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[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3607 Reported in House (RH)]

<DOC>

                                                 Union Calendar No. 410
116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 3607

                          [Report No. 116-510]

 To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct Federal research in 
   fossil energy and to promote the development and demonstration of 
environmentally responsible coal and natural gas technologies, and for 
                            other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              July 2, 2019

 Mr. Veasey (for himself, Mr. Schweikert, Mr. Lamb, Mrs. Fletcher, and 
Ms. Johnson of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred 
           to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

                           September 17, 2020

Additional sponsors: Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. McKinley, Ms. Torres Small of 
              New Mexico, Mr. Malinowski, and Mr. McAdams

                           September 17, 2020

  Reported with an amendment; committed to the Committee of the Whole 
       House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on July 2, 
                                 2019]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
 To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct Federal research in 
   fossil energy and to promote the development and demonstration of 
environmentally responsible coal and natural gas technologies, and for 
                            other purposes.

 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Fossil Energy 
Research and Development Act of 2019''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Fossil energy objectives.
Sec. 4. Carbon capture technologies.
Sec. 5. Natural gas carbon capture research, development, and 
                            demonstration program.
Sec. 6. Carbon storage validation and testing.
Sec. 7. Carbon utilization.
Sec. 8. Advanced energy systems.
Sec. 9. Rare earth elements.
Sec. 10. Methane hydrate research amendments.
Sec. 11. Carbon removal.
Sec. 12. Methane leak detection and mitigation.
Sec. 13. Waste gas utilization.
Sec. 14. National energy technology laboratory reforms.
Sec. 15. Climate Solutions Challenges.
Sec. 16. Table of contents amendments.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act:
            (1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
        Department of Energy.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.

SEC. 3. FOSSIL ENERGY OBJECTIVES.

    Section 961 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16291) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(2) Decreasing the cost of emissions control technologies 
        for fossil energy production, generation, and delivery.'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(7) Increasing the export of emissions control 
        technologies from the United States for fossil energy-related 
        equipment, technology, and services.''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(8) Improving the conversion, use, and storage of carbon 
        oxides.
            ``(9) Lowering greenhouse gas emissions for all fossil fuel 
        production, generation, delivery, and utilization, to the 
        maximum extent possible.
            ``(10) Preventing, predicting, monitoring, and mitigating 
        the unintended leaking of methane, carbon dioxide, or other 
        fossil fuel-related emissions into the atmosphere.
            ``(11) Improving the separation and purification of helium 
        from fossil fuel resources.
            ``(12) Reducing water use, improving water reuse, and 
        minimizing the surface and subsurface environmental impact in 
        the development of unconventional domestic oil and natural gas 
        resources.
            ``(13) Developing carbon removal and utilization 
        technologies, products, and methods that result in net 
        reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, including direct air 
        capture and storage and carbon use and reuse for commercial 
        application.'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking paragraphs (1) through 
        (3) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) $825,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(2) $866,250,000 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(3) $909,563,000 for fiscal year 2022;
            ``(4) $955,041,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
            ``(5) $1,002,793,000 for fiscal year 2024.''; and
            (3) by striking subsections (c) through (e) and inserting 
        the following:
    ``(c) Prioritization.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary 
shall prioritize technologies and strategies that have the potential to 
meet emissions reduction goals in the agreement of the twenty-first 
session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations 
Framework Convention on Climate Change.
    ``(d) Limitation.--None of the funds authorized under this section 
may be used for Fossil Energy Environmental Restoration or Import/
Export Authorization.''.

SEC. 4. CARBON CAPTURE TECHNOLOGIES.

    (a) Carbon Capture Program.--Section 962 of the Energy Policy Act 
of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16292) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 962. CARBON CAPTURE TECHNOLOGIES.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a program of 
research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of 
carbon capture technologies, which shall include facilitation of the 
development and use of--
            ``(1) carbon capture technologies for coal and natural gas;
            ``(2) innovations to significantly decrease emissions at 
        existing power plants; and
            ``(3) advanced separation technologies.
    ``(b) Investment.--As a part of the program under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall maintain robust investments in carbon capture 
technologies for coal and natural gas applications.
    ``(c) Large-Scale Pilots.--In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary is encouraged to support pilot projects that test carbon 
capture technologies on coal and natural gas power and industrial 
systems below the 100 megawatt scale, consistent with section 988(b).
    ``(d) Cost and Performance Goals.--In carrying out the program 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish cost and 
performance goals to assist in the transition of carbon capture 
research to commercially viable technologies.
    ``(e) Carbon Capture Pilot Test Centers.--
            ``(1) In general.--As a part of the program under 
        subsection (a), not later than 1 year after the date of the 
        enactment of the Fossil Energy Research and Development Act of 
        2019, the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for 
        the operation of not less than three Carbon Capture Test 
        Centers (in this subsection, known as the `Centers') to provide 
        unique testing capabilities for innovative carbon capture 
        technologies for power and industrial systems.
            ``(2) Purpose.--Each Center shall--
                    ``(A) advance research, development, demonstration, 
                and commercial application of carbon capture 
                technologies for power and industrial systems; and
                    ``(B) test technologies that represent the scale of 
                technology development beyond laboratory testing, but 
                not yet advanced to testing under operational 
                conditions at commercial scale.
            ``(3) Application.--An entity seeking to operate a Center 
        under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an 
        application at such time and in such manner as the Secretary 
        may require.
            ``(4) Priority criteria.--In selecting applications to 
        operate a Center under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        prioritize applicants that--
                    ``(A) have access to existing or planned research 
                facilities with modular technology capabilities;
                    ``(B) are institutions of higher education with 
                established expertise in engineering and design for 
                carbon capture technologies, or partnerships with such 
                institutions;
                    ``(C) have access to existing research and test 
                facilities for pre-combustion, post-combustion, or oxy-
                combustion technologies; or
                    ``(D) have test capabilities to address scaling 
                challenges of integrating carbon capture technologies 
                with utility scale power plants.
            ``(5) Considerations.--In awarding grants for the operation 
        of the Centers under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        ensure that--
                    ``(A) the portfolio of Centers includes a diverse 
                representation of regional and resource 
                characteristics; and
                    ``(B) each new Center demonstrates unique research 
                capabilities, unique regional benefits, or new 
                technology development opportunities.
            ``(6) Schedule.--Each grant to operate a Center under this 
        subsection shall be awarded for a term of not more than 5 
        years, subject to the availability of appropriations. The 
        Secretary may renew such 5-year term without limit, subject to 
        a rigorous merit review.
            ``(7) Termination.--To the extent otherwise authorized by 
        law, the Secretary may eliminate a Center during any 5-year 
        term described in paragraph (6) if such Center is 
        underperforming.
    ``(f) Demonstrations.--
            ``(1) In general.--As a part of the program under 
        subsection (a), the Secretary may provide grants for large-
        scale demonstration projects for power and industrial systems 
        that test the scale of technology necessary to gain the 
        operational data needed to understand the technical and 
        performance risks of the technology before the application of 
        the technology at commercial scale, in accordance with this 
        subsection.
            ``(2) Engineering and design studies.--The Secretary is 
        authorized to fund front-end engineering and design studies in 
        addition to, or in advance of, issuing an award for a 
        demonstration project under this subsection.
            ``(3) Application.--An entity seeking an award to conduct a 
        demonstration project under this subsection shall submit to the 
        Secretary an application at such time and in such manner as the 
        Secretary may require.
            ``(4) Limitations.--The Secretary shall only provide an 
        award under this subsection after reviewing each applicant and 
        application regarding--
                    ``(A) financial strength;
                    ``(B) construction schedule;
                    ``(C) market risk; and
                    ``(D) contractor history.
            ``(5) Requirements.--A demonstration project funded under 
        this subsection shall--
                    ``(A) utilize technologies that have completed 
                pilot-scale testing or the equivalent, as determined by 
                the Secretary;
                    ``(B) secure and maintain agreements for the 
                utilization or sequestration of captured carbon 
                dioxide; and
                    ``(C) upon completion, demonstrate carbon capture 
                technologies on a power or industrial system capable of 
                capturing not less than 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide 
                annually.
    ``(g) Definition of Power System.--In this section, the term `power 
system' means any electricity generating unit that utilizes fossil 
fuels to generate electricity provided to the electric grid or directly 
to a consumer.
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts made 
available under section 961, there are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary for activities under this section--
            ``(1) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(2) $315,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(3) $330,750,000 for fiscal year 2022;
            ``(4) $347,288,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
            ``(5) $364,652,000 for fiscal year 2024.''.
    (b) GAO Study.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
        States 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 
        results of a study of the Department's successes, failures, 
        practices, and improvements in carrying out demonstration 
        projects for carbon capture technologies for power and 
        industrial systems. In conducting the study, the Comptroller 
        General shall consider--
                    (A) applicant and contractor qualifications;
                    (B) project management practices at the Department;
                    (C) economic or market changes and other factors 
                impacting project viability;
                    (D) completion of third-party agreements, including 
                power purchase agreements and carbon dioxide offtake 
                agreements;
                    (E) regulatory challenges; and
                    (F) construction challenges.
            (2) Consideration.--The Secretary shall consider any 
        relevant recommendations, as determined by the Secretary, 
        provided in the report required under paragraph (1), and shall 
        adopt such recommendations as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.
            (3) Power system defined.--In this section, the term 
        ``power system'' means any electricity generating unit that 
        utilizes fossil fuels to generate electricity provided to the 
        electric grid or directly to a consumer.

SEC. 5. NATURAL GAS CARBON CAPTURE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND 
              DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle F of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16291 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``SEC. 969. NATURAL GAS CARBON CAPTURE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND 
              DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Natural gas.--The term `natural gas' includes any 
        fuel consisting in whole or in part of--
                    ``(A) natural gas;
                    ``(B) liquid petroleum gas;
                    ``(C) synthetic gas derived from petroleum or 
                natural gas liquids;
                    ``(D) any mixture of natural gas and synthetic gas; 
                or
                    ``(E) any product derived directly from natural 
                gas, including hydrogen.
            ``(2) Qualifying electric generation facility.--The term 
        `qualifying electric generation facility' means a facility that 
        generates electric energy through the use of natural gas.
            ``(3) Qualifying technology.--The term `qualifying 
        technology' means any technology to capture carbon dioxide 
        produced during the generation of electricity from natural gas 
        power systems
    ``(b) Establishment of Research, Development, and Demonstration 
Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program 
        under which the Secretary shall, through a competitive, merit-
        reviewed process, award grants to eligible entities to conduct 
        research, development, and demonstration of qualifying 
        technologies.
            ``(2) Objectives.--The objectives of the program 
        established under paragraph (1) shall be--
                    ``(A) to conduct research to accelerate the 
                development of qualifying technologies to reduce the 
                quantity of carbon dioxide emissions released from 
                qualifying electric generation facilities, including--
                            ``(i) pre- and post-combustion capture 
                        technologies; and
                            ``(ii) technologies to improve the 
                        thermodynamics, kinetics, scalability, 
                        durability, and flexibility of carbon capture 
                        technologies for use during the generation of 
                        electricity from natural gas power systems;
                    ``(B) to expedite and carry out demonstration 
                projects (including pilot projects) for qualifying 
                technologies in partnership with qualifying electric 
                generation facilities in order to demonstrate the 
                technical feasibility and economic potential for 
                commercial deployment of technologies developed 
                pursuant to subparagraph (A); and
                    ``(C) to identify any barriers to the commercial 
                deployment of any qualifying technologies under 
                development pursuant to research conducted pursuant to 
                subparagraph (A).
            ``(3) Eligible entities.-- An entity eligible to receive a 
        grant under this subsection is--
                    ``(A) a National Laboratory;
                    ``(B) an institution of higher education;
                    ``(C) a research facility;
                    ``(D) a multi-institutional collaboration; or
                    ``(E) another appropriate entity or combination of 
                any of the entities specified in subparagraphs (A) 
                through (D).
    ``(c) Carbon Capture Facilities Demonstration Program.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--As part of the program established 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall establish a 
        demonstration program under which the Secretary shall, through 
        a competitive, merit-reviewed process, enter into cooperative 
        agreements with entities that submit applications pursuant to 
        paragraph (4) for demonstration or pilot projects to construct 
        and operate, by not later than September 30, 2025, up to five 
        facilities to capture carbon dioxide from qualifying electric 
        generation facilities. The Secretary shall, to the maximum 
        extent practicable, provide technical assistance to any entity 
        seeking to enter into such a cooperative agreement in obtaining 
        any necessary permits and licenses to demonstrate qualifying 
        technologies.
            ``(2) Cooperative agreements.--The Secretary may enter into 
        a cooperative agreement under this subsection with industry 
        stakeholders, including any such industry stakeholder operating 
        in partnership with National Laboratories, institutions of 
        higher education, multi-institutional collaborations, and other 
        appropriate entities.
            ``(3) Goals.--Each demonstration or pilot project carried 
        out pursuant to the demonstration program under this subsection 
        shall--
                    ``(A) be designed to further the development of 
                qualifying technologies that may be used by a 
                qualifying electric generation facility;
                    ``(B) be financed in part by the private sector;
                    ``(C) if necessary, secure agreements for the 
                offtake of carbon dioxide emissions captured by 
                qualifying technologies during the project; and
                    ``(D) support energy production in the United 
                States.
            ``(4) Request for applications.--Not later than 120 days 
        after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
        solicit applications for cooperative agreements for projects--
                    ``(A) to demonstrate qualifying technologies at up 
                to five qualifying electric generation facilities; and
                    ``(B) to construct and operate three or more 
                facilities to capture carbon dioxide from a qualifying 
                electric generation facility.
            ``(5) Review of applications.--In considering applications 
        submitted under paragraph (4), the Secretary, to the maximum 
        extent practicable, shall--
                    ``(A) ensure a broad geographic distribution of 
                project sites;
                    ``(B) ensure that a broad selection of qualifying 
                electric generation facilities are represented;
                    ``(C) ensure that a broad selection of qualifying 
                technologies are represented;
                    ``(D) require information and knowledge gained by 
                each participant in the demonstration program to be 
                transferred and shared among all participants in the 
                demonstration program; and
                    ``(E) leverage existing--
                            ``(i) public-private partnerships; and
                            ``(ii) Federal resources.
    ``(d) Cost Sharing.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary 
shall require cost sharing in accordance with section 988.
    ``(e) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the 
Secretary solicits applications under subsection (c)(3), and annually 
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
jurisdiction of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report 
that includes--
            ``(1) a detailed description of how applications for 
        cooperative agreements under subsection (b) will be solicited 
        and evaluated, including--
                    ``(A) a list of any activities carried out by the 
                Secretary to solicit or evaluate applications; and
                    ``(B) a process for ensuring that any projects 
                carried out under a cooperative agreement are designed 
                to result in the development or demonstration of 
                qualifying technologies;
            ``(2)(A) in the case of the first report under this 
        subsection, a detailed list of technical milestones for the 
        development and demonstration of each qualifying technology 
        pursued under subsection (b); and
            ``(B) in the case of each subsequent report under this 
        subsection, the progress made towards achieving such technical 
        milestones during the period covered by the report; and
            ``(3) with respect to the demonstration program established 
        under subsection (c), includes--
                    ``(A) an estimate of the cost of licensing, 
                permitting, constructing, and operating each carbon 
                capture facility expected to be constructed under that 
                demonstration program;
                    ``(B) a schedule for the planned construction and 
                operation of each demonstration or pilot project; and
                    ``(C) an estimate of any financial assistance, 
                compensation, or incentives proposed to be paid by the 
                host State, Indian Tribe, or local government with 
                respect to each facility.
    ``(f) Funding.--For each of fiscal years 2020 through 2025, out of 
any amounts appropriated to the Department to carry out fossil energy 
research and development activities and not otherwise obligated, the 
Secretary may use to carry out this section not more than 
$50,000,000.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58; 119 Stat. 600) is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 968 the following:

``Sec. 969. Natural gas carbon capture research, development, and 
                            demonstration program.''.

SEC. 6. CARBON STORAGE VALIDATION AND TESTING.

    Section 963 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16293) is 
amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 963. CARBON STORAGE VALIDATION AND TESTING.

    ``(a) Carbon Storage.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall carry out a 
program of research, development, and demonstration for carbon storage. 
The program shall--
            ``(1) in coordination with relevant Federal agencies, 
        develop and maintain mapping tools and resources that assess 
        the capacity of geologic storage formations in the United 
        States;
            ``(2) develop monitoring tools, modeling of geologic 
        formations, and analyses to predict and verify carbon dioxide 
        containment and account for sequestered carbon dioxide in 
        geologic storage sites;
            ``(3) research potential environmental, safety, and health 
        impacts in the event of a leak to the atmosphere or to an 
        aquifer, and any corresponding mitigation actions or responses 
        to limit harmful consequences;
            ``(4) evaluate the interactions of carbon dioxide with 
        formation solids and fluids, including the propensity of 
        injections to induce seismic activity;
            ``(5) assess and ensure the safety of operations related to 
        geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide;
            ``(6) determine the fate of carbon dioxide concurrent with 
        and following injection into geologic formations;
            ``(7) support cost and business model assessments to 
        examine the economic viability of technologies and systems 
        developed under this program; and
            ``(8) provide information to State, local, and Tribal 
        governments, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other 
        appropriate entities, to support development of a regulatory 
        framework for commercial-scale sequestration operations that 
        ensure the protection of human health and the environment.
    ``(b) Geologic Settings.--In carrying out research activities under 
this section, the Secretary shall consider a variety of candidate 
geologic settings, both onshore and offshore, including--
            ``(1) operating oil and gas fields;
            ``(2) depleted oil and gas fields;
            ``(3) residual oil zones;
            ``(4) unconventional reservoirs and rock types;
            ``(5) unmineable coal seams;
            ``(6) saline formations in both sedimentary and basaltic 
        geologies;
            ``(7) geologic systems that may be used as engineered 
        reservoirs to extract economical quantities of brine from 
        geothermal resources of low permeability or porosity; and
            ``(8) geologic systems containing in situ carbon dioxide 
        mineralization formations.
    ``(c) Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out large-
        scale carbon sequestration demonstrations for geologic 
        containment of carbon dioxide to collect and validate 
        information on the cost and feasibility of commercial 
        deployment of technologies for the geologic containment of 
        carbon dioxide. The Secretary may fund new demonstrations or 
        expand the work completed at one or more of the existing 
        regional carbon sequestration partnerships.
            ``(2) Demonstration components.--Each demonstration 
        described in paragraph (1) shall include longitudinal tests 
        involving carbon dioxide injection and monitoring, mitigation, 
        and verification operations.
            ``(3) Clearinghouse.--The National Energy Technology 
        Laboratory shall act as a clearinghouse of shared information 
        and resources for the regional carbon sequestration 
        partnerships and any new demonstrations funded under this 
        section.
            ``(4) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of the Fossil Energy Research and Development Act of 
        2019, the Secretary shall provide 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 that--
                    ``(A) assesses the progress of all regional carbon 
                sequestration partnerships;
                    ``(B) identifies the remaining challenges in 
                achieving carbon sequestration that is reliable and 
                safe for the environment and public health; and
                    ``(C) creates a roadmap for Department of Energy 
                carbon storage research and development activities 
                through 2030 with the goal of reducing economic and 
                policy barriers to commercial carbon sequestration.
            ``(5) Large-scale carbon sequestration.--For purposes of 
        this subsection, `large-scale carbon sequestration' means a 
        scale that demonstrates the ability to inject and sequester 
        several million metric tons carbon dioxide for at least 10 
        years.
    ``(d) Integrated Storage Projects.--The Secretary may carry out a 
program for the purpose of transitioning the large-scale carbon 
sequestration demonstration projects under subsection (c) into 
integrated, commercial storage complexes. The program shall focus on--
            ``(1) qualifying geologic storage sites in order to accept 
        large volumes of carbon dioxide acceptable for commercial 
        contracts;
            ``(2) understanding the technical and commercial viability 
        of storage sites;
            ``(3) developing the qualification processes that will be 
        necessary for a diverse range of geologic storage sites to 
        commercially accept carbon dioxide; and
            ``(4) any other activities the Secretary determines 
        necessary to transition the large scale demonstration storage 
        projects into commercial ventures.
    ``(e) Cost Sharing.--The Secretary shall require cost sharing under 
this section in accordance with section 988.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts made 
available under section 961, there are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary for activities under this section--
            ``(1) $120,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(2) $126,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(3) $132,300,000 for fiscal year 2022;
            ``(4) $138,915,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
            ``(5) $145,860,750 for fiscal year 2024.''.

SEC. 7. CARBON UTILIZATION.

    (a) Program.--Subtitle F of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16291 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 
963 (42 U.S.C. 16293) the following:

``SEC. 963A. CARBON UTILIZATION.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a program of 
research, development, and demonstration for carbon utilization. The 
program shall--
            ``(1) assess and monitor potential changes in life cycle 
        carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, and other 
        environmental safety indicators of new technologies, practices, 
        processes, or methods, used in enhanced hydrocarbon recovery as 
        part of the activities authorized in section 963 of the Energy 
        Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16293);
            ``(2) identify and evaluate novel uses for carbon, 
        including the conversion of carbon oxides, in a manner that, on 
        a full life-cycle basis, achieves a permanent reduction in, or 
        avoidance of a net increase in carbon dioxide in the 
        atmosphere, for use in commercial and industrial products, such 
        as--
                    ``(A) chemicals;
                    ``(B) plastics;
                    ``(C) building materials;
                    ``(D) fuels;
                    ``(E) cement;
                    ``(F) products of coal utilization in power systems 
                (as such term is defined in section 962(e)), or other 
                applications; or
                    ``(G) other products with demonstrated market 
                value;
            ``(3) carbon capture technologies for industrial systems;
            ``(4) identify and assess alternative uses for coal that 
        result in no net emissions of carbon dioxide or other 
        pollutants, including products derived from carbon engineering, 
        carbon fiber, and coal conversion methods.
    ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts made 
available under section 961, there are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary for activities under this section--
            ``(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(2) $26,250,000 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(3) $27,562,500 for fiscal year 2022;
            ``(4) $28,940,625 for fiscal year 2023; and
            ``(5) $30,387,656 for fiscal year 2024.''.
    (b) Study.--The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the 
National Academies to conduct a study assessing the barriers, and 
opportunities related to the commercial application of carbon dioxide 
in the United States. Such study shall--
            (1) analyze the technical feasibility, related challenges, 
        and impacts to commercializing carbon dioxide, including--
                    (A) creating a national system of carbon dioxide 
                pipelines and geologic sequestration sites;
                    (B) mitigating environmental and landowner impacts; 
                and
                    (C) regional economic challenges and opportunities;
            (2) identify potential markets, industries, or sectors that 
        may benefit from greater access to commercial carbon dioxide;
            (3) assess the current state of infrastructure and any 
        necessary updates to allow for the integration of safe and 
        reliable carbon dioxide transportation, utilization, and 
        storage;
            (4) estimate the economic, climate, and environmental 
        impacts of any well-integrated national carbon dioxide pipeline 
        system, including suggestions for policies that could improve 
        the economic impact of the system;
            (5) assess the global status and progress of carbon 
        utilization technologies (both chemical and biological) in 
        practice today that utilize waste carbon (including carbon 
        dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and biogas) from power 
        generation, biofuels production, and other industrial 
        processes;
            (6) identify emerging technologies and approaches for 
        carbon utilization that show promise for scale-up, 
        demonstration, deployment, and commercialization;
            (7) analyze the factors associated with making carbon 
        utilization technologies viable at a commercial scale, 
        including carbon waste stream availability, economics, market 
        capacity, energy and lifecycle requirements;
            (8) assess the major technical challenges associated with 
        increasing the commercial viability of carbon reuse 
        technologies, and identify the research and development 
        questions that will address those challenges;
            (9) assess current research efforts, including engineering 
        and computational, that are addressing these challenges and 
        identify gaps in the current research portfolio; and
            (10) develop a comprehensive research agenda that addresses 
        both long- and short-term research needs and opportunities.

SEC. 8. ADVANCED ENERGY SYSTEMS.

    Subtitle F of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
16291 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 969A. ADVANCED ENERGY SYSTEMS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a program, with the 
purpose of reducing emissions from fossil fuel power generation by not 
less than 50 percent, of research, development, demonstration, and 
commercial application with respect to the following:
            ``(1) High-efficiency turbines in accordance with the 
        program under section 969A-1.
            ``(2) Supercritical and ultrasupercritical carbon dioxide, 
        with an emphasis on developing directly-fired and indirectly 
        fired cycles in the next 10 years.
            ``(3) Advanced combustion systems, including oxy-combustion 
        systems and chemical looping.
            ``(4) Fuel cell technologies for low-cost, high-efficiency, 
        fuel-flexible, modular power systems, including solid oxide 
        fuel cell technology for commercial, residential, and 
        distributed generation systems, using improved manufacturing 
        production and processes.
            ``(5) Gasification systems to enable carbon capture, 
        improve efficiency, and reduce capital and operating costs.
            ``(6) Thermal cycling with ramping or rapid black start 
        capabilities that do not compromise efficiency or environmental 
        performance.
            ``(7) Small-scale and modular coal-fired technologies with 
        reduced carbon outputs or carbon capture that can support 
        incremental power generation capacity additions.
    ``(b) Priority.--In carrying out the program under subsection (a), 
the Secretary is encouraged to prioritize transformational technologies 
that enable a step change in reduction of emissions as compared to the 
technology in existence on the date of enactment of this section.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts made 
available under section 961, there are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary for activities under this section and section 969A-1--
            ``(1) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(2) $157,500,000 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(3) $165,375,000 for fiscal year 2022;
            ``(4) $173,643,750 for fiscal year 2023; and
            ``(5) $182,325,938 for fiscal year 2024.

``SEC. 969A-1. HIGH EFFICIENCY GAS TURBINES.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy, through the Office of 
Fossil Energy, shall carry out a multiyear, multiphase program of 
research, development, and technology demonstration to improve the 
efficiency of gas turbines used in power generation systems and to 
identify the technologies that ultimately will lead to gas turbine 
combined cycle efficiency of 67 percent or simple cycle efficiency of 
50 percent.
    ``(b) Program Elements.--The program under this section shall--
            ``(1) support first-of-a-kind engineering and detailed gas 
        turbine design for megawatt-scale and utility-scale electric 
        power generation, including--
                    ``(A) high temperature materials, including 
                superalloys, coatings, and ceramics;
                    ``(B) improved heat transfer capability;
                    ``(C) manufacturing technology required to 
                construct complex three-dimensional geometry parts with 
                improved aerodynamic capability;
                    ``(D) combustion technology to produce higher 
                firing temperature while lowering nitrogen oxide and 
                carbon monoxide emissions per unit of output;
                    ``(E) advanced controls and systems integration;
                    ``(F) advanced high performance compressor 
                technology; and
                    ``(G) validation facilities for the testing of 
                components and subsystems;
            ``(2) include technology demonstration through component 
        testing, subscale testing, and full-scale testing in existing 
        fleets;
            ``(3) include field demonstrations of the developed 
        technology elements so as to demonstrate technical and economic 
        feasibility; and
            ``(4) assess overall combined cycle and simple cycle system 
        performance.
    ``(c) Program Goals.--The goals of the multiphase program 
established under subsection (a) shall be--
            ``(1) in phase I--
                    ``(A) to develop the conceptual design of advanced 
                high efficiency gas turbines that can achieve at least 
                65-percent combined cycle efficiency or 47-percent 
                simple cycle efficiency on a lower heating value basis; 
                and
                    ``(B) to develop and demonstrate the technology 
                required for advanced high efficiency gas turbines that 
                can achieve at least 65-percent combined cycle 
                efficiency or 47-percent simple cycle efficiency on a 
                lower heating value basis; and
            ``(2) in phase II, to develop the conceptual design for 
        advanced high efficiency gas turbines that can achieve at least 
        67-percent combined cycle efficiency or 50-percent simple cycle 
        efficiency on a lower heating value basis.
    ``(d) Proposals.--Within 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall solicit grant and contract proposals from 
industry, small businesses, universities, and other appropriate parties 
for conducting activities under this Act. In selecting proposals, the 
Secretary shall emphasize--
            ``(1) the extent to which the proposal will stimulate the 
        creation or increased retention of jobs in the United States; 
        and
            ``(2) the extent to which the proposal will promote and 
        enhance United States technology leadership.
    ``(e) Competitive Awards.--The provision of funding under this 
section shall be on a competitive basis with an emphasis on technical 
merit.
    ``(f) Cost Sharing.--Section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
(42 U.S.C. 16352) shall apply to an award of financial assistance made 
under this section.
    ``(g) Limits on Participation.--The limits on participation 
applicable under section 999E of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16375) shall apply to financial assistance awarded under this 
section.''.

SEC. 9. RARE EARTH ELEMENTS.

    Subtitle F of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
16291 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 969B. RARE EARTH ELEMENTS.

    ``(a) In General.--In coordination with the relevant Federal 
agencies, the Secretary shall conduct research to develop and assess 
methods to separate and recover rare earth elements and other strategic 
minerals and coproducts from coal and coal byproduct streams. The 
program shall--
            ``(1) develop advanced rare earth element separation and 
        extraction processes using coal-based resources as feedstock 
        materials;
            ``(2) assess the technical and economic feasibility of 
        recovering rare earth elements from coal-based resources and 
        validate such feasibility with prototype systems producing 
        salable, high-purity rare earth elements from coal-based 
        resources; and
            ``(3) assess and mitigate any environmental and public 
        health impacts of recovering rare earth elements from coal-
        based resources.
    ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts made 
available under section 961, there are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary for activities under this section--
            ``(1) $23,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(2) $24,150,000 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(3) $25,357,500 for fiscal year 2022;
            ``(4) $26,625,375 for fiscal year 2023; and
            ``(5) $27,956,644 for fiscal year 2024.''.

SEC. 10. METHANE HYDRATE RESEARCH AMENDMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 4(b) of the Methane Hydrate Research and 
Development Act of 2000 (30 U.S.C. 2003(b)) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(b) Grants, Contracts, Cooperative Agreements, Interagency Funds 
Transfer Agreements, and Field Work Proposals.--
            ``(1) Assistance and coordination.--In carrying out the 
        program of methane hydrate research and development authorized 
        by this section, the Secretary may award grants, or enter into 
        contracts or cooperative agreements to--
                    ``(A) conduct research to identify the 
                environmental, health, and safety impacts of methane 
                hydrate development;
                    ``(B) assess and develop technologies to mitigate 
                environmental impacts of the exploration and commercial 
                development of methane hydrates as an energy resource, 
                including the use of seismic testing, and to reduce the 
                public health and safety risks of drilling through 
                methane hydrates;
                    ``(C) conduct research to assess and mitigate the 
                environmental impact of hydrate degassing (including 
                natural degassing and degassing associated with 
                commercial development); or
                    ``(D) expand education and training programs in 
                methane hydrate resource research and resource 
                development through fellowships or other means for 
                graduate education and training.
            ``(2) Environmental monitoring and research.--The Secretary 
        shall conduct a long-term environmental monitoring and research 
        program to study the effects of production from methane hydrate 
        reservoirs.
            ``(3) Competitive peer review.--Funds made available to 
        carry out paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available based 
        on a competitive process using external scientific peer review 
        of proposed research.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 4(e) of such Act (30 U.S.C. 
2003(e)) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking 
``subsection (b)(1)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1) and (2) of 
subsection (b)''.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 7 of such Act (30 
U.S.C. 2006) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``Of the amounts made available under section 961 of the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16291), there are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this Act $15,000,000, to 
remain available until expended, for each of fiscal years 2020 through 
2024.''.

SEC. 11. CARBON REMOVAL.

    Subtitle F of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
16291 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 969C. CARBON REMOVAL.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary, in coordination with the 
appropriate Federal agencies, shall establish a research, development, 
and demonstration program to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere 
on a large scale. The program may include activities in--
            ``(1) direct air capture and storage technologies;
            ``(2) enhanced carbon mineralization;
            ``(3) bioenergy with carbon capture and sequestration;
            ``(4) agricultural and grazing practices;
            ``(5) forest management and afforestation; and
            ``(6) planned or managed carbon sinks, including natural 
        and artificial.
    ``(b) Prioritization.--In carrying out the program established in 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall prioritize--
            ``(1) the activities described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of 
        subsection (a), acting through the Assistant Secretary for 
        Fossil Energy; and
            ``(2) the activities described in subsection (a)(3), acting 
        through the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and 
        Renewable Energy and the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy.
    ``(c) Considerations.--The program under this section shall 
identify and develop carbon removal technologies and strategies that 
consider the following:
            ``(1) Land use changes, including impacts on natural and 
        managed ecosystems.
            ``(2) Ocean acidification.
            ``(3) Net greenhouse gas emissions.
            ``(4) Commercial viability.
            ``(5) Potential for near-term impact.
            ``(6) Potential for carbon reductions on a gigaton scale.
            ``(7) Economic co-benefits.
    ``(d) Accounting.--The Department shall collaborate with the 
Environmental Protection Agency and other relevant agencies to develop 
and improve accounting frameworks and tools to accurately measure 
carbon removal and sequestration methods and technologies across the 
Federal Government.
    ``(e) Air Capture Technology Prize.--Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, as part of the program carried out 
under this section, the Secretary shall carry out a program to award 
competitive technology prizes for carbon dioxide capture from ambient 
air or water. In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) in accordance with section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler 
        Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719), develop 
        requirements for--
                    ``(A) the prize competition process;
                    ``(B) minimum performance standards for projects 
                eligible to participate in the prize competition; and
                    ``(C) monitoring and verification procedures for 
                projects selected to receive a prize award;
            ``(2) establish minimum levels for the capture of carbon 
        dioxide from ambient air or water that are required to qualify 
        for a prize award; and
            ``(3) offer prize awards for any of the following:
                    ``(A) A design for a promising capture technology 
                that will--
                            ``(i) be operated on a demonstration scale; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) have the potential to achieve 
                        significant reduction in the level of carbon 
                        dioxide in the atmosphere.
                    ``(B) A successful bench-scale demonstration of a 
                capture technology.
                    ``(C) An operational capture technology on a 
                commercial scale.
    ``(f) Direct Air Capture Test Center.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of the Fossil Energy Research and Development Act of 
        2019, the Secretary shall award grants to one or more eligible 
        entities for the operation of one or more test centers (in this 
        subsection, known as `Centers') to provide unique testing 
        capabilities for innovative direct air capture and storage 
        technologies.
            ``(2) Purpose.--Each Center shall--
                    ``(A) advance research, development, demonstration, 
                and commercial application of direct air capture and 
                storage technologies;
                    ``(B) support pilot plant and full-scale 
                demonstration projects and test technologies that 
                represent the scale of technology development beyond 
                laboratory testing but not yet advanced to test under 
                operational conditions at commercial scale;
                    ``(C) develop front-end engineering design and 
                economic analysis; and
                    ``(D) maintain a public record of pilot and full-
                scale plant performance.
            ``(3) Priority criteria.--In selecting applications to 
        operate a Center under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        prioritize applicants that--
                    ``(A) have access to existing or planned research 
                facilities;
                    ``(B) are institutions of higher education with 
                established expertise in engineering for direct air 
                capture technologies, or partnerships with such 
                institutions; or
                    ``(C) have access to existing research and test 
                facilities for bulk materials design and testing, 
                component design and testing, or professional 
                engineering design.
            ``(4) Schedule.--Each grant to operate a Center under this 
        subsection shall be awarded for a term of not more than 5 
        years, subject to the availability of appropriations. The 
        Secretary may renew such 5-year term without limit, subject to 
        a rigorous merit review.
            ``(5) Termination.--To the extent otherwise authorized by 
        law, the Secretary may eliminate the center during any 5-year 
        term described in the last paragraph if it is underperforming.
    ``(g) Large-scale Pilots and Demonstrations.--In supporting the 
technology development activities under this section, the Secretary is 
encouraged to support carbon removal pilot and demonstration projects, 
including--
            ``(1) pilot projects that test direct air capture systems 
        capable of capturing 10 to 100 tonnes of carbon oxides per year 
        to provide data for demonstration-scale projects; and
            ``(2) direct air capture demonstration projects capable of 
        capturing greater than 1,000 tonnes of carbon oxides per year.
    ``(h) Intra-Agency Research.--In carrying out the program 
established in (a), the Secretary shall encourage and promote 
collaborations among relevant offices and agencies within the 
Department.
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts made 
available under section 961, there are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary for activities under this section--
            ``(1) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2020, $15,000,000 of 
        which are authorized to carry out subsection (e);
            ``(2) $63,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(3) $66,150,000 for fiscal year 2022;
            ``(4) $69,458,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
            ``(5) $72,930,000 for fiscal year 2024.''.

SEC. 12. METHANE LEAK DETECTION AND MITIGATION.

    Subtitle F of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
16291 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 969D. METHANE LEAK DETECTION AND MITIGATION.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and other 
appropriate Federal agencies, shall carry out a program of methane leak 
detection and mitigation research, development, demonstration, and 
commercial application for technologies and methods that significantly 
reduce emissions. In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) develop cooperative agreements with State or local 
        governments or private entities to provide technical assistance 
        to--
                    ``(A) prevent or respond to methane leaks, 
                including detection, mitigation, and identification of 
                leaks throughout the natural gas infrastructure (which 
                includes natural gas storage, pipelines, and natural 
                gas production sites); and
                    ``(B) protect public health in the event of a major 
                methane leak;
            ``(2) promote demonstration and adoption of effective 
        methane emissions-reduction technologies in the private sector;
            ``(3) in coordination with representatives from private 
        industry, State and local governments, and institutions of 
        higher education, create a publicly accessible resource for 
        best practices in the design, construction, maintenance, 
        performance, monitoring, and incident response for--
                    ``(A) pipeline systems;
                    ``(B) wells;
                    ``(C) compressor stations;
                    ``(D) storage facilities; and
                    ``(E) other vulnerable infrastructure;
            ``(4) identify high-risk characteristics of pipelines, 
        wells, and materials, geologic risk factors, or other key 
        factors that increase the likelihood of methane leaks; and
            ``(5) in collaboration with private entities and 
        institutions of higher education, quantify and map significant 
        geologic methane seeps across the United States.
    ``(b) Considerations.--In carrying out the program under this 
section, the Secretary shall consider the following:
            ``(1) Historical data of methane leaks.
            ``(2) Public health consequences.
            ``(3) Public safety.
            ``(4) Novel materials and designs for pipelines, compressor 
        stations, components, and wells (including casing, cement, 
        wellhead).
            ``(5) Regional geologic traits.
            ``(6) Induced and natural seismicity.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts made 
available under section 961, there are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary for activities under this section--
            ``(1) $22,000,000 for fiscal years 2020;
            ``(2) $23,100,000 for fiscal years 2021;
            ``(3) $24,255,000 for fiscal years 2022;
            ``(4) $25,467,750 for fiscal years 2023; and
            ``(5) $26,741,138 for fiscal years 2024.''.

SEC. 13. WASTE GAS UTILIZATION.

    Subtitle F of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
16291 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 969E. WASTE GAS UTILIZATION.

    ``The Secretary shall carry out a program of research, development, 
and demonstration for waste gas utilization. The program shall--
            ``(1) identify and evaluate novel uses for light 
        hydrocarbons, such as methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane 
        and hexane, produced during oil and shale gas production, 
        including the production of chemicals or transportation fuels;
            ``(2) develop advanced gas conversion technologies that are 
        modular and compact, and may leverage advanced manufacturing 
        technologies;
            ``(3) support demonstration activities at operating oil and 
        gas facilities to test the performance and cost-effectiveness 
        of new gas conversion technologies; and
            ``(4) assess and monitor potential changes in life cycle 
        greenhouse gas emissions that may result from the use of 
        technologies developed under this program.''.

SEC. 14. NATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY REFORMS.

    (a) Special Hiring Authority for Scientific, Engineering, and 
Project Management Personnel.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the National Energy 
        Technology Laboratory shall have the authority to--
                    (A) make appointments to positions in the 
                Laboratory to assist in meeting a specific project or 
                research need, without regard to civil service laws, of 
                individuals who--
                            (i) have an advanced scientific or 
                        engineering background; or
                            (ii) have a business background and can 
                        assist in specific technology-to-market needs;
                    (B) fix the basic pay of any employee appointed 
                under this section at a rate not to exceed level II of 
                the Executive Schedule; and
                    (C) pay any employee appointed under this section 
                payments in addition to basic pay, except that the 
                total amount of additional payments paid to an employee 
                under this subsection for any 12-month period shall not 
                exceed the least of--
                            (i) $25,000;
                            (ii) the amount equal to 25 percent of the 
                        annual rate of basic pay of that employee; and
                            (iii) the amount of the limitation that is 
                        applicable for a calendar year under section 
                        5307(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code.
            (2) Limitations.--
                    (A) In general.--The term of any employee appointed 
                under this section shall not exceed 3 years.
                    (B) Full-time employees.--Not more than 10 full-
                time employees appointed under this subsection may be 
                employed at the National Energy Technology Laboratory 
                at any given time.
    (b) Discretionary Research and Development.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish mechanisms 
        under which the Director of the National Energy Technology 
        Laboratory may use an amount that is, in total, not less than 2 
        percent and not more than 4 percent of all funds available to 
        the Laboratory for the following purposes:
                    (A) To fund innovative research that is conducted 
                at the Laboratory and supports the mission of the 
                Department.
                    (B) To fund technology development programs that 
                support the transition of technologies developed by the 
                Laboratory into the commercial market.
                    (C) To fund workforce development activities to 
                strengthen external engineering and manufacturing 
                partnerships to ensure safe, efficient, productive, and 
                useful fossil energy technology production.
                    (D) To fund the revitalization, recapitalization, 
                or minor construction of the Laboratory infrastructure.
            (2) Prioritization.--The Director shall prioritize 
        innovative experiments and proposals proposed by scientists and 
        researchers at the National Energy Technology Laboratory.
            (3) Annual report on use of authority.--Not later than 
        March 1 of each year, 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 use of the authority 
        under this subsection during the preceding fiscal year.
    (c) Laboratory Operations.--The Secretary shall delegate human 
resources operations of the National Energy Technology Laboratory to 
the Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory.
    (d) Review.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 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 assessing the 
National Energy Technology Laboratory's management and research. The 
report shall include--
            (1) an assessment of the quality of science and research at 
        the National Energy Technology Laboratory relative to similar 
        work at other national laboratories;
            (2) a review of the effectiveness of authorities provided 
        in subsections (a) and (b); and
            (3) recommendations for policy changes within the 
        Department and legislative changes to provide the National 
        Energy Technology Laboratory the necessary tools and resources 
        to advance its research mission.

SEC. 15. CLIMATE SOLUTIONS CHALLENGES.

    (a) Authority.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall establish a program to be 
known as ``Fossil Energy Climate Solutions Challenges'' for carrying 
out prize competitions described under subsection (d) pursuant to 
section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 
(15 U.S.C. 3719) relating to the climate and energy.
    (b) Prize Committees.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall assemble a prize 
        committee that shall define the scope and detail of, and 
        provide the requirements for, the prize competitions under this 
        section. Such committee may be composed of--
                    (A) members from the Office of Fossil Energy, 
                Advanced Research Projects Energy, Office of Technology 
                Transitions, or other offices that most appropriately 
                corresponds with the topic of the prize competition; 
                and
                    (B) representatives of any other entities, as 
                determined appropriate by the Secretary, including 
                other Federal agencies, State and local governments, 
                and the private sector.
            (2) Defining topic areas.--The prize committee may modify 
        and define the scope of the prize areas described under 
        subsection (c), so long as such modification is in accordance 
        with descriptions in such subsection.
            (3) Incentive for prize competition.--The prize committee 
        for each prize competition shall determine the incentive for 
        the prize competition. In determining the incentive, the 
        committee shall consider--
                    (A) a cash prize;
                    (B) access to Government facilities, such as 
                through a lab-embedded entrepreneurship program of the 
                Department of Energy, a cooperative research and 
                development agreement, or other method;
                    (C) advance market commitments for technologies of 
                use or promise to the Federal Government; and
                    (D) any other incentive provided for by law.
            (4) Judging criteria.--The prize committee for each prize 
        competition shall establish judging criteria for the 
        competition that shall include, at a minimum--
                    (A) potential for the solution to become a 
                commercial product or service or advance knowledge to 
                further the public good;
                    (B) consideration of how likely the solution is to 
                lead to subsequent research, development, deployment, 
                or manufacturing in the United States;
                    (C) the degree to which the solution will lower the 
                climate footprint of the United States; and
                    (D) the degree to which the solution will lower the 
                global climate footprint.
            (5) Consideration.--In carrying out this section, the 
        committee shall take into consideration the best practices 
        provided for in the challenges and prizes toolkit made publicly 
        available on December 15, 2016, by the General Services 
        Administration.
    (c) Prize Competitions.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary 
shall offer prize awards for any of the following:
            (1) Solutions to capture carbon emissions from sources that 
        would otherwise be emitted to the atmosphere.
            (2) Solutions to convert carbon emissions to a beneficial 
        use that does not result in near-term re-release into the 
        atmosphere, unless such re-release offsets the emission of 
        additional carbon into the atmosphere, such that the net effect 
        of the solution is to reduce the overall amount of carbon being 
        emitted to the atmosphere.
            (3) Other solutions that have potential to achieve 
        reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil-
        based energy production.
    (d) Acceptance of Funds.--In addition to such sums as may be 
appropriated or otherwise made available to the Secretary to award 
prizes under this section, the Secretary may accept funds from other 
Federal agencies, private sector entities, and State and local 
governments to award prizes under this section. The Secretary may not 
give any special consideration relating to the selection of awards 
under the prize competition to any private sector entity or individual 
in return for a donation to the Secretary or prize committee.
    (e) Eligibility.--Notwithstanding section 24(g)(3) of the 
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
3719(g)(3)), a group may be eligible for an award under this section if 
one or more members of such group is a citizen or permanent resident of 
the United States.
    (f) Completion of Prize Competitions.--The prize competitions 
carried out under this section shall be completed not later than the 
date that is 5 years after the program is established under subsection 
(a).
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated $15,000,000 to carry out this section, to remain available 
until expended.

SEC. 16. TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENTS.

    The table of contents for the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
15801 note) is amended by amending the items relating to subtitle F of 
title IX to read as follows:

``Sec. 961. Fossil energy.
``Sec. 962. Carbon capture technologies.
``Sec. 963. Carbon storage validation and testing.
``Sec. 963A. Carbon utilization.
``Sec. 964. Research and development for coal mining technologies.
``Sec. 965. Oil and gas research programs.
``Sec. 966. Low-volume oil and gas reservoir research program.
``Sec. 967. Complex well technology testing facility.
``Sec. 968. Methane hydrate research.
``Sec. 969. Natural gas carbon capture research, development, and 
                            demonstration program.
``Sec. 969A. Advanced energy systems.
``Sec. 969A-1. High efficiency gas turbines.
``Sec. 969B. Rare earth elements.
``Sec. 969C. Carbon removal.
``Sec. 969D. Methane leak detection and mitigation.
``Sec. 969E. Waste gas utilization.''.
                                                 Union Calendar No. 410

116th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 3607

                          [Report No. 116-510]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct Federal research in 
   fossil energy and to promote the development and demonstration of 
environmentally responsible coal and natural gas technologies, and for 
                            other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           September 17, 2020

  Reported with an amendment; committed to the Committee of the Whole 
       House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
```