[House Report 116-497]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


116th Congress   }                                             {   Report
                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session      }                                             {  116-497

======================================================================



 
                 WIND ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
                              ACT OF 2019

                                _______
                                

 September 8, 2020.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on 
            the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

    Ms. Johnson of Texas, from the Committee on Science, Space, and 
                  Technology, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                             together with

                             MINORITY VIEWS

                        [To accompany H.R. 3609]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom 
was referred the bill (H.R. 3609) to provide for a program of 
wind energy research, development, and demonstration, and for 
other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably 
thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill as 
amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
   I. Amendment.......................................................2
  II. Purpose of the Bill.............................................5
 III. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................5
  IV. Committee Hearings..............................................6
   V. Committee Consideration and Votes...............................6
  VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill.........................7
 VII. Section-By-Section Analysis (By Title and Section)..............7
VIII. Committee Views.................................................9
  IX.  Cost Estimate..................................................9
   X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate.......................9
  XI. Compliance with Public Law 104-4 (Unfunded Mandates)...........11
 XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations...............11
XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives..........11
 XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement...........................11
  XV. Duplication of Federal Programs................................11
 XVI. Earmark Identification.........................................11
XVII. Applicability to the Legislative Branch........................11
XVIII.Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law.........12

 XIX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported..........12
  XX. Minority Views.................................................18
 XXI. Proceedings of Subcommittee Markup.............................19
XXII. Proceedings of Full Committee Markup...........................52

                              I. Amendment

    The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Wind Energy Research and Development 
Act of 2019''.

SEC. 2. WIND ENERGY TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING 
                    PROGRAM.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy (in this Act, referred to as 
the ``Secretary'') shall carry out a program to conduct research, 
development, testing, and evaluation of wind energy technologies. In 
carrying out such program and in accordance with subsection (b), the 
Secretary shall award grants and enter into contracts and cooperative 
agreements under this section and sections 3, 4, and 5 for each of the 
following purposes:
          (1) To improve the energy efficiency, reliability, 
        resilience, security, and capacity of wind energy generation.
          (2) To optimize the design and control of wind energy systems 
        for the broadest practical range of atmospheric conditions.
          (3) To reduce the cost and risk of permitting, construction, 
        operation, and maintenance of wind energy systems, including 
        technologies to reduce environmental and community impacts, 
        improve grid integration, and reduce regulatory barriers.
          (4) To improve materials, engineering, and manufacturing 
        processes for turbines, including supersized turbines.
          (5) To optimize wind plant performance and integration within 
        hybrid energy systems to enhance cost efficiency and electric 
        grid stability and resilience.
  (b) Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.--
          (1) Grants.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall 
        award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to eligible 
        entities for projects that the Secretary determines would best 
        achieve the goals of the program.
          (2) Contracts and cooperative agreements.--In carrying out 
        the program, the Secretary may enter into contracts and 
        cooperative agreements with eligible entities and Federal 
        agencies for projects that the Secretary determines would 
        further the purposes of the program.
          (3) Application.--An entity seeking funding or a contract or 
        agreement under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary 
        an application at such time, in such manner, and containing 
        such information as the Secretary may require.
  (c) Wind Energy Research Subject Areas.--The program established 
under subsection (a) shall focus on the research, development, testing, 
and evaluation of each of the following subject areas:
          (1) Wind power plant performance and operations including--
                  (A) wind flows and turbine-to-turbine interactions;
                  (B) energy conversion potential;
                  (C) turbine and wind plant control paradigms;
                  (D) turbine and wind plant security;
                  (E) turbine components; and
                  (F) integrated hybrid plant systems.
          (2) New materials and designs related to blades, rotors, 
        towers and drivetrains including--
                  (A) higher tip speed rotor designs;
                  (B) low noise rotor designs;
                  (C) advanced drivetrain and generator concepts;
                  (D) modular construction and onsite or near-site 
                manufacturing and assembly techniques;
                  (E) sustainable and recyclable materials and 
                manufacturing systems;
                  (F) supersized turbine design and installation 
                approaches; and
                  (G) lightweight materials.
          (3) Offshore wind-specific projects including--
                  (A) fixed and floating substructure concepts;
                  (B) projects to assess and mitigate the impacts of 
                hurricane wind flow, freshwater ice, and other United 
                States-specific conditions;
                  (C) innovative operations and maintenance strategies;
                  (D) analysis of offshore meteorological, geological, 
                and oceanographic data collection;
                  (E) offshore infrastructure monitoring; and
                  (F) analysis of corrosion and fatigue for the purpose 
                of extending the design life of offshore wind turbine 
                substructures.
          (4) Recycling and reuse of wind energy components.
          (5) Wind power forecasting and atmospheric measurement 
        systems, including for turbines and plant systems of varying 
        height.
          (6) Distributed wind-specific projects, including--
                  (A) cost-effective turbine designs, components, and 
                manufacturing; and
                  (B) microgrid applications.
          (7) Advanced transportation mechanisms for wind turbine 
        components.
          (8) Transformational technologies for harnessing wind energy, 
        including airborne wind energy concepts.
          (9) Methods to extend the operational lifetime of onshore and 
        offshore wind turbines and systems.
          (10) Storage technologies to address the transience and 
        intermittency of wind energy resources.
          (11) Other research areas as determined by the Secretary.
  (d) Report.--
          (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 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 report on the potential for, and 
        technical viability of, airborne wind energy systems to provide 
        a significant source of energy in the United States.
          (2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) shall include a 
        summary of research, development, and demonstration needs, 
        including an estimate of Federal funding requirements, to 
        further examine and validate the technical and economic 
        viability of airborne wind energy concepts over the 10-year 
        period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
  (e) Coordination.--To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary 
shall coordinate activities under the program established under 
subsection (a) with other relevant programs and capabilities of the 
Department of Energy and other Federal research programs.
  (f) Conforming Repeals.--
          (1) Section 931(a)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
        U.S.C. 16231(a)(2)) is amended by striking subparagraph (B).
          (2) Section 4(a) of the Renewable Energy and Energy 
        Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 (42 U.S.C. 
        12003(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (1).
  (g) Definitions.--In this section:
          (1) The term ``eligible entity'' means any of the following 
        entities:
                  (A) An institution of higher education.
                  (B) A National Laboratory.
                  (C) A Federal research agency.
                  (D) A State research agency.
                  (E) A nonprofit research organization.
                  (F) An industrial entity or a multi-institutional 
                consortium thereof.
          (2) The term ``institution of higher education'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
          (3) The term ``National Laboratory'' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 2(3) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
        U.S.C. 15801(3)).
          (4) The term ``supersized turbine'' means a 12 megawatt or 
        greater wind turbine, typically with a tower height greater 
        than 140 meters and blades greater than 75 meters.

SEC. 3. WIND ENERGY TECHNOLOGY VALIDATION AND MARKET TRANSFORMATION 
                    PROGRAM.

  (a) In General.--In carrying out the program established under 
section 2(a), the Secretary shall conduct a wind energy technology 
validation and market transformation program under which the Secretary 
shall award grants on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to eligible 
entities to support activities that demonstrate and validate new wind 
energy technologies with the potential to be cost-competitive for land-
based, offshore, and distributed applications.
  (b) Application.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under this 
section shall submit an application in such form and manner as the 
Secretary may prescribe and that contains--
          (1) a certification that any demonstration project carried 
        out using grant funds are--
                  (A) conducted in collaboration with industry and, as 
                appropriate, with institutions of higher education and 
                other Federal research programs; and
                  (B) of sufficient size and geographic diversity to 
                measure wind energy system performance under the full 
                productive range of wind conditions in the United 
                States; and
          (2) such other information as the Secretary may require.
  (c) Facility for Hybrid Energy System Research and Demonstration 
Projects.--In carrying out the program established under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall establish or support a facility to conduct 
research and demonstration projects for wind turbines and plants in 
hybrid energy systems that incorporate diverse generation sources, 
loads, and storage technologies.
  (d) Offshore Research Facility.--In carrying out the program 
established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a 
facility to conduct research, development, and demonstration projects 
for ocean and atmospheric resource characterization relevant to 
offshore wind energy development in coordination with the ocean and 
atmospheric science communities. The facility shall be an offshore area 
used to evaluate, test, and advance atmospheric, oceanic, biologic, and 
geologic monitoring technologies that improve offshore wind energy 
development, including the generation of benchmark data sets for 
testing offshore wind energy technologies and informing how such 
technologies can be financed, insured, and regulated.
  (e) Offshore Support Structure Testing Facility.--In carrying out the 
program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall create a 
facility to conduct research, development, and demonstration projects 
for large-scale and full-scale offshore wind energy support structure 
components and systems.

SEC. 4. WIND ENERGY INCUBATOR FUNDING.

  In carrying out the program established under section 2(a), the 
Secretary shall conduct research, development, testing, and evaluation 
activities, in accordance with section 2(b), to support innovative 
technologies that are not represented in a significant way in--
          (1) the portfolio of wind energy research activities carried 
        out by the Department of Energy as of the date of the enactment 
        of this Act; or
          (2) technology roadmaps used by the Department of Energy as 
        of such date of enactment.

SEC. 5. MITIGATING REGULATORY AND MARKET BARRIERS.

  (a) In General.--In carrying out the program established under 
section 2(a), the Secretary shall research, develop, test, and 
evaluate, in accordance with section 2(b), ways to reduce regulatory 
and market barriers to the widespread adoption of wind power, 
including--
          (1) grid transmission and integration challenges; and
          (2) permitting issues associated with the potential impacts 
        of wind power systems on wildlife, radar systems, local 
        communities, military operations, and airspace.
  (b) Wildlife Impact Mitigation.--In carrying out the activities 
described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall support the 
development, testing, and evaluation of wildlife impact mitigation 
technologies or strategies to reduce the potential impacts of wind 
energy facilities on--
          (1) bald and golden eagles;
          (2) bat species;
          (3) marine wildlife; and
          (4) other impacted species.
  (c) Education and Outreach.--In carrying out the activities described 
in subsection (a), the Secretary shall support education and outreach 
activities to disseminate information and promote public understanding 
of wind technologies and the wind energy workforce, including the 
Collegiate Wind Competition.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out 
this Act--
          (1) $103,692,000 for fiscal year 2020;
          (2) $108,876,600 for fiscal year 2021;
          (3) $114,320,430 for fiscal year 2022;
          (4) $120,036,452 for fiscal year 2023; and
          (5) $126,038,274 for fiscal year 2024.

                        II. Purpose of the Bill

    The purpose of H.R. 3609, the Wind Energy Research and 
Development Act of 2019, sponsored by Mr. Tonko and cosponsored 
by Mr. Bacon, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Lowenthal, Mr. 
Cisneros, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Peters, Ms. Haaland, 
Mr. Levin, Mrs. Axne, Mr. McGovern, Ms. Sherrill, Mr. Keating, 
and Mr. McAdams, is to authorize the Department of Energy (DOE) 
to carry out research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of 
wind energy technologies that improve systems' efficiency, 
manufacturing, reliability, integration, and affordability, 
amongst other qualities.

              III. Background and Need for the Legislation

    Federal RD&D began supporting wind energy technologies in 
the 1980s. In 1993, the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC), 
a facility meant to lead U.S. research in wind energy, was 
built at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Since then, 
NWTC, DOE, and the Department of Interior launched an offshore 
wind energy initiative, helping build three offshore wind 
energy demonstration projects. Growing from this work, the 
University of Maine installed the first grid-connected offshore 
wind turbine in the U.S. with substantial DOE support.
    These RD&D activities have helped the wind energy industry 
grow tremendously in subsequent decades, and in 2019, wind 
power provided 7.3% of all U.S. electricity.\1\ However, if 
wind energy is to meet the goal of supplying 35% of U.S. 
electricity by 2050, as outlined in the DOE Wind Vision report, 
continued advancements of these technologies and systems are 
needed.\2\ According to the report, this level of deployment 
would result in over 600,000 wind industry-supported jobs, 
billions of dollars in energy savings, and gigatons of air 
pollution avoided.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\``What is U.S. electricity generation by energy source?'' U.S. 
Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/
faq.php?id=427&t=3.
    \2\``Wind Vision Detailed Roadmap Actions.'' U.S. Department of 
Energy. https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2018/05/f51/WindVision-
Update-052118-web_RMB.pdf.
    \3\``Wind Vision.'' U.S. Department of Energy. https://
www.energy.gov/eere/wind/wind-vision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    To date, brief authorizing language from the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58) provides the most recent legislative 
direction for wind RD&D activities at DOE. H.R. 3609 is 
designed to significantly build upon this prior authorization 
to ensure that DOE has the appropriate tools and guidance given 
the changes to the industry over the past 15 years. It directs 
the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program of research, 
development, testing, and evaluation of wind energy 
technologies. The program prioritizes wind energy technologies, 
including both onshore, distributed, and offshore turbines and 
airborne technologies, that improve:
    (a) capacity and efficiency;
    (b) manufacturing, construction, operation, and 
maintenance;
    (c) reliability, resilience, and security;
    (d) operational capability in new geographic and 
atmospheric environments;
    (e) grid integration; and
    (f) affordability.
    The bill also directs the Secretary to award grants for 
demonstration projects, including the establishment of a Hybrid 
Energy System Facility would provide a platform for research 
and demonstration of wind energy technologies in an electric 
grid system that incorporates diverse generation sources, 
loads, and storage technologies.
    In addition, the bill directs the Secretary to support 
research technologies that reduce regulatory and market 
barriers and support innovative wind energy technologies that 
are not present in DOE's RD&D portfolio or roadmaps. The Act 
authorizes 5% annual funding increases over five years for wind 
energy RD&D activities, beginning with $103.7 million in 2020, 
to carry out the Act.

                         IV. Committee Hearings

    Pursuant to Section 103(i) of H. Res. 6, the Committee 
designates the following hearing as having been used to develop 
or consider the legislation:
    The Subcommittee on Energy held a legislative hearing on 
May 15, 2019 to examine the research, development, and 
demonstration needs for wind energy in support of a draft of 
H.R. 3609.

                               WITNESSES

    Dr. Peter Green is Science and Technology Officer and 
Deputy Laboratory Director for the National Renewable Energy 
Laboratory (NREL).
    Ms. Abby Hopper, Esq. is President and CEO of the Solar 
Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
    Mr. Kenny Stein, Esq. is Director of Policy at the 
Institute for Energy Research (IER).
    Mr. Tom Kiernan is President and CEO of the American Wind 
Energy Association (AWEA).

                  V. Committee Consideration and Votes

    The Subcommittee on Energy met to consider H.R. 3609 on 
July 10, 2019.
    Chairman Lamb offered a Manager's amendment to specify that 
in addition to awarding grants, the Secretary of Energy can 
enter into contracts and cooperative agreements in carrying out 
research, development, and demonstration under the wind energy 
program. The amendment also included a provision that directs 
the Secretary to conduct RD&D on technologies that address the 
transience and intermittency of wind energy resources. The 
amendment was agreed to by voice vote.
    Ms. Stevens offered an amendment which added text to 
require DOE to produce a report on the potential and viability 
of airborne wind technologies and their research needs. The 
amendment was agreed to by voice vote.
    Mr. Weber offered an amendment to require the Secretary of 
Energy to derive funds authorized by the Act from the Office of 
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. It also mandated that 
no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out the Act. The amendment was rejected by voice vote.
    H.R. 3609 was forwarded by the Subcommittee to the full 
Committee (as amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 7-5.
    The Full Committee met to consider H.R. 3609 on July 24, 
2019.
    Mr. Beyer offered an amendment to establish an Offshore 
Research Facility to support RD&D for ocean and atmospheric 
resource characterization. The facility would provide a 
platform for testing atmospheric, oceanic, biological, and 
geological monitoring technologies relevant to offshore wind 
energy development and would provide benchmark data. The 
amendment also establishes a facility to support RD&D on large-
scale offshore wind energy support structures. The amendment 
was agreed to by voice vote.
    Mr. Perlmutter offered an amendment directing the Secretary 
to prioritize RD&D advancing distributed wind energy 
technologies, including technologies to reduce their 
manufacturing costs. The amendment was agreed to by voice vote.
    Mr. Weber offered an amendment to reduce the amounts 
authorized to carry out the Act. The amendment also requires 
the Secretary to derive funds authorized by the Act from 
amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to DOE. It 
also mandated that no additional funds are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out the Act. The amendment was rejected 
by the Yeas and Nays: 13-21.
    Mr. Weber offered an amendment to add a Sense of Congress 
stating that the Secretary must prioritize research and 
development of all innovative energy technologies, including 
improvements to fossil and nuclear energy technologies, to meet 
100 percent of power demand through clean, zero-emissions 
sources. The amendment was rejected by voice vote.
    H.R. 3609 was forwarded by the full Committee to the full 
House (as amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21-13.

              VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill

    Directs the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program of 
research, development, testing, and evaluation of wind energy 
technologies. The program prioritizes wind energy technologies, 
including both onshore, distributed, and offshore turbines and 
airborne technologies, that improve: capacity and efficiency; 
manufacturing, construction, operation, and maintenance; 
reliability, resilience, and security; operational capability 
in new geographic and atmospheric environments; grid 
integration; and affordability.
    The bill also directs the Secretary to award grants for 
demonstration projects, including the establishment of a Hybrid 
Energy System Facility that would provide a platform for 
research and demonstration of wind energy technologies in an 
electric grid system that incorporates diverse generation 
sources, loads, and storage technologies.
    In addition, the bill directs the Secretary to support 
research technologies that reduce regulatory and market 
barriers and support innovative wind energy technologies that 
are not present in DOE's RD&D portfolio or roadmaps. The Act 
authorizes 5% annual funding increases over five years for wind 
energy RD&D activities, beginning with $103.7 million in 2020, 
to carry out the Act.

        VII. Section-by-Section Analysis (By Title and Section)


Section 1. Short title

    Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2019

Section 2. Wind Energy Technology Research, Development, and Testing 
        Program

    Directs the Secretary to carry out a program for research, 
development, testing, and evaluation of wind energy 
technologies. The program prioritizes wind energy technologies, 
including onshore, distributed, and offshore turbines and 
airborne technologies, that improve:
    (a) capacity and efficiency;
    (b) manufacturing, construction, operation, and 
maintenance;
    (c) reliability, resilience, and security;
    (d) operational capability in new geographic and 
atmospheric environments;
    (e) grid integration; and
    (f) affordability.
    Directs the Secretary to coordinate the program's RD&D 
efforts with relevant federal agencies and research programs.
    The Act also instructs the Secretary to produce a report on 
the potential and technical viability of airborne wind energy 
systems to provide a significant source of energy to the U.S., 
including a summary of the RD&D needs to further examine and 
validate the technical and economic viability of these 
technologies.
    Repeals law that is duplicative and outdated in the context 
of this Act, and defines ``eligible entity'', ``institution of 
higher education'', ``National Laboratory'', and ``supersized 
turbine'' in the Act.

Section 3. Wind Energy Technology Validation and Market Transformation 
        Program

    Directs the Secretary to award grants to validate wind 
energy technologies, including demonstration projects. The 
Secretary is specifically directed to establish a Hybrid Energy 
System Facility, Offshore Research Facility, and Offshore 
Support Structure Testing Facility. The Hybrid Energy System 
Facility would provide a platform for research and 
demonstration of wind energy technologies in an electric grid 
system that incorporates diverse generation sources, loads, and 
storage technologies. The Offshore Research Facility would 
support testing offshore atmospheric, oceanic, biological, and 
geological monitoring technologies relevant to offshore wind 
energy development and provide benchmark data. The Offshore 
Support Structure Testing Facility would support RD&D on large-
scale and full-scale offshore wind energy support structures 
and components.

Section 4. Wind energy incubator funding

    Directs the Secretary to provide support for innovative 
wind energy technologies that are not already well-represented 
in DOE's existing RD&D portfolio and roadmaps.

Section 5. Mitigating regulatory and market barriers

    Directs the Secretary to research, develop, test, and 
evaluate ways to reduce regulatory and market barriers for wind 
energy technologies. Projects will prioritize grid integration, 
permitting challenges, and wildlife impact mitigation. The 
Secretary must also support education and outreach activities 
to promote public understanding of wind energy technologies and 
the wind energy workforce.

Section 6. Authorization of appropriations

    Authorizes 5% annual funding increases over five years for 
wind energy research, development, and demonstration 
activities, beginning with $103.7 million in 2020, to carry out 
this Act.

                         VIII. Committee Views

    It is the view of the Committee that the Secretary 
coordinate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the 
DOE National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium in carrying out the 
Offshore Research Facility, Offshore Support Structure Test 
Facility, and other offshore wind energy related RD&D 
activities. The Committee recognizes and commends the Advanced 
Research Projects Agency-Energy's current ATLANTIS program as 
contributing to offshore wind turbine research. However, it is 
the view of the Committee that additional sustained, 
significant, and comprehensive commitments in the area of 
offshore wind research remains necessary.
    It is also the view of the Committee that the Secretary 
prioritize research on minimizing the life-cycle environmental 
impacts of wind energy systems, including through reuse and 
recycling of wind energy components. The Committee also 
strongly supports efforts to advance ``supersized turbines'' 
that can expand the commercial viability of onshore and 
offshore wind energy technologies to areas with less accessible 
wind resources, such as in the U.S. southeast.

                           IX. Cost Estimate

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its own the 
estimate of new budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax 
expenditures or revenues contained in the cost estimate 
prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 
pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974.

              X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                 Washington, DC, September 6, 2019.
Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson,
Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Madam Chairwoman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 3609, the Wind 
Energy Research and Development Act of 2019.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Kathleen 
Gramp.
            Sincerely,
                                         Phillip L. Swagel,
                                                          Director.
    Enclosure.

    
    

    H.R 3609 would authorize appropriations totaling $574 
million over the 2020-2024 period for the Department of Energy 
(DOE) to conduct research and development on wind energy 
technologies. Under the bill, those activities would focus on 
various aspects of such systems, including their design, 
materials, and performance as well as their technical and 
economic feasibility in different geographic locations. The 
bill also would direct DOE to establish an offshore wind 
research facility, and would allow the department to use 
grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to implement the 
programs.
    Based on historical spending patterns for similar 
activities, and assuming appropriation of the authorized 
amounts, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 3609 would cost 
$370 million over the 2019-2024 period and $204 million after 
2024. That estimate includes $1 million for costs that would be 
incurred by the Department of the Interior (DOI) to review and 
approve leases for any offshore wind research facilities 
located in the federal Outer Continental Shelf. CBO estimates 
that DOI would not begin incurring costs for reviewing a lease 
application until 2021 because of the time needed to resolve 
the technical and legal issues associated with developing 
offshore test facilities.
    The costs of the legislation (detailed in Table 1) fall 
within budget functions 270 (energy) and 300 (natural resources 
and the environment).

                                   TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION UNDER H.R. 3609
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
                                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        2019   2020   2021   2022   2023   2024   2025   2026   2027   2028   2029  2019-2024  2019-2029
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE Wind Energy R&D:
    Authorization....................................      0    104    109    114    120    126      0      0      0      0      0       573        573
    Estimated Outlays................................      0     21     53     81    101    113     96     61     31     12      4       369        573
Department of the Interior Offshore Lease
 Administration:
    Estimated Authorization..........................      0      0      1      0      0      0      0      0      0      0      0         1          1
    Estimated Outlays................................      0      0      1      0      0      0      0      0      0      0      0         1          1
    Total Changes                                          0    104    110    114    120    126      0      0      0      0      0       574        574
    Estimated Authorization..........................  .....     21     54     81    101    113     96     61     31     12      4       370        574
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Kathleen Gramp. 
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy 
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

                     XI. Federal Mandates Statement

    H.R. 3609 contains no unfunded mandates.

         XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations

    The Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are 
reflected in the body of the report.

             XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals 
                             and Objectives

    The goal of the legislation is to bolster research, 
development, and demonstration (RD&D) of wind energy 
technologies that improve systems' efficiency, manufacturing, 
reliability, integration, and affordability, amongst other 
qualities.

               XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement

    H.R. 3609 does not create any advisory committees.

                  XV. Duplication of Federal Programs

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision 
of H.R. 3609 establishes or reauthorizes a program of the 
federal government known to be duplicative of another federal 
program, including any program that was included in a report to 
Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139 or the 
most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

                      XVI. Earmark Identification

    Pursuant to clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the 
Committee finds that H.R. 3609 contains no earmarks, limited 
tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits.

             XVII. Applicability to the Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that H.R. 3609 does not relate to the 
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services 
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of 
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).

            XVIII. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, 
                             or Tribal Law

    This bill is not intended to preempt any state, local, or 
tribal law.

       XIX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets and 
existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman):

                       ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005




           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
TITLE IX--RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                      Subtitle C--Renewable Energy

SEC. 931. RENEWABLE ENERGY.

  (a) In General.--
          (1) Objectives.--The Secretary shall conduct programs 
        of renewable energy research, development, 
        demonstration, and commercial application, including 
        activities described in this subtitle. Such programs 
        shall take into consideration the following objectives:
                  (A) Increasing the conversion efficiency of 
                all forms of renewable energy through improved 
                technologies.
                  (B) Decreasing the cost of renewable energy 
                generation and delivery.
                  (C) Promoting the diversity of the energy 
                supply.
                  (D) Decreasing the dependence of the United 
                States on foreign energy supplies.
                  (E) Improving United States energy security.
                  (F) Decreasing the environmental impact of 
                energy-related activities.
                  (G) Increasing the export of renewable 
                generation equipment from the United States.
          (2) Programs.--
                  (A) Solar energy.--The Secretary shall 
                conduct a program of research, development, 
                demonstration, and commercial application for 
                solar energy, including--
                          (i) photovoltaics;
                          (ii) solar hot water and solar space 
                        heating;
                          (iii) concentrating solar power;
                          (iv) lighting systems that integrate 
                        sunlight and electrical lighting in 
                        complement to each other in common 
                        lighting fixtures for the purpose of 
                        improving energy efficiency;
                          (v) manufacturability of low cost, 
                        high quality solar systems; and
                          (vi) development of products that can 
                        be easily integrated into new and 
                        existing buildings.
                  [(B) Wind energy.--The Secretary shall 
                conduct a program of research, development, 
                demonstration, and commercial application for 
                wind energy, including--
                          [(i) low speed wind energy;
                          [(ii) offshore wind energy;
                          [(iii) testing and verification 
                        (including construction and operation 
                        of a research and testing facility 
                        capable of testing wind turbines); and
                          [(iv) distributed wind energy 
                        generation.]
                  (C) Geothermal.--The Secretary shall conduct 
                a program of research, development, 
                demonstration, and commercial application for 
                geothermal energy. The program shall focus on 
                developing improved technologies for reducing 
                the costs of geothermal energy installations, 
                including technologies for--
                          (i) improving detection of geothermal 
                        resources;
                          (ii) decreasing drilling costs;
                          (iii) decreasing maintenance costs 
                        through improved materials;
                          (iv) increasing the potential for 
                        other revenue sources, such as mineral 
                        production; and
                          (v) increasing the understanding of 
                        reservoir life cycle and management.
                  (D) Hydropower.--The Secretary shall conduct 
                a program of research, development, 
                demonstration, and commercial application for 
                cost competitive technologies that enable the 
                development of new and incremental hydropower 
                capacity, adding to the diversity of the energy 
                supply of the United States, including:
                          (i) Fish-friendly large turbines.
                          (ii) Advanced technologies to enhance 
                        environmental performance and yield 
                        greater energy efficiencies.
                  (E) Miscellaneous projects.--The Secretary 
                shall conduct research, development, 
                demonstration, and commercial application 
                programs for--
                          (i) ocean energy, including wave 
                        energy;
                          (ii) the combined use of renewable 
                        energy technologies with one another 
                        and with other energy technologies, 
                        including the combined use of wind 
                        power and coal gasification 
                        technologies;
                          (iii) renewable energy technologies 
                        for cogeneration of hydrogen and 
                        electricity; and
                          (iv) kinetic hydro turbines.
  (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out renewable energy 
research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
application activities, including activities authorized under 
this subtitle--
          (1) $632,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
          (2) $743,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
          (3) $852,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
          (4) $963,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
  (c) Bioenergy.--From the amounts authorized under subsection 
(b), there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
section 932--
          (1) $213,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, of which 
        $100,000,000 shall be for section 932(d);
          (2) $377,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which 
        $125,000,000 shall be for section 932(d);
          (3) $398,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which 
        $150,000,000 shall be for section 932(d); and
          (4) $419,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which 
        $150,000,000 shall be for section 932(d).
  (d) Solar Power.--From amounts authorized under subsection 
(b), there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
activities under subsection (a)(2)(A)--
          (1) $140,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, of which 
        $40,000,000 shall be for activities under section 935;
          (2) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which 
        $50,000,000 shall be for activities under section 935; 
        and
          (3) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which 
        $50,000,000 shall be for activities under section 935.
  (e) Administration.--Of the funds authorized under subsection 
(c), not less than $5,000,000 for each fiscal year shall be 
made available for grants to--
          (1) part B institutions;
          (2) Tribal Colleges or Universities (as defined in 
        section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1059c(b))); and
          (3) Hispanic-serving institutions.
  (f) Rural Demonstration Projects.--In carrying out this 
section, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Agriculture, shall demonstrate the use of renewable energy 
technologies to assist in delivering electricity to rural and 
remote locations including --
          (1) advanced wind power technology, including 
        combined use with coal gasification;
          (2) biomass; and
          (3) geothermal energy systems.
  (g) Analysis and Evaluation.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct analysis 
        and evaluation in support of the renewable energy 
        programs under this subtitle. These activities shall be 
        used to guide budget and program decisions, and shall 
        include--
                  (A) economic and technical analysis of 
                renewable energy potential, including resource 
                assessment;
                  (B) analysis of past program performance, 
                both in terms of technical advances and in 
                market introduction of renewable energy; and
                  (C) any other analysis or evaluation that the 
                Secretary considers appropriate.
          (2) Funding.--The Secretary may designate up to 1 
        percent of the funds appropriated for carrying out this 
        subtitle for analysis and evaluation activities under 
        this subsection.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


  SECTION 4 OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY TECHNOLOGY 
                      COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 1989


SEC. 4. NATIONAL GOALS AND MULTI-YEAR FUNDING FOR FEDERAL WIND, 
                    PHOTOVOLTAICS, AND SOLAR THERMAL PROGRAMS.

  (a) National Goals.--The following are declared to be the 
national goals for the wind, photovoltaics, and solar thermal 
energy programs being carried out by the Secretary:
          [(1) Wind.--(A) In general, the goals for the Wind 
        Energy Research Program include improving design 
        methodologies and developing more reliable and 
        efficient wind turbines to increase the cost 
        competitiveness of wind energy. Research efforts shall 
        emphasize--
                  [(i) activities that address near-term 
                technical problems and assist private sector 
                exploitation of market opportunities of the 
                wind energy industry;
                  [(ii) developing technologies such as 
                advanced airfoils and variable speed generators 
                to increase wind turbine output and reduce 
                maintenance costs by decreasing structural 
                stress and fatigue;
                  [(iii) increasing the basic knowledge of 
                aerodynamics, structural dynamics, fatigue, and 
                electrical systems interactions as applied to 
                wind energy technology; and
                  [(iv) improving the compatibility of 
                electricity produced from wind farms with 
                conventional utility needs.
          [(B) Specific goals for the Wind Energy Research 
        Program shall be to--
                  [(i) reduce average wind energy costs to 3 to 
                5 cents per kilowatt hour by 1995;
                  [(ii) reduce capital costs of new wind energy 
                systems to $500 to $750 per kilowatt of 
                installed capacity by 1995;
                  [(iii) reduce operation and maintenance costs 
                for wind energy systems to less than one cent 
                per kilowatt hour by 1995; and
                  [(iv) increase capacity factors for new wind 
                energy systems to 25 to 35 percent by 1995.]
          (2) Photovoltaics.--(A) In general, the goals of the 
        Photovoltaic Energy Systems Program shall include 
        improving the reliability and conversion efficiencies 
        of and lowering the costs of photovoltaic conversion. 
        Research efforts shall emphasize advancements in the 
        performance, stability, and durability of photovoltaic 
        materials.
          (B) Specific goals of the Photovoltaic Energy Systems 
        Program shall be to--
                  (i) improve operational reliability of 
                photovoltaic modules to 30 years by 1995;
                  (ii) increase photovoltaic conversion 
                efficiencies by 20 percent by 1995;
                  (iii) decrease new photovoltaic module direct 
                manufacturing costs to $800 per kilowatt by 
                1995; and
                  (iv) increase cost efficiency of photovoltaic 
                power production to 10 cents per kilowatt hour 
                by 1995.
          (3) Solar thermal.--(A) In general, the goal of the 
        Solar Thermal Energy Systems Program shall be to 
        advance research and development to a point where solar 
        thermal technology is cost-competitive with 
        conventional energy sources, and to promote the 
        integration of this technology into the production of 
        industrial process heat and the conventional utility 
        network. Research and development shall emphasize 
        development of a thermal storage technology to provide 
        capacity for shifting power to periods of demand when 
        full insolation is not available; improvement in 
        receivers, energy conversion devices, and innovative 
        concentrators using stretch membranes, lenses, and 
        other materials; and exploration of advanced 
        manufacturing techniques.
          (B) Specific goals of the Solar Thermal Energy 
        Systems Program shall be to--
                  (i) reduce solar thermal costs for industrial 
                process heat to $9.00 per million Btu by 1995; 
                and
                  (ii) reduce average solar thermal costs for 
                electricity to 4 to 5 cents per kilowatt hour 
                by 1995.
          (4) Alcohol from biomass.--(A) In general, the goal 
        of the Alcohol From Biomass Program shall be to advance 
        research and development to a point where alcohol from 
        biomass technology is cost-competitive with 
        conventional hydrocarbon transportation fuels, and to 
        promote the integration of this technology into the 
        transportation fuel sector of the economy.
          (B)(i) Specific goals for producing ethanol from 
        biomass shall be to--
                  (I) reduce the cost of alcohol to 70 cents 
                per gallon;
                  (II) improve the overall biomass carbohydrate 
                conversion efficiency to 91 percent;
                  (II) reduce the capital cost component of the 
                cost of alcohol to 23 cents per gallon; and
                  (IV) reduce the operating and maintenance 
                component of the cost of alcohol to 47 cents 
                per gallon.
          (ii) Specific goals for producing methanol from 
        biomass shall be to--
                  (I) reduce the cost of alcohol to 47 cents 
                per gallon; and
                  (II) reduce the capital component of the cost 
                of alcohol to 16 cents per gallon.
          (5) Other technologies.--The Secretary shall submit 
        to the Congress, as part of the first report submitted 
        under section 12006 of this title, recommendations for 
        specific cost goals and other pertinent goals for 1995 
        for Department of Energy research, development, and 
        demonstration programs in Biofuels Energy Systems, 
        Biodiesel Energy Systems, Hydrogen Energy Systems, 
        Solar Buildings Energy Systems, Ocean Energy Systems, 
        Geothermal Energy Systems, Low-Head Hydro, and Energy 
        Storage Systems.
  (b) Amended Goal.--Whenever the Secretary determines that any 
of the goals established under this section is no longer 
appropriate, the Secretary shall notify Congress, as part of a 
report submitted under section 12006 of this title, of the 
reason for the determination and provide an amended goal that 
is consistent with the purpose stated in section 12001(b) of 
this title.
  (c) Authorizations.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
to the Secretary for the following renewable energy research, 
development, and demonstration programs: the Wind Energy 
Research Program, the Photovoltaic Energy Systems Program, the 
Solar Thermal Energy Systems Program, the Biofuels Energy 
Systems Program, the Hydrogen Energy Systems Program, the Solar 
Buildings Energy Systems Program, the Ocean Energy Systems 
Program, and the Geothermal Energy Systems Program--
          (1) not to exceed $113,000,000 for fiscal year 1991, 
        of which--
                  (A) not to exceed $39,000,000 shall be 
                available for the Photovoltaic Energy Systems 
                Program;
                  (B) not to exceed $19,000,000 shall be 
                available for the Geothermal Energy Systems 
                Program; and
                  (C) not to exceed $4,000,000 shall be 
                available for the Hydrogen Energy Systems 
                Program; and
          (2) not to exceed $121,000,000 for fiscal year 1992, 
        of which--
                  (A) not to exceed $40,000,000 shall be 
                available for the Photovoltaic Energy Systems 
                Program;
                  (B) not to exceed $20,500,000 shall be 
                available for the Geothermal Energy Systems 
                Program; and
                  (C) not to exceed $5,000,000 shall be 
                available for the Hydrogen Energy Systems 
                Program.
        Each of the President's annual budget requests 
        submitted to Congress after December 11, 1989, shall 
        include as separate line items each of the categories 
        of renewable energy programs described in this 
        subsection.

                           XX. Minority Views

    It is the view of the minority that establishing a diverse 
portfolio of advanced clean energy sources is essential to the 
long-term economic growth, environmental stewardship, and 
national security of the United States. It is also the view of 
the minority that basic research is the most effective means of 
developing next-generation clean energy technologies. Federal 
research agencies like the Department of Energy (DOE) should 
invest in basic research and associated critical infrastructure 
that will lead to the next scientific discovery and cutting-
edge technology, rather than prioritizing support for proven 
energy applications and private industry.
    Last year, the U.S. wind energy industry supported 120,000 
jobs and invested $14 billion in new wind projects. While the 
minority supports targeted investment in next-generation wind 
energy technologies and hybrid energy systems, it is the view 
of the minority that this legislation focuses too heavily on 
reducing market barriers for mature wind energy technology, 
where industry already has a clear ability and incentive to 
step in.
    It is the view of the minority that H.R. 3609 includes an 
unnecessary increase in authorization of appropriations for DOE 
work. DOE's wind energy activities are housed within the 
Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 
(EERE), which has more funding at its disposal than DOE's other 
applied offices in Nuclear Energy, Fossil Energy, Electricity, 
and Cybersecurity combined. It is the view of the minority that 
any increased funding for DOE's wind energy activities could be 
reasonably allocated from within the existing EERE budget.

                                   Frank D. Lucas,
                                           Ranking Member.
                                   Randy K. Weber, Sr.,
                                           Ranking Member,
                                             Subcommittee on Energy.
                                             
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