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(c) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall establish an advisory
panel consisting of experts from industrial enterprises, institutions
of higher education, and Federal agencies to—
(1) advise the Secretary on potential applications of
methane hydrate;
(2) assist in developing recommendations and priorities
for the methane hydrate research and development program
carried out under subsection (a)(1); and
(3) not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act, and at such later dates as the panel considers
advisable, submit to Congress a report on the anticipated
impact on global climate change from—
(A) methane hydrate formation;
(B) methane hydrate degassing (including natural
degassing and degassing associated with commercial
development); and
(C) the consumption of natural gas produced from
methane hydrates.
Not more than 25 percent of the individuals serving on the advisory
panel shall be Federal employees.
(d) LIMITATIONS.—
(1) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Not more than 5 percent
of the amount made available to carry out this section for
a fiscal year may be used by the Secretary for expenses associ-
ated with the administration of the program carried out under
subsection (a)(1).
(2) CONSTRUCTION COSTS.—None of the funds made avail-
able to carry out this section may be used for the construction
of a new building or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling,
or alteration of an existing building (including site grading
and improvement and architect fees).
(e) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SECRETARY.—In carrying out sub-
section (b)(1), the Secretary shall—
(1) facilitate and develop partnerships among government,
industrial enterprises, and institutions of higher education to
research, identify, assess, and explore methane hydrate
resources;
(2) undertake programs to develop basic information nec-
essary for promoting long-term interest in methane hydrate
resources as an energy source;
(3) ensure that the data and information developed through
the program are accessible and widely disseminated as needed
and appropriate;
(4) promote cooperation among agencies that are developing
technologies that may hold promise for methane hydrate
resource development; and
(5) report annually to Congress on accomplishments under
this section.
SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO THE MINING AND MINERALS POLICY ACT
OF 1970.
Section 201 of the Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970
(30 U.S.C. 1901) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (6)—
(A) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (G) as subpara-
graph (H); and
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(C) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:
‘‘(G) for purposes of this section and sections 202
through 205 only, methane hydrate; and’’;
(2) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
‘‘(7) The term ‘methane hydrate’ means—
‘‘(A) a methane clathrate that is in the form of a
methane-water ice-like crystalline material and is stable
and occurs naturally in deep-ocean and permafrost areas;
and
‘‘(B) other natural gas hydrates found in association
with deep-ocean and permafrost deposits of methane
hydrate.’’.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Energy to carry out this Act—
(1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
(2) $7,500,000 for fiscal year 2002;
(3) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
(4) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and
(5) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.
Amounts authorized under this section shall remain available until
expended.
SEC. 6. SUNSET.
Section 3 of this Act shall cease to be effective after the end
of fiscal year 2005.
SEC. 7. NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL STUDY.
The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National
Research Council for such council to conduct a study of the progress
made under the methane hydrate research and development pro-
gram implemented pursuant to this Act, and to make recommenda-
tions for future methane hydrate research and development needs.
The Secretary shall transmit to the Congress, not later than Sep-
tember 30, 2004, a report containing the findings and recommenda-
tions of the National Research Council under this section.
SEC. 8. REPORTS AND STUDIES.
The Secretary of Energy shall provide to the Committee on
Science of the House of Representatives copies of any report or
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study that the Department of Energy prepares at the direction
of any committee of the Congress.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.