DOE EPSCoR Modernization Act

To amend the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to modernize the EPSCoR program of the Department of Energy, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the DOE EPSCoR Modernization Act 2. Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research Section 2203(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 ( 42 U.S.C. 13503(b) (3) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (A) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Eligible jurisdiction The term eligible jurisdiction (ii) EPSCoR The term EPSCoR (iii) National Laboratory The term National Laboratory 42 U.S.C. 15801 (iv) State The term State (I) a State; (II) the District of Columbia; (III) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; (IV) Guam; and (V) the United States Virgin Islands. (B) Program operation The Secretary shall operate an Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. (C) Objectives The objectives of EPSCoR shall be— (i) to increase the number of researchers in eligible jurisdictions, especially at institutions of higher education, capable of performing nationally competitive science and engineering research in support of the mission of the Department of Energy in the areas of applied energy research, environmental management, and basic science; (ii) to improve science and engineering research and education programs at institutions of higher education in eligible jurisdictions and enhance the capabilities of eligible jurisdictions to develop, plan, and execute research that is competitive, including through investing in research equipment and instrumentation; and (iii) to increase the probability of long-term growth of competitive funding to eligible jurisdictions. (D) Eligible jurisdictions (i) In general The Secretary may establish criteria for determining whether a State is eligible for a grant under this paragraph. (ii) Requirement Except as provided in clause (iii), in establishing criteria under clause (i), the Secretary shall ensure that a State is eligible for a grant under this paragraph if the State, as determined by the Secretary, is a State that— (I) historically has received relatively little Federal research and development funding; and (II) has demonstrated a commitment— (aa) to develop the research bases in the State; and (bb) to improve science and engineering research and education programs at institutions of higher education in the State. (iii) Eligibility under NSF EPSCoR At the election of the Secretary, or if the Secretary determines not to establish criteria under clause (i), a State is eligible for a grant under this paragraph if the State is eligible to receive funding under the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research of the National Science Foundation. (E) Grants in areas of applied energy research, environmental management, and basic science (i) In general EPSCoR shall make grants to eligible jurisdictions to carry out and support applied energy research and research in all areas of environmental management and basic science sponsored by the Department of Energy, including— (I) energy efficiency, fossil energy, renewable energy, and other applied energy research; (II) electricity delivery research; (III) cybersecurity, energy security, and emergency response; (IV) environmental management; and (V) basic science research. (ii) Activities EPSCoR shall make grants under this subparagraph for activities consistent with the objectives described in subparagraph (C) in the areas of applied energy research, environmental management, and basic science described in clause (i), including— (I) to support research that is carried out in partnership with the National Laboratories; (II) to provide for graduate traineeships; (III) to support research by early career faculty; and (IV) to improve research capabilities through biennial research implementation grants. (iii) No cost sharing EPSCoR shall not impose any cost-sharing requirement with respect to a grant made under this subparagraph, but may require letters of commitment from National Laboratories. (F) Other activities EPSCoR may carry out such activities as may be necessary to meet the objectives described in subparagraph (C) in the areas of applied energy research, environmental management, and basic science described in subparagraph (E)(i). (G) Program implementation (i) In general Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of the DOE EPSCoR Modernization Act (ii) Contents of plan The plan described in clause (i) shall include a description of— (I) the management structure of EPSCoR, which shall ensure that all research areas and activities described in this paragraph are incorporated into EPSCoR; (II) efforts to conduct outreach to inform eligible jurisdictions and faculty of changes to, and opportunities under, EPSCoR; (III) how EPSCoR plans to increase engagement with eligible jurisdictions, faculty, and State committees, including by holding regular workshops, to increase participation in EPSCoR; and (IV) any other issues relating to EPSCoR that the Secretary determines appropriate. (H) Program evaluation (i) In general Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of the DOE EPSCoR Modernization Act (I) the tangible progress made towards achieving the objectives described in subparagraph (C); (II) the impact of research supported by EPSCoR on the mission of the Department of Energy; and (III) any other issues relating to EPSCoR that the Secretary determines appropriate. (ii) Limitation The organization with which the Secretary contracts under clause (i) shall not be a National Laboratory. (iii) Report Not later than 6 years after the date of enactment of the DOE EPSCoR Modernization Act .

Summary: DOE EPSCoR Modernization Act This bill revises the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program of the Department of Energy (DOE). The objectives of the EPSCoR must include (1) increasing the number of researchers in specified jurisdictions (i.e., the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), especially at institutions of higher education (IHEs), capable of performing nationally competitive science and engineering research in support of the mission of DOE in the areas of applied energy research, environmental management, and basic science; and (2) improving science and engineering research and education programs at IHEs in such states and enhancing their capabilities to develop, plan, and execute research that is competitive. The EPSCoR must provide grants to such jurisdictions to carry out and support applied energy research and research in all areas of environmental management and basic science sponsored by DOE. DOE must contract with a federally funded research and development center, the National Academy of Sciences, or a a similar organization to carry out an assessment of the effectiveness of EPSCoR, including an assessment of the progress made towards achieving the objectives of the program.