ARPA-E Act of 2018

Bill: 115-hr-5906
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3]
Introduced: 2018-05-22
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Advanced technology and technological innovations

Energy efficiency and conservation

Energy research

Environmental assessment, monitoring, research

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

Public-private cooperation

Research administration and funding

Research and development

Scientific communication
Latest action: action_date: 2018-06-28
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-05-22
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>ARPA-E Act of 2018</b></p> <p>This bill amends the America COMPETES Act to require the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) in the Department of Energy (DOE) to overcome the long-term and high-risk technological barriers in the development of transformative science and technology solutions to address energy, environmental, economic, and national security challenges. (Currently, ARPA-E must overcome barriers in the development of energy technologies.)</p> <p>The bill expands the goals of ARPA-E to include the development of energy technologies that: </p> <ul> <li>provide transformative solutions to improve management of radioactive waste, </li> <li>improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of energy production, and</li> <li>address other challenges within the mission of DOE.</li> </ul>   <p>The bill expands the responsibility of ARPA-E to accelerate novel early-stage research to include nonenergy research.</p> <p>ARPA-E must: </p> <ul> <li>include a strategic vision roadmap in each annual report on energy technology projects or advanced technology projects, and </li> <li> ensure that it does not fund an advanced technology project unless the prospective grantee has demonstrated that it has sufficiently attempted to secure private financing or that such project is not independently commercially viable. </li> </ul> <p>Specified categories of proprietary information collected by ARPA-E from award recipients shall be considered privileged and confidential and not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5906 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 22, 2018 Mr. Lucas (for himself, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas , Mr. Smith of Texas , Mr. Weber of Texas , Mr. Knight , Mr. Dunn , Mr. Norman , Mr. Babin , Mr. Higgins of Louisiana , and Mrs. Lesko ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology A BILL To amend the America COMPETES Act to establish Department of Energy policy for Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the ARPA–E Act of 2018 . 2. Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (a) Establishment Section 5012(b) of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(b) ) is amended by striking development of energy technologies and inserting development of transformative science and technology solutions to address energy, environmental, economic, and national security challenges . (b) Goals Section 5012(c) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(c) ) is amended— (1) by striking paragraph (1)(A) and inserting the following: (A) to enhance the economic and energy security of the United States through the development of energy technologies that— (i) reduce imports of energy from foreign sources; (ii) reduce energy-related emissions, including greenhouse gases; (iii) improve the energy efficiency of all economic sectors; (iv) provide transformative solutions to improve the management, clean-up, and disposal of— (I) low-level radioactive waste; (II) spent nuclear fuel; and (III) high-level radioactive waste; (v) improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of all forms of energy production; (vi) improve the resiliency, reliability, and security of the electric grid; and (vii) address other challenges within the mission of the Department as determined by the Secretary; and ; and (2) in paragraph (2) by striking energy technology projects and inserting advanced technology projects . (c) Responsibilities Section 5012(e)(3)(A) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(e)(3)(A) ) is amended by striking energy . (d) Strategic vision roadmap Section 5012(h)(2) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(h)(2) ) is amended to read as follows: (2) Strategic vision roadmap In the report required under paragraph (1), the Director shall include a roadmap describing the strategic vision that ARPA–E will use to guide the choices of ARPA–E for future technology investments over the following 2 fiscal years. . (e) Coordination and nonduplication Section 5012(i)(1) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(i)(1) ) is amended to read as follows: (1) In general To the maximum extent practicable, the Director shall ensure that— (A) the activities of ARPA–E are coordinated with, and do not duplicate the efforts of, programs and laboratories within the Department and other relevant research agencies; and (B) ARPA–E does not provide funding for a project unless the prospective grantee demonstrates— (i) sufficient attempts to secure private financing; or (ii) that the project is not independently commercially viable. . (f) Evaluation Section 5012(l) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(l) ) is amended— (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (1) In general Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the ARPA–E Act of 2018 , the Secretary may offer to enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy shall conduct an evaluation of how well ARPA–E is achieving the goals and mission of ARPA–E. ; and (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by striking shall and inserting may ; and (B) by striking the recommendation of the National Academy of Sciences and inserting a recommendation . (g) Protection of proprietary information Section 5012 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (n) as subsection (o); and (2) by inserting after subsection (m) the following new subsection: (n) Protection of proprietary information (1) In general The following categories of information collected by ARPA–E from recipients of awards under this section shall be considered privileged and confidential and not subject to disclosure pursuant to section 552 of title 5, United States Code: (A) Plans for commercialization of technologies developed under the award, including business plans, technology-to-market plans, market studies, and cost and performance models. (B) Investments provided to an awardee from third parties (such as venture capital firms, hedge funds, and private equity firms), including amounts and the percentage of ownership of the awardee provided in return for the investments. (C) Additional financial support that the awardee— (i) plans to invest, or has invested, into the technology developed under the award; or (ii) is seeking from third parties. (D) Revenue from the licensing or sale of new products or services resulting from research conducted under the award. (2) Effect of subsection Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to affect— (A) the authority of the Secretary to use information without publicly disclosing such information; or (B) the responsibility of the Secretary to transmit information to Congress as required by law. . (h) Funding Section 5012(o)(4) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(o)(4) ), as redesignated by subsection (f)(1), is amended by striking during the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act . (i) Technical amendments (1) Section 5012(g)(3)(A)(iii) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(g)(3)(A)(iii) ) is amended by striking subpart each place it appears and inserting subparagraph . (2) Section 5012(o)(2) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(o)(2) ), as redesignated by subsection (f)(1), is amended by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and inserting paragraph (4) .

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5906 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend the America COMPETES Act to establish Department of Energy policy for Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the ARPA-E Act of 2018 . 2. Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (a) Establishment Section 5012(b) of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(b) ) is amended by striking development of energy technologies and inserting development of transformative science and technology solutions to address energy, environmental, economic, and national security challenges . (b) Goals Section 5012(c) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(c) ) is amended— (1) by striking paragraph (1)(A) and inserting the following: (A) to enhance the economic and energy security of the United States through the development of energy technologies that— (i) reduce imports of energy from foreign sources; (ii) reduce energy-related emissions, including greenhouse gases; (iii) improve the energy efficiency of all economic sectors; (iv) provide transformative solutions to improve the management, clean-up, and disposal of— (I) low-level radioactive waste; (II) spent nuclear fuel; and (III) high-level radioactive waste; (v) improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of all forms of energy production; (vi) improve the resiliency, reliability, and security of the electric grid; and (vii) address other challenges within the mission of the Department as determined by the Secretary; and ; and (2) in paragraph (2) by striking energy technology projects and inserting advanced technology projects . (c) Responsibilities Section 5012(e)(3)(A) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(e)(3)(A) ) is amended by striking energy . (d) Strategic vision roadmap Section 5012(h)(2) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(h)(2) ) is amended to read as follows: (2) Strategic vision roadmap In the report required under paragraph (1), the Director shall include a roadmap describing the strategic vision that ARPA-E will use to guide the choices of ARPA-E for future technology investments over the following 2 fiscal years. . (e) Coordination and nonduplication Section 5012(i)(1) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(i)(1) ) is amended to read as follows: (1) In general To the maximum extent practicable, the Director shall ensure that— (A) the activities of ARPA–E are coordinated with, and do not duplicate the efforts of, programs and laboratories within the Department and other relevant research agencies; and (B) ARPA–E does not provide funding for a project unless the prospective grantee demonstrates sufficient attempts to secure private financing or indicates that the project is not independently commercially viable. . (f) Evaluation Section 5012(l) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(l) ) is amended— (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (1) In general Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the ARPA-E Act of 2018 , the Secretary is authorized to enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy shall conduct an evaluation of how well ARPA-E is achieving the goals and mission of ARPA-E. ; and (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by striking shall and inserting is authorized to ; and (B) by striking the recommendation of the National Academy of Sciences and inserting a recommendation . (g) Protection of proprietary information Section 5012 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (n) as subsection (o); and (2) by inserting after subsection (m) the following new subsection: (n) Protection of proprietary information (1) In general The following categories of information collected by ARPA-E from recipients of awards under this section shall be considered privileged and confidential and not subject to disclosure pursuant to section 552 of title 5, United States Code: (A) Plans for commercialization of technologies developed under the award, including business plans, technology-to-market plans, market studies, and cost and performance models. (B) Investments provided to an awardee from third parties (such as venture capital firms, hedge funds, and private equity firms), including amounts and the percentage of ownership of the awardee provided in return for the investments. (C) Additional financial support that the awardee— (i) plans to invest, or has invested, into the technology developed under the award; or (ii) is seeking from third parties. (D) Revenue from the licensing or sale of new products or services resulting from research conducted under the award. (2) Effect of subsection Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to affect— (A) the authority of the Secretary to use information without publicly disclosing such information; or (B) the responsibility of the Secretary to transmit information to Congress as required by law. . (h) Funding Section 5012(o)(4) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(o)(4) ), as redesignated by subsection (g)(1), is amended by striking during the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act . (i) Technical amendments (1) Section 5012(g)(3)(A)(iii) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(g)(3)(A)(iii) ) is amended by striking subpart each place it appears and inserting subparagraph . (2) Section 5012(o)(2) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(o)(2) ), as redesignated by subsection (g)(1), is amended by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and inserting paragraph (4) .

Passed the House of Representatives June 27, 2018. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5906 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 28, 2018 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources AN ACT To amend the America COMPETES Act to establish Department of Energy policy for Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the ARPA-E Act of 2018 . 2. Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (a) Establishment Section 5012(b) of the America COMPETES Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(b) ) is amended by striking development of energy technologies and inserting development of transformative science and technology solutions to address energy, environmental, economic, and national security challenges . (b) Goals Section 5012(c) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(c) ) is amended— (1) by striking paragraph (1)(A) and inserting the following: (A) to enhance the economic and energy security of the United States through the development of energy technologies that— (i) reduce imports of energy from foreign sources; (ii) reduce energy-related emissions, including greenhouse gases; (iii) improve the energy efficiency of all economic sectors; (iv) provide transformative solutions to improve the management, clean-up, and disposal of— (I) low-level radioactive waste; (II) spent nuclear fuel; and (III) high-level radioactive waste; (v) improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of all forms of energy production; (vi) improve the resiliency, reliability, and security of the electric grid; and (vii) address other challenges within the mission of the Department as determined by the Secretary; and ; and (2) in paragraph (2) by striking energy technology projects and inserting advanced technology projects . (c) Responsibilities Section 5012(e)(3)(A) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(e)(3)(A) ) is amended by striking energy . (d) Strategic vision roadmap Section 5012(h)(2) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(h)(2) ) is amended to read as follows: (2) Strategic vision roadmap In the report required under paragraph (1), the Director shall include a roadmap describing the strategic vision that ARPA-E will use to guide the choices of ARPA-E for future technology investments over the following 2 fiscal years. . (e) Coordination and nonduplication Section 5012(i)(1) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(i)(1) ) is amended to read as follows: (1) In general To the maximum extent practicable, the Director shall ensure that— (A) the activities of ARPA–E are coordinated with, and do not duplicate the efforts of, programs and laboratories within the Department and other relevant research agencies; and (B) ARPA–E does not provide funding for a project unless the prospective grantee demonstrates sufficient attempts to secure private financing or indicates that the project is not independently commercially viable. . (f) Evaluation Section 5012(l) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(l) ) is amended— (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (1) In general Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the ARPA-E Act of 2018 , the Secretary is authorized to enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy shall conduct an evaluation of how well ARPA-E is achieving the goals and mission of ARPA-E. ; and (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by striking shall and inserting is authorized to ; and (B) by striking the recommendation of the National Academy of Sciences and inserting a recommendation . (g) Protection of proprietary information Section 5012 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (n) as subsection (o); and (2) by inserting after subsection (m) the following new subsection: (n) Protection of proprietary information (1) In general The following categories of information collected by ARPA-E from recipients of awards under this section shall be considered privileged and confidential and not subject to disclosure pursuant to section 552 of title 5, United States Code: (A) Plans for commercialization of technologies developed under the award, including business plans, technology-to-market plans, market studies, and cost and performance models. (B) Investments provided to an awardee from third parties (such as venture capital firms, hedge funds, and private equity firms), including amounts and the percentage of ownership of the awardee provided in return for the investments. (C) Additional financial support that the awardee— (i) plans to invest, or has invested, into the technology developed under the award; or (ii) is seeking from third parties. (D) Revenue from the licensing or sale of new products or services resulting from research conducted under the award. (2) Effect of subsection Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to affect— (A) the authority of the Secretary to use information without publicly disclosing such information; or (B) the responsibility of the Secretary to transmit information to Congress as required by law. . (h) Funding Section 5012(o)(4) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(o)(4) ), as redesignated by subsection (g)(1), is amended by striking during the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act . (i) Technical amendments (1) Section 5012(g)(3)(A)(iii) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(g)(3)(A)(iii) ) is amended by striking subpart each place it appears and inserting subparagraph . (2) Section 5012(o)(2) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 16538(o)(2) ), as redesignated by subsection (g)(1), is amended by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and inserting paragraph (4) .

Passed the House of Representatives June 27, 2018. Karen L. Haas, Clerk