To support research and development of new industrial processes and technologies that optimize energy efficiency and environmental performance, utilize diverse sources of energy, and increase economic competitiveness.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Industrial Energy Efficiency 
Research and Development Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) According to the Energy Information Administration's 
        2006 Annual Energy Review, the industrial sector in 2006 
        accounted for more energy use (32 percent) than the residential 
        (21 percent), commercial (18 percent), or transportation sector 
        (29 percent).
            (2) The primary energy intensive industries vital to 
        maintaining our country's infrastructure and economic and 
        national security include steel, chemicals, metal casting, 
        forest products, glass, aluminum, petroleum refining, and 
        mining, as well as other energy intensive manufacturers.
            (3) The Department of Energy has demonstrated the success 
        of public-private partnerships with these industries resulting 
        in research, development, and deployment of new energy 
        efficient technologies which reduce emissions and improve 
        manufacturing competitiveness.
            (4) Innovations in manufacturing processes within these 
        industries may be translated into efficiency improvements in 
        buildings, transportation, and other economic sectors that 
        depend upon these industries.
            (5) While past public-private partnerships have resulted in 
        significant energy efficiency improvements in manufacturing 
        processes, there is a need for new technologies to achieve 
        continual energy efficiency improvements.
            (6) Innovations made in the last few decades assisted the 
        United States in remaining competitive in the global market. 
        Continued innovation in the areas of energy efficiency and 
        feedstock diversification are necessary to enable the United 
        States to maintain a competitive edge.
            (7) The Department of Energy should continue collaborative 
        efforts with industry, particularly the manufacturing sector, 
        to broaden and accelerate the high-risk research and 
        development of new manufacturing processes that optimize energy 
        efficiency and utilize diverse sources of energy.
            (8) These partnerships support critical research and 
        development capabilities at universities and other research 
        institutions while training future generations of engineers in 
        critical areas of energy systems and efficient industrial 
        process technologies for our domestic industries.

SEC. 3. INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy (in this Act referred to 
as the ``Secretary'') shall establish a program, in cooperation with 
energy-intensive industries, trade and industry research collaborations 
representing such industries, and institutions of higher education--
            (1) to conduct energy research, development, demonstration, 
        and commercial application activities with respect to new 
        industrial and commercial processes, technologies, and methods 
        to--
                    (A) achieve substantial improvements in energy 
                efficiency; and
                    (B) enhance the economic competitiveness of the 
                United States industrial sector; and
            (2) to conduct environmental research and development with 
        respect to new industrial and commercial processes, 
        technologies, and methods to achieve environmental performance 
        improvements such as waste reduction, emissions reductions, and 
        more efficient water use.
    (b) Program Activities.--Research, development, demonstration, and 
commercial application activities under this section may include--
            (1) activities to support the development and use of 
        technologies and processes that improve the quality and 
        quantity of feedstocks recovered or recycled from process and 
        waste streams;
            (2) research to meet manufacturing feedstock requirements 
        with alternative resources;
            (3) research to develop and demonstrate technologies and 
        processes that utilize alternative energy sources to supply 
        heat, power, and new feedstocks for energy-intensive 
        industries;
            (4) research to achieve energy efficiency in steam, power, 
        control system, and process heat technologies, and in other 
        manufacturing processes; and
            (5) a program to fund research, development, and 
        demonstration relating to inventors' and small companies' 
        technology proposals, based on energy savings potential, 
        commercial viability, and technical merit.
    (c) Competitive Awards.--All awards under this section shall be 
made on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
    (d) Coordination and Nonduplication.--The Secretary shall, 
coordinate efforts under this section with other programs of the 
Department and other Federal agencies, to avoid duplication of effort.
    (e) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and once every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Congress a report on the activities conducted 
pursuant to this Act, including--
            (1) a description of the activities used to facilitate 
        cooperation with energy-intensive industries, universities, and 
        other participants in the program; and
            (2) a description of ongoing projects and new projects 
        initiated, and the anticipated energy savings associated with 
        achievement of each project's goals.

SEC. 4. UNIVERSITY-BASED INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT CENTERS.

    To strengthen the program under section 3, the Secretary shall 
provide funding to university-based industrial research and assessment 
centers, whose purpose shall be--
            (1) to identify opportunities for optimizing energy 
        efficiency and environmental performance;
            (2) to promote application of emerging concepts and 
        technologies in small and medium-sized manufacturers;
            (3) to promote the research and development for usage of 
        alternative energy sources to supply heat, power, and new 
        feedstocks for energy intensive industries;
            (4) to coordinate with appropriate State research offices, 
        and provide a clearinghouse for industrial process and energy 
        efficiency technical assistance resources; and
            (5) to coordinate with State-accredited technical training 
        centers and community colleges, while ensuring appropriate 
        services to all regions of the United States.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out this Act $150,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 
2013.

            Passed the House of Representatives October 22, 2007.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.

Summary: Industrial Energy Efficiency Research and Development Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to conduct: (1) energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities with respect to new industrial and commercial processes, technologies, and methods to achieve improvements in energy efficiency and enhance the economic competitiveness of the US industrial sector. And (2) environmental research and development with respect to new industrial and commercial processes, technologies, and methods to achieve environmental performance improvements such as waste reduction, emissions reductions, and more efficient water use. Authorizes such activities to include: (1) activities to support the development and use of technologies and processes that improve the quality and quantity of feedstocks recovered or recycled from process and waste streams, (2) research to meet manufacturing feedstock requirements with alternative resources. (3) research to develop and demonstrate technologies and processes that utilize alternative energy sources to supply heat, power, and new feedstocks for energy-intensive industries. (4) research to achieve energy efficiency in steam, power, control system, and process heat technologies and in other manufacturing processes. And (5) a program to fund research, development, and demonstration relating to inventors' and small companies' technology proposals, based on energy savings potential, commercial viability, and technical merit. Requires all awards given under such program to made on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on such activities. Directs the Secretary to provide funding to university-based industrial research and assessment centers to: (1) identify opportunities for optimizing energy efficiency and environmental performance. (2) promote application of emerging concepts and technologies in small and medium-sized manufacturers. (3) promote the research and development for use of alternative energy sources for energy intensive industries. (4) coordinate with state research offices and provide a clearinghouse for industrial process and energy efficiency technical assistance resources. And (5) coordinate with state-accredited technical training centers and community colleges, while ensuring appropriate services to all regions of the United States. Authorizes appropriations.