178 
mental and use-inspired energy research to accel-
erate scientific breakthroughs related to needs iden-
tified in— 
(A) the Grand Challenges report of the De-
partment’s Basic Energy Sciences Advisory 
Committee; 
(B) the report of the Department’s Basic 
Energy Sciences Advisory Committee entitled 
‘‘From Quanta to the Continuum: Opportuni-
ties for Mesoscale Science’’; 
(C) the Basic Energy Sciences Basic Re-
search Needs workshop report; or 
(D) other relevant reports identified by the 
Director. 
(2) COLLABORATIONS.—A collaboration receiv-
ing an award under this subsection may include mul-
tiple types of institutions and private sector entities. 
(3) SELECTION AND DURATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—A collaboration under 
this subsection shall be selected for a period of 
5 years. An Energy Frontier Research Center 
already in existence and supported by the Di-
rector on the date of enactment of this Act may 
continue to receive support for a period of 5 
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179 
years beginning on the date of establishment of 
that center. 
(B) REAPPLICATION.—After the end of the 
period described in subparagraph (A), an 
awardee may reapply for selection for a second 
period of 5 years on a competitive, merit-re-
viewed basis. 
(C) TERMINATION.—Consistent with the 
existing authorities of the Department, the Di-
rector may terminate an underperforming cen-
ter for cause during the performance period. 
(4) NO
FUNDING
FOR
CONSTRUCTION.—No 
funding provided pursuant to this subsection may be 
used for the construction of new buildings or facili-
ties. 
SEC. 605. BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—As part of the activities author-
ized under section 209 of the Department of Energy Orga-
nization Act (42 U.S.C. 7139), and coordinated with the 
activities authorized under section 604 and section 606, 
the Director shall carry out a program of research and 
development in the areas of biological systems science and 
climate and environmental science, including subsurface 
science, to support the energy and environmental missions 
of the Department. 
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(b) BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS SCIENCE ACTIVITIES.— 
(1) ACTIVITIES.—As part of the activities au-
thorized under subsection (a), the Director shall 
carry out research and development activities in fun-
damental, structural, computational, and systems bi-
ology to increase systems-level understanding of the 
complex biological systems, which shall include ac-
tivities to— 
(A) accelerate breakthroughs and new 
knowledge that will enable cost-effective sus-
tainable production of— 
(i) biomass-based liquid transpor-
tation fuels; 
(ii) bioenergy; and 
(iii) biobased materials; 
(B) improve understanding of the global 
carbon cycle, including processes for removing 
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, through 
photosynthesis and other biological processes, 
for sequestration and storage; and 
(C) understand the biological mechanisms 
used to transform, immobilize, or remove con-
taminants from subsurface environments. 
(2) BIOENERGY RESEARCH CENTERS.— 
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181 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out activi-
ties under paragraph (1), the Director shall 
support at least 3 bioenergy research centers to 
accelerate advanced research and development 
of biomass-based liquid transportation fuels, 
bioenergy, or biobased materials that are pro-
duced from a variety of regionally diverse feed-
stocks. 
(B) SELECTION AND DURATION.—A center 
established under subparagraph (A) shall be se-
lected on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis for 
a period of 5 years beginning on the date of es-
tablishment of that center. A center already in 
existence on the date of enactment of this Act 
may continue to receive support for a period of 
5 years beginning on the date of establishment 
of that center. 
(C) RENEWAL.—After the end of the pe-
riod described in subparagraph (B), an awardee 
may apply for a second period of 5 years on a 
merit-reviewed basis. 
(D) TERMINATION.—Consistent with the 
existing authorities of the Department, the Di-
rector may terminate an underperforming cen-
ter for cause during the performance period. 
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