(B) To fund technology development pro-
grams that support the transition of technologies 
developed by the Laboratory into the commercial 
market. 
(C) To fund workforce development activi-
ties to strengthen external engineering and man-
ufacturing partnerships to ensure safe, efficient, 
productive, and useful fossil energy technology 
production. 
(D) To fund the revitalization, recapitaliza-
tion, or minor construction of the Laboratory in-
frastructure. 
(2) 
PRIORITIZATION.—The 
Director 
shall 
prioritize innovative experiments and proposals pro-
posed by scientists and researchers at the National 
Energy Technology Laboratory. 
(3) ANNUAL REPORT ON USE OF AUTHORITY.— 
Not later than March 1 of each year, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
Senate a report on the use of the authority under this 
subsection during the preceding fiscal year. 
(c) LABORATORY OPERATIONS.—The Secretary shall 
delegate human resources operations of the National Energy 
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Technology Laboratory to the Director of the National En-
ergy Technology Laboratory. 
(d) REVIEW.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Nat-
ural Resources of the Senate a report assessing the National 
Energy Technology Laboratory’s management and research. 
The report shall include— 
(1) an assessment of the quality of science and 
research at the National Energy Technology Labora-
tory relative to similar work at other national labora-
tories; 
(2) a review of the effectiveness of authorities 
provided in subsections (a) and (b); and 
(3) recommendations for policy changes within 
the Department and legislative changes to provide the 
National Energy Technology Laboratory the necessary 
tools and resources to advance its research mission. 
SEC. 15. CLIMATE SOLUTIONS CHALLENGES. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall 
establish a program to be known as ‘‘Fossil Energy Climate 
Solutions Challenges’’ for carrying out prize competitions 
described under subsection (d) pursuant to section 24 of the 
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Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 
U.S.C. 3719) relating to the climate and energy. 
(b) PRIZE COMMITTEES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall assemble 
a prize committee that shall define the scope and de-
tail of, and provide the requirements for, the prize 
competitions under this section. Such committee may 
be composed of— 
(A) members from the Office of Fossil En-
ergy, Advanced Research Projects Energy, Office 
of Technology Transitions, or other offices that 
most appropriately corresponds with the topic of 
the prize competition; and 
(B) representatives of any other entities, as 
determined appropriate by the Secretary, includ-
ing other Federal agencies, State and local gov-
ernments, and the private sector. 
(2) DEFINING
TOPIC
AREAS.—The prize com-
mittee may modify and define the scope of the prize 
areas described under subsection (c), so long as such 
modification is in accordance with descriptions in 
such subsection. 
(3) INCENTIVE FOR PRIZE COMPETITION.—The 
prize committee for each prize competition shall deter-
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mine the incentive for the prize competition. In deter-
mining the incentive, the committee shall consider— 
(A) a cash prize; 
(B) access to Government facilities, such as 
through a lab-embedded entrepreneurship pro-
gram of the Department of Energy, a cooperative 
research and development agreement, or other 
method; 
(C) advance market commitments for tech-
nologies of use or promise to the Federal Govern-
ment; and 
(D) any other incentive provided for by 
law. 
(4) JUDGING
CRITERIA.—The prize committee 
for each prize competition shall establish judging cri-
teria for the competition that shall include, at a min-
imum— 
(A) potential for the solution to become a 
commercial product or service or advance knowl-
edge to further the public good; 
(B) consideration of how likely the solution 
is to lead to subsequent research, development, 
deployment, or manufacturing in the United 
States; 
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(C) the degree to which the solution will 
lower the climate footprint of the United States; 
and 
(D) the degree to which the solution will 
lower the global climate footprint. 
(5) CONSIDERATION.—In carrying out this sec-
tion, the committee shall take into consideration the 
best practices provided for in the challenges and 
prizes toolkit made publicly available on December 
15, 2016, by the General Services Administration. 
(c) PRIZE COMPETITIONS.—In carrying out the pro-
gram, the Secretary shall offer prize awards for any of the 
following: 
(1) Solutions to capture carbon emissions from 
sources that would otherwise be emitted to the atmos-
phere. 
(2) Solutions to convert carbon emissions to a 
beneficial use that does not result in near-term re-re-
lease into the atmosphere, unless such re-release offsets 
the emission of additional carbon into the atmosphere, 
such that the net effect of the solution is to reduce the 
overall amount of carbon being emitted to the atmos-
phere. 
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(3) Other solutions that have potential to achieve 
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with 
fossil-based energy production. 
(d) ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS.—In addition to such 
sums as may be appropriated or otherwise made available 
to the Secretary to award prizes under this section, the Sec-
retary may accept funds from other Federal agencies, pri-
vate sector entities, and State and local governments to 
award prizes under this section. The Secretary may not give 
any special consideration relating to the selection of awards 
under the prize competition to any private sector entity or 
individual in return for a donation to the Secretary or 
prize committee. 
(e) ELIGIBILITY.—Notwithstanding section 24(g)(3) of 
the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 
(15 U.S.C. 3719(g)(3)), a group may be eligible for an 
award under this section if one or more members of such 
group is a citizen or permanent resident of the United 
States. 
(f) COMPLETION OF PRIZE COMPETITIONS.—The prize 
competitions carried out under this section shall be com-
pleted not later than the date that is 5 years after the pro-
gram is established under subsection (a). 
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Union Calendar No. 410 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 3607 
[Report No. 116–510] 
A BILL 
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct 
Federal research in fossil energy and to promote 
the development and demonstration of environ-
mentally responsible coal and natural gas tech-
nologies, and for other purposes. 
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 
Reported with an amendment; committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union 
and ordered to be printed 
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