H. R. 6—303
of enactment of the Energy Research, Development, Demonstra-
tion, and Commercial Application Act of 2005 and not less 
frequently than every 180 days thereafter to— 
‘‘(A) review the progress of the program under para-
graph (1); and 
‘‘(B) coordinate interagency research and partnership 
efforts in carrying out the program. 
‘‘(b) GRANTS, CONTRACTS, COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, INTER-
AGENCY FUNDS TRANSFER AGREEMENTS, AND FIELD WORK PRO-
POSALS.— 
‘‘(1) ASSISTANCE AND COORDINATION.—In carrying out the 
program of methane hydrate research and development author-
ized by this section, the Secretary may award grants to, or 
enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, institutions 
of higher education, oceanographic institutions, and industrial 
enterprises to— 
‘‘(A) conduct basic and applied research to identify, 
explore, assess, and develop methane hydrate as a commer-
cially viable source of energy; 
‘‘(B) identify methane hydrate resources through 
remote sensing; 
‘‘(C) acquire and reprocess seismic data suitable for 
characterizing methane hydrate accumulations; 
‘‘(D) assist in developing technologies required for effi-
cient and environmentally sound development of methane 
hydrate resources; 
‘‘(E) promote education and training in methane 
hydrate resource research and resource development 
through fellowships or other means for graduate education 
and training; 
‘‘(F) conduct basic and applied research to assess and 
mitigate the environmental impact of hydrate degassing 
(including both natural degassing and degassing associated 
with commercial development); 
‘‘(G) develop technologies to reduce the risks of drilling 
through methane hydrates; and 
‘‘(H) conduct exploratory drilling, well testing, and 
production testing operations on permafrost and non-
permafrost gas hydrates in support of the activities author-
ized by this paragraph, including drilling of one or more 
full-scale production test wells. 
‘‘(2) COMPETITIVE
PEER
REVIEW.—Funds made available 
under paragraph (1) shall be made available based on a 
competitive process using external scientific peer review of 
proposed research. 
‘‘(c) METHANE HYDRATES ADVISORY PANEL.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish an advisory 
panel (including the hiring of appropriate staff) consisting of 
representatives of industrial enterprises, institutions of higher 
education, oceanographic institutions, State agencies, and 
environmental organizations with knowledge and expertise in 
the natural gas hydrates field, to— 
‘‘(A) assist in developing recommendations and broad 
programmatic priorities for the methane hydrate research 
and development program carried out under subsection 
(a)(1);
H. R. 6—304
‘‘(B) provide scientific oversight for the methane 
hydrates program, including assessing progress toward pro-
gram goals, evaluating program balance, and providing 
recommendations to enhance the quality of the program 
over time; and 
‘‘(C) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of the Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and 
Commercial Application Act of 2005, and at such later 
dates as the panel considers advisable, submit to Con-
gress— 
‘‘(i) an assessment of the methane hydrate research 
program; and 
‘‘(ii) an assessment of the 5-year research plan 
of the Department of Energy. 
‘‘(2) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.—In appointing each member 
of the advisory panel established under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, 
that the appointment of the member does not pose a conflict 
of interest with respect to the duties of the member under 
this Act. 
‘‘(3) MEETINGS.—The advisory panel shall— 
‘‘(A) hold the initial meeting of the advisory panel 
not later than 180 days after the date of establishment 
of the advisory panel; and 
‘‘(B) meet biennially thereafter. 
‘‘(4) COORDINATION.—The advisory panel shall coordinate 
activities of the advisory panel with program managers of the 
Department of Energy at appropriate National Laboratories. 
‘‘(d) CONSTRUCTION COSTS.—None of the funds made available 
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 devel-
oping technologies that may hold promise for methane hydrate 
resource development; 
‘‘(5) report annually to Congress on the results of actions 
taken to carry out this Act; and 
‘‘(6) ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, greater 
participation by the Department of Energy in international 
cooperative efforts.