ARPA-E Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2019

To amend the America COMPETES Act to reauthorize the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the ARPA–E Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2019 2. Advanced research projects agency–energy (a) Establishment Section 5012(b) of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(b) development of energy technologies development of transformative science and technology solutions to address energy, environmental, economic, and national security challenges (b) Goals Section 5012(c) of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(c) (1) by striking paragraph (1)(A) and inserting the following: (A) to enhance the economic and energy security of the United States through the development of energy technologies that— (i) reduce imports of energy from foreign sources; (ii) reduce energy-related emissions, including greenhouse gases; (iii) improve the energy efficiency of all economic sectors; (iv) provide transformative solutions to improve the management, clean-up, and disposal of— (I) low-level radioactive waste; (II) spent nuclear fuel; and (III) high-level radioactive waste; (v) improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of all forms of energy production; (vi) improve the resiliency, reliability, and security of the electric grid; and (vii) address other challenges within the mission of the Department as determined by the Secretary; and ; and (2) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking energy technology projects advanced technology projects (c) Responsibilities Section 5012(e)(3)(A) of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(e)(3)(A) energy (d) Reports and roadmaps Section 5012(h) of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(h) (h) Annual report (1) In general As part of the annual budget request submitted for each fiscal year, the Director shall provide to the relevant authorizing and appropriations committees of Congress a report that— (A) describes projects supported by ARPA–E during the previous fiscal year; (B) identifies and includes an analysis of projects supported by ARPA–E during the previous fiscal year that demonstrate duplication of other activities funded by the Department; and (C) describes current, proposed, and planned projects to be carried out pursuant to subsection (e)(3)(D). (2) Strategic vision roadmap Beginning with the report submitted with respect to fiscal year 2020, and every 4 fiscal years thereafter, the report required under paragraph (1) shall include a roadmap describing the strategic vision that ARPA–E will use to guide the choices of ARPA–E for future technology investments over the following 4 fiscal years. . (e) Coordination and nonduplication Section 5012(i)(1) of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(i)(1) (1) In general To the maximum extent practicable, the Director shall ensure that— (A) the activities of ARPA–E are coordinated with, and do not duplicate the efforts of, programs and laboratories within the Department and other relevant research agencies; and (B) ARPA–E does not provide funding for a project unless the prospective grantee demonstrates sufficient attempts to secure private financing or indicates that the project is not independently commercially viable. . (f) Evaluation Section 5012(l) of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(l) (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (1) In general Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the ARPA–E Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2019 ; and (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by striking shall may (B) by striking the recommendation of the National Academy of Sciences a recommendation (g) Authorization of appropriations Paragraph (2) of section 5012(o) of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(o) (2) Authorization of appropriations Subject to paragraph (4), there are authorized to be appropriated to the Director of ARPA–E— (A) $392,800,000 for fiscal year 2020; (B) $419,600,000 for fiscal year 2021; (C) $446,400,000 for fiscal year 2022; (D) $473,200,000 for fiscal year 2023; and (E) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2024. . (h) Technical amendments Section 5012(g)(3)(A)(iii) of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(g)(3)(A)(iii) subpart subparagraph

Summary: ARPA-E Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2019 This bill revises and reauthorizes requirements governing the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) in the Department of Energy (DOE). This bill requires ARPA-E to overcome the long-term and high-risk technological barriers in the development of transformative science and technology solutions to address energy, environmental, economic, and national security challenges. (Currently, ARPA-E must overcome barriers in the development of energy technologies.) The bill expands the goals of ARPA-E to include the development of energy technologies that provide transformative solutions to improve management of radioactive waste, improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of energy production, and address other challenges within the mission of DOE. The bill expands the responsibility of ARPA-E to accelerate novel early-stage research to include nonenergy research. ARPA-E must ensure that it does not fund an advanced technology project unless the prospective grantee has demonstrated sufficient attempts to secure private financing or that such project is not independently commercially viable.