[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 3, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S616-S617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 3257. Ms. CANTWELL (for herself and Mr. Graham) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2953 proposed by Ms. 
Murkowski to the bill S. 2012, to provide for the modernization of the 
energy policy of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle C of title IV, add the following:

     SEC. 42__. SENSE OF THE SENATE ON ACCELERATING ENERGY 
                   INNOVATION.

       (a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--
       (1) although important progress has been made in cost 
     reduction and deployment of clean energy technologies, 
     accelerating clean energy innovation will meet critical 
     competitiveness, energy security, and environmental goals;
       (2) many of the greatest advancements in the science of 
     energy production have taken place in the United States, 
     where key Federal investment, public private partnerships,

[[Page S617]]

     and a robust, diverse energy industry have helped to power 
     and fuel the United States economy;
       (3) the United States is home to the most advanced energy 
     research institutions in the world, and those institutions 
     attract the brightest and most talented individuals to study 
     and develop energy solutions to meet the energy needs of the 
     United States and the world;
       (4) early-stage involvement of the private sector is 
     critical to ensuring commercialization and cost-effectiveness 
     of energy breakthroughs;
       (5) the Secretary is working with international and 
     domestic partners and institutions, including units of 
     government, private investors, and technology innovators--
       (A) to make data available;
       (B) to aggregate technology expertise, if possible;
       (C) to share facilities and analysis;
       (D) to promote development, commercialization, and 
     dissemination of clean energy technologies; and
       (E) to dramatically increase the range of technology 
     options for private sector investment and commercialization;
       (6) the Secretary is working closely with other committed 
     nations and the private sector to increase access to 
     investment for earlier-stage clean energy companies that 
     emerge from government research and development programs;
       (7) the Secretary is building and improving technology 
     innovation roadmaps and other tools--
       (A) to help innovation efforts;
       (B) to understand where research and development is already 
     happening; and
       (C) to identify gaps and opportunities for new kinds of 
     innovation;
       (8) accelerating the pace of clean energy innovation in the 
     United States calls for--
       (A) supporting existing research and development programs 
     at the Department and the world-class National Laboratories 
     (as defined in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
     U.S.C. 15801)); and
       (B) exploring and developing new pathways for innovators, 
     investors, and decision-makers to leverage the resources of 
     the Department for addressing the challenges and comparative 
     strengths of geographic regions;
       (9) the energy supply, demand, policies, markets, and 
     resource options of the United States vary by geographic 
     region; and
       (10) a regional approach to innovation can bridge the gaps 
     between local talent, institutions, and industries to 
     identify opportunities and convert United States investment 
     into domestic companies.
       (b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate 
     that Congress and the Secretary should advance efforts that 
     promote international, domestic, and regional cooperation on 
     the research and development of energy innovations that--
       (1) provide clean, affordable, and reliable energy for 
     everyone;
       (2) promote economic growth; and
       (3) are critical for energy security.
                                 ______