Advancing CCUS Technology Act

Summary: Advancing CCUS Technology Act This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Department of Energy (DOE)to carry out research and developtechnologyto improve the conversion, use, and storage of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels. It also revises the program of research and commercial application for coal and power systems to require DOE, during each fiscal year after FY2016, to identify cost and performance goals for technologies allowing large-scale demonstration and the continued cost-competitive commercial use of coal. DOEmust annually evaluateand make recommendations regarding any project it has entered into with a public or privateentityto developcarbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies. DOE must report to Congress, within two years and every three years thereafter, regarding theprojectevaluations it has conductedand the progress it has made in advancing carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Advancing CCUS Technology Act''.

SEC. 2. CARBON CAPTURE, UTILIZATION, AND SEQUESTRATION TECHNOLOGIES.

    (a) Amendments to the Energy Policy Act of 2005.--
            (1) Fossil energy.--Section 961(a) of the Energy Policy Act 
        of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16291(a)) is amended by adding at the end 
        the following:
            ``(8) Improving the conversion, use, and storage of carbon 
        dioxide produced from fossil fuels.''.
            (2) Coal and related technologies program.--Section 
        962(b)(1) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
        16292(b)(1)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``during each of calendar years 
                2008, 2010, 2012, and 2016, and during each fiscal year 
                beginning after September 30, 2021,'' and inserting 
                ``during each fiscal year beginning after September 30, 
                2016,'';
                    (B) by inserting ``allow for large scale 
                demonstration and'' after ``technologies that would''; 
                and
                    (C) by inserting ``commercial use,'' after ``use of 
                coal for''.
    (b) Increased Accountability With Respect to Carbon Capture, 
Utilization, and Sequestration Projects.--
            (1) DOE evaluation.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary of Energy (in this 
                subsection referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall, in 
                accordance with this subsection, annually conduct an 
                evaluation, and make recommendations, with respect to 
                each project conducted by the Secretary for research, 
                development, demonstration, or deployment of carbon 
                capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies 
                (also known as carbon capture and storage and 
                utilization technologies).
                    (B) Scope.--For purposes of this subsection, a 
                project includes any contract, lease, cooperative 
                agreement, or other similar transaction with a public 
                agency or private organization or person, entered into 
                or performed, or any payment made, by the Secretary for 
                research, development, demonstration, or deployment of 
                carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration 
                technologies.
            (2) Requirements for evaluation.--In conducting an 
        evaluation of a project under this subsection, the Secretary 
        shall--
                    (A) examine if the project will allow a carbon 
                capture, utilization, and sequestration technology to 
                advance and achieve any specific goal of the project; 
                and
                    (B) evaluate and determine if the project has made 
                significant progress in advancing a carbon capture, 
                utilization, and sequestration technology.
            (3) Recommendations.--For each evaluation of a project 
        conducted under this subsection, if the Secretary determines 
        that--
                    (A) significant progress in advancing a carbon 
                capture, utilization, and sequestration technology has 
                been made, the Secretary shall assess the funding of 
                the project and make a recommendation as to whether 
                increased funding is necessary to advance the project; 
                or
                    (B) significant progress in advancing a carbon 
                capture, utilization, and sequestration technology has 
                not been made, the Secretary shall--
                            (i) assess the funding of the project and 
                        make a recommendation as to whether increased 
                        funding is necessary to advance the project;
                            (ii) assess and determine if the project 
                        has reached its full potential; and
                            (iii) make a recommendation as to whether 
                        the project should continue.
            (4)  Reports.--
                    (A) Report on evaluations and recommendations.--Not 
                later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this 
                Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary 
                shall--
                            (i) issue a report on the evaluations 
                        conducted and recommendations made during the 
                        previous year pursuant to this subsection; and
                            (ii) make each such report available on the 
                        internet website of the Department of Energy.
                    (B) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date 
                of enactment of this Act, and every 3 years thereafter, 
                the Secretary shall submit to the Subcommittee on 
                Energy and Power of the Committee on Energy and 
                Commerce of the House of Representatives and the 
                Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate 
                a report on--
                            (i) the evaluations conducted and 
                        recommendations made during the previous 3 
                        years pursuant to this subsection; and
                            (ii) the progress of the Department of 
                        Energy in advancing carbon capture, 
                        utilization, and sequestration technologies, 
                        including progress in achieving the Department 
                        of Energy's goal of having an array of advanced 
                        carbon capture and sequestration technologies 
                        ready by 2020 for large-scale demonstration.