[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 111 (Monday, July 11, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H4649-H4651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SOLAR FUELS INNOVATION ACT

  Mr. KNIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5638) to provide for the establishment at the Department of 
Energy of a Solar Fuels Basic Research Initiative, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5638

       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 ``Solar Fuels Innovation 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. SOLAR FUELS BASIC RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

       (a) Amendment.--Section 973 of the Energy Policy Act of 
     2005 (42 U.S.C. 16313) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 973. SOLAR FUELS BASIC RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

       ``(a) Initiative.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a research 
     initiative, to be known as the Solar Fuels Basic Research 
     Initiative, to expand theoretical and fundamental knowledge 
     of photochemistry, electrochemistry, biochemistry, and 
     materials science useful for the practical development of 
     experimental systems to convert solar energy to chemical 
     energy.
       ``(2) Leveraging.--The Secretary shall leverage expertise 
     and resources from the Basic Energy Sciences Program and 
     Biological and Environmental Research Program within the 
     Office of Science, and the Office of Energy Efficiency and 
     Renewable Energy, as provided under subsections (b) and (c).
       ``(3) Teams.--The Secretary shall organize activities under 
     the Solar Fuels Basic Research Initiative to include 
     multidisciplinary teams leveraging expertise from the 
     National Laboratories, universities, and the private sector 
     to the extent practicable. These multidisciplinary teams 
     shall pursue aggressive, milestone-driven basic research 
     goals. The Secretary shall provide sufficient resources for 
     those teams to achieve those goals over a period of time to 
     be determined by the Secretary.
       ``(4) Additional activities.--The Secretary is authorized 
     to organize additional activities under this subsection 
     through Energy Frontier Research Centers, Energy Innovation 
     Hubs, or other organizational structures.
       ``(b) Artificial Photosynthesis.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall, as part of the 
     Solar Fuels Basic Research Initiative, carry out a program to 
     support research needed to bridge scientific barriers and 
     discover knowledge relevant to artificial photosynthetic 
     systems. In carrying out activities under this subsection, 
     the Director of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences shall 
     support basic research to pursue distinct lines of scientific 
     inquiry, including photoinduced production of hydrogen and 
     oxygen from water, and the sustainable photoinduced reduction 
     of carbon dioxide to fuel products including hydrocarbons, 
     alcohols, carbon monoxide, and natural gas. The Assistant 
     Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy shall 
     support translational research, development, and validation 
     of physical concepts developed under this subsection.
       ``(2) Standard of review.--The Secretary shall review the 
     program activities under this subsection to determine the 
     achievement of technical milestones.
       ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--
       ``(A) Authorization.--Subject to subsection (d), there are 
     authorized for carrying out activities under this subsection 
     for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2020--
       ``(i) $50,000,000 from funds within the Basic Energy 
     Sciences Program account; and
       ``(ii) $25,000,000 from funds within the Energy Efficiency 
     and Renewable Energy account.
       ``(B) Prohibition.--No funds authorized under this 
     subsection may be obligated or expended for commercial 
     application of energy technology.
       ``(c) Biochemistry, Replication of Natural Photosynthesis, 
     and Related Processes.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall, as part of the 
     Solar Fuels Basic Research Initiative, carry out a program to 
     support research needed to replicate natural photosynthetic 
     processes by use of artificial photosynthetic components and 
     materials. In carrying out activities under this subsection, 
     the Director of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences shall 
     support basic research to expand fundamental knowledge to 
     replicate natural synthesis processes, including the 
     photoinduced reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia, absorption 
     of carbon dioxide from ambient air, molecular-based charge 
     separation and storage, photoinitiated electron transfer, and 
     catalysis in biological or biomimetic systems. The Associate 
     Director of Biological and Environmental Research shall

[[Page H4650]]

     support systems biology and genomics approaches to understand 
     genetic and physiological pathways connected to 
     photosynthetic mechanisms. The Assistant Secretary for Energy 
     Efficiency and Renewable Energy shall support translational 
     research, development, and validation of physical concepts 
     developed under this subsection.
       ``(2) Standard of review.--The Secretary shall review the 
     program activities under this subsection to determine the 
     achievement of technical milestones.
       ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--
       ``(A) Authorization.--Subject to subsection (d), there are 
     authorized for carrying out activities under this subsection 
     for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2020--
       ``(i) $50,000,000 from funds within the Basic Energy 
     Sciences Program and Biological and Environmental Research 
     Program accounts; and
       ``(ii) $25,000,000 from funds within the Energy Efficiency 
     and Renewable Energy account.
       ``(B) Prohibition.--No funds authorized under this 
     subsection may be obligated or expended for commercial 
     application of energy technology.
       ``(d) Funding.--No additional funds are authorized to be 
     appropriated under this section. This section shall be 
     carried out using funds otherwise authorized by law.''.
       (b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The item relating to 
     section 973 in the table of contents of such Act is amended 
     to read as follows:

``Sec. 973. Solar Fuels Basic Research Initiative.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Knight) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie 
Bernice Johnson) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KNIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H.R. 5638, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KNIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Today it is my honor and privilege to bring H.R. 5638, the Solar 
Fuels Innovation Act, to the House of Representatives with several of 
my colleagues.
  This bill, the first solar R&D bill to be considered on the House 
floor this Congress, will advance the policies of the America COMPETES 
Act that passed the House last year and establish a basic research 
initiative and groundbreaking solar fuels.
  The solar fuel process, also known as artificial photosynthesis, 
harnesses energy from sunlight to create a range of chemical fuels. 
Basic research in artificial photosynthesis and related research could 
lead to a solar fuels system that consolidates solar power and energy 
storage into a cohesive process and fundamentally change the way we 
extract energy from our natural resources. This would be a game changer 
for our country.
  Scientists up and down the coast of California are undertaking this 
research, from universities in southern California to Lawrence Berkeley 
National Laboratory in the bay area. Research authorized in this 
legislation could solve this key scientific challenge and open the door 
for American entrepreneurs to develop the next generation of solar 
technology.
  The Solar Fuels Innovation Act will also enable universities and the 
DOE labs to train the next generation of scientists through a 
multidisciplinary approach, bringing together students in chemistry, 
physics, and materials science.
  This legislation provides a framework for more coordination between 
basic research and early-stage translational research in solar fuels.

                              {time}  2015

  H.R. 5638 refocuses the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable 
Energy on the early-stage research where the Federal Government can 
have the most significant impact.
  H.R. 5638 reaffirms the Federal Government's key role in research and 
development.
  This legislation is also fiscally responsible. By directing DOE to 
conduct this research using existing funds in the Office of Science and 
EERE, this legislation ensures the responsible use of limited tax 
dollars for the kind of research only the Federal Government has the 
tools to undertake.
  Today, we hear a lot of enthusiasm for solar power. But far too 
often, we focus on today's technology, not the fundamentally new 
approach to renewable energy that is possible with this early-stage 
research.
  In Congress, it is our responsibility to take the long-term view and 
be patient, making smart investments in research that can lead to the 
next big discovery.
  DOE must focus on the kind of groundbreaking R&D that can lead to 
disruptive technology. Solar fuels could someday change the way we 
think about solar power.
  I would like to thank my colleagues who joined me in introducing this 
bill and the many research institutions that offered letters of 
support.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  I support doing all we can to advance research in solar fuels. These 
technologies aim to produce fuels like hydrogen and hydrocarbons from a 
combination of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, and do this far 
more efficiently than nature's photosynthetic process. If we can figure 
out a way to make these technologies cost competitive, solar fuels have 
the potential to make a major contribution to reducing our dependence 
on oil and other traditional fossil fuels.
  But as with the Electricity Storage Innovation Act, I believe we 
could have taken a little more time to do this in the right way. Last 
week, the Department of Energy raised many of the same concerns with 
this bill that it had with the last one, including its attempt to 
arbitrarily legislate a bright line between ``basic'' and ``applied'' 
research when this is neither realistic nor helpful.
  Further, I would note that there is absolutely nothing wrong with 
Federal support for so-called applied research. Indeed, my colleagues 
on the other side of the aisle have had no issue with supporting what 
would typically be called applied research and development when it 
dealt with nuclear technologies, oil and gas drilling technologies, or 
other fossil fuel technologies. Clean power technologies should be 
treated no differently.
  That said, I do not oppose the passage of this bill today in the hope 
that we can turn it into something we can all support in partnership 
with our friends in the Senate.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KNIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the full committee.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank the gentleman 
from California, Energy Subcommittee Vice Chairman Knight, for yielding 
me time on H.R. 5638, the Solar Fuels Innovation Act.
  This legislation provides necessary statutory authority and direction 
to the Department of Energy's groundbreaking solar fuels research 
program. I appreciate Vice Chairman Knight developing and introducing 
this legislation, which is the product of the Science, Space, and 
Technology Committee's hearings, oversight, and stakeholder outreach.
  Research to create fuels from the Sun, also known as artificial 
photosynthesis and photosynthesis replication, relies heavily on the 
study of advanced chemistry and materials science. By prioritizing 
these areas of fundamental physical science, researchers at our 
national labs and universities across the country can develop processes 
that take energy from sunlight and create a range of chemical fuels. 
This basic research could provide the scientific and technical 
underpinnings for the private sector to develop solar fuel systems that 
eliminate the problem of the intermittency of direct solar energy and 
make it a reliable power source for chemical fuels production.
  H.R. 5638 authorizes the Secretary of Energy to carry out a targeted 
basic research initiative on photochemistry, electrochemistry, 
biochemistry, and the materials science necessary to develop the 
complex systems to convert sunlight into usable and storable fuels.
  H.R. 5638 focuses the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable 
Energy on early-stage research that will not be undertaken by the 
private sector. DOE must focus on this kind of groundbreaking R&D while 
the private sector is responsible for finding ways to deploy innovative 
technology in the commercial energy market.

[[Page H4651]]

  The Federal Government does not have unlimited resources to pursue 
every technology innovation. By directing DOE to conduct this research 
using only existing funds in the Office of Science and EERE, the 
legislation redirects currently authorized funds. The Department of 
Energy has the capability and knowledge to lead on this type of long-
term basic research. This groundbreaking science can lead to the 
development of innovative advanced energy technologies by the private 
sector.
  Again, I want to thank Vice Chairman Knight and both my Republican 
and Democratic colleagues on the Science, Space, and Technology 
Committee for supporting this basic research initiative in solar fuels.
  As part of Leader McCarthy's Innovation Initiative, this legislation 
deserves the support of our House colleagues.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. KNIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Weber), the chairman of the Energy Subcommittee.
  Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
California for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5638, the Solar Fuels 
Innovation Act.
  This legislation directs the Department of Energy to focus on basic 
research that provides the foundation for our technology breakthroughs. 
Our aim is to shed a little sunlight on this process. As for the solar 
fuel process, also known as artificial photosynthesis, new materials 
and catalysts will be needed to be developed through basic research 
before the private sector will ever be able to develop a commercial 
solar fuels system.
  If this research yields the right materials, Mr. Speaker, scientists 
might create a system that could consolidate solar power and energy 
storage into a cohesive process. This would potentially remove the 
intermittency of solar energy and make it a reliable power source for 
chemical fuels production. Folks, this is a game changer.
  Last month, we held a hearing in the Energy Subcommittee that I chair 
in order to examine this critical research. We heard from a panel of 
experts on America's basic research portfolio, which provides the 
foundation for development of solar fuels through the study of 
chemistry and advanced materials.
  I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Knight, the vice chairman of the 
Energy Subcommittee, for introducing this important legislation.
  I am also pleased that this legislation directs research within 
existing funds appropriated by Congress and does not authorize any new 
spending. Let me repeat: does not authorize any new spending.
  Mr. Speaker, we have limited Federal resources for research and 
development, and it is our responsibility to ensure that those are 
spent wisely, on basic research that can provide benefits across the 
entire United States economy.
  I urge my colleagues to support this innovative fiscally responsible 
legislation. You know I am right.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. KNIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 5638 authorizes innovative basic research that will lead to 
groundbreaking technology in solar fuels.
  By harnessing the expertise of our Nation's national labs and 
universities, now we can lay the fundamental scientific groundwork for 
the private sector's development of advanced solar fuels technology in 
the future. This could fundamentally change the way we extract energy 
from our natural resources.
  I want to thank Chairman Smith and my other colleagues on the 
Science, Space, and Technology Committee who have cosponsored H.R. 
5638, including Dan Lipinski, Randy Neugebauer, Bill Posey, Randy 
Hultgren, Randy Weber, Brian Babin, and John Moolenaar. I also want to 
thank the dozens of researchers and stakeholders who provided feedback 
as we developed this legislation.
  Finally, I want to reiterate that H.R. 5638 authorizes no new Federal 
spending. I think we got that from Chairman Weber. The bill reads: ``No 
additional funds are authorized to be appropriated under this section. 
This section shall be carried out using funds otherwise authorized by 
law.''
  I urge the adoption of this commonsense, bipartisan legislation, 
which is part of Leader McCarthy's Innovation Initiative.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5638, 
the ``Solar Fuels Innovation Act,'' bipartisan legislation that 
establishes the Solar Fuels Basic Research Initiative at the Department 
of Energy.
  As a former long-time member of the House Science Committee, I am 
well aware of the challenges posed by solar power generation.
  In our diversified and globalized economy, it is critical to invest 
in innovative solar power research to ensure energy independence of the 
United States.
  According to the most recent report by the International Energy 
Agency in 2014, the United States was fifth in solar power production.
  The United States produced 18,317 megawatts of solar power in 2014.
  The United States has more land space to harness solar power than 
some of the countries currently surpassing us, which includes Italy, 
Japan, and Germany.
  H.R. 5638 authorizes the Secretary of Energy to implement the Solar 
Fuels Basic Research Initiative to expand the scientific knowledge of 
photochemistry, biochemistry, electrochemistry, and materials science 
needed to convert solar energy to chemical energy.
  The legislation encourages multilateral and multidisciplinary 
research efforts between National Laboratories, universities, and the 
private sector to achieve milestones in advancing and modernizing solar 
power research.
  H.R. 5638 specifically designates two subsections for innovation: (1) 
Artificial Photosynthesis, and (2) Biochemistry, Replication of Natural 
Photosynthesis and Related Processes.
  The bill authorizes $150 million for each subsection of fiscal years 
2017 through 2020.
  H.R. 5638 also authorizes the same amount and division of funding 
amount to the ``Biochemistry, Replication of Natural Photosynthesis and 
Related Processes'' subcategory.
  Mr. Speaker, this innovative legislation will help ensure that 
America remains a leader on the cutting edge of technological 
advancement.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5638.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Weber of Texas). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Knight) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5638, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________