Each Center shall operate a program to 
     encourage demonstration and commercial application of 
     advanced energy methods and technologies through education 
     and outreach to building and industrial professionals, and to 
     other individuals and organizations with an interest in 
     efficient energy use. Funds awarded under this section may be 
     used for the following activities:
       ``(1) Developing and distributing informational materials 
     on technologies that could use energy more efficiently.
       ``(2) Carrying out demonstrations of advanced energy 
     methods and technologies.
       ``(3) Developing and conducting seminars, workshops, long-
     distance learning sessions, and other activities to aid in 
     the dissemination of knowledge and information on 
     technologies that could use energy more efficiently.
       ``(4) Providing or coordinating onsite energy evaluations, 
     including instruction on the commissioning of building 
     heating and cooling systems, for a wide range of energy end-
     users.
       ``(5) Examining the energy efficiency needs of energy end-
     users to develop recommended research projects for the 
     Department.
       ``(6) Hiring experts in energy efficient technologies to 
     carry out activities described in paragraphs (1) through (5).
       ``(c) Application.--A person seeking a grant under this 
     section shall submit to the Secretary an application in such 
     form and containing such information as the Secretary may 
     require. The Secretary may award a grant under this section 
     to an entity already in existence if the entity is otherwise 
     eligible under this section. The application shall include, 
     at a minimum--
       ``(1) a description of the applicant's outreach program, 
     and the geographic region it would serve, and of why the 
     program would be capable of transferring knowledge and 
     information about advanced energy technologies that increase 
     efficiency of energy use;
       ``(2) a description of the activities the applicant would 
     carry out, of the technologies that would be transferred, and 
     of any other organizations that will help facilitate a 
     regional approach to carrying out those activities;
       ``(3) a description of how the proposed activities would be 
     appropriate to the specific energy needs of the geographic 
     region to be served;
       ``(4) an estimate of the number and types of energy end-
     users expected to be reached through such activities; and
       ``(5) a description of how the applicant will assess the 
     success of the program.
       ``(d) Selection Criteria.--The Secretary shall award grants 
     under this section on the basis of the following criteria, at 
     a minimum:
       ``(1) The ability of the applicant to carry out the 
     proposed activities.
       ``(2) The extent to which the applicant will coordinate the 
     activities of the Center with other entities as appropriate, 
     such as State and local governments, utilities, institutions 
     of higher education, and National Laboratories.
       ``(3) The appropriateness of the applicant's outreach 
     program for carrying out the program described in this 
     section.

[[Page H2409]]

       ``(4) The likelihood that proposed activities could be 
     expanded or used as a model for other areas.
       ``(e) Cost-Sharing.--In carrying out this section, the 
     Secretary shall require cost-sharing in accordance with the 
     requirements of section 988 for commercial application 
     activities.
       ``(f) Duration.--
       ``(1) Initial grant period.--A grant awarded under this 
     section shall be for a period of 5 years.
       ``(2) Initial evaluation.--Each grantee under this section 
     shall be evaluated during its third year of operation under 
     procedures established by the Secretary to determine if the 
     grantee is accomplishing the purposes of this section 
     described in subsection (a). The Secretary shall terminate 
     any grant that does not receive a positive evaluation. If an 
     evaluation is positive, the Secretary may extend the grant 
     for 3 additional years beyond the original term of the grant.
       ``(3) Additional extension.--If a grantee receives an 
     extension under paragraph (2), the grantee shall be evaluated 
     again during the second year of the extension. The Secretary 
     shall terminate any grant that does not receive a positive 
     evaluation. If an evaluation is positive, the Secretary may 
     extend the grant for a final additional period of 3 
     additional years beyond the original extension.
       ``(4) Limitation.--No grantee may receive more than 11 
     years of support under this section without reapplying for 
     support and competing against all other applicants seeking a 
     grant at that time.
       ``(g) Prohibition.--None of the funds awarded under this 
     section may be used for the construction of facilities.
       ``(h) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
       ``(1) Advanced energy methods and technologies.--The term 
     `advanced energy methods and technologies' means all methods 
     and technologies that promote energy efficiency and 
     conservation, including distributed generation technologies, 
     and life-cycle analysis of energy use.
       ``(2) Center.--The term `Center' means an Advanced Energy 
     Technology Transfer Center established pursuant to this 
     section.
       ``(3) Distributed generation.--The term `distributed 
     generation' means an electric power generation technology, 
     including photovoltaic, small wind, and micro-combined heat 
     and power, that serves electric consumers at or near the site 
     of production.
       ``(4) Cooperative extension.--The term `Cooperative 
     Extension' means the extension services established at the 
     land-grant colleges and universities under the Smith-Lever 
     Act of May 8, 1914.
       ``(5) Land-grant colleges and universities.--The term 
     `land-grant colleges and universities' means--
       ``(A) 1862 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of the 
     Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 
     1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601));
       ``(B) 1890 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of that 
     Act); and
       ``(C) 1994 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of that 
     Act).
       ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to 
     amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated in section 
     911, there are authorized to be appropriated for the program 
     under this section such sums as may be appropriated.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Baird) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Washington.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H.R. 85, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Washington?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, when we examine market barriers for advanced research 
energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, we find that a 
simple lack of public knowledge often keeps those technologies on the 
laboratory shelf and out of the marketplace. Outreach and education of 
building and industry professionals and other key decisionmakers will 
undoubtedly accelerate the deployment of beneficial energy technologies 
and practices into the larger marketplace.
  Through the guidance of Congressman Brad Miller, we sought to address 
these challenges in the energy bill of 2005 by establishing in section 
917 a network of Advanced Energy Technology Transfer Centers. These 
centers would be a partnership between local entities and DOE to 
showcase advanced energy technologies and simply teach the right people 
how to utilize them.
  Mrs. Biggert worked with Mr. Miller to refine this section of the EPA 
Act in her bill, H.R. 85, and I believe it is a valuable improvement 
that will get these centers up and running sooner.
  This bill came through the Science Committee and passed the House 
last year as part of H.R. 6203. It was a good idea then, and Chairman 
Gordon saw that it should be treated the same in this Congress. Like 
the other two bills before us today, the Science and Technology 
Committee passed this bill out of committee with no objection. I again 
commend my colleague from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) for working with the 
majority on this important bill, and I urge its approval by the House.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 85, the Energy Technology Transfer 
Act, that was introduced by Congresswoman Judy Biggert, a most valuable 
and respected member of the Science Committee and former chairwoman of 
the Energy Subcommittee. I thank her and Mr. Miller from North Carolina 
for their work on this bill.
  There is concern that there is not enough assistance or education 
available in the area of transferring technologies in energy efficiency 
and distributed clean energy that has been developed by the Department 
of Energy and the national laboratories to energy end users.
  In this time of heightened awareness of how much energy we are using 
and how much energy costs, how dependent we are on foreign countries 
for energy feedstocks and how to continue the emissions reductions 
achieved thus far under various programs, it makes sense to do all we 
can to make sure that energy end users are as informed as possible 
about what is available to them to help them become more energy 
efficient.
  H.R. 85 would amend section 917 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, 
which requires the Secretary of Energy to distribute grants to 
establish a network of advanced energy technology transfer centers for 
the transfer of advanced energy technologies and methods to a wide 
range of energy end users, including individuals, businesses and 
building and industrial professionals.
  The bill does not create a new program. It simply improves upon the 
current section 917 by specifying types of activities that may be 
funded, minimum criteria and priorities for qualifying applications, 
duration of funding, and grantee evaluation requirements.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill and I encourage my colleagues to 
support it.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlelady 
from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member of the full 
committee, Mr. Hall, for yielding me the time to discuss H.R. 85, the 
Energy Technology Transfer Act. I would also like to commend my friend 
and colleague Mr. Baird of Washington for managing this bill, and the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Miller) for his hard work on this 
bill.
  The provisions in this bill were included in section 11 of H.R. 6203, 
the Alternative Energy Research and Development Act, which passed the 
House by voice vote in September of last year. The Federal Government 
spends billions every year on energy-related research and development 
at our universities and national laboratories. The result is often new 
technologies that reduce our consumption of energy or encourage the use 
of alternative fuels, and thus reduces our dependence on foreign 
sources of energy.
  But the biggest challenge to realizing these energy savings is 
getting these technologies out of the laboratory and into the 
marketplace where they can benefit all energy end users. Whether we are 
talking about a business owner, a homeowner, or a county or local 
government official, these energy end users may be hesitant to embrace 
advanced or alternative energy technologies with which they may not be 
familiar, have little experience or which may require new 
infrastructure.
  The risk of investing in new energy technologies is just too great 
compared to conventional energy technologies, and getting information 
on the latest, greatest energy technologies can just be too costly or 
time-consuming.
  That is why section 917 of EPACT of 2005 directed the Department of 
Energy to create a geographically dispersed network of energy efficient 
technology

[[Page H2410]]

transfer centers. The purpose of these centers is to transfer and 
provide education on energy efficiency and distribute clean energy 
technologies developed by DOE and at the national laboratories to 
energy end users.
  The bill we are considering today, H.R. 85, the Energy Technology 
Transfer Act, would simply improve section 917 of EPACT. Instead of 
creating from scratch this network of centers, H.R. 85 would authorize 
the DOE to provide grants to and partner with existing community 
outreach networks. These existing networks could include cooperative 
extension system offices, State energy offices, local governments, 
institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations with 
expertise in energy technologies or outreach.
  The Cooperative Extension Service and similar community outreach 
networks have a long and successful history of transferring knowledge 
about new technologies and techniques to farmers and other 
constituencies. However, few have the resources to focus on energy 
efficiency outside of the agriculture center. H.R. 85 would change that 
and would build on the successful model of the ag extension service 
without creating any new entity or bureaucracy.
  H.R. 85 still demands the same requirements of these centers. They 
must be geographically dispersed; they must coordinate regional 
resource engineering and business expertise; and they must help apply 
energy technologies and methods suitable to local climate. But instead 
of limiting these centers to the transfer of energy technologies, H.R. 
85 would expand their mission to include all advanced energy 
technologies.
  In addition to requiring grant recipients to demonstrate results or 
risk losing their grant, H.R. 85 would require grantees to provide 
feedback to DOE on the research needs related to the production, 
storage or use of energy identified by energy end users. It would also 
encourage grant recipients to work with utilities to carry out 
informational activities for energy end users.
  H.R. 85 prohibits grant recipients from using grants funding to 
construct facilities to house the tech transfer center. It doesn't 
authorize any funding that isn't already authorized in EPACT. In other 
words, this bill contains no new funding. Instead, it simply gives new 
guidance and direction to the Secretary about how to bolster the 
Department's technology transfer capacity.
  I just want to give you one example from Chicago about how this 
program might work and its potential to save energy through the 
deployment of advanced energy technologies.
  Before expanding their frozen pizza production plant in Woodridge, 
Illinois, Home Run Inn Pizza consulted with the University of Illinois 
Chicago's Energy Resource Center. After conducting an assessment of the 
plant and its operations, the UIC Energy Resource Center identified 
nine ways Home Run Inn Pizza could reduce their energy consumption and 
energy costs. Using advanced energy technologies developed as a result 
of DOE's funded research, Home Run Inn Pizza could reduce natural gas 
consumption by 13 percent and energy consumption by 5 to 6 percent, 
saving a total of over $15,000 annually.
  Because of resource limitations, the UIC Energy Resource Center will 
help 12 companies in this way in fiscal year 2007, saving each on the 
average 15 percent of its energy budget and providing a return on 
investment within 2 years.
  With passage of H.R. 85, the UIC Energy Resource Center and other 
cooperative extension and community outreach organizations could add 
the capacity and expertise to help many, many more companies, building 
managers, home builders and homeowners use technology to save energy 
and money.
  I want to conclude by thanking the bill's chief cosponsor, my friend 
and colleague from North Carolina (Mr. Miller) for his strong interest 
in tech transfer and this legislation in particular. As we have worked 
with the majority to improve this legislation, his input has been 
invaluable. I also want to thank Chairman Gordon for recognizing the 
value of this legislation and moving it expeditiously through the 
committee. I want to thank Ranking Member Hall for his assistance as 
well.
  Finally, I want to thank the National Association of State 
Universities and Land Grant Colleges and a long list of its members for 
their strong support of this bill. This bill represents just a small 
investment in the tech transfer capabilities we need to help our 
universities and labs move advanced energy technologies from the labs 
into the markets so Americans can enjoy the tangible benefits of our 
Federal investment in R&D.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I just would echo Mrs. Biggert's astute 
comments. We talk a lot in this body and in the administration about 
the importance of launching new energy research initiatives. The fact 
is we have a number of efficient technologies before us today, and the 
real challenge is getting those out to the public to be implemented as 
soon as possible.
  The quickest way to address our energy challenge is not to 
immediately invent some miracle cure. The quickest way is to implement 
the existing technologies and mechanisms that we have already before us 
to begin saving energy today.
  I encourage passage of this bill and commend Mrs. Biggert for her 
leadership.
  Mr. MILLER of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I originally introduced as 
an amendment to the Energy Bill, what is now section 917 of the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005. Then Chairman Boehlert accepted that amendment in 
the 108th, and then made it part of the base bill the next time that it 
came through this committee in the 109th. H.R. 85 makes improving 
changes to section 917, to make it an even more effective program.
  There has never been a partisan divide over this program. This 
committee passed the language in this bill as part of a broader energy 
bill that Mrs. Biggert introduced in the last Congress. I thank the 
Chairman for working to get this bill to the House floor and thank Mrs. 
Biggert for continuing to work with me on the issue of energy 
technology transfer.
  The purpose of the program is to encourage the use in the real world 
of energy efficiency technologies that have been developed with, often, 
federally funded research, the Department of Energy, but that has sat 
unused on the shelf. Using those energy efficiency technologies offers 
the promise of immediate help with our problems, with our energy needs, 
our dependency, and we should be using every effort to try to make 
ourselves more energy independent.
  This bill would extend those ways of delivering energy conservation 
and efficiency programs to include cooperative extension services, 
which is a definite improvement, and important, that these energy 
efficiency technologies make their way into rural America.
  And I hope that these improvements to Sec 917 of EPACT really do make 
the program much more comprehensive and will send a message to the 
Department of Energy and to the appropriators that this program should 
be funded.
  The President's budget request failed to request funding for this 
program this year. In the 109th Congress the appropriators failed to 
include funding, despite my best efforts and many efforts to tug at 
someone's sleeve and get their attention, to try to include it in the 
appropriations bill. And I hope with a strong bipartisan effort this 
year, this program can be funded, and we can begin to make sure we get 
into practical use the energy efficiency technologies that we have 
developed.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I 
urge passage of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 85, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

[[Page H2411]]



                          ____________________