I 
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6603 
To authorize research, development, and demonstration activities that increase 
energy security and affordability by enabling the safe and responsible 
production of the United States vast domestic unconventional oil and 
gas resources. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 27, 2012 
Mr. HALL introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Science, Space, and Technology 
A BILL 
To authorize research, development, and demonstration ac-
tivities that increase energy security and affordability 
by enabling the safe and responsible production of the 
United States vast domestic unconventional oil and gas 
resources. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Tapping America’s En-
ergy Potential through Research and Development Act of 
2012’’. 
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SEC. 2. ACTIVITIES. 
The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Sec-
retary, shall carry out under this Act research, develop-
ment, and demonstration activities of technologies that in-
crease energy security and affordability by enabling the 
safe and responsible production of the vast domestic un-
conventional oil and gas resources of the United States. 
In carrying out the activities, the Secretary may conduct 
research and shall provide grants, cooperative agreements, 
contracts, or other assistance through a competitive selec-
tion process to eligible entities. 
SEC. 3. OIL SHALE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVI-
TIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the 
Assistant Secretary, shall carry out research, development, 
and demonstration activities to facilitate commercial appli-
cation of energy technologies related to the exploration, 
development, and production of oil shale resources. 
(b) OBJECTIVES.—The objectives of such activities 
shall be— 
(1) to address scientific and technological bar-
riers to enable economically feasible production of oil 
shale; and 
(2) to minimize potential associated environ-
mental impacts. 
(c) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.— 
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(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 9 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall transmit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
sources of the Senate a program implementation 
plan that— 
(A) details constraints and opportunities 
affecting oil shale development; 
(B) identifies strategies to enable such de-
velopment; and 
(C) identifies and prioritizes research, de-
velopment, and demonstration activities nec-
essary to advance program objectives. 
(2) CONSULTATION.—The Assistant Secretary 
shall consult with a broad range of stakeholders in 
the development and implementation of the plan. 
(d) ACTIVITIES.—The Assistant Secretary may con-
duct research and shall make awards to eligible entities 
for research, development, and demonstration activities in 
areas that include the following: 
(1) Oil shale resource characterization. 
(2) Modeling and simulation of oil shale explo-
ration and production technologies, including— 
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