[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 10, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6329-S6330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself, Mr. Wyden, and Ms. Murkowski):
  S. 1491. A bill to amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 
2007 to improve United States-Israel energy cooperation, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to speak for a 
few minutes about an exciting new area of collaboration between the 
United States and Israel, our critical ally and friend in the Middle 
East. Especially given the current state of affairs in the Middle East, 
the United States' clear and unyielding support for Israel is more 
important now than ever before. For the past few years, I have been a 
leader in the effort to enhance US-Israel collaboration on energy 
development, which is why I am excited today to introduce a bill that 
will expand this critical relationship, along with Chairman Wyden and 
Ranking Member Murkowski.
  In December 2010, Israel made the largest natural gas discovery in 
the world in the past decade off its coast in the Mediterranean. The 
discovery, known as the Leviathan field, is estimated at 16 trillion 
cubic feet of natural gas, bringing Israel's total natural gas reserves 
to an estimated 30 trillion cubic feet. This will likely be able to 
satisfy Israel's domestic gas demand with enough left over to export 
for years to come--in fact, it is estimated that if only half of this 
natural gas was produced, Israel would have 100 years of its natural 
gas needs met.
  Not only is the Leviathan discovery a game changer for Israel, both 
economically and geopolitically, but it is also an incredible chance 
for the U.S. to share our energy expertise to support a critical ally 
while creating economic opportunities here at home. The Gulf Coast, 
which provides one third of all domestically produced oil in the 
nation, arguably has the most advanced offshore energy industry in the 
world; Israel, until very recently has had almost none. With limited 
domestic production capacity, a non-existent regulatory framework, and 
a lack of related academic programs, Israel can greatly benefit from 
collaboration with the U.S., and we are uniquely qualified to lead this 
effort to help Israel successfully develop this natural resource. As 
Israel is a leader in the research and development, hi-tech and startup 
spaces, enhanced collaboration between the two countries can be 
mutually beneficial.
  The United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Enhancement Bill 
recognizes the important relationship and potential for further 
collaboration between the United States and Israel on energy 
development, including natural gas and alternative fuels, and seeks to 
bolster that relationship by encouraging increased cooperation in the 
academic, business, governmental, and other sectors.
  The bill first recognizes energy collaboration with Israel as a 
strategic interest of the United States and officially encourages 
collaboration between the U.S. National Science Foundation and the 
Israel Science Foundation. It then further encourages cooperation 
between both countries' academic communities in energy innovation 
technology, technology transfer, and analysis of the geopolitical 
implications of new natural resource development. It also urges 
business development engagement in the private sectors and regular 
engagement between the two countries' relevant agencies, departments 
and ministries to share best practices.
  Additionally, the United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Enhancement 
Bill expands two already existing joint grant making programs, the 
Binational Industrial Research and Development Program, BIRD, and the 
Binational Science Foundation, BSF. Under the bill, these two programs 
would now include projects focused on natural gas, which are expected 
given Israel's recent discoveries, as well as entrepreneurial 
development and the advanced hi-tech sector. The legislation also 
reauthorizes the BIRD and BSF programs through fiscal year 2024.
  Finally, the bill allows for the authorization of a United States-
Israel Offshore Technology Center to further academic and technology 
research and development collaboration. This is the direct result of 
numerous conversations, meetings, and visits I have had over the past 
few years, and I am especially excited about the potential of this type 
of formal academic collaboration. Israeli universities have some of the 
world's leading engineering departments, but have no petroleum 
engineering faculty. Imagine the synergy if we could combine Israeli 
engineering expertise with our universities, who have the leading 
petroleum engineering departments in the world.
  This bill builds off of my previous efforts to enhance collaboration 
between the United States and Israel on energy development and 
exploration. For several years, I have been working to strengthen the 
relationship between our two countries and to help our domestic energy 
industry. In October 2011, with the help of the Department

[[Page S6330]]

of Commerce and the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, 
I organized the first ever oil and gas trade mission to Israel and 
brought 12 Louisiana oil and gas companies to the region. The mission 
was such a success that the Department of Commerce and I ran another 
trip in October 2012 that brought 15 American companies and 
universities. Additionally, in June of 2012, I hosted a delegation of 
10 high-ranking Israeli officials in Washington and Louisiana to meet 
with US industry experts and federal officials, including then 
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. The delegation also attended the 
Central Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sale in New Orleans and 
visited Port Fourchon and the Liquified Natural Gas, LNG, facility in 
Cameron Parish. By seeing our work first-hand and learning about the US 
regulatory framework, they left with a keener understanding of our 
industry.
  The United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Enhancement Bill will 
continue to advance this important goal. Through energy collaboration, 
academic cooperation, and continued government dialogue, we will create 
jobs for our domestic oil and gas industry and support a critical ally 
in the Middle East in its quest for energy independence and security. I 
thank my colleagues Chairman Wyden and Ranking Member Murkowski for 
their leadership on this issue and for cosponsoring the bill, and I 
urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1491

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL ENERGY COOPERATION.

       (a) Findings.--Section 917(a) of the Energy Independence 
     and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``renewable'' and 
     inserting ``covered'';
       (2) in paragraph (4)--
       (A) by striking ``possible many'' and inserting 
     ``possible--
       ``(A) many'';
       (B) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon at the end; 
     and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) significant contributions to the development of 
     renewable energy and energy efficiency through the 
     established programs of the United States-Israel Binational 
     Industrial Research and Development Foundation and the United 
     States-Israel Binational Science Foundation;'';
       (3) in paragraph (6)--
       (A) by striking ``renewable'' and inserting ``covered''; 
     and
       (B) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end;
       (4) in paragraph (7)--
       (A) by striking ``renewable'' and inserting ``covered''; 
     and
       (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting a 
     semicolon; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(8) United States-Israel energy cooperation, and the 
     development of natural resources by Israel, are strategic 
     interests of the United States;
       ``(9) Israel is a strategic partner of the United States in 
     water technology;
       ``(10) the United States can play a role in assisting 
     Israel with regional safety and security issues;
       ``(11) the National Science Foundation of the United States 
     should collaborate with the Israel Science Foundation;
       ``(12) the United States and Israel should strive to 
     develop more robust academic cooperation in energy innovation 
     technology and engineering, water science, technology 
     transfer, and analysis of geopolitical implications of new 
     natural resource development and associated areas;
       ``(13) the United States supports the goals of the 
     Alternative Fuels Administration of Israel;
       ``(14) the United States strongly urges open dialogue and 
     continued mechanisms for regular engagement and encourages 
     further cooperation between applicable departments, agencies, 
     ministries, institutions of higher education, and the private 
     sector of the United States and Israel on energy security 
     issues, including--
       ``(A) identifying policy priorities associated with the 
     development of natural resources of Israel;
       ``(B) discussing best practices to secure cyber energy 
     infrastructure;
       ``(C) best practice sharing;
       ``(D) leveraging natural gas to positively impact regional 
     stability;
       ``(E) improving energy efficiency and the overall 
     performance of water technologies through research and 
     development in water desalination, wastewater treatment and 
     reclamation, and other water treatment refiners;
       ``(F) technical and environmental management of deep-water 
     exploration and production;
       ``(G) coastal protection and restoration;
       ``(H) academic outreach and engagement;
       ``(I) private sector and business development engagement;
       ``(J) regulatory consultations;
       ``(K) leveraging alternative transportation fuels and 
     technologies; and
       ``(L) any other areas determined appropriate by United 
     States and Israel; and
       ``(15) the United States acknowledges the achievements and 
     importance of the Binational Industrial Research and 
     Development Foundation (BIRD) and the United States-Israel 
     Binational Science Foundation (BSF) and supports continued 
     multiyear funding to ensure the continuity of the programs of 
     the Foundations.''.
       (b) Types of Energy.--Section 917(b)(2) of the Energy 
     Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(2)) 
     is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(H) natural gas energy, including natural gas projects 
     conducted by or in conjunction with the United States-Israel 
     Binational Science Foundation;
       ``(I) improvement of energy efficiency and the overall 
     performance of water technologies through research and 
     development in water desalination, wastewater treatment and 
     reclamation, and other water treatment refiners; and
       ``(J) conventional and unconventional oil and gas 
     technologies.''.
       (c) Eligible Applicants.--Section 917(b)(3) of the Energy 
     Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(3)) 
     is amended by striking ``energy efficiency or renewable'' and 
     inserting ``covered''.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations; International 
     Partnerships.--Section 917 of the Energy Independence and 
     Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (d);
       (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (e); and
       (3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       ``(c) International Partnerships.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may, subject to 
     appropriations, enter into cooperative agreements supporting 
     and enhancing dialogue and planning involving international 
     partnerships between the Department, including National 
     Laboratories of the Department, and the Government of Israel 
     and its ministries, offices, and institutions.
       ``(2) Federal share.--The Secretary may not pay more than 
     50 percent of Federal share of the costs described in 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(3) Annual reports.--The Secretary may submit to the 
     appropriate committees of Congress an annual report that 
     describes--
       ``(A) actions taken to carry out this subsection; and
       ``(B) any projects under this subsection for which the 
     Secretary requests funding.
       ``(d) United States-Israel Center.--The Secretary may 
     establish a joint United States-Israel Center based in an 
     area of the United States with the experience, knowledge, and 
     expertise in offshore energy development to further dialogue 
     and collaboration to develop more robust academic cooperation 
     in energy innovation technology and engineering, water 
     science, technology transfer, and analysis of geopolitical 
     implications of new natural resource development and 
     associated areas.''.
       (e) Termination.--Subsection (e) of section 917 of the 
     Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 
     17337) (as redesignated by subsection (d)(2)) is amended by 
     striking ``the date that is 7 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``September 30, 2024''.
                                 ______