Department of Energy Coastal Research Initiative Act
Bill: H.R.4822 | Sponsor: Rep. Herrera Beutler, Jaime (R-WA)
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
Department of Energy Coastal Research Initiative Act
This bill directs the Office of Science of the Department of Energy to carry out a research program to enhance the understanding of coastal ecosystems. In carrying out the program, the office must prioritize efforts to enhance the collection of observational data and shall develop models to analyze the ecological, biogeochemical, hydrological, and physical processes that interact in coastal zones.
The office shall establish an integrated system of geographically diverse field research sites in order to improve the quantity and quality of observational data and that encompass the major land-water interfaces of the United States, including the Great Lakes region, the Pacific coast, the Atlantic coast, the Arctic, and the Gulf Coast.

To establish a coastal zone research initiative at the Department of 
                    Energy, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Energy Coastal 
Research Initiative Act''.

SEC. 2. COASTAL ZONE RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

    Section 306 of the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act 
(42 U.S.C. 18644) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Coastal Zone Research Initiative.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall carry out a research 
        program, in consultation with the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration, to enhance the understanding of 
        coastal ecosystems. In carrying out this program, the Director 
        shall prioritize efforts to enhance the collection of 
        observational data, and shall develop models to analyze the 
        ecological, biogeochemical, hydrological and physical processes 
        that interact in coastal zones.
            ``(2) National system for coastal data collection.--The 
        Director shall establish, in consultation with the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other relevant 
        agencies, an integrated system of geographically diverse field 
        research sites in order to improve the quantity and quality of 
        observational data, and that encompass the major land water 
        interfaces of the United States, including--
                    ``(A) the Great Lakes region;
                    ``(B) the Pacific coast;
                    ``(C) the Atlantic coast;
                    ``(D) the Arctic; and
                    ``(E) the Gulf coast.
            ``(3) Existing infrastructure.--In carrying out the 
        programs and establishing the field research sites under 
        paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary shall leverage existing 
        research and development infrastructure supported by the 
        Department, including the Department's existing marine and 
        coastal research lab.
            ``(4) Coordination.--For the purposes of carrying out the 
        programs and establishing the field research sites under the 
        Initiative, the Secretary may enter into agreements with 
        Federal Departments and agencies with complementary 
        capabilities.
            ``(5) Report.--Not less than 2 years after the date of the 
        enactment of the Department of Energy Coastal Research 
        Initiative Act, the Director shall provide to the Committee on 
        Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the Senate a report examining whether the 
        system described in this section should be established as a 
        National User Facility.''.
                                 <all>