I
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5643
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 20, 2006
Mrs. Biggert (for herself, Mr. Boehlert, Mr. Hall, and Mr. Gilchrest) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science
A BILL
To authorize the commercial application and transfer of technologies developed by the Department of Energy, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Energy Technology Transfer
Act
.
Definitions
For purposes of this Act:
Cooperative extension
The term
Cooperative Extension
means the extension services established
at the land-grant colleges and universities under the Smith-Lever Act of May 8,
1914.
Department
The
term Department
means the Department of Energy.
Energy supply research and development programs
The term energy supply research and
development programs
means the research, development, demonstration,
and commercial application programs in the Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability,
and the Office of Fossil Energy.
Institution of higher education
The term institution of higher
education
has the meaning given that term in section 101(a) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
Land-grant colleges and universities
The term “land-grant colleges and universities” means—
1862 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601));
1890 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of that Act); and
1994 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of that Act).
National laboratory
The term National Laboratory
has the
meaning given the term nonmilitary energy laboratory
in section
903(3) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16182(3)).
Secretary
The
term Secretary
means the Secretary of Energy.
Program
In general
Grants
The Secretary, through the energy supply research and development programs of the Department, shall carry out a program to award competitive, merit-reviewed grants to Cooperative Extension services or offices, States, local governments, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit institutions with expertise in energy research or extension, or consortia thereof, to conduct activities to transfer knowledge and information about advanced energy technologies that increase efficiency of energy use, especially those developed at the National Laboratories and by the Department, to individuals, businesses, nonprofit entities, and public entities, including local governments and school districts.
Requirement
To receive funding under this Act, a grant applicant must already operate an outreach program capable of transferring knowledge and information about advanced energy technologies that increase efficiency of energy use, or must partner with an entity that has such an outreach program.
Uses of funds
Funds awarded under this Act may be used for the following activities:
Developing and distributing informational materials on technologies that could use energy more efficiently.
Carrying out small-scale projects to demonstrate technologies that could use energy more efficiently.
Developing and conducting seminars, workshops, long-distance learning sessions, and other activities to aid in the dissemination of knowledge and information on technologies that could use energy more efficiently.
Providing or coordinating onsite energy evaluations for a wide range of energy end-users.
Examining the energy efficiency needs of energy end-users to develop recommended research projects for the Department.
Hiring experts in energy efficient technologies to carry out activities described in paragraphs (1) through (5).
Carrying out any other activities the Secretary believes will accomplish the purposes described in subsection (a)(1).
Selection process application
An applicant seeking funding under this Act shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. The application shall include, at a minimum—
a description of the applicant’s current outreach program and of why it would be capable of transferring knowledge and information about advanced energy technologies that increase efficiency of energy use;
a description of the activities the applicant would carry out, of the technologies that would be transferred, and of who would be carrying out those activities;
a description of how the proposed activities would be appropriate to the specific energy needs of the area to be served;
an estimate of the number and types of energy end-users expected to be reached through such activities; and
a description of how the applicant will assess the success of the program.
Review of applications
In evaluating the applications submitted under this Act, the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum—
the ability of the applicant to effectively carry out the proposed program;
the appropriateness of the applicant’s outreach program for carrying out the program described in this Act; and
the likelihood that proposed activities could be expanded or used as a model for other areas.
Awards
Distribution
In making awards under this Act, the Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, the program enables the transfer of knowledge and information about a variety of technologies and enables the transfer of knowledge and information in a variety of geographic areas.
Focus
In making awards under this Act, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants that would significantly expand on or fill a gap in existing programs in a geographical region.
Cost sharing
The Secretary shall require cost-sharing in accordance with the requirements of section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352) for commercial application activities.
Duration
Initial grant period
A grant awarded under this Act shall be for a period of 5 years.
Initial evaluation
Each grantee under this Act shall be evaluated during its third year of operation under procedures established by the Secretary to determine if the grantee is accomplishing the purposes of this Act described in subsection (a)(1). The Secretary shall terminate any grant that does not receive a positive evaluation. If an evaluation is positive, the Secretary may extend the grant for 3 additional years beyond the original term of the grant.
Additional extension
If a grantee receives an extension under paragraph (2), the grantee shall be evaluated again during the second year of the extension. The Secretary shall terminate any grant that does not receive a positive evaluation. If an evaluation is positive, the Secretary may extend the grant for a final additional period of 3 additional years beyond the original extension.
Limitation
No grantee may receive more than 11 years of support under this Act without reapplying for support and competing against all other applicants seeking a grant at that time.
Technical assistance
The Secretary and the National Laboratories may provide technical assistance on advanced energy technologies and methods to grantees.
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for carrying out this section—
$25,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
$27,375,000 for fiscal year 2009;
$30,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
$32,900,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
$36,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
