Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act of 1998

Summary: Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to commence a methane hydrate research and development program.  Authorizes the Secretary to:  (1) award program grants or contracts to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, universities and industrial enterprises; and (2) establish a panel to provide advice on applications of methane hydrate and priorities for the program.  Limits to five percent the amount of program funding that can be used for adminstrative expense and prohibits funding for building construction. 
Requires the Secretary, in awarding such grants or contracts or entering into such cooperative agreements, to:  (1) facilitate and develop partnerships among government, industry, and academia; (2) undertake programs to develop basic information necessary for promoting long-term interest in methane hydrate resources as an energy source; (3) ensure that the data and information developed through the program are accessible and widely disseminated; (4) promote cooperation among agencies that are developing technologies that may hold promise for methane hydrate resource development; and (5) report annually to the Congress on accomplishments. 
Amends the Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970 to:  (1) define "methane hydrate"; and (2) redefine "marine mineral resource" to include methane hydrate. 
Authorizes appropriations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Methane Hydrate Research and 
Development Act of 1998''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Contract.--The term ``contract'' means a procurement 
        contract within the meaning of 6303 of title 31, United States 
        Code.
            (2) Cooperative agreement.--The term ``cooperative 
        agreement'' means a cooperative agreement within the meaning of 
        section 6305 of title 31, United States Code.
            (3) Grant.--The term ``grant'' means a grant agreement 
        within the meaning of section 6304 of title 31, United States 
        Code.
            (4) Methane hydrate.--The term ``methane hydrate'' means a 
        methane clathrate that--
                    (A) is in the form of a methane-water ice-like 
                crystalline material; and
                    (B) is stable and occurs naturally in deep-ocean 
                and permafrost areas.
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.
            (6) Secretary of defense.--The term ``Secretary of 
        Defense'' means the Secretary of Defense, acting through the 
        Secretary of the Navy.
            (7) Secretary of the interior.--The term ``Secretary of the 
        Interior'' means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through 
        the Director of the United States Geological Survey.
            (8) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the National Science Foundation.

SEC. 3. METHANE HYDRATE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Commencement of program.--Not later than 180 days after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in 
        consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of 
        the Interior, and the Director, shall commence a program of 
        methane hydrate research and development.
            (2) Designations.--The Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, 
        the Secretary of the Interior, and the Director shall designate 
        individuals to implement this Act.
            (3) Meetings.--The individuals designated under paragraph 
        (2) shall meet not less frequently than every 120 days to 
        review the progress of the program under paragraph (1) and make 
        recommendations on future activities.
    (b) Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.--
            (1) Assistance and coordination.--The Secretary may award 
        grants or contracts to, or enter into cooperative agreements 
        with, universities and industrial enterprises to--
                    (A) conduct basic and applied research to identify, 
                explore, assess, and develop methane hydrate as a 
                source of energy;
                    (B) assist in developing technologies required for 
                efficient and environmentally sound development of 
                methane hydrate resources;
                    (C) undertake research programs to provide safe 
                means of transport and storage of methane produced from 
                methane hydrates;
                    (D) promote education and training in methane 
                hydrate resources research and resource development;
                    (E) conduct basic and applied research to assess 
                and mitigate the environmental impacts of hydrate 
                degassing, both natural and that associated with 
                commercial development; and
                    (F) develop technologies to reduce the risks of 
                drilling through methane hydrates.
            (2) Consultation.--The Secretary may establish an advisory 
        panel consisting of experts from industry, academia, and 
        Federal agencies to advise the Secretary on potential 
        applications of methane hydrate and assist in developing 
        recommendations and priorities for the methane hydrate research 
        and development program carried out under this section.
    (c) Limitations.--
            (1) Administrative expenses.--Not more than 5 percent of 
        the amount made available to carry out this section for a 
        fiscal year may be used by the Secretary for expenses 
        associated with the administration of the program under 
        subsection (a)(1).
            (2) Construction costs.--None of the funds made available 
        to carry out this section may be used for the construction of a 
        new building or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or 
        alteration of an existing building (including site grading and 
        improvement and architect fees).
    (d) Responsibilities of the Secretary.--In carrying out subsection 
(b)(1), the Secretary shall--
            (1) facilitate and develop partnerships among government, 
        industry, and academia to research, identify, assess, and 
        explore methane hydrate resources;
            (2) undertake programs to develop basic information 
        necessary for promoting long-term interest in methane hydrate 
        resources as an energy source;
            (3) ensure that the data and information developed through 
        the program are accessible and widely disseminated as needed 
        and appropriate;
            (4) promote cooperation among agencies that are developing 
        technologies that may hold promise for methane hydrate resource 
        development; and
            (5) report annually to Congress on accomplishments under 
        this Act.

SEC. 4. AMENDMENT TO THE MINING AND MINERALS POLICY ACT OF 1970.

    Section 201 of the Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970 (30 
U.S.C. 1901) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs 
        (7) and (8), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
            ``(6) the term `methane hydrate' means a methane clathrate 
        that--
                    ``(A) is in the form of a methane-water ice-like 
                crystalline material; and
                    ``(B) is stable and occurs naturally in deep-ocean 
                and permafrost areas.''; and
            (3) in paragraph (7) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))--
                    (A) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'';
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (G) as 
                subparagraph (H); and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the 
                following:
                    ``(G) methane hydrate; and''.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this Act.

            Passed the Senate July 17, 1998.

            Attest:

                                                    GARY SISCO,

                                                             Secretary.