Energy Title of America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015

To extend, improve, and consolidate energy research and development programs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Energy Title of America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 (b) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. TITLE I—Energy title of America COMPETES programs Sec. 101. Basic research. Sec. 102. Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy. TITLE II—Elimination and consolidation of programs Sec. 201. Elimination of program authorities. Sec. 202. Repeal of authorizations. Sec. 203. Consolidation of duplicative program authorities. I Energy title of America COMPETES programs 101. Basic research Section 971(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16311(b) (1) in paragraph (6), by striking and (2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (8) $5,271,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; (9) $5,485,000,000 for fiscal year 2017; (10) $5,704,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; (11) $5,932,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; and (12) $6,178,000,000 for fiscal year 2020. . 102. Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy Section 5012 of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538 (1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking subsection (n)(1) subsection (o)(1) (2) in subsection (i), by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (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. ; (3) by redesignating subsection (n) as subsection (o); (4) by inserting after subsection (m) the following: (n) Protection of information The following types of information collected by the ARPA–E from recipients of financial assistance awards shall be considered privileged and confidential and not subject to disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United States Code: (1) Plans for commercialization of technologies developed under the award, including business plans, technology-to-market plans, market studies, and cost and performance models. (2) Investments provided to an awardee from third parties (such as venture capital firms, hedge funds, and private equity firms), including amounts and the percentage of ownership of the awardee provided in return for the investments. (3) Additional financial support that the awardee— (A) plans to or has invested into the technology developed under the award; or (B) is seeking from third parties. (4) Revenue from the licensing or sale of new products or services resulting from research conducted under the award. ; and (5) in subsection (o) (as redesignated by paragraph (3))— (A) in paragraph (2)— (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) paragraph (4) (ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking and (iii) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (iv) by adding at the end the following: (F) $291,200,000 for fiscal year 2016; (G) $303,600,000 for fiscal year 2017; (H) $314,700,000 for fiscal year 2018; (I) $327,300,000 for fiscal year 2019; and (J) $340,600,000 for fiscal year 2020 . ; and (B) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking (c)(2)(D) (c)(2)(C) II Elimination and consolidation of programs 201. Elimination of program authorities (a) Nuclear science talent expansion program for institutions of higher education Section 5004 of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16532 (b) Hydrocarbon Systems Science Talent Expansion Program for Institutions of Higher Education (1) In general Section 5005(e) of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16533(e) (2) Conforming amendments (A) Section 5005(f) of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16533(f) (i) by striking paragraph (2); (ii) by striking the subsection designation and heading and all that follows through There are (f) Authorization of appropriations There are ; and (iii) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) as paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively, and indenting appropriately. (B) Section 5005 of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16533 (c) Discovery Science and Engineering Innovation Institutes Section 5008 of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16535 (d) Elimination of duplicative authority for education programs Sections 3181 and 3185 of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7381 l 42 U.S.C. 7381n (e) Mentoring program Section 3195 of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7381r 202. Repeal of authorizations (a) Department of Energy Early Career Awards for science, engineering, and mathematics researchers Section 5006 of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16534 (b) Distinguished Scientist Program Section 5011 of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16537 (c) Protecting America’s Competitive Edge (PACE) Graduate Fellowship Program Section 5009 of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16536 203. Consolidation of duplicative program authorities (a) University nuclear science and engineering support Section 954 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16274 (1) in subsection (a), by inserting nuclear chemistry, nuclear engineering, (2) in subsection (b)— (A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as paragraphs (4) through (6), respectively; and (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) award grants, not to exceed 5 years in duration, to institutions of higher education with existing academic degree programs in nuclear sciences and related fields— (A) to increase the number of graduates in nuclear science and related fields; (B) to enhance the teaching and research of advanced nuclear technologies; (C) to undertake collaboration with industry and National Laboratories; and (D) to bolster or sustain nuclear infrastructure and research facilities of institutions of higher education, such as research and training reactors and laboratories; . (b) Consolidation of Department of Energy early career awards for science, engineering, and mathematics researchers program and distinguished scientist program (1) Funding Section 971(c) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16311(c) (8) For the Department of Energy early career awards for science, engineering, and mathematics researchers program under section 5006 of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16534 42 U.S.C. 16537 . (2) Department of Energy early career awards for science, engineering, and mathematics researchers Section 5006 of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16534 (A) in subsection (b)(1)— (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)— (I) by inserting average amount (II) by inserting for each year shall (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking $80,000 $190,000 (iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking $125,000 $490,000 (B) in subsection (c)(1)(C)— (i) in clause (i)— (I) by striking assistant professor or equivalent title untenured assistant or associate professor (II) by inserting or (ii) by striking clause (ii); and (iii) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (ii); (C) in subsection (d), by striking on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis through a competitive process using merit-based peer review. (D) in subsection (e)— (i) by striking (e) To be eligible (e) Selection process and criteria To be eligible ; and (ii) by striking paragraph (2); and (E) in subsection (f)(1), by striking nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organizations National Laboratories (c) Science education programs Section 3164 of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7381a (1) in subsection (b)— (A) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following: (1) In general The Director of the Office of Science (referred to in this subsection as the “Director”) shall provide for appropriate coordination of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education programs across all functions of the Department. (2) Administration In carrying out paragraph (1), the Director shall— (A) consult with— (i) the Assistant Secretary of Energy with responsibility for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs; and (ii) the Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs of the National Nuclear Security Administration; and (B) seek to increase the participation and advancement of women and underrepresented minorities at every level of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. ; and (B) in paragraph (3)— (i) in subparagraph (D), by striking and (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); and (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: (E) represent the Department as the principal interagency liaison for all coordination activities under the President for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education programs; and ; and (2) in subsection (d)— (A) by striking The Secretary (1) In general The Secretary ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (2) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, the Director shall submit a report describing the impact of the activities assisted with the Fund established under paragraph (1) to— (A) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate. . (d) Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) Graduate Fellowship Program Section 5009 of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16536 (1) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (1) by striking , involving Secretary (B) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) to demonstrate excellent academic performance and understanding of scientific or technical subjects; and ; (2) in subsection (d)(1)(B)(i), by inserting full or partial graduate tuition (3) in subsection (e), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking Director of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Director of the Office of Science.

Summary: Energy Title of America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize through FY2020 designated energy research, development, and commercial application programs conducted through the Office of Science of the Department of Energy (DOE). The America COMPETES Act is amended to require the Director of Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to ensure that ARPA-E funding for a project is not available unless the prospective grantee demonstrates sufficient attempts to secure private financing or indicates that the project is not independently commercially viable. Specified information collected by ARPA-E from financial assistance recipients shall be considered privileged, confidential, and exempt from certain federal information disclosure requirements. The bill authorizes appropriations for FY2016-FY2020 for the Energy Transformation Acceleration Fund. The bill repeals funding and authorities for the following programs: the Nuclear Science Talent Expansion Program For Institutions of Higher Education; Hydrocarbon Systems Science Competitiveness Grants For Institutions of Higher Education; Discovery Science and Engineering Innovation Institutes; National Laboratories Centers of Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics secondary school education, certain Summer Institutes hosted by a National Laboratory; and a mentoring program under the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act to recruit mentors for women and underrepresented minorities interested in careers in science, engineering, and mathematics. With respect to the University Nuclear Science and Engineering Support program, DOE shall award grants of up to five years to institutions of higher education with existing academic degree programs in nuclear sciences and related fields, including nuclear chemistry. Funds are authorized for FY2016-FY2020 for the DOE early career awards for science, engineering, and mathematics researchers program, as well as for its distinguished scientist program. The diversity requirement for awarding grants under the program for early career awards for science, engineering, and mathematics researchers is revised to substitute a required variety of types of National Laboratories in lieu of a variety of types of nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organizations. The Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act is amended to direct the Office of Science to coordinate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education programs across all functions of DOE. The bill amends the America COMPETES Act to: (1) change the criteria for awarding Protecting America's Competitive Edge (PACE) graduate fellowships, and (2) allow such fellowships to cover either full or partial graduate tuition.