I 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6824 
To provide for the development of advanced and alternative energy and 
increased domestic energy production to achieve American energy inde-
pendence in 15 years. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
AUGUST 1, 2008 
Mr. ROSKAM introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on 
Science and Technology, Natural Resources, and Ways and Means, for 
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To provide for the development of advanced and alternative 
energy and increased domestic energy production to 
achieve American energy independence in 15 years. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Energy View Into Securing Independence for Our Nation 
Act’’. 
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(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Findings. 
TITLE I—ENERGY VISION 
Sec. 101. Prize for development of an alternative fuel for aviation. 
Sec. 102. Prize for development of vehicle fuel efficiencies and alternative fuel 
sources with applications for surface transportation vehicles. 
Sec. 103. Grant for anti-idling power unit research program. 
Sec. 104. Extension and modification of credit for clean renewable energy 
bonds. 
Sec. 105. Reestablishing FutureGen to develop a clean coal power plant and ad-
vance carbon sequestration. 
Sec. 106. Funding for research and development. 
Sec. 107. Various tax extenders and new credits. 
Sec. 108. Extension and modification of renewable energy production tax credit. 
Sec. 109. Extension and modification of residential energy efficient property 
credit. 
Sec. 110. Extension and modification of credit for energy efficiency improve-
ments to existing homes. 
Sec. 111. Extension and modification of tax credit for energy efficient new 
homes. 
Sec. 112. Energy Frontier Research Centers. 
Sec. 113. Energy Vision Commission. 
TITLE II—FUNDING THROUGH DOMESTIC PRODUCTION 
Sec. 201. Energy VISION Fund. 
Subtitle A—Outer Continental Shelf 
Sec. 211. Terminating laws prohibiting Federal spending for Outer Continental 
Shelf leasing activities. 
Sec. 212. Revocation of existing Presidential withdrawals. 
Sec. 213. Revocation of existing Presidential authority. 
Sec. 214. Availability of certain areas for leasing. 
Subtitle B—Drilling for Energy in the Arctic Now 
Sec. 221. Definitions. 
Sec. 222. Leasing program for lands within the Coastal Plain. 
Sec. 223. Lease sales. 
Sec. 224. Grant of leases by the Secretary. 
Sec. 225. Lease terms and conditions. 
Sec. 226. Coastal Plain environmental protection. 
Sec. 227. Expedited judicial review. 
Sec. 228. Federal and State distribution of revenues. 
Sec. 229. Rights-of-way across the Coastal Plain. 
Sec. 230. Conveyance. 
Sec. 231. Local government impact aid and community service assistance. 
Subtitle C—Nuclear Energy 
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Sec. 241. Short title. 
Sec. 242. Hearings under Atomic Energy Act of 1954. 
Subtitle D—Coal-To-Liquids 
Sec. 251. Standby loans for qualifying coal-to-liquids projects. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds that— 
(1) the United States possesses the capability of 
innovation and sufficient domestic resources to 
achieve energy independence in 15 years; 
(2) Americans are paying on average nearly $4 
per gallon of gasoline, near the highest average price 
in American history; 
(3) some foreign countries are using control 
measures to hold prices artificially low for their con-
sumers; 
(4) the countries employing such controls rep-
resent more than 40 percent of world demand for 
oil; 
(5) increased prices have the effect of damp-
ening demand, as has been seen in the United States 
over the past year; 
(6) consumers in foreign countries with price 
controls on retail gasoline currently are not able to 
appreciate the true cost of gasoline; 
(7) the removal of price controls in foreign 
countries would have the effect of allowing con-
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sumers in those countries to realize the worldwide 
market pressure of their demand; 
(8) decreased demand worldwide would have the 
effect of decreasing upward price pressures on the 
finite world supply of oil; 
(9) price controls on retail gasoline in other for-
eign countries are increasing the burden of energy 
prices on American families; and 
(10) the Congress should consider the existence 
of artificially low prices for retail gasoline in foreign 
countries when formulating legislation regarding the 
energy policy of the United States. 
TITLE I—ENERGY VISION 
SEC. 101. PRIZE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF AN ALTERNATIVE 
FUEL FOR AVIATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Energy shall 
consult with the Secretary of Transportation and the Di-
rector of the National Science Foundation to facilitate a 
competition to develop a direct drop-in replacement fuel 
for aviation. 
(b) ANNOUNCEMENT; REGULATION.—The Secretary 
shall announce the competition in the Federal Register 
and shall by regulation facilitate the competition, includ-
ing provision for— 
(1) criteria to evaluate applicants, including— 
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(A) the potential for reducing our reliance 
on foreign sources of energy; 
(B) reducing emissions; 
(C) providing enhanced stability to the air-
line industry; and 
(D) reducing fuel costs; 
(2) a prize of $177,600,000 for the develop-
ment of a direct drop-in replacement fuel for com-
mercial aviation; 
(3) as many as five other smaller prizes as the 
Secretary determines to reward, with a collective 
value of no more than $100,000,000 for— 
(A) advancements in technologies, compo-
nents, and systems; 
(B) prototypes; or 
(C) transformational changes in tech-
nology; 
(4) a panel of 5 expert judges who have no fi-
nancial interest in, and are not an employee, officer, 
director, or agent of, and who have no familial rela-
tions with, any contestant; 
(5) contestants to be private individuals that 
are citizens or resident aliens, or private entities 
that are incorporated and maintain a primary place 
of business in the United States; 
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(6) the protection of the intellectual property of 
contestants; and 
(7) the protection of the Federal Government 
from liability claims. 
(c) PARTICIPATION.—The Secretary shall widely ad-
vertise the competition to encourage participation by indi-
viduals, academia, and industry. 
(d) REPORTS.—The Secretary shall report annually 
to Congress on— 
(1) any prizes that have been awarded; 
(2) the identity of prize winners; 
(3) the technology that has won a prize; and 
(4) the actions that are being taken toward 
commercial application of the technology. 
(e) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section, the 
term ‘‘direct drop-in replacement fuel’’ means a fuel that 
can be immediately used as an alternative to current con-
ventional aviation fuel, without requiring adjustments to 
the engines or distribution infrastructure. 
SEC. 102. PRIZE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF VEHICLE FUEL EF-
FICIENCIES 
AND 
ALTERNATIVE 
FUEL 
SOURCES WITH APPLICATIONS FOR SURFACE 
TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Energy shall 
consult with the Secretary of Transportation and the Di-
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rector of the National Science Foundation to facilitate a 
competition to develop a prototype and manufacturing 
plan for a plug-in hybrid vehicle, alternative fuel vehicle, 
electric vehicle, hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, or other alter-
native technology vehicle. 
(b) ANNOUNCEMENT; REGULATION.—The Secretary 
shall announce the competition in the Federal Register 
and shall by regulation facilitate the competition, includ-
ing provision for— 
(1) criteria to evaluate applicants, including— 
(A) the potential for reducing our reliance 
on foreign sources of energy; 
(B) reducing emissions; 
(C) reducing fuel costs; 
(D) a vehicle that is not more than 10 per-
cent more expensive than a comparable model 
vehicle of the same model year, with— 
(i) equal acceleration, horsepower, and 
top speed performance; and 
(ii) not more than 20 percent reduc-
tion in cargo space, as compared to a com-
parable model vehicle of the same model 
year; 
(E) a vehicle that meets or exceeds Federal 
safety standards; 
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(F) a vehicle that can travel at least 750 
miles between refueling; and 
(G) possibility of wide commercial applica-
tion, not hindered by lack of refueling infra-
structure; 
(2) a prize of $177,600,000 for the prototype 
and manufacturing plan; 
(3) as many as five other smaller prizes as the 
Secretary determines to reward, with a collective 
value of no more than $100,000,000 for— 
(A) advancements in technologies, compo-
nents, and systems; 
(B) prototypes; or 
(C) transformational changes in tech-
nology; 
(4) a panel of 5 expert judges who have no fi-
nancial interest in, and are not an employee, officer, 
director, or agent of, and who have no familial rela-
tions with, any contestant; 
(5) contestants to be private individuals that 
are citizens or resident aliens, or private entities 
that are incorporated and maintain a primary place 
of business in the United States; 
(6) the protection of the intellectual property of 
contestants; and 
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(7) the protection of the Federal Government 
from liability claims. 
(c) PARTICIPATION.—The Secretary shall widely ad-
vertise the competition to encourage participation by indi-
viduals, academia, and industry. 
(d) REPORTS.—The Secretary shall report annually 
to Congress on— 
(1) any prizes that have been awarded; 
(2) the identity of prize winners; 
(3) the technology that has won a prize; and 
(4) the actions that are being taken toward 
commercial application of the technology. 
SEC. 103. GRANT FOR ANTI-IDLING POWER UNIT RESEARCH 
PROGRAM. 
(a) GRANT.—The Secretary of Transportation may 
make a grant to an eligible grantee to establish and oper-
ate an anti-idling power unit research program described 
in subsection (b). 
(b) DESCRIPTION.—An anti-idling power unit re-
search program for which a grant may be made under this 
section shall be designed— 
(1) to develop an alternative fuel-powered solid 
oxide fuel cell power system; 
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(2) to demonstrate uses of compressed natural 
gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, 
hydrogen, and ethanol as alternative fuels; 
(3) to optimize the use of fuel cell power sys-
tems that are capable of being retrofitted into exist-
ing vehicles and incorporated into new vehicle de-
signs; 
(4) to facilitate commercial uses of fuel cell 
power systems in vehicles, such as long-haul trucks, 
transit vehicles, and school buses; 
(5) to reduce the Nation’s dependence on im-
ported transportation fuels and improve environ-
mental quality; 
(6) to encourage further development of the 
fuel cell industry; 
(7) to develop technology to use alternative 
fuels in place of diesel fuel; and 
(8) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and en-
ergy consumption currently attributed to idling of 
commercial vehicles. 
(c) ELIGIBLE GRANTEE.—In this section, the term 
‘‘eligible grantee’’ means an organization that— 
(1) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the In-
ternal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax-
ation under section 501(a) of such Code; 
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(2) has performed energy-related research or 
energy-related research support activities; and 
(3) owns and maintains a state-of-the-art en-
ergy research facility. 
(d) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an eligible grantee shall submit an ap-
plication to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information as the Secretary may re-
quire. 
(e) REPORTS.—At least once a year, the Secretary 
shall submit a report on the projects undertaken and ad-
vancements made by the eligible grantee to which a grant 
is made under this section to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be 
appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 
2009 to 2011 to carry out a grant under this sec-
tion. 
(2) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated pur-
suant to the authorization of appropriations under 
paragraph (1) are authorized to remain available 
until expended. 
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SEC. 104. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF CREDIT FOR 
CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY BONDS. 
(a) EXTENSION.—Section 54(m) of the Internal Rev-
enue Code of 1986 (relating to termination) is amended 
by striking ‘‘December 31, 2008’’ and inserting ‘‘Decem-
ber 31, 2009’’. 
(b) INCREASE IN NATIONAL LIMITATION.—Section 
54(f) of such Code (relating to limitation on amount of 
bonds designated) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘, and for the period beginning 
after the date of the enactment of the Energy View 
Into Securing Independence for Our Nation Act and 
ending before January 1, 2010, $400,000,000’’ after 
‘‘$1,200,000,000’’ in paragraph (1), 
(2) by striking ‘‘$750,000,000 of the’’ in para-
graph (2) and inserting ‘‘$750,000,000 of the 
$1,200,000,000’’, and 
(3) by striking ‘‘bodies’’ in paragraph (2) and 
inserting ‘‘bodies, and except that the Secretary may 
not allocate more than 1⁄3 of the $400,000,000 na-
tional clean renewable energy bond limitation to fi-
nance qualified projects of qualified borrowers which 
are public power providers nor more than 1⁄3 of such 
limitation to finance qualified projects of qualified 
borrowers which are mutual or cooperative electric 
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companies described in section 501(c)(12) or section 
1381(a)(2)(C)’’. 
(c) PUBLIC POWER PROVIDERS DEFINED.—Section 
54(j) of such Code is amended— 
(1) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(6) PUBLIC
POWER
PROVIDER.—The term 
‘public power provider’ means a State utility with a 
service obligation, as such terms are defined in sec-
tion 217 of the Federal Power Act (as in effect on 
the date of the enactment of this paragraph).’’, and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘; PUBLIC POWER PROVIDER’’ 
before the period at the end of the heading. 
(d) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The third sentence of 
section 54(e)(2) of such Code is amended by striking 
‘‘subsection (l)(6)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (l)(5)’’. 
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply to bonds issued after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 105. REESTABLISHING FUTUREGEN TO DEVELOP A 
CLEAN COAL POWER PLANT AND ADVANCE 
CARBON SEQUESTRATION. 
(a) FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION.—The Secretary shall 
reestablish a Federal contribution to the FutureGen 
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project to develop carbon sequestration technology and 
build a near-zero emissions fossil fuel power plant. 
(b) EMISSIONS; STORAGE.—The Secretary, through 
the project, shall also seek to identify useful applications 
for the emissions in addition to developing a means for 
storage. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this Act— 
(1) the term ‘‘Federal contribution’’ includes 
technical assistance and financial assistance; and 
(2) the term ‘‘FutureGen project’’ means— 
(A) the initiative first announced by Presi-
dent George W. Bush on February 27, 2003, to 
build the world’s first integrated sequestration 
and hydrogen production research power plant; 
and 
(B) the site of Mattoon, Illinois, which the 
FutureGen Alliance selected on December 18, 
2007, as the final site for the near zero-emis-
sions fossil fuel power plant. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for car-
rying our this section $2,000,000,000. 
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SEC. 106. FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
Amounts in the Energy Vision Fund established 
under section 202 shall be used, to the extent provided 
in appropriations acts, to carry out— 
(1) oil shale, tar sands, and other strategic un-
conventional fuels research and development under 
section 369 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 15927); 
(2) solar and wind technology research and de-
velopment under section 812 of the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16161); 
(3) renewable energy research and development 
under section 931 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
(42 U.S.C. 16231); 
(4) innovative technologies incentives under title 
XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
16511 et seq.); 
(5) geothermal energy research and develop-
ment under subtitle B of title VI of the Energy 
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 
17191 et seq.); and 
(6) energy storage research and development 
under section 641 of the Energy Independence and 
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17231). 
SEC. 107. VARIOUS TAX EXTENDERS AND NEW CREDITS. 
(a) CREDIT FOR BI-FUEL VEHICLE PROPERTY.— 
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(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subsection (a) of section 
30B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
amended by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph 
(3), by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
(4) and inserting ‘‘, and’’, and by inserting after 
paragraph (4) the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(5) the bi-fuel vehicle property credit deter-
mined under subsection (f).’’. 
(2) BI-FUEL
VEHICLE
PROPERTY.—Section 
30B of such Code is amended by redesignating sub-
sections (f) through (j) as subsections (g) through 
(k), respectively, and inserting after subsection (e) 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f) BI-FUEL VEHICLE PROPERTY CREDIT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of subsection 
(a), the bi-fuel vehicle property credit determined 
under this subsection for the taxable year is an 
amount equal to the applicable percentage of the 
cost of qualified bi-fuel vehicle property placed in 
service by a qualified taxpayer during the taxable 
year, and is available only for one bi-fuel vehicle 
property per vehicle identification number (as de-
fined in section 33110 of title 49, United States 
Code). 
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‘‘(2) 
LIMITATION.—The 
credit 
determined 
under this subsection shall not exceed $10,000. 
‘‘(3) APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE.—For purposes 
of paragraph (1), the applicable percentage with re-
spect to any qualified bi-fuel vehicle property is 50 
percent, if such property— 
‘‘(A) has received a certificate of con-
formity under the Clean Air Act and meets or 
exceeds the most stringent standard available 
for certification under the Clean Air Act for 
that property (other than a zero emission 
standard), or 
‘‘(B) has received an order certifying the 
vehicle as meeting the same requirements as ve-
hicles which may be sold or leased in California 
and meets or exceeds the most stringent stand-
ard available for certification under the State 
laws of California (enacted in accordance with 
a waiver granted under section 209(b) of the 
Clean Air Act) for that property (other than a 
zero emission standard). 
‘‘(4) QUALIFIED
BI-FUEL
VEHICLE
PROP-
ERTY.—For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ‘bi- 
fuel vehicle property’ means property added to a 
motor vehicle that uses conventional gasoline or die-
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sel as its fuel to allow the engine of such vehicle to 
operate on either conventional gasoline fuel or an-
other alternative fuel. 
‘‘(5) ALTERNATIVE
FUEL.—For purposes of 
paragraph (4), the term ‘alternative fuel’ means 
compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, lique-
fied petroleum gas, and hydrogen. 
‘‘(6) QUALIFIED TAXPAYER.—For purposes of 
paragraph (1), the term ‘qualified taxpayer’ means 
a State or political subdivision thereof, possession of 
the United States, or any agency or instrumentality 
of any of the foregoing.’’. 
(3) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Section 
30B(h)(6) of such Code is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘vehicle’’ each place it ap-
pears and inserting ‘‘property’’, and 
(B) by adding at the end of the following 
new sentence: ‘‘For purposes of this paragraph, 
the term ‘property’ means a vehicle or bi-fuel 
vehicle property.’’. 
SEC. 108. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF RENEWABLE 
ENERGY PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT. 
(a) EXTENSION OF CREDIT.—Each of the following 
provisions of section 45(d) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986 (relating to qualified facilities) is amended by 
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striking ‘‘January 1, 2009’’ and inserting ‘‘January 1, 
2010’’: 
(1) Paragraph (1). 
(2) Clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (2)(A). 
(3) Clauses (i)(I) and (ii) of paragraph (3)(A). 
(4) Paragraph (4). 
(5) Paragraph (5). 
(6) Paragraph (6). 
(7) Paragraph (7). 
(8) Paragraph (8). 
(9) Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph 
(9). 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATES.—The amendments made by 
subsection (a) shall apply to property originally placed in 
service after December 31, 2008. 
SEC. 109. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF RESIDENTIAL 
ENERGY EFFICIENT PROPERTY CREDIT. 
(a) EXTENSION.—Section 25D(g) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to termination) is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘December 31, 2008’’ and inserting ‘‘De-
cember 31, 2009’’. 
(b) NO DOLLAR LIMITATION
FOR CREDIT
FOR 
SOLAR ELECTRIC PROPERTY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 25D(b)(1) of such 
Code (relating to maximum credit) is amended by 
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striking subparagraph (A) and by redesignating sub-
paragraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (A) and 
(B), respectively. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Section 
25D(e)(4) of such Code is amended— 
(A) by striking clause (i) in subparagraph 
(A), 
(B) by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) 
in subparagraph (A) as clauses (i) and (ii), re-
spectively, and 
(C) by striking ‘‘, (2),’’ in subparagraph 
(C). 
(c) CREDIT ALLOWED AGAINST ALTERNATIVE MIN-
IMUM TAX.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subsection (c) of section 
25D of such Code is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) LIMITATION BASED
ON AMOUNT
OF TAX; 
CARRYFORWARD OF UNUSED CREDIT.— 
‘‘(1) LIMITATION
BASED
ON
AMOUNT
OF 
TAX.—In the case of a taxable year to which section 
26(a)(2) does not apply, the credit allowed under 
subsection (a) for the taxable year shall not exceed 
the excess of— 
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‘‘(A) the sum of the regular tax liability 
(as defined in section 26(b)) plus the tax im-
posed by section 55, over 
‘‘(B) the sum of the credits allowable 
under this subpart (other than this section) and 
section 27 for the taxable year. 
‘‘(2) CARRYFORWARD OF UNUSED CREDIT.— 
‘‘(A) RULE
FOR
YEARS
IN
WHICH
ALL 
PERSONAL
CREDITS
ALLOWED
AGAINST
REG-
ULAR
AND
ALTERNATIVE
MINIMUM
TAX.—In 
the case of a taxable year to which section 
26(a)(2) applies, if the credit allowable under 
subsection (a) exceeds the limitation imposed by 
section 26(a)(2) for such taxable year reduced 
by the sum of the credits allowable under this 
subpart (other than this section), such excess 
shall be carried to the succeeding taxable year 
and added to the credit allowable under sub-
section (a) for such succeeding taxable year. 
‘‘(B) RULE
FOR
OTHER
YEARS.—In the 
case of a taxable year to which section 26(a)(2) 
does not apply, if the credit allowable under 
subsection (a) exceeds the limitation imposed by 
paragraph (1) for such taxable year, such ex-
cess shall be carried to the succeeding taxable 
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of 2001 in the same manner as the provisions of 
such Act to which such amendments relate. 
SEC. 110. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF CREDIT FOR 
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS TO EX-
ISTING HOMES. 
(a) EXTENSION OF CREDIT.—Section 25C(g) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to termination) 
is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 2007’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘December 31, 2009’’. 
(b) QUALIFIED BIOMASS FUEL PROPERTY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 25C(d)(3) of such 
Code is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (D), 
(B) by striking the period at the end of 
subparagraph (E) and inserting ‘‘, and’’, and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(F) a stove which uses the burning of bio-
mass fuel to heat a dwelling unit located in the 
United States and used as a residence by the 
taxpayer, or to heat water for use in such a 
dwelling unit, and which has a thermal effi-
ciency rating of at least 75 percent.’’. 
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(2) BIOMASS FUEL.—Section 25C(d) of such 
Code (relating to residential energy property expend-
itures) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(6) BIOMASS FUEL.—The term ‘biomass fuel’ 
means any plant-derived fuel available on a renew-
able or recurring basis, including agricultural crops 
and trees, wood and wood waste and residues (in-
cluding wood pellets), plants (including aquatic 
plants), grasses, residues, and fibers.’’. 
(c) MODIFICATIONS OF STANDARDS FOR ENERGY- 
EFFICIENT BUILDING PROPERTY.— 
(1) ELECTRIC
HEAT
PUMPS.—Subparagraph 
(B) of section 25C(d)(3) of such Code is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(A) an electric heat pump which achieves 
the highest efficiency tier established by the 
Consortium for Energy Efficiency, as in effect 
on January 1, 2008.’’. 
(2) CENTRAL
AIR
CONDITIONERS.—Section 
25C(d)(3)(D) of such Code is amended by striking 
‘‘2006’’ and inserting ‘‘2008’’. 
(3) WATER
HEATERS.—Subparagraph (E) of 
section 25C(d) of such Code is amended to read as 
follows: 
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‘‘(E) a natural gas, propane, or oil water 
heater which has either an energy factor of at 
least 0.80 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90 
percent.’’. 
(4) OIL
FURNACES
AND
HOT
WATER
BOIL-
ERS.—Paragraph (4) of section 25C(d) of such Code 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(4) QUALIFIED NATURAL GAS, PROPANE, AND 
OIL FURNACES AND HOT WATER BOILERS.— 
‘‘(A) QUALIFIED
NATURAL
GAS
FUR-
NACE.—The term ‘qualified natural gas fur-
nace’ means any natural gas furnace which 
achieves an annual fuel utilization efficiency 
rate of not less than 95. 
‘‘(B) 
QUALIFIED
NATURAL
GAS
HOT 
WATER
BOILER.—The term ‘qualified natural 
gas hot water boiler’ means any natural gas hot 
water boiler which achieves an annual fuel utili-
zation efficiency rate of not less than 90. 
‘‘(C) QUALIFIED
PROPANE
FURNACE.— 
The term ‘qualified propane furnace’ means any 
propane furnace which achieves an annual fuel 
utilization efficiency rate of not less than 95. 
‘‘(D) QUALIFIED
PROPANE
HOT
WATER 
BOILER.—The term ‘qualified propane hot 
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water boiler’ means any propane hot water boil-
er which achieves an annual fuel utilization effi-
ciency rate of not less than 90. 
‘‘(E) QUALIFIED
OIL
FURNACES.—The 
term ‘qualified oil furnace’ means any oil fur-
nace which achieves an annual fuel utilization 
efficiency rate of not less than 90. 
‘‘(F) QUALIFIED
OIL
HOT
WATER
BOIL-
ER.—The term ‘qualified oil hot water boiler’ 
means any oil hot water boiler which achieves 
an annual fuel utilization efficiency rate of not 
less than 90.’’. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made this 
section shall apply to expenditures made after December 
31, 2007. 
SEC. 111. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF TAX CREDIT 
FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT NEW HOMES. 
(a) EXTENSION OF CREDIT.—Subsection (g) of sec-
tion 45L of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating 
to termination) is amended by striking ‘‘December 31, 
2008’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2010’’. 
(b) ALLOWANCE
FOR
CONTRACTOR’S
PERSONAL 
RESIDENCE.—Subparagraph (B) of section 45L(a)(1) of 
such Code is amended to read as follows: 
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‘‘(B)(i) acquired by a person from such eli-
gible contractor and used by any person as a 
residence during the taxable year, or 
‘‘(ii) used by such eligible contractor as a 
residence during the taxable year.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply to homes acquired after December 
31, 2008. 
SEC. 112. ENERGY FRONTIER RESEARCH CENTERS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of Energy for Energy Frontier Research Centers 
for activities to accelerate the rate of scientific break-
throughs needed to create advanced energy technologies 
for the 21st century $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal 
years 2009 through 2013. 
SEC. 113. ENERGY VISION COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There shall be established the 
Energy View Into Securing Independence for Our Nation 
(VISION) Commission. 
(b) FUNCTIONS.—The Commission shall— 
(1) not later than 1 year after the date of en-
actment of this Act, submit to Congress and the 
President a report containing— 
(A) recommendations on steps, in addition 
to the efforts prescribed in this Act, that must 
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be taken in order for the United States to 
achieve 50 percent energy independence within 
10 years and 100 percent energy independence 
within 20 years; and 
(B) an assessment of the impact of foreign 
energy dependence on United States national 
security; 
(2) advise and make recommendations to the 
Secretary of Energy on the design and operation, in-
cluding selection criteria, of the prize programs car-
ried out under sections 101 and 102; 
(3) make recommendations to the Secretary of 
Energy selecting participants who have achieved a 
goal for which a prize will be awarded under section 
101 or 102; and 
(4) submit recommendations to Congress, as 
appropriate because of changing circumstances, for 
actions that would serve the purpose of achieving the 
goal of United States energy independence through 
the development of technologies that lead to the 
widespread adoption of improvements that increase 
energy supply or energy efficiency. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.—The Commission shall be com-
posed of 13 members as follows: 
(1) The Secretary of Energy. 
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in the same manner as the original appointment was 
made. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy for an un-
expired term shall be appointed for the remainder of such 
term. 
(f) QUORUM.—Seven members of the Commission 
shall constitute a quorum. 
(g) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the 
call of the Chairman or a majority of its members. 
(h) COMPENSATION.—(1) Each member of the Com-
mission shall serve without compensation. 
(2) While away from their homes or regular places 
of business in the performance of duties for the Commis-
sion, members of the Commission shall be allowed travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at 
rates authorized for employees of agencies under sections 
5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code. 
(i) STAFF.—Subject to rules prescribed by the Com-
mission, the Commission may appoint personnel as it con-
siders appropriate. 
(j) APPLICABILITY
OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE 
LAWS.—The staff of the Commission shall be appointed 
subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
governing appointments in the competitive service, and 
shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 
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51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating 
to classification and General Schedule pay rates. 
(k) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Commission 
may procure temporary and intermittent services under 
section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. 
(l) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission 
may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hear-
ings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and 
receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. 
(m) POWERS
OF MEMBERS
AND AGENTS.—Any 
member or agent of the Commission may, if authorized 
by the Commission, take any action which the Commission 
is authorized to take by this section. 
(n) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission 
may secure directly from any department or agency of the 
United States information necessary to enable it to carry 
out this Act. Upon request of the Commission, the head 
of that department or agency shall furnish that informa-
tion to the Commission. 
(o) SUBPOENA POWER.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may issue 
subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of 
witnesses and the production of any evidence relat-
ing to any matter under investigation by the Com-
mission. The attendance of witnesses and the pro-
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duction of evidence may be required from any place 
within the United States at any designated place of 
hearing within the United States. 
(2) FAILURE TO OBEY A SUBPOENA.—If a per-
son refuses to obey a subpoena issued under para-
graph (1), the Commission may apply to a United 
States district court for an order requiring that per-
son to appear before the Commission to give testi-
mony, produce evidence, or both, relating to the 
matter under investigation. The application may be 
made within the judicial district where the hearing 
is conducted or where that person is found, resides, 
or transacts business. Any failure to obey the order 
of the court may be punished by the court as civil 
contempt. 
(3) SERVICE OF SUBPOENAS.—The subpoenas 
of the Commission shall be served in the manner 
provided for subpoenas issued by a United States 
district court under the Federal Rules of Civil Pro-
cedure for the United States district courts. 
(4) SERVICE OF PROCESS.—All process of any 
court to which application is made under paragraph 
(2) may be served in the judicial district in which 
the person required to be served resides or may be 
found. 
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(p) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—Section 
14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App.) shall not apply to the Commission. 
TITLE II—FUNDING THROUGH 
DOMESTIC PRODUCTION 
SEC. 201. ENERGY VISION FUND. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF FUND.—There is estab-
lished in the Treasury a separate account which shall be 
known as the Energy View Into Securing Independence 
for Our Nation Trust Fund and may be referred to as 
the ‘‘Energy VISION Fund’’. 
(b) CONTENTS.—There shall be deposited into the 
Fund such amounts as are provided under this title and 
the amendments made by this title. 
(c) USE.—Amounts in the Fund shall be available, 
to the extent provided in appropriation Acts, to carry out 
this Act, subject to any limitation in this Act on appro-
priations. 
Subtitle A—Outer Continental 
Shelf 
SEC. 211. TERMINATING LAWS PROHIBITING FEDERAL 
SPENDING FOR OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF 
LEASING ACTIVITIES. 
All provisions of existing Federal law prohibiting the 
spending of appropriated funds to conduct oil and natural 
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gas leasing and preleasing activities for any area of the 
Outer Continental Shelf shall have no force or effect. 
SEC. 212. REVOCATION OF EXISTING PRESIDENTIAL WITH-
DRAWALS. 
All withdrawals of Federal submerged lands of the 
Outer Continental Shelf from leasing, including with-
drawals by the President under the authority of section 
12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 
U.S.C. 1341(a)), are hereby revoked and are no longer 
in effect with respect to the leasing of areas for explo-
ration for, and development and production of, oil, and 
natural gas. 
SEC. 213. REVOCATION OF EXISTING PRESIDENTIAL AU-
THORITY. 
All authorities given to the President with respect to 
the leasing of Federal submerged lands of the Outer Con-
tinental Shelf, given under section 12(a) of the Outer Con-
tinental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1341(a)), are hereby 
revoked, except in the interest of national security. 
SEC. 214. AVAILABILITY OF CERTAIN AREAS FOR LEASING. 
Section 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 
(43 U.S.C. 1337) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(q) AVAILABILITY OF CERTAIN AREAS FOR LEAS-
ING.— 
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‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) GOVERNOR.—The term ‘Governor’ 
means the Governor of a State. 
‘‘(B) QUALIFIED
REVENUES.—The term 
‘qualified revenues’ means all rentals, royalties, 
bonus bids, and other sums due and payable to 
the United States under leases entered into on 
or after the date of enactment of this sub-
section for natural gas exploration and extrac-
tion activities authorized by the Secretary pur-
suant to petitions under paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) PETITION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Governor of a 
State may submit to the Secretary a petition 
requesting that the Secretary issue leases au-
thorizing the conduct of oil and natural gas ex-
ploration and extraction activities in any area 
off the coast of that State that is at least 50 
miles beyond the coast of the State. 
‘‘(B) CONTENTS.—In any petition under 
subparagraph (A), the Governor shall include a 
detailed plan of the proposed exploration and 
extraction activities, as applicable. 
‘‘(3) ACTION BY SECRETARY.— 
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‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (D), as soon as practicable after the date 
of receipt of a petition under paragraph (2)(A), 
the Secretary shall approve or deny the petition. 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENTS
FOR
EXPLORATION 
AND EXTRACTION.—The Secretary shall not ap-
prove a petition submitted under paragraph 
(2)(A) by the Governor of a State unless the 
State enacts legislation supporting exploration 
and extraction of oil and natural gas in the 
area, off the coast of the State, for which the 
petition is submitted. 
‘‘(C) CONSISTENCY WITH LEGISLATION.— 
The plan provided in the petition under para-
graph (2)(B) shall be consistent with the legis-
lation described in subparagraph (B) as appli-
cable. 
‘‘(D) CONFLICTS
WITH
MILITARY
OPER-
ATIONS
AND
NATIONAL
SECURITY.—The Sec-
retary shall not approve a petition for a drilling 
activity under this paragraph if the drilling ac-
tivity would conflict with any military operation 
or national security, as determined by the 
President. 
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‘‘(4) DISPOSITION
OF
REVENUES.—Notwith-
standing section 9, for each applicable fiscal year, 
the Secretary of the Treasury shall— 
‘‘(A) deposit 50 percent of qualified reve-
nues in the Energy VISION Fund established 
by section 201 of the Energy View Into Secur-
ing Independence for Our Nation Act; 
‘‘(B) pay to a State 45 percent of the 
qualified revenues for leases issued pursuant to 
a petition submitted under paragraph (2) by 
the Governor of the State; and 
‘‘(C) deposit 5 percent into a separate ac-
count in the Treasury that shall be available to 
the Secretary of the Interior and the Adminis-
trator of the Environmental Protection Agency 
to mitigate for any environmental damage that 
occurs as a result of extraction activities au-
thorized under this subsection, regardless of 
whether the damage is— 
‘‘(i) reasonable foreseeable; or 
‘‘(ii) caused by negligence, natural 
disasters, or other acts. 
‘‘(5) EXISTING LEASES.—Any funds that would 
be received by the United States as royalties under 
any Federal oil and gas lease of an area on the 
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Outer Continental Shelf within 50 miles of the 
coastal zone of the State of Texas, Louisiana, Mis-
sissippi, or Alabama that is in effect on the date of 
enactment of the Energy View Into Securing Inde-
pendence for Our Nation Act shall be paid to that 
State if the State enacts a statute that establishes 
a plan for expenditure of those funds.’’. 
Subtitle B—Drilling for Energy in 
the Arctic Now 
SEC. 221. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) COASTAL
PLAIN.—The term ‘‘Coastal 
Plain’’ means that area described in appendix I to 
part 37 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’, except 
as otherwise provided, means the Secretary of the 
Interior or the Secretary’s designee. 
SEC. 222. LEASING PROGRAM FOR LANDS WITHIN THE 
COASTAL PLAIN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall take such ac-
tions as are necessary— 
(1) to establish and implement, in accordance 
with this subtitle and acting through the Director of 
the Bureau of Land Management in consultation 
with the Director of the United States Fish and 
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Wildlife Service, a competitive oil and gas leasing 
program that will result in an environmentally sound 
program for the exploration, development, and pro-
duction of the oil and gas resources of the Coastal 
Plain; and 
(2) to administer the provisions of this subtitle 
through regulations, lease terms, conditions, restric-
tions, prohibitions, stipulations, and other provisions 
that ensure the oil and gas exploration, development, 
and production activities on the Coastal Plain will 
result in no significant adverse effect on fish and 
wildlife, their habitat, subsistence resources, and the 
environment, including, in furtherance of this goal, 
by requiring the application of the best commercially 
available technology for oil and gas exploration, de-
velopment, and production to all exploration, devel-
opment, and production operations under this sub-
title in a manner that ensures the receipt of fair 
market value by the public for the mineral resources 
to be leased. 
(b) REPEAL.— 
(1) REPEAL.—Section 1003 of the Alaska Na-
tional Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (16 
U.S.C. 3143) is repealed. 
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(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of 
contents in section 1 of such Act is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 1003. 
(c) COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS UNDER CER-
TAIN OTHER LAWS.— 
(1) COMPATIBILITY.—For purposes of the Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 
1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), the oil and gas 
leasing program and activities authorized by this 
section in the Coastal Plain are deemed to be com-
patible with the purposes for which the Arctic Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge was established, and no fur-
ther findings or decisions are required to implement 
this determination. 
(2) ADEQUACY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE 
INTERIOR’S LEGISLATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 
STATEMENT.—The 
‘‘Final 
Legislative 
Environ-
mental Impact Statement’’ (April 1987) on the 
Coastal Plain prepared pursuant to section 1002 of 
the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation 
Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 3142) and section 102(2)(C) 
of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) is deemed to satisfy the re-
quirements under the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 that apply with respect to prelease ac-
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tivities, including actions authorized to be taken by 
the Secretary to develop and promulgate the regula-
tions for the establishment of a leasing program au-
thorized by this subtitle before the conduct of the 
first lease sale. 
(3) COMPLIANCE WITH NEPA FOR OTHER AC-
TIONS.—Before conducting the first lease sale under 
this subtitle, the Secretary shall prepare an environ-
mental impact statement under the National Envi-
ronmental Policy Act of 1969 with respect to the ac-
tions authorized by this Act that are not referred to 
in paragraph (2). Notwithstanding any other law, 
the Secretary is not required to identify nonleasing 
alternative courses of action or to analyze the envi-
ronmental effects of such courses of action. The Sec-
retary shall only identify a preferred action for such 
leasing and a single leasing alternative, and analyze 
the environmental effects and potential mitigation 
measures for those two alternatives. The identifica-
tion of the preferred action and related analysis for 
the first lease sale under this subtitle shall be com-
pleted within 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act. The Secretary shall only consider public 
comments that specifically address the Secretary’s 
preferred action and that are filed within 20 days 
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after publication of an environmental analysis. Not-
withstanding any other law, compliance with this 
paragraph is deemed to satisfy all requirements for 
the analysis and consideration of the environmental 
effects of proposed leasing under this subtitle. 
(d) RELATIONSHIP TO STATE AND LOCAL AUTHOR-
ITY.—Nothing in this subtitle shall be considered to ex-
pand or limit State and local regulatory authority. 
(e) SPECIAL AREAS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary, after con-
sultation with the State of Alaska, the city of 
Kaktovik, and the North Slope Borough, may des-
ignate up to a total of 45,000 acres of the Coastal 
Plain as a Special Area if the Secretary determines 
that the Special Area is of such unique character 
and interest so as to require special management 
and regulatory protection. The Secretary shall des-
ignate as such a Special Area the Sadlerochit Spring 
area, comprising approximately 4,000 acres. 
(2) MANAGEMENT.—Each such Special Area 
shall be managed so as to protect and preserve the 
area’s unique and diverse character including its 
fish, wildlife, and subsistence resource values. 
(3) EXCLUSION
FROM
LEASING
OR
SURFACE 
OCCUPANCY.—The Secretary may exclude any Spe-
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cial Area from leasing. If the Secretary leases a Spe-
cial Area, or any part thereof, for purposes of oil 
and gas exploration, development, production, and 
related activities, there shall be no surface occu-
pancy of the lands comprising the Special Area. 
(4) DIRECTIONAL DRILLING.—Notwithstanding 
the other provisions of this subsection, the Secretary 
may lease all or a portion of a Special Area under 
terms that permit the use of horizontal drilling tech-
nology from sites on leases located outside the Spe-
cial Area. 
(f) LIMITATION
ON
CLOSED
AREAS.—The Sec-
retary’s sole authority to close lands within the Coastal 
Plain to oil and gas leasing and to exploration, develop-
ment, and production is that set forth in this subtitle. 
(g) REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall pre-
scribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry 
out this subtitle, including rules and regulations re-
lating to protection of the fish and wildlife, their 
habitat, subsistence resources, and environment of 
the Coastal Plain, by no later than 15 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
(2) REVISION
OF
REGULATIONS.—The Sec-
retary shall periodically review and, if appropriate, 
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revise the rules and regulations issued under sub-
section (a) to reflect any significant biological, envi-
ronmental, or engineering data that come to the Sec-
retary’s attention. 
SEC. 223. LEASE SALES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Lands may be leased pursuant to 
this subtitle to any person qualified to obtain a lease for 
deposits of oil and gas under the Mineral Leasing Act (30 
U.S.C. 181 et seq.). 
(b) PROCEDURES.—The Secretary shall, by regula-
tion, establish procedures for— 
(1) receipt and consideration of sealed nomina-
tions for any area in the Coastal Plain for inclusion 
in, or exclusion (as provided in subsection (c)) from, 
a lease sale; 
(2) the holding of lease sales under this subtitle 
after such nomination process; and 
(3) public notice of and comment on designa-
tion of areas to be included in, or excluded from, a 
lease sale under this subtitle. 
(c) LEASE SALE BIDS.—Bidding for leases under 
this subtitle shall be by sealed competitive cash bonus bids. 
(d) ACREAGE MINIMUM IN FIRST SALE.—In the first 
lease sale under this subtitle, the Secretary shall offer for 
lease those tracts the Secretary considers to have the 
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greatest potential for the discovery of hydrocarbons, tak-
ing into consideration nominations received pursuant to 
subsection (b)(1), but in no case less than 200,000 acres. 
(e) TIMING
OF
LEASE
SALES.—The Secretary 
shall— 
(1) conduct the first lease sale under this sub-
title within 22 months after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act; and 
(2) conduct additional sales so long as sufficient 
interest in development exists to warrant, in the Sec-
retary’s judgment, the conduct of such sales. 
SEC. 224. GRANT OF LEASES BY THE SECRETARY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may grant to the 
highest responsible qualified bidder in a lease sale con-
ducted pursuant to section 223 any lands to be leased on 
the Coastal Plain upon payment by the lessee of such 
bonus as may be accepted by the Secretary. 
(b) SUBSEQUENT
TRANSFERS.—No lease issued 
under this subtitle may be sold, exchanged, assigned, sub-
let, or otherwise transferred except with the approval of 
the Secretary. Prior to any such approval the Secretary 
shall consult with, and give due consideration to the views 
of, the Attorney General. 
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Reform Act of 1990) to the qualifying 
CTL project; and 
‘‘(ii) shall set a cap price and a min-
imum price for the primary term of the 
agreement. 
‘‘(B) LOAN DISBURSEMENTS.—Such a loan 
shall be disbursed during the primary term of 
such agreement whenever the market price falls 
below the minimum price. The amount of such 
disbursements in any calendar quarter shall be 
equal to the excess of the minimum price over 
the market price, times the output of the 
project (but not more than a total level of dis-
bursements specified in the agreement). 
‘‘(C) LOAN REPAYMENTS.—The Secretary 
shall establish terms and conditions, including 
interest rates and amortization schedules, for 
the repayment of such loan within the full term 
of the agreement, subject to the following limi-
tations: 
‘‘(i) If in any calendar quarter during 
the primary term of the agreement the 
market price is less than the cap price, the 
project may elect to defer some or all of its 
repayment obligations due in that quarter. 
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