IMPACT for Energy Act

To establish the IMPACT for Energy Foundation. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Increasing and Mobilizing Partnerships to Achieve Commercialization of Technologies for Energy Act IMPACT for Energy Act 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Department The term Department (2) Foundation The term Foundation (3) Secretary The term Secretary 3. Establishment of IMPACT for Energy Foundation (a) Establishment (1) In general Not later than February 1, 2021, the Secretary shall establish a nonprofit corporation to be known as the IMPACT for Energy Foundation (2) Limitation The Foundation shall not be an agency or instrumentality of the Federal Government. (3) Nonapplicability of FACA The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Foundation. (4) Nonprofit status The Foundation shall be an organization described in section 501(c) (5) Board of Directors (A) In general The Foundation shall operate under a board of directors. (B) Initial appointment The initial appointment of the board of directors shall be facilitated by the Secretary. (C) Composition To the maximum extent practicable, the board of directors shall include representatives from a diverse range of communities, including— (i) the academic community; (ii) the business community; (iii) nonprofit organizations; (iv) the communities surrounding the laboratories and facilities of the Department; and (v) the technology transfer and commercialization community. (D) Restriction on membership No employee of the Department shall be appointed as a member of the board of directors. (b) Purpose; activities (1) Purpose The purpose of the Foundation is to channel private sector investments that support efforts to create, develop, and commercialize innovative technologies that address energy challenges by methods that include— (A) fostering collaboration and partnerships with researchers from the Federal Government, State governments, institutions of higher education, federally funded research and development centers, industry, and nonprofit organizations for the research, development, or commercialization of transformative energy technologies; (B) leveraging technologies by supporting new product development that supports regional economic development; and (C) administering prize competitions to accelerate private sector competition and investment. (2) Activities (A) In general The Foundation may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and other donations, establish accounts, and invest and expend funds in support of the activities and programs described in subparagraphs (B) through (D). (B) Studies, competitions, and projects The Foundation may conduct and support studies, competitions, projects, and other activities that further the purpose of the Foundation described in paragraph (1). (C) Fellowships and grants (i) Award The Foundation may award fellowships and grants for activities relating to research, development, prototyping, maturing, or commercializing of energy technologies. (ii) Form of award A fellowship or grant under clause (i) may consist of a stipend, health insurance benefits, funds for travel, and funds for other appropriate expenses. (iii) Selection (I) In general The Foundation shall award a fellowship or grant under clause (i) based on the technical and commercialization merits of the proposed project. (II) Input In selecting recipients of a fellowship or grant under clause (i), the Foundation may consult with potential recipients regarding the ability to carry out various projects that would further the purpose of the Foundation described in paragraph (1). (iv) Federal laboratories A Federal laboratory that applies for or accepts a grant under clause (i) shall not be considered to be engaging in a competitive procedure. (D) Supplementary programs The Foundation may carry out supplementary programs— (i) to conduct and support forums, meetings, conferences, courses, and training workshops consistent with the purpose of the Foundation described in paragraph (1); (ii) to support and encourage the understanding and development of— (I) data reporting models that promote the translation of technologies from the research stage, through the development and maturation stage, and ending in the market stage; and (II) policies that make regulation more effective and efficient by leveraging the technology translation data described in subclause (I) for the regulation of relevant technology sectors; (iii) for writing, editing, printing, publishing, and vending books and other materials relating to research carried out under the Foundation; and (iv) to conduct other activities to carry out and support the purpose of the Foundation described in paragraph (1). (E) Authority of foundation The Foundation shall be the sole entity responsible for carrying out the activities described in this paragraph. (F) Administrative control No participant in a program under this paragraph or employee of the Foundation shall exercise any administrative control over any Federal employee. (c) Support services The Secretary may provide facilities, utilities, and support services to the Foundation if it is determined by the Secretary to be advantageous to the research programs of the Department. (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary for fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter. 4. Establishment of for-profit subsidiaries (a) Establishment The Foundation may establish 1 or more for-profit subsidiaries, including an impact investment fund— (1) to stimulate economic development activities relating to the purpose of the Foundation described in section 3(b)(1); and (2) to attract for-profit investment partners for technology translation and commercialization activities. (b) Authorities of the for-Profit subsidiary (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), a for-profit subsidiary established under subsection (a) may— (A) enter into a partnership with an economic development corporation, including an incubator, accelerator, or small business investment company; (B) pay for the cost of building and administering a facility, including a microlab or incubator, to support the activities of the Foundation described in section 3(b)(2); and (C) provide funding to a startup. (2) Cost recovery requirements A for-profit subsidiary established under subsection (a) shall— (A) ensure that the Foundation owns any intellectual property rights generated through activities funded by the for-profit subsidiary, if appropriate; and (B) own an equity stake in any startup invested in by the for-profit subsidiary.

Summary: Increasing and Mobilizing Partnerships to Achieve Commercialization of Technologies for Energy Act or the IMPACT for Energy Act This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish a nonprofit corporation named the IMPACT for Energy Foundation to channel private sector investment into commercial innovative technologies in energy. The foundation may establish one or more for-profit subsidiaries, including an impact investment fund to (1) stimulate economic development activities, and (2) attract for-profit investment partners for technology translation and commercialization activities.