[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 27, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5771-H5779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SCIENCE AND INNOVATION ACT OF 2018
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 5905) to authorize basic research programs in the
Department of Energy Office of Science for fiscal years 2018 and 2019,
as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5905
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Department
of Energy Science and Innovation Act of 2018''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Mission.
Sec. 4. Basic energy sciences.
Sec. 5. Advanced scientific computing research.
Sec. 6. High energy physics.
Sec. 7. Biological and environmental research.
Sec. 8. Fusion energy.
Sec. 9. Nuclear physics.
Sec. 10. Science laboratories infrastructure program.
Sec. 11. Authorization of appropriations.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of Energy.
[[Page H5772]]
(2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Science of the Department.
(3) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory''
has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
SEC. 3. MISSION.
Section 209 of the Department of Energy Organization Act
(42 U.S.C. 7139) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(c) Mission.--The mission of the Office of Science shall
be the delivery of scientific discoveries, capabilities, and
major scientific tools to transform the understanding of
nature and to advance the energy, economic, and national
security of the United States.''.
SEC. 4. BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES.
(a) Program.--The Director shall carry out a program in
basic energy sciences, including materials sciences and
engineering, chemical sciences, physical biosciences, and
geosciences, for the purpose of providing the scientific
foundations for new energy technologies.
(b) Mission.--The mission of the program described in
subsection (a) shall be to support fundamental research to
understand, predict, and ultimately control matter and energy
at the electronic, atomic, and molecular levels in order to
provide the foundations for new energy technologies and to
support Department missions in energy, environment, and
national security.
(c) Basic Energy Sciences User Facilities.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall carry out a program for
the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of
national user facilities.
(2) Requirements.--To the maximum extent practicable, the
national user facilities developed, constructed, operated, or
maintained under paragraph (1) shall serve the needs of the
Department, industry, the academic community, and other
relevant entities to create and examine materials and
chemical processes for the purpose of improving the
competitiveness of the United States.
(3) Included facilities.--The national user facilities
developed, constructed, operated, or maintained under
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) x-ray light sources;
(B) neutron sources;
(C) nanoscale science research centers; and
(D) such other facilities as the Director considers
appropriate, consistent with section 209 of the Department of
Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7139).
(d) Basic Energy Sciences Research Infrastructure.--
(1) Advanced photon source upgrade.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for the
upgrade to the Advanced Photon Source described in the
publication approved by the Basic Energy Sciences Advisory
Committee on June 9, 2016, titled ``Report on Facility
Upgrades'', including the development of a multi-bend
achromat lattice to produce a high flux of coherent x-rays
within the hard x-ray energy region and a suite of beamlines
optimized for this source.
(B) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
(i) Flux.--The term ``flux'' means the rate of flow of
photons.
(ii) Hard x-ray.--The term ``hard x-ray'' means a photon
with energy greater than 20 kiloelectron volts.
(C) Start of operations.--The Secretary shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, ensure that the start of full
operations of the upgrade under this paragraph occurs before
December 31, 2025.
(D) Funding.--Out of funds authorized to be appropriated
under section 11 for Basic Energy Sciences, there shall be
made available to the Secretary to carry out the upgrade
under this paragraph--
(i) $93,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; and
(ii) $130,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.
(2) Spallation neutron source proton power upgrade.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for a proton
power upgrade to the Spallation Neutron Source.
(B) Definition of proton power upgrade.--For the purposes
of this paragraph, the term ``proton power upgrade'' means
the Spallation Neutron Source power upgrade described in--
(i) the publication of the Office of Science of the
Department of Energy titled ``Facilities for the Future of
Science: A Twenty-Year Outlook'', published December 2003;
(ii) the publication of the Office of Science of the
Department of Energy titled ``Four Years Later: An Interim
Report on Facilities for the Future of Science: A Twenty-Year
Outlook'', published August 2007; and
(iii) the publication approved by the Basic Energy Sciences
Advisory Committee on June 9, 2016, titled ``Report on
Facility Upgrades''.
(C) Start of operations.--The Secretary shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, ensure that the start of full
operations of the upgrade under this paragraph occurs before
December 31, 2025.
(D) Funding.--Out of funds authorized to be appropriated
under section 11 for Basic Energy Sciences, there shall be
made available to the Secretary to carry out the upgrade
under this paragraph--
(i) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; and
(ii) $60,800,000 for fiscal year 2019.
(3) Spallation neutron source second target station.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for a second
target station for the Spallation Neutron Source.
(B) Definition of second target station.--For the purposes
of this paragraph, the term ``second target station'' means
the Spallation Neutron Source second target station described
in--
(i) the publication of the Office of Science of the
Department of Energy titled ``Facilities for the Future of
Science: A Twenty-Year Outlook'', published December 2003;
(ii) the publication of the Office of Science of the
Department of Energy titled ``Four Years Later: An Interim
Report on Facilities for the Future of Science: A Twenty-Year
Outlook'', published August 2007; and
(iii) the publication approved by the Basic Energy Sciences
Advisory Committee on June 9, 2016, titled ``Report on
Facility Upgrades''.
(C) Start of operations.--The Secretary shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, ensure that the start of full
operations of the second target station under this paragraph
occurs before December 31, 2030, with the option for early
operation in 2028.
(D) Funding.--Out of funds authorized to be appropriated
under section 11 for Basic Energy Sciences, there shall be
made available to the Secretary to carry out activities,
including construction, under this paragraph--
(i) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; and
(ii) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.
(4) Advanced light source upgrade.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for the
upgrade to the Advanced Light Source described in the
publication approved by the Basic Energy Sciences Advisory
Committee on June 9, 2016, titled ``Report on Facility
Upgrades'', including the development of a multi-bend
achromat lattice to produce a high flux of coherent x-rays
within the soft x-ray energy region.
(B) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
(i) Flux.--The term ``flux'' means the rate of flow of
photons.
(ii) Soft x-ray.--The term ``soft x-ray'' means a photon
with energy in the range from 50 to 2,000 electron volts.
(C) Start of operations.--The Secretary shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, ensure that the start of full
operations of the upgrade under this paragraph occurs before
December 31, 2026.
(D) Funding.--Out of funds authorized to be appropriated
under section 11 for Basic Energy Sciences, there shall be
made available to the Secretary to carry out the upgrade
under this paragraph--
(i) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; and
(ii) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.
(5) Linac coherent light source ii high energy upgrade.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for the
upgrade to the Linac Coherent Light Source II facility
described in the publication approved by the Basic Energy
Sciences Advisory Committee on June 9, 2016, titled ``Report
on Facility Upgrades'', including the development of
experimental capabilities for high energy x-rays to reveal
fundamental scientific discoveries. The Secretary shall
ensure the upgrade under this paragraph enables the
production and use of high energy, ultra-short pulse x-rays
delivered at a high repetition rate.
(B) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
(i) High energy x-ray.--The term a ``high energy x-ray''
means a photon with an energy at or exceeding 12 kiloelectron
volts.
(ii) High repetition rate.--The term ``high repetition
rate'' means the delivery of x-ray pulses up to one million
pulses per second.
(iii) Ultra-short pulse x-rays.--The term ``ultra-short
pulse x-rays'' means x-ray bursts capable of durations of
less than one hundred femtoseconds.
(C) Start of operations.--The Secretary shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, ensure that the start of full
operations of the upgrade under this paragraph occurs before
December 31, 2025.
(D) Funding.--Out of funds authorized to be appropriated
under section 11 for Basic Energy Sciences, there shall be
made available to the Secretary to carry out the upgrade
under this paragraph--
(i) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; and
(ii) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.
(e) Accelerator Research and Development.--The Director
shall carry out research and development on advanced
accelerator and storage ring technologies relevant to the
development of Basic Energy Sciences user facilities, in
consultation with the Office of Science's High Energy Physics
and Nuclear Physics programs.
(f) Solar Fuels Research Initiative.--
(1) In general.--Section 973 of the Energy Policy Act of
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16313) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 973. SOLAR FUELS RESEARCH INITIATIVE.
``(a) Initiative.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a research
initiative, to be known as the `Solar Fuels Research
Initiative' (referred to in this section as the `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.--In carrying out programs and activities
under the Initiative, the Secretary shall leverage expertise
and resources from--
[[Page H5773]]
``(A) the Basic Energy Sciences Program and the Biological
and Environmental Research Program of the Office of Science;
and
``(B) the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
``(3) Teams.--
``(A) In general.--In carrying out the Initiative, the
Secretary shall organize activities among multidisciplinary
teams to leverage, to the maximum extent practicable,
expertise from the National Laboratories, institutions of
higher education, and the private sector.
``(B) Goals.--The multidisciplinary teams described in
subparagraph (A) shall pursue aggressive, milestone-driven,
basic research goals.
``(C) Resources.--The Secretary shall provide sufficient
resources to the multidisciplinary teams described in
subparagraph (A) to achieve the goals described in
subparagraph (B) over a period of time to be determined by
the Secretary.
``(4) Additional activities.--The Secretary may 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 carry out under the
Initiative a program to support research needed to bridge
scientific barriers to, and discover knowledge relevant to,
artificial photosynthetic systems.
``(2) Activities.--As part of the program described in
paragraph (1)--
``(A) the Director of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences
shall support basic research to pursue distinct lines of
scientific inquiry, including--
``(i) photoinduced production of hydrogen and oxygen from
water; and
``(ii) the sustainable photoinduced reduction of carbon
dioxide to fuel products including hydrocarbons, alcohols,
carbon monoxide, and natural gas; and
``(B) the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy shall support translational research,
development, and validation of physical concepts developed
under the program.
``(3) Standard of review.--The Secretary shall review
activities carried out under the program described in
paragraph (1) to determine the achievement of technical
milestones.
``(4) Funding.--
``(A) In general.--From within funds authorized to be
appropriated under section 11 of the Department of Energy
Science and Innovation Act of 2018, for Basic Energy
Sciences, the Secretary shall make available for carrying out
activities under this subsection $50,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2018 through 2019.
``(B) Prohibition.--No funds allocated to the program
described in paragraph (1) 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 carry out under the
Initiative a program to support research needed to replicate
natural photosynthetic processes by use of artificial
photosynthetic components and materials.
``(2) Activities.--As part of the program described in
paragraph (1)--
``(A) the Director of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences
shall support basic research to expand fundamental knowledge
to replicate natural synthesis processes, including--
``(i) the photoinduced reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia;
``(ii) the absorption of carbon dioxide from ambient air;
``(iii) molecular-based charge separation and storage;
``(iv) photoinitiated electron transfer; and
``(v) catalysis in biological or biomimetic systems;
``(B) the Associate Director of Biological and
Environmental Research shall support systems biology and
genomics approaches to understand genetic and physiological
pathways connected to photosynthetic mechanisms; and
``(C) the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy shall support translational research,
development, and validation of physical concepts developed
under the program.
``(3) Standard of review.--The Secretary shall review
activities carried out under the program described in
paragraph (1) to determine the achievement of technical
milestones.
``(4) Funding.--
``(A) In general.--From within funds authorized to be
appropriated under section 11 of the Department of Energy
Science and Innovation Act of 2018, for Basic Energy Sciences
and Biological and Environmental Research, the Secretary
shall make available for carrying out activities under this
subsection $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through
2019.
``(B) Prohibition.--No funds allocated to the program
described in paragraph (1) may be obligated or expended for
commercial application of energy technology.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The table of contents for the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended by striking the item
relating to section 973 and inserting the following:
``Sec. 973. Solar fuels research initiative.''.
(g) Electricity Storage Research Initiative.--
(1) In general.--Section 975 of the Energy Policy Act of
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16315) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 975. ELECTRICITY STORAGE RESEARCH INITIATIVE.
``(a) Initiative.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a research
initiative, to be known as the `Electricity Storage Research
Initiative' (referred to in this section as the
`Initiative')--
``(A) to expand theoretical and fundamental knowledge to
control, store, and convert--
``(i) electrical energy to chemical energy; and
``(ii) chemical energy to electrical energy; and
``(B) to support scientific inquiry into the practical
understanding of chemical and physical processes that occur
within systems involving crystalline and amorphous solids,
polymers, and organic and aqueous liquids.
``(2) Leveraging.--In carrying out programs and activities
under the Initiative, the Secretary shall leverage expertise
and resources from--
``(A) the Basic Energy Sciences Program, the Advanced
Scientific Computing Research Program, and the Biological and
Environmental Research Program of the Office of Science; and
``(B) the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
``(3) Teams.--
``(A) In general.--In carrying out the Initiative, the
Secretary shall organize activities among multidisciplinary
teams to leverage, to the maximum extent practicable,
expertise from the National Laboratories, institutions of
higher education, and the private sector.
``(B) Goals.--The multidisciplinary teams described in
subparagraph (A) shall pursue aggressive, milestone-driven,
basic research goals.
``(C) Resources.--The Secretary shall provide sufficient
resources to the multidisciplinary teams described in
subparagraph (A) to achieve the goals described in
subparagraph (B) over a period of time to be determined by
the Secretary.
``(4) Additional activities.--The Secretary may organize
additional activities under this subsection through Energy
Frontier Research Centers, Energy Innovation Hubs, or other
organizational structures.
``(b) Multivalent Systems.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out under the
Initiative a program to support research needed to bridge
scientific barriers to, and discover knowledge relevant to,
multivalent ion materials in electric energy storage systems.
``(2) Activities.--As part of the program described in
paragraph (1)--
``(A) the Director of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences
shall investigate electrochemical properties and the dynamics
of materials, including charge transfer phenomena and mass
transport in materials; and
``(B) the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy shall support translational research,
development, and validation of physical concepts developed
under the program.
``(3) Standard of review.--The Secretary shall review
activities carried out under the program described in
paragraph (1) to determine the achievement of technical
milestones.
``(4) Funding.--
``(A) In general.--From within funds authorized to be
appropriated under section 11 of the Department of Energy
Science and Innovation Act of 2018, for Basic Energy Sciences
and Biological and Environmental Research, the Secretary
shall make available for carrying out activities under this
subsection $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2018
through 2019.
``(B) Prohibition.--No funds allocated to the program
described in paragraph (1) may be obligated or expended for
commercial application of energy technology.
``(c) Electrochemistry Modeling and Simulation.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out under the
Initiative a program to support research to model and
simulate organic electrolytes, including the static and
dynamic electrochemical behavior and phenomena of organic
electrolytes at the molecular and atomic level in monovalent
and multivalent systems.
``(2) Activities.--As part of the program described in
paragraph (1)--
``(A) the Director of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences,
in coordination with the Associate Director of Advanced
Scientific Computing Research, shall support the development
of high performance computational tools through a joint
development process to maximize the effectiveness of current
and projected high performance computing systems; and
``(B) the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy shall support translational research,
development, and validation of physical concepts developed
under the program.
``(3) Standard of review.--The Secretary shall review
activities carried out under the program described in
paragraph (1) to determine the achievement of technical
milestones.
``(4) Funding.--
``(A) In general.--From within funds authorized to be
appropriated under section 11 of the Department of Energy
Science and Innovation Act of 2018, for Basic Energy Sciences
and Advanced Scientific Computing Research, the Secretary
shall make available for carrying out activities under this
[[Page H5774]]
subsection $30,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2018
through 2019.
``(B) Prohibition.--No funds allocated to the program
described in paragraph (1) may be obligated or expended for
commercial application of energy technology.
``(d) Mesoscale Electrochemistry.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out under the
Initiative a program to support research needed to reveal
electrochemistry in confined mesoscale spaces, including
scientific discoveries relevant to--
``(A) bio-electrochemistry and electrochemical energy
conversion and storage in confined spaces; and
``(B) the dynamics of the phenomena described in
subparagraph (A).
``(2) Activities.--As part of the program described in
paragraph (1)--
``(A) the Director of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences
and the Associate Director of Biological and Environmental
Research shall investigate phenomena of mesoscale
electrochemical confinement for the purpose of replicating
and controlling new electrochemical behavior; and
``(B) the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy shall support translational research,
development, and validation of physical concepts developed
under the program.
``(3) Standard of review.--The Secretary shall review
activities carried out under the program described in
paragraph (1) to determine the achievement of technical
milestones.
``(4) Funding.--
``(A) In general.--From within funds authorized to be
appropriated under section 11 of the Department of Energy
Science and Innovation Act of 2018, for Basic Energy Sciences
and Biological and Environmental Research, the Secretary
shall make available for carrying out activities under this
subsection $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through
2019.
``(B) Prohibition.--No funds allocated to the program
described in paragraph (1) may be obligated or expended for
commercial application of energy technology.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The table of contents for the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended by striking the item
relating to section 975 and inserting the following:
``Sec. 975. Electricity storage research initiative.''.
(h) Energy Frontier Research Centers.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall carry out a program to
provide awards, on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to
multi-institutional collaborations or other appropriate
entities to conduct fundamental and use-inspired energy
research to accelerate scientific breakthroughs.
(2) Collaborations.--A collaboration receiving an award
under this subsection may include multiple types of
institutions and private sector entities.
(3) Selection and duration.--
(A) In general.--A collaboration under this subsection
shall be selected for a period of 4 years.
(B) Existing centers.--An Energy Frontier Research Center
in existence and supported by the Director on the date of
enactment of this Act may continue to receive support for a
period of 4 years beginning on the date of establishment of
that center.
(C) Reapplication.--After the end of the period described
in subparagraph (A) or (B), as applicable, a recipient of an
award may reapply for selection on a competitive, merit-
reviewed basis.
(D) Termination.--Consistent with the existing authorities
of the Department, the Director may terminate an
underperforming center for cause during the performance
period.
(i) Materials Research Database.--
(1) In general.--As part of the program in materials
sciences and engineering, the Director shall support the
development of a web-based platform to provide access to a
database of computed information on known and predicted
materials properties and computational tools to accelerate
breakthroughs in materials discovery and design.
(2) In carrying out this section, the Director shall--
(A) conduct cooperative research with industry, academia,
and other research institutions to facilitate the design of
novel materials;
(B) leverage existing high performance computing systems to
conduct high-throughput calculations, and develop
computational and data mining algorithms for the prediction
of material properties;
(C) advance understanding, prediction, and manipulation of
materials;
(D) strengthen the foundation for new technologies and
advanced manufacturing; and
(E) drive the development of advanced materials for
applications that span the Department's missions in energy,
environment, and national security.
(3) In carrying out this section, the Director shall
leverage programs and activities across the Department.
SEC. 5. ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING RESEARCH.
(a) Program.--The Director shall carry out a research,
development, and demonstration program to advance
computational and networking capabilities to analyze, model,
simulate, and predict complex phenomena relevant to the
development of new energy technologies and the
competitiveness of the United States.
(b) American Super Computing Leadership.--
(1) Renaming of act.--
(A) In general.--Section 1 of the Department of Energy
High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004 (15 U.S.C. 5501
note; Public Law 108-423) is amended by striking ``Department
of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004'' and
inserting ``American Super Computing Leadership Act''.
(B) Conforming amendment.--Section 976(a)(1) of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16316(1)) is amended by
striking ``Department of Energy High-End Computing
Revitalization Act of 2004'' and inserting ``American Super
Computing Leadership Act''.
(2) Definitions.--Section 2 of the American Super Computing
Leadership Act (15 U.S.C. 5541), as renamed by paragraph (1),
is amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as
paragraphs (3) through (6), respectively;
(B) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) Department.--The term `Department' means the
Department of Energy.
``(2) Exascale computing.--The term `exascale computing'
means computing through the use of a computing machine that
performs near or above 10 to the 18th power operations per
second.''; and
(C) in paragraph (6) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A)),
by striking ``, acting through the Director of the Office of
Science of the Department of Energy''.
(3) Department of energy high-end computing research and
development program.--Section 3 of the American Super
Computing Leadership Act (15 U.S.C. 5542), as renamed by
paragraph (1), is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``program'' and
inserting ``coordinated program across the Department'';
(B) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``, which may'' and
all that follows through ``multithreading architectures'';
and
(C) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
``(d) Exascale Computing Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a research
program (referred to in this subsection as the `Program') for
exascale computing, including the development of two or more
exascale computing machine architectures, to promote the
missions of the Department.
``(2) Execution.--
``(A) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the
Secretary shall--
``(i) establish a National Laboratory partnership for
industry partners and institutions of higher education for
codesign of exascale hardware, technology, software, and
applications across all applicable organizations of the
Department;
``(ii) acquire multiple exascale computing systems at the
existing Departmental facilities that represent at least two
distinct technology options developed under clause (i);
``(iii) develop such advancements in hardware and software
technology as are required to fully realize the potential of
an exascale production system in addressing Department target
applications and solving scientific problems involving
predictive modeling and simulation, large scale data
analytics and management, and artificial intelligence;
``(iv) explore the use of exascale computing technologies
to advance a broad range of science and engineering; and
``(v) provide, as appropriate, on a competitive, merit-
reviewed basis, access for researchers in industries in the
United States, institutions of higher education, National
Laboratories, and other Federal agencies to the exascale
computing systems developed pursuant to clause (i).
``(B) Selection of partners.--The Secretary shall select
the partnerships with the computing facilities of the
Department under subparagraph (A) through a competitive,
peer-review process.
``(3) Codesign and application development.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall--
``(i) carry out the Program through an integration of
applications, computer science, applied mathematics, and
computer hardware architecture using the partnerships
established pursuant to paragraph (2) to ensure that, to the
maximum extent practicable, two or more exascale computing
machine architectures are capable of solving Department
target applications and broader scientific problems,
including predictive modeling and simulation, large scale
data analytics and management, and artificial intelligence;
and
``(ii) conduct outreach programs to increase the readiness
for the use of such platforms by domestic industries,
including manufacturers.
``(B) Report.--(i) The Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report describing how the integration under subparagraph (A)
is furthering application science data and computational
workloads across application interests, including national
security, material science, physical science, cybersecurity,
biological science, the Materials Genome and BRAIN
Initiatives of the President, advanced manufacturing, and the
national electric grid.
``(ii) The roles and responsibilities of National
Laboratories and industry, including the definition of the
roles and responsibilities within the Department to ensure an
integrated program across the Department.
``(4) Project review.--
[[Page H5775]]
``(A) In general.--The exascale architectures developed
pursuant to partnerships established pursuant to paragraph
(2) shall be reviewed through a project review process.
``(B) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report on--
``(i) the results of the review conducted under
subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) the coordination and management of the Program to
ensure an integrated research program across the Department.
``(5) Annual reports.--At the time of the budget submission
of the Department for each fiscal year, the Secretary, in
consultation with the members of the partnerships established
pursuant to paragraph (2), shall submit to Congress a report
that describes funding for the Program as a whole by
functional element of the Department and critical
milestones.''.
(c) High-performance Computing and Networking Research.--
The Director shall support research in high-performance
computing and networking relevant to energy applications,
including modeling, simulation, machine learning, and
advanced data analytics for basic and applied energy research
programs carried out by the Secretary.
(d) Applied Mathematics and Software Development for High-
end Computing Systems, Computational, and Computer Sciences
Research.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall carry out activities to
develop, test, and support--
(A) mathematics, models, statistics, and algorithms for
complex systems and programming environments; and
(B) tools, languages, and operations for high-end computing
systems (as defined in section 2 of the American Super
Computing Leadership Act (15 U.S.C. 5541), as renamed by this
section).
(2) Portfolio balance.--The Director shall maintain a
balanced portfolio within the advanced scientific computing
research and development program established under section
976 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16316) that
supports robust investment in applied mathematical,
computational, and computer sciences research while
accommodating necessary investments in high-performance
computing hardware and facilities.
(e) Workforce Development.--The Director of the Office of
Advanced Scientific Computing Research shall support the
development of a computational science workforce through a
program that--
(1) facilitates collaboration between university students
and researchers at the National Laboratories; and
(2) endeavors to advance science in areas relevant to the
mission of the Department through the application of
computational science.
SEC. 6. HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS.
(a) Program.--The Director shall carry out a research
program on the fundamental constituents of matter and energy
and the nature of space and time.
(b) Mission.--The mission of the program described in
subsection (a) shall be to support theoretical and
experimental research in both elementary particle physics and
fundamental accelerator science and technology to understand
fundamental properties of the universe.
(c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress
that--
(1) the Director should incorporate the findings and
recommendations of the Particle Physics Project
Prioritization Panel's report entitled ``Building for
Discovery: Strategic Plan for U.S. Particle Physics in the
Global Context'', into the Department's planning process as
part of the program described in subsection (a);
(2) the Director should prioritize domestically hosted
research projects that will maintain the United States
position as a global leader in particle physics and attract
the world's most talented physicists and foreign investment
for international collaboration; and
(3) the nations that lead in particle physics by hosting
international teams dedicated to a common scientific goal
attract the world's best talent and inspire future
generations of physicists and technologists.
(d) Neutrino Research.--As part of the program described in
subsection (a), the Director shall carry out research
activities on rare decay processes and the nature of the
neutrino, which may include collaborations with the National
Science Foundation or international collaborations.
(e) Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility for Deep Underground
Neutrino Experiment.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for a Long-
Baseline Neutrino Facility to facilitate the international
Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment to enable a program in
neutrino physics to measure the fundamental properties of
neutrinos, explore physics beyond the Standard Model, and
better clarify the nature of matter and antimatter.
(2) Facility capabilities.--The Secretary shall ensure that
the facility described in paragraph (1) will provide, at a
minimum, the following capabilities:
(A) A broad-band neutrino beam capable of 1.2 megawatts
(MW) of beam power and upgradable to 2.4 MW of beam power.
(B) Four caverns excavated for a forty kiloton fiducial
detector mass and supporting surface buildings and utilities.
(C) Neutrino detector facilities at both the Far Site in
South Dakota and the Near Site in Illinois to categorize and
study neutrinos on their 800-mile journey between the two
sites.
(D) Cryogenic systems to support neutrino detectors.
(3) Start of operations.--The Secretary shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, ensure that the start of full
operations of the facility under this subsection occurs
before December 31, 2026.
(4) Funding.--Out of funds authorized to be appropriated
under section 11 for High Energy Physics, there shall be made
available to the Secretary to carry out activities, including
construction of the facility, under this subsection--
(A) $95,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; and
(B) $175,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.
(5) Dark energy and dark matter research.--As part of the
program described in paragraph (1), the Director shall carry
out research activities on the nature of dark energy and dark
matter, which may include collaborations with the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration or the National Science
Foundation, or international collaborations.
(6) International collaboration.--The Director, as
practicable and in coordination with other appropriate
Federal agencies as necessary, shall ensure the access of
United States researchers to the most advanced accelerator
facilities and research capabilities in the world, including
the Large Hadron Collider.
SEC. 7. BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH.
(a) Program.--The Director shall carry out a program of
basic research in the areas of biological systems science and
environmental science relevant to the development of new
energy technologies and to support Department missions in
energy, environment, and national security.
(b) Biological Systems.--The Director shall carry out
research and development activities in fundamental,
structural, computational, and systems biology to increase
systems-level understanding of the complex biological
systems, which may include activities--
(1) to accelerate breakthroughs and new knowledge that
would enable the cost-effective, sustainable production of--
(A) biomass-based liquid transportation fuels;
(B) bioenergy; and
(C) biobased materials;
(2) to improve understanding of the global carbon cycle,
including processes for removing carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere, through photosynthesis and other biological
processes, for sequestration and storage; and
(3) to understand the biological mechanisms used to
transform, immobilize, or remove contaminants from subsurface
environments.
(c) Bioenergy Research Centers.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out activities under
subsection (a), the Director shall select and establish up to
4 bioenergy research centers to conduct basic and fundamental
research in plant and microbial systems biology, bio imaging
and analysis, and genomics to inform the production of fuels,
chemicals from sustainable biomass resources, and to
facilitate the translation of basic research results to
industry.
(2) Selection.--The Director shall select centers under
paragraph (1) on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis. The
Director shall consider applications from National
Laboratories, multi-institutional collaborations, and other
appropriate entities.
(3) Duration.--A center established under this subsection
shall receive support for a period of not more than 5 years,
subject to the availability of appropriations.
(4) Existing centers.--The Director may select a center for
participation under this subsection that is in existence, or
undergoing a renewal process, on the date of enactment of
this Act. Such center shall be eligible to receive support
for the duration the 5-year period beginning on the date of
establishment of such center.
(5) Renewal.--Upon the expiration of any period of support
of a center under this subsection, the Director may renew
support for the center, on a merit-reviewed basis, for a
period of not more than 5 years.
(6) Termination.--Consistent with the existing authorities
of the Department, the Director may terminate an
underperforming center for cause during the performance
period.
(d) Low Dose Radiation Research Program.--
(1) In general.--Subtitle G of title IX of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16311 et seq.) is amended by
inserting after section 977 the following new section:
``SEC. 977A. LOW-DOSE RADIATION RESEARCH PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a basic
research program on low-dose radiation to--
``(1) enhance the scientific understanding of, and reduce
uncertainties associated with, the effects of exposure to
low-dose radiation; and
``(2) inform improved risk-assessment and risk-management
methods with respect to such radiation.
``(b) Program Components.--In carrying out the program
required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
``(1) formulate scientific goals for low-dose radiation
basic research in the United States;
[[Page H5776]]
``(2) identify ongoing scientific challenges for
understanding the long-term effects of ionizing radiation on
biological systems;
``(3) develop a long-term strategic and prioritized basic
research agenda to address such scientific challenges in
coordination with other research efforts;
``(4) leverage the collective body of knowledge from
existing low-dose radiation research; and
``(5) engage with other Federal agencies, research
communities, and potential users of information produced
under this section, including institutions concerning
radiation research, medical physics, radiology, health
physics, and emergency response.
``(c) Coordination.--In carrying out the program, the
Secretary, in coordination with the Physical Science
Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council,
shall--
``(1) support the directives under section 106 of the
American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (42 U.S.C. 6601
note);
``(2) ensure that the Office of Science of the Department
of Energy consults with the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the
Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Defense,
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Department of
Homeland Security;
``(3) advise and assist the National Science and Technology
Council on policies and initiatives in radiation biology,
including enhancing scientific knowledge of the effects of
low-dose radiation on biological systems to improve radiation
risk-assessment and risk-management methods; and
``(4) identify opportunities to stimulate international
cooperation relating to low-dose radiation and leverage
research and knowledge from sources outside of the United
States.
``(d) Research Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources of the Senate a 4-year research plan that
identifies and prioritizes basic research needs relating to
low-dose radiation. In developing such plan, the Secretary
shall incorporate the components described in subsection (b).
``(e) Definition of Low-dose Radiation.--In this section,
the term `low-dose radiation' means a radiation dose of less
than 100 millisieverts.
``(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall
be construed to subject any research carried out by the
Secretary for the program under this section to any
limitations described in 977(e) of the Energy Policy Act of
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16317(e)).
``(g) Funding.--From within funds authorized to be
appropriated under section 11 of the Department of Energy
Science and Innovation Act of 2018, for Biological and
Environmental Research, the Secretary make available to carry
out this section--
``(1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; and
``(2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The table of contents for
subtitle G of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 977
the following:
``977A. Low-dose radiation research program.''.
(e) Modeling Research.--As part of the activities described
in subsection (a), the Director is authorized to carry out
research to develop multiscale computational models that
incorporate and examine interactions among human and earth
systems.
(f) Limitation for Research Funds.--The Director shall not
approve new climate science-related initiatives without
making a determination that such work is well-coordinated
with any relevant work carried out by other Federal agencies.
SEC. 8. FUSION ENERGY.
(a) Program.--The Director shall carry out a fusion energy
sciences research program to expand the understanding of
plasmas and matter at very high temperatures and densities
and build the science and engineering foundation needed to
develop a fusion energy source.
(b) Inertial Fusion Energy Research and Development
Program.--The Secretary shall carry out a program of research
and technology development in inertial fusion for energy
applications, including ion beam, laser, and pulsed power
fusion systems.
(c) Tokamak Research and Development.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall support research and
development activities and facility operations to optimize
the tokamak approach to fusion energy.
(2) International thermonuclear experimental reactor
construction.--Section 972 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(42 U.S.C. 16312) is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
``(7) ITER construction.--
``(A) In general.--There is authorized United States
participation in the construction and operations of the ITER
project, as agreed to under the April 25, 2007 `Agreement on
the Establishment of the ITER International Fusion Energy
Organization for the Joint Implementation of the ITER
Project.'.
``(B) Facility requirements.--The Secretary shall ensure
that the mission-oriented user facility will enable the study
of a burning plasma, and shall be built to have the following
characteristics in its full configuration:
``(i) A tokamak device with a plasma radius of 6.2 meters
and a magnetic field of 5.3 T.
``(ii) Capable of creating and sustaining a 15-million-
Ampere plasma current for greater than 300 seconds.
``(C) Authorization of appropriations.--From within funds
authorized to be appropriated under section 11 of the
Department of Energy Science and Innovation Act of 2018, for
Fusion Energy Sciences, there is authorized for in-kind
contributions under this paragraph--
``(i) $122,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; and
``(ii) $163,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.
``(D) Authorization of appropriations.--From within funds
authorized to be appropriated under section 11 of the
Department of Energy Science and Innovation Act of 2018, for
Fusion Energy Sciences, there is authorized for cash
contributions under this paragraph--
``(i) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; and
``(ii) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.''.
(d) Alternative and Enabling Concepts.--
(1) In general.--As part of the program described in
subsection (a), the Director shall support research and
development activities and facility operations at United
States universities, national laboratories, and private
facilities for a portfolio of alternative and enabling fusion
energy concepts that may provide solutions to significant
challenges to the establishment of a commercial magnetic
fusion power plant, prioritized based on the ability of the
United States to play a leadership role in the international
fusion research community. Fusion energy concepts and
activities explored under this paragraph may include--
(A) high magnetic field approaches facilitated by high
temperature superconductors;
(B) advanced stellarator concepts;
(C) non-tokamak confinement configurations operating at low
magnetic fields;
(D) magnetized target fusion energy concepts;
(E) liquid metals to address issues associated with fusion
plasma interactions with the inner wall of the encasing
device;
(F) immersion blankets for heat management and fuel
breeding;
(G) advanced scientific computing activities; and
(H) other promising fusion energy concepts identified by
the Director.
(2) Coordination with arpa-e.--The Under Secretary and the
Director shall coordinate with the Director of the Advanced
Research Projects Agency-Energy (in this paragraph referred
to as ``ARPA-E'') to--
(A) assess the potential for any fusion energy project
supported by ARPA-E to represent a promising approach to a
commercially viable fusion power plant;
(B) determine whether the results of any fusion energy
project supported by ARPA-E merit the support of follow-on
research activities carried out by the Office of Science; and
(C) avoid unintentional duplication of activities.
(e) Fairness in Competition for Solicitations for
International Project Activities.--Section 33 of the Atomic
Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2053) is amended by inserting
before the first sentence the following: ``In this section,
with respect to international research projects, the term
`private facilities or laboratories' means facilities or
laboratories located in the United States.''.
(f) Identification of Priorities.--
(1) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress
a report on the fusion energy research and development
activities that the Department proposes to carry out over the
10-year period following the date of the report under not
fewer than 3 realistic budget scenarios, including a scenario
based on 3-percent annual growth in the non-ITER portion of
the budget for fusion energy research and development
activities.
(B) Inclusions.--The report required under subparagraph (A)
shall--
(i) identify specific areas of fusion energy research and
enabling technology development, including activities to
advance inertial and alternative fusion energy concepts, in
which the United States can and should establish or solidify
a lead in the global fusion energy development effort;
(ii) identify priorities for initiation of facility
construction and facility decommissioning under each of the
three budget scenarios described in subparagraph (A); and
(iii) assess the ability of the fusion workforce of the
United States to carry out the activities identified under
clauses (i) and (ii), including the adequacy of programs at
institutions of higher education in the United States to
train the leaders and workers of the next generation of
fusion energy researchers.
(2) Process.--In order to develop the report required under
paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall leverage best practices
and lessons learned from the process used to develop the most
recent report of the Particle Physics Project Prioritization
Panel of the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel.
(3) Requirement.--No member of the Fusion Energy Sciences
Advisory Committee shall be excluded from participating in
developing or voting on final approval of the report required
under paragraph (1)(A).
SEC. 9. NUCLEAR PHYSICS.
(a) Program.--The Director shall carry out a program of
experimental and theoretical
[[Page H5777]]
research, and support associated facilities, to discover,
explore, and understand all forms of nuclear matter.
(b) Isotope Development and Production for Research
Applications.--The Director--
(1) may carry out a program for the production of isotopes,
including the development of techniques to produce isotopes,
that the Secretary determines are needed for research,
medical, industrial, or related purposes; and
(2) shall ensure that isotope production activities carried
out under the program under this paragraph do not compete
with private industry unless the Director determines that
critical national interests require the involvement of the
Federal Government.
(c) Renaming of the Rare Isotope Accelerator.--Section 981
of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16321) is
amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``rare isotope
accelerator'' and inserting ``facility for rare isotope
beams''; and
(2) by striking ``Rare Isotope Accelerator'' each place it
appears and inserting ``Facility for Rare Isotope Beams''.
(d) Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for a Facility
for Rare Isotope Beams to advance the understanding of rare
nuclear isotopes and the evolution of the cosmos.
(2) Facility capability.--In carrying out paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall provide for, at a minimum, a rare isotope
beam facility capable of 400 kW of beam power.
(3) Start of operations.--The Secretary shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, ensure that the start of full
operations of the facility under this subsection occurs
before June 30, 2022, with early operation in 2018.
(4) Funding.--Out of funds authorized to be appropriated
under section 11 for Nuclear Physics, there shall be made
available to the Secretary to carry out activities, including
construction of the facility, under this subsection--
(A) $101,200,000 for fiscal year 2018; and
(B) $86,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.
SEC. 10. SCIENCE LABORATORIES INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Director shall carry out a program to
improve the safety, efficiency, and mission readiness of
infrastructure at Office of Science laboratories. The program
shall include projects to--
(1) renovate or replace space that does not meet research
needs;
(2) replace facilities that are no longer cost effective to
renovate or operate;
(3) modernize utility systems to prevent failures and
ensure efficiency;
(4) remove excess facilities to allow safe and efficient
operations; and
(5) construct modern facilities to conduct advanced
research in controlled environmental conditions.
(b) Approach.--In carrying out this section, the Director
shall utilize all available approaches and mechanisms,
including capital line items, minor construction projects,
energy savings performance contracts, utility energy service
contracts, alternative financing, and expense funding, as
appropriate.
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Fiscal Year 2018.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary for the Office of Science for
fiscal year 2018 $6,259,903,000, of which--
(1) $2,090,000,000 shall be for Basic Energy Science;
(2) $908,000,000 shall be for High Energy Physics;
(3) $673,000,000 shall be for Biological and Environmental
Research;
(4) $684,000,000 shall be for Nuclear Physics;
(5) $810,000,000 shall be for Advanced Scientific Computing
Research;
(6) $532,111,000 shall be for Fusion Energy Sciences;
(7) $257,292,000 shall be for Science Laboratories
Infrastructure;
(8) $183,000,000 shall be for Science Program Direction;
(9) $103,000,000 shall be for Safeguards and Security; and
(10) $19,500,000 shall be for Workforce Development for
Teachers and Scientists.
(b) Fiscal Year 2019.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary for the Office of Science for
fiscal year 2019 $6,600,000,000, of which--
(1) $2,129,233,000 shall be for Basic Energy Science;
(2) $1,004,510,000 shall be for High Energy Physics;
(3) $673,000,000 shall be for Biological and Environmental
Research;
(4) $690,000,000 shall be for Nuclear Physics;
(5) $899,010,000 shall be for Advanced Scientific Computing
Research;
(6) $640,000,000 shall be for Fusion Energy Sciences;
(7) $257,292,000 shall be for Science Laboratories
Infrastructure;
(8) $181,345,000 shall be for Science Program Direction;
(9) $106,110,000 shall be for Safeguards and Security; and
(10) $19,500,000 shall be for Workforce Development for
Teachers and Scientists.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Weber) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Veasey) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber).
General Leave
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 5905, the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5905, the Department of Energy
Science and Innovation Act of 2018.
This legislation authorizes the Department of Energy's Office of
Science programs for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. It also authorizes
upgrades and new construction of major user facilities at the
Department of Energy national labs and universities.
Over the past 4 years, the Energy Subcommittee has met with
stakeholders, held hearings, and worked extensively with our colleagues
to draft the language included in today's legislation. During this
comprehensive process, we spoke with DOE officials, directors of DOE
national labs, academia, and industry representatives about the right
priorities for these Office of Science programs. The result was a
series of bills that the Science, Space, and Technology Committee has
advanced through the House this Congress, including H.R. 589, H.R.
4376, H.R. 4377, and H.R. 4675.
The legislation we will consider today combines these bills to form a
bipartisan authorization of the department's basic science research.
This includes more than $6 billion in fundamental research and
discovery science, largely performed at DOE national laboratories and
user facilities around the country.
Last month, I had the opportunity to visit a number of these
facilities at Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National
Accelerator Laboratory with several of my Science, Space, and
Technology Committee colleagues. We got to see firsthand the incredible
work that those researchers do for our country and for the world.
From advanced scientific computing to nuclear physics to fusion
energy science, focusing on basic research at our national labs
provides the best opportunity for U.S. economic growth and technology
innovation.
H.R. 5905 authorizes funding for critical infrastructure projects at
these national labs. In the Basic Energy Sciences program, it
authorizes upgrades to world-leading X-ray light source facilities
around the country, like the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National
Laboratory and the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory.
These facilities give American scientists the tools they need to
study the structure and behavior of both physical and biological
materials, enabling innovation in many fields, including creating new
materials for industrial as well as pharmaceutical use.
This legislation also authorizes the construction of new DOE research
facilities for physics and high-energy physics. This includes
construction of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, or FRIB, at
Michigan State University, which will enable critical nuclear physics
research across a wide breadth of fields, ranging from astrophysics to
medicine, and eventually the construction of the Long-Baseline Neutrino
Facility at Fermilab, an internationally coordinated project to build
the world's highest intensity neutrino beam. The research at this
facility will help shed light on the universe and its origins.
This bill, Mr. Speaker, also specifically authorizes basic research
in fields that are critical to U.S. dominance in science and
technology. It authorizes research in exascale computing, electricity
storage, and fusion energy sciences. It establishes a DOE exascale
computing program, a low-dose radiation research program, and programs
for managing our Energy Frontier Research Centers and Bioenergy
Research Centers, while also ensuring that we fulfill our commitments
to the ITER project for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.
Significant investments in basic science research by foreign
countries like China threaten America's global standing as the leader
in scientific knowledge. To maintain our competitive advantage as a
world leader in science, we must continue to support
[[Page H5778]]
the research and research infrastructure that will lead to next
generation technologies.
H.R. 5905 is a commonsense bill that will maintain American
leadership in science. I want to thank Chairman Smith, Representative
Lofgren, Vice Chairman Lucas, and many of my Science, Space, and
Technology Committee colleagues for cosponsoring this important
legislation. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the members
of this committee to gather research that will help America compete
around the world.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5905, the Department of
Energy Science and Innovation Act of 2018. This bill provides important
statutory direction to the Department of Energy's Office of Science,
which is our Nation's largest supporter of research in the physical
sciences. So it is impossible to overstate its importance to our energy
future and to our overall innovation enterprise.
This agency also operates more than 30 world-class scientific user
facilities, whose applications range from developing new materials for
next generation batteries, to new pharmaceuticals that will better
treat diseases, to even examining the fundamental building blocks of
the universe.
Much of this bill is derived from previous bipartisan, bicameral
agreements that were included in H.R. 589, the House-passed Department
of Energy Research and Innovation Act of 2017.
As we await Senate action on that legislation, I support moving
forward with additional language included in this bill that would
authorize upgrades to several important user facilities, direct DOE to
provide sufficient support to maintain our commitments to the ITER
international fusion project, and provide statutory authority to fund
low-dose radiation research as well as a promising computational
materials initiative at our national labs.
I also note that I am happy to see robust funding levels included in
this bipartisan bill, particularly for the Biological and Environmental
Research program, which supports critical research to reduce
uncertainties and better understand the impacts of climate change. I
strongly support this bill and encourage my colleagues to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Smith).
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank the
chairman of the Energy Subcommittee, Mr. Weber, the gentleman from
Texas, for yielding.
I strongly support this bill, H.R. 5905, the Department of Energy
Science and Innovation Act of 2018. This bipartisan legislation,
sponsored by 12 members of the House Science, Space, and Technology
Committee authorizes the basic research programs within the DOE Office
of Science for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. The programs include
research in basic energy sciences, advanced scientific computing, high-
energy physics, biological and environmental research, fusion energy
science, and nuclear physics.
These basic research programs are the core mission of the Department
of Energy and will produce the scientific discoveries that will help
maintain U.S. leadership in technology.
This bill also prioritizes basic research funding for solar fuels,
electricity storage, bioenergy research, exascale computing, and low-
dose radiation research. It provides the Office of Science funding for
upgrades and construction of seven high-priority user facilities at DOE
national labs.
This legislation is the product of more than 4 years of bipartisan
work by the Science, Space, and Technology Committee to advance basic
research and set clear science priorities for the Department of Energy.
H.R. 5905 builds on the initiatives included in the House-passed
bill, H.R. 589, the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act,
and also incorporates four bipartisan Science, Space, and Technology
Committee infrastructure bills that passed the House in February.
One example of the central missions authorized in the DOE Science and
Innovation Act is the exascale computing program. Developing an
exascale system is critical to enabling scientific discovery,
strengthening national security, and promoting U.S. competitiveness.
Exascale computing will have real-world benefits for American industry
and entice the best researchers in the world to conduct groundbreaking
science at the DOE labs.
To strengthen U.S. energy independence, this legislation also
supports fusion energy sciences. When commercial fusion becomes
available, it will revolutionize the energy market and could
significantly reduce global carbon emissions.
H.R. 5905 also authorizes funds for U.S. contributions to the
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project, a critical
step to achieving commercial fusion energy.
Again, I want to thank Representative Weber, as well as
Representative Lofgren, for their longstanding support of basic
research and investments in our world-class science facilities at the
DOE national labs.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
{time} 1445
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Marshall), the distinguished doctor.
Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5905, the
Department of Energy Science and Innovation Act, sponsored by my friend
and colleague Representative Weber. His bill contains the text of my
bill, the Low-Dose Radiation Research Act, which unanimously passed the
House this past February.
The language directs the Department of Energy to utilize $20 million
to carry out a research program on low-dose radiation within the Office
of Science. This program will increase our understanding of the health
effects that low doses of radiation have on biological systems.
Research has consistently shown us the adverse health effects
associated with high doses of radiation, but we are a long way from
accurately assessing the effects of low doses of radiation. As the
product of industrial activities, medical procedures, and naturally
occurring systems, humans are exposed to low doses of radiation every
day, and it is imperative we can accurately assess this risk.
There is broad consensus among the radiobiology community that more
research is necessary for Federal agencies, physicians, and related
experts to advance the use of radiation technologies. We have
invaluable diagnostic tools today, such as CT scans, which emit low
doses of radiation. It is vital that physicians are able to inform
patients of the health risks associated with these types of imaging
processes. As a physician in my home State of Kansas, I have a
firsthand understanding of the crucial importance of verified research
and ensuring the best medical outcomes for my patients.
I am proud to support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the
same.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, by harnessing the strength of our national labs and
investing in basic research, H.R. 5905 will help ensure Americans'
leadership in science and technology.
Mr. Speaker, I again want to thank my 11 colleagues on the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology who have cosponsored H.R. 5905,
including Chairman Lamar Smith, Representative Zoe Lofgren, and Vice
Chairman Frank Lucas. I also want to thank the dozens of researchers
and stakeholders who provided feedback as we developed this
legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this commonsense, bipartisan
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
[[Page H5779]]
Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this is great legislation. Again, I
want to urge the adoption of this commonsense, bipartisan legislation,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 5905, 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.
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