II

105TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. 1418

To promote the research, identification, assessment, exploration, and

development of methane hydrate resources, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

NOVEMBER 7, 1997

Mr. AKAKA (for himself, Mr. CRAIG, and Ms. LANDRIEU) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

To promote the research, identification, assessment, exploration, and development of methane hydrate resources,

and for other purposes.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Methane Hydrate Re5 search and Development Act of 1997’’.

6 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

7 In this Act:
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1 (1) CONTRACT.—The term ‘‘contract’’ means a

2 procurement contract within the meaning of 6303 of

3 title 31, United States Code.

4 (2) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT.—The term ‘‘co5 operative agreement’’ means a cooperative agree6 ment within the meaning of section 6305 of title 31,

7 United States Code.

8 (3) GRANT.—The term ‘‘grant’’ means a grant

9 agreement within the meaning of section 6304 of

10 title 31, United States Code.

11 (4) METHANE HYDRATE.—The term ‘‘methane

12 hydrate’’ means a methane clathrate that—

13 (A) is in the form of a methane-water ice14 like crystalline material; and

15 (B) is stable and occurs naturally in deep16 ocean and permafrost areas.

17 (5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means

18 the Secretary of Energy.

19 (6) SECRETARY OF DEFENSE.—The term ‘‘Sec20 retary of Defense’’ means the Secretary of Defense,

21 acting through the Secretary of the Navy.

22 (7) SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.—The term

23 ‘‘Secretary of the Interior’’ means the Secretary of

24 the Interior, acting through the Director of the

25 United States Geological Survey.
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1 SEC. 3. METHANE HYDRATE RESEARCH AND DEVELOP2 MENT PROGRAM.

3 (a) IN GENERAL.—

4 (1) COMMENCEMENT OF PROGRAM.—Not later

5 than 180 days after the date of enactment of this

6 Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Sec7 retary of Defense and the Secretary of the Interior,

8 shall commence a program of methane hydrate re9 search and development.

10 (2) DESIGNATIONS.—The Secretary, Secretary

11 of Defense, and Secretary of the Interior shall des12 ignate individuals to implement this Act.

13 (3) MEETINGS.—The individuals designated

14 under paragraph (2) shall meet not less frequently

15 than every 120 days to review the progress of the

16 program under paragraph (1) and make rec17 ommendations on future activities.

18 (b) GRANTS, CONTRACTS, AND COOPERATIVE

19 AGREEMENTS.—

20 (1) ASSISTANCE AND COORDINATION.—The

21 Secretary may award grants or contracts to, or enter

22 into cooperative agreements with, universities and

23 industrial enterprises to—

24 (A) conduct basic and applied research to

25 identify, explore, assess, and develop methane

26 hydrate as a source of energy;
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1 (B) assist in developing technologies re2 quired for efficient and environmentally sound

3 development of methane hydrate resources;

4 (C) undertake research programs to pro5 vide safe means of transport and storage of

6 methane produced from methane hydrates;

7 (D) promote education and training in

8 methane hydrate resources research and re9 source development;

10 (E) conduct basic and applied research to

11 assess and mitigate the environmental impacts

12 of hydrate degassing, both natural and that as13 sociated with commercial development; and

14 (F) develop technologies to reduce the

15 risks of drilling through methane hydrates.

16 (2) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary may estab17 lish an advisory panel consisting of experts from in18 dustry, academia, and Federal agencies to advise the

19 Secretary on potential applications of methane hy20 drate and assist in developing recommendations and

21 priorities for the methane hydrate research and de22 velopment program carried out under this section.

23 (c) LIMITATIONS.—

24 (1) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Not more

25 than 5 percent of the amount made available to
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1 carry out this section for a fiscal year may be used

2 by the Secretary for expenses associated with the ad3 ministration of the program subsection (a)(1).

4 (2) CONSTRUCTION COSTS.—None of the funds

5 made available to carry out this section may be used

6 for the construction of a new building or the acquisi7 tion, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an exist8 ing building (including site grading and improve9 ment and architect fees.)

10 (d) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SECRETARY.—In car11 rying out subsection (b)(1), the Secretary shall—

12 (1) facilitate and develop partnerships among

13 government, industry, and academia to research,

14 identify, assess, and explore methane hydrate re15 sources;

16 (2) undertake programs to develop basic infor17 mation necessary for promoting long-term interest in

18 methane hydrate resources as an energy source;

19 (3) ensure that the data and information devel20 oped through the program are accessible and widely

21 disseminated as needed and appropriate;

22 (4) promote cooperation among agencies that

23 are developing technologies that may hold promise

24 for methane hydrate resource development; and
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1 (5) report annually to Congress on accomplish2 ments under this Act.

3 SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

4 There are authorized to be appropriated such sums

5 as are necessary to carry out this Act.

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