In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.

Example Input: SECTION 1. ENCOURAGING THE PREPARATION OF TANF RECIPIENTS FOR HIGH-
              SKILL, HIGH-DEMAND JOBS.

    (a) In General.--Section 407(c)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 607(c)(2)(D)) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(D) Limitation on number of persons who may be 
                treated as engaged in work by reason of participation 
                in educational activities.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in 
                        clause (ii), for purposes of paragraphs 
                        (1)(B)(i) and (2)(B) of subsection (b), not 
                        more than 30 percent of the number of 
                        individuals in all families in a State who are 
                        treated as engaged in work for a month may 
                        consist of individuals who are--
                                    ``(I) determined to be engaged in 
                                work for the month by reason of 
                                participation in vocational educational 
                                training (but only with respect to such 
                                training that does not exceed 12 months 
                                with respect to any individual); or
                                    ``(II) deemed to be engaged in work 
                                for the month by reason of subparagraph 
                                (C) of this paragraph.
                            ``(ii) Exception for education in 
                        preparation for sector-specific, high-skill 
                        occupations to meet employer demand.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--Notwithstanding 
                                clause (i) and subsection (d)(8), for 
                                purposes of determining monthly 
                                participation rates under paragraphs 
                                (1)(B)(i) and (2)(B) of subsection (b) 
                                with respect to an individual who is 
                                enrolled, in preparation for a sector-
                                specific, high-skill occupation to meet 
                                employer demand (as defined in 
                                subclause (II)), in a postsecondary 2- 
                                or 4-year degree program or in 
                                vocational educational training--
                                            ``(aa) the State may count 
                                        the number of hours per week 
                                        that the individual attends 
                                        such program or training for 
                                        purposes of determining the 
                                        number of hours for which a 
                                        family is engaged in work for 
                                        the month without regard to the 
                                        30 percent limitation under 
                                        clause (i); and
                                            ``(bb) the individual shall 
                                        be permitted to complete the 
                                        requirements of the degree 
                                        program or vocational 
                                        educational training within the 
                                        normal time frame for full-time 
                                        students seeking the particular 
                                        degree or completing such 
                                        vocational educational 
                                        training.
                                    ``(II) Sector-specific, high-skill 
                                occupation to meet employer demand 
                                defined.--In subclause (I), the term 
                                `sector-specific, high-demand, high-
                                skill occupation to meet employer 
                                demand' means an occupation--
                                            ``(aa) that has been 
                                        identified by the State 
                                        workforce investment board 
                                        established under section 111 
                                        of the Workforce Investment Act 
                                        of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2821) as 
                                        within the needs of the State 
                                        with regard to current and 
                                        projected employment 
                                        opportunities in specific 
                                        industry sectors or that has 
                                        been defined by the State 
                                        agency administering the State 
                                        program funded under this part 
                                        as within the needs of the 
                                        State with regard to current 
                                        and projected employment 
                                        opportunities in specific 
                                        industry sectors and is 
                                        consistent with high demand 
                                        jobs identified in the State 
                                        plan in accordance with section 
                                        402(a)(1)(A)(vii);
                                            ``(bb) that requires 
                                        occupational training; and
                                            ``(cc) that provides a wage 
                                        of at least 75 percent of the 
                                        State median hourly wage, as 
                                        calculated by the Bureau of 
                                        Labor Statistics on the basis 
                                        of the most recent Occupational 
                                        Employment and Wage Survey.''.
    (b) Conforming State Plan Amendment.--Section 402(a)(1)(B) of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(1)(B)) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
                            ``(vii) The document shall describe any 
                        strategies and programs the State plans to use 
                        to address employment placement, retention, and 
                        advancement for recipients of assistance under 
                        the program, including placement into high-
                        demand jobs and whether such jobs are 
                        identified using labor market information.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section take 
effect on October 1, 2005.
Example Output: Revises the mandatory work requirements of part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act with respect to the limitation on the number of persons in a state who may be treated as engaged in work by reason of participation in educational activities. Removes two-parent families from the formula for such limitation. Creates an exception to the limitation for education in preparation for sector-specific, high-skill occupations to meet employer demand.

Defines sector-specific, high-demand, high-skill occupation to meet employer demand as an occupation that: (1) has been identified by the state workforce investment board or by the state agency administering the state TANF program as within state needs with regard to current and projected employment opportunities in specific industry sectors; (2) requires occupational training; and (3) provides a wage of at least 75 percent of the state median hourly wage.

Example Input: SECTION 1. RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD.

    (a) In General.--Title VI of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies 
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:

``SEC. 610. FEDERAL RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD.

    ``(a) Renewable Energy Requirement.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each electric utility that sells 
        electricity to electric consumers shall obtain a percentage of 
        the base amount of electricity it sells to electric consumers 
        in any calendar year from new renewable energy or existing 
        renewable energy. The percentage obtained in a calendar year 
        shall not be less than the amount specified in the following 
        table:

 
 
 
``Calendar year:                    Minimum annual percentage:
  2010............................  1
  2011............................  2
  2012............................  4
  2013............................  6
  2014............................  8
  2015............................  10
  2016............................  12
  2017............................  14
  2018............................  16
  2019............................  18
  2020............................  20
  2021............................  21
  2022............................  22
  2023............................  23
  2024............................  24
  2025............................  25.

            ``(2) Means of compliance.--An electric utility shall meet 
        the requirements of paragraph (1) by--
                    ``(A) submitting to the Secretary renewable energy 
                credits issued under subsection (b);
                    ``(B) making alternative compliance payments to the 
                Secretary at the rate of 2 cents per kilowatt hour (as 
                adjusted for inflation under subsection (g)); or
                    ``(C) a combination of activities described in 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B).
    ``(b) Renewable Energy Credit Trading Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than July 1, 2009, the 
        Secretary shall establish a renewable energy credit trading 
        program under which electric utilities shall submit to the 
        Secretary renewable energy credits to certify the compliance of 
        the electric utilities with respect to obligations under 
        subsection (a)(1).
            ``(2) Administration.--As part of the program, the 
        Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) issue tradeable renewable energy credits to 
                generators of electric energy from new renewable 
                energy;
                    ``(B) issue nontradeable renewable energy credits 
                to generators of electric energy from existing 
                renewable energy;
                    ``(C) issue renewable energy credits to electric 
                utilities associated with State renewable portfolio 
                standard compliance mechanisms pursuant to subsection 
                (h);
                    ``(D) ensure that a kilowatt hour, including the 
                associated renewable energy credit, shall be used only 
                once for purposes of compliance with this Act;
                    ``(E) allow double credits for generation from 
                facilities on Indian land, and triple credits for 
                generation from small renewable distributed generators 
                (meaning those no larger than 1 megawatt); and
                    ``(F) ensure that, with respect to a purchaser 
                that, as of the date of enactment of this section, has 
                a purchase agreement from a renewable energy facility 
                placed in service before that date, the credit 
                associated with the generation of renewable energy 
                under the contract is issued to the purchaser of the 
                electric energy.
            ``(3) Duration.--A credit described in subparagraph (A) or 
        (B) of paragraph (2) may only be used for compliance with this 
        section during the 3-year period beginning on the date of 
        issuance of the credit.
            ``(4) Transfers.--An electric utility that holds credits in 
        excess of the quantity of credits needed to comply with 
        subsection (a) may transfer the credits to another electric 
        utility in the same utility holding company system.
            ``(5) Delegation of market function.--The Secretary may 
        delegate to an appropriate market-making entity the 
        administration of a national tradeable renewable energy credit 
        market for purposes of creating a transparent national market 
        for the sale or trade of renewable energy credits.
    ``(c) Enforcement.--
            ``(1) Civil penalties.--Any electric utility that fails to 
        meet the compliance requirements of subsection (a) shall be 
        subject to a civil penalty.
            ``(2) Amount of penalty.--The amount of the civil penalty 
        shall be determined by multiplying the number of kilowatt-hours 
        of electric energy sold to electric consumers in violation of 
        subsection (a) by the greater of 2 cents (adjusted for 
        inflation under subsection (g)) or 200 percent of the average 
        market value of renewable energy credits during the year in 
        which the violation occurred.
            ``(3) Mitigation or waiver.--The Secretary may mitigate or 
        waive a civil penalty under this subsection if the electric 
        utility was unable to comply with subsection (a) for reasons 
        outside of the reasonable control of the utility. The Secretary 
        shall reduce the amount of any penalty determined under 
        paragraph (2) by an amount paid by the electric utility to a 
        State for failure to comply with the requirement of a State 
        renewable energy program if the State requirement is greater 
        than the applicable requirement of subsection (a).
            ``(4) Procedure for assessing penalty.--The Secretary shall 
        assess a civil penalty under this subsection in accordance with 
        the procedures prescribed by section 333(d) of the Energy 
        Policy and Conservation Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 6303).
    ``(d) State Renewable Energy Account Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish, not later 
        than December 31, 2008, a State renewable energy account 
        program.
            ``(2) Deposits.--All money collected by the Secretary from 
        alternative compliance payments and the assessment of civil 
        penalties under this section shall be deposited into the 
        renewable energy account established pursuant to this 
        subsection. The State renewable energy account shall be held by 
        the Secretary and shall not be transferred to the Treasury 
        Department.
            ``(3) Use.--Proceeds deposited in the State renewable 
        energy account shall be used by the Secretary, subject to 
        appropriations, for a program to provide grants to the State 
        agency responsible for developing State energy conservation 
        plans under section 362 of the Energy Policy and Conservation 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 6322) for the purposes of promoting renewable 
        energy production, including programs that promote technologies 
        that reduce the use of electricity at customer sites such as 
        solar water heating.
            ``(4) Administration.--The Secretary may issue guidelines 
        and criteria for grants awarded under this subsection. State 
        energy offices receiving grants under this section shall 
        maintain such records and evidence of compliance as the 
        Secretary may require.
            ``(5) Preference.--In allocating funds under this program, 
        the Secretary shall give preference--
                    ``(A) to States in regions which have a 
                disproportionately small share of economically 
                sustainable renewable energy generation capacity; and
                    ``(B) to State programs to stimulate or enhance 
                innovative renewable energy technologies.
    ``(e) Rules.--The Secretary shall issue rules implementing this 
section not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
section.
    ``(f) Exemptions.--This section shall not apply in any calendar 
year to an electric utility--
            ``(1) that sold less than 4,000,000 megawatt-hours of 
        electric energy to electric consumers during the preceding 
        calendar year; or
            ``(2) in Hawaii.
    ``(g) Inflation Adjustment.--Not later than December 31 of each 
year beginning in 2008, the Secretary shall adjust for inflation the 
price of a renewable energy credit under subsection (b)(2) and the 
amount of the civil penalty per kilowatt-hour under subsection (c)(2).
    ``(h) State Programs.--
            ``(1) In general.--Nothing in this section diminishes any 
        authority of a State or political subdivision of a State to 
        adopt or enforce any law or regulation respecting renewable 
        energy, but, except as provided in subsection (c)(3), no such 
        law or regulation shall relieve any person of any requirement 
        otherwise applicable under this section. The Secretary, in 
        consultation with States having such renewable energy programs, 
        shall, to the maximum extent practicable, facilitate 
        coordination between the Federal program and State programs.
            ``(2) Regulations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation 
                with States, shall promulgate regulations to ensure 
                that an electric utility subject to the requirements of 
                this section that is also subject to a State renewable 
                energy standard receives renewable energy credits in 
                relation to equivalent quantities of renewable energy 
                associated with compliance mechanisms, other than the 
                generation or purchase of renewable energy by the 
                electric utility, including the acquisition of 
                certificates or credits and the payment of taxes, fees, 
                surcharges, or other financial compliance mechanisms by 
                the electric utility or a customer of the electric 
                utility, directly associated with the generation or 
                purchase of renewable energy.
                    ``(B) Prohibition on double counting.--The 
                regulations promulgated under this paragraph shall 
                ensure that a kilowatt hour associated with a renewable 
                energy credit issued pursuant to this subsection shall 
                not be used for compliance with this section more than 
                once.
    ``(i) Recovery of Costs.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall issue and enforce 
        such regulations as are necessary to ensure that an electric 
        utility recovers all prudently incurred costs associated with 
        compliance with this section.
            ``(2) Applicable law.--A regulation under paragraph (1) 
        shall be enforceable in accordance with the provisions of law 
        applicable to enforcement of regulations under the Federal 
        Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.).
    ``(j) Wind Energy Development Study.--The Secretary, in 
consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies, shall 
conduct, and submit to Congress a report describing the results of, a 
study on methods to increase transmission line capacity for wind energy 
development.
    ``(k) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Base amount of electricity.--The term `base amount of 
        electricity' means the total amount of electricity sold by an 
        electric utility to electric consumers in a calendar year, 
        excluding municipal waste and electricity generated by a 
        hydroelectric facility (including a pumped storage facility, 
        but excluding incremental hydropower).
            ``(2) Distributed generation facility.--The term 
        `distributed generation facility' means a facility at a 
        customer site.
            ``(3) Existing renewable energy.--The term `existing 
        renewable energy' means, except as provided in paragraph 
        (7)(B), electric energy generated at a facility (including a 
        distributed generation facility) placed in service prior to 
        January 1, 2001, from solar, wind, or geothermal energy, ocean 
        energy, biomass (as defined in section 203(a) of the Energy 
        Policy Act of 2005), or landfill gas.
            ``(4) Geothermal energy.--The term `geothermal energy' 
        means energy derived from a geothermal deposit (within the 
        meaning of section 613(e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
        1986).
            ``(5) Incremental geothermal production.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `incremental geothermal 
                production' means for any year the excess of--
                            ``(i) the total kilowatt hours of 
                        electricity produced from a facility (including 
                        a distributed generation facility) using 
                        geothermal energy; over
                            ``(ii) the average annual kilowatt hours 
                        produced at such facility for 5 of the previous 
                        7 calendar years before the date of enactment 
                        of this section after eliminating the highest 
                        and the lowest kilowatt hour production years 
                        in such 7-year period.
                    ``(B) Special rule.--A facility described in 
                subparagraph (A) that was placed in service at least 7 
                years before the date of enactment of this section 
                shall, commencing with the year in which such date of 
                enactment occurs, reduce the amount calculated under 
                subparagraph (A)(ii) each year, on a cumulative basis, 
                by the average percentage decrease in the annual 
                kilowatt hour production for the 7-year period 
                described in subparagraph (A)(ii) with such cumulative 
                sum not to exceed 30 percent.
            ``(6) Incremental hydropower.--The term `incremental 
        hydropower' means additional energy generated as a result of 
        efficiency improvements or capacity additions made on or after 
        January 1, 2001, or the effective date of an existing 
        applicable State renewable portfolio standard program at a 
        hydroelectric facility that was placed in service before that 
        date. The term does not include additional energy generated as 
        a result of operational changes not directly associated with 
        efficiency improvements or capacity additions. Efficiency 
        improvements and capacity additions shall be measured on the 
        basis of the same water flow information used to determine a 
        historic average annual generation baseline for the 
        hydroelectric facility and certified by the Secretary or the 
        Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
            ``(7) New renewable energy.--The term `new renewable 
        energy' means--
                    ``(A) electric energy generated at a facility 
                (including a distributed generation facility) placed in 
                service on or after January 1, 2001, from--
                            ``(i) solar, wind, or geothermal energy or 
                        ocean energy;
                            ``(ii) biomass (as defined in section 
                        203(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
                        U.S.C. 15852(b));
                            ``(iii) landfill gas; or
                            ``(iv) incremental hydropower; and
                    ``(B) for electric energy generated at a facility 
                (including a distributed generation facility) placed in 
                service prior to the date of enactment of this 
                section--
                            ``(i) the additional energy above the 
                        average generation in the 3 years preceding the 
                        date of enactment of this section at the 
                        facility from--
                                    ``(I) solar or wind energy or ocean 
                                energy;
                                    ``(II) biomass (as defined in 
                                section 203(b) of the Energy Policy Act 
                                of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15852(b));
                                    ``(III) landfill gas; or
                                    ``(IV) incremental hydropower.
                            ``(ii) incremental geothermal production.
            ``(8) Ocean energy.--The term `ocean energy' includes 
        current, wave, tidal, and thermal energy.
    ``(l) Sunset.--This section expires on December 31, 2040.''.
    (b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The table of contents of the 
Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. prec. 2601) 
is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title VI the 
following:

``Sec. 610. Federal renewable portfolio standard.''.
Example Output: Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to set forth a federal renewable energy portfolio standard applicable to calendar years 2010 to 2025.

Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish: (1) a renewable energy credit trading program under which electric utilities shall submit to the Secretary renewable energy credits to certify their compliance with such standard; and (2) a state renewable energy account program for grants to state agencies to promote renewable energy production (including programs that promote technologies that reduce the use of electricity at customer sites such as solar water heating).



Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue and enforce regulations to ensure that an electric utility recovers all prudently incurred costs associated with compliance with this Act.

Instructs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on methods to increase transmission line capacity for wind energy development.

Example Input: SECTION. 1. LOUISIANA COASTAL AREA ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION, LOUISIANA.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary may carry out a program for 
ecosystem restoration, Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana, substantially 
in accordance with the report of the Chief of Engineers, dated January 
31, 2005.
    (b) Priorities.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the program under 
        subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to--
                    (A) any portion of the program identified in the 
                report described in subsection (a) as a critical 
                restoration feature;
                    (B) any Mississippi River diversion project that--
                            (i) protects a major population area of the 
                        Pontchartain, Pearl, Breton Sound, Barataria, 
                        or Terrebonne Basin; and
                            (ii) produces an environmental benefit to 
                        the coastal area of the State of Louisiana or 
                        the State of Mississippi; and
                    (C) any barrier island, or barrier shoreline, 
                project that--
                            (i) is carried out in conjunction with a 
                        Mississippi River diversion project; and
                            (ii) protects a major population area.
    (c) Non-Federal Share.--
            (1) Credit for integral work.--The Secretary shall provide 
        credit (including in-kind credit) toward the non-Federal share 
        for the cost of any work carried out by the non-Federal 
        interest on a project that is part of the program under 
        subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that the work is 
        integral to the project.
            (2) Carryover of credits.--A credit provided under 
        paragraph (1) may be carried over between authorized projects 
        in the Louisiana Coastal Area ecosystem restoration program.
            (3) Nongovernmental organizations.--A nongovernmental 
        organization shall be eligible to contribute all or a portion 
        of the non-Federal share of the cost of a project under this 
        section.
    (d) Comprehensive Plan.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with the 
        Governor of the State of Louisiana, shall--
                    (A) develop a plan for protecting, preserving, and 
                restoring the coastal Louisiana ecosystem; and
                    (B) not later than 1 year after the date of 
                enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, 
                submit to Congress the plan, or an update of the plan.
            (2) Inclusions.--The comprehensive plan shall include a 
        description of--
                    (A) the framework of a long-term program that 
                provides for the comprehensive protection, 
                conservation, and restoration of the wetlands, 
                estuaries (including the Barataria-Terrebonne estuary), 
                barrier islands, shorelines, and related land and 
                features of the coastal Louisiana ecosystem, including 
                protection of a critical resource, habitat, or 
                infrastructure from the effects of a coastal storm, a 
                hurricane, erosion, or subsidence;
                    (B) the means by which a new technology, or an 
                improved technique, can be integrated into the program 
                under subsection (a); and
                    (C) the role of other Federal agencies and programs 
                in carrying out the program under subsection (a).
            (3) Consideration.--In developing the comprehensive plan, 
        the Secretary shall consider the advisability of integrating 
        into the program under subsection (a)--
                    (A) a related Federal or State project carried out 
                on the date on which the plan is developed;
                    (B) an activity in the Louisiana Coastal Area; or
                    (C) any other project or activity identified in--
                            (i) the Mississippi River and Tributaries 
                        program;
                            (ii) the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands 
                        Conservation Plan;
                            (iii) the Louisiana Coastal Zone Management 
                        Plan; or
                            (iv) the plan of the State of Louisiana 
                        entitled ``Coast 2050: Toward a Sustainable 
                        Coastal Louisiana''.
    (e) Task Force.--
            (1) Establishment.--There is established a task force to be 
        known as the ``Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and 
        Restoration Task Force'' (referred to in this subsection as the 
        ``Task Force'').
            (2) Membership.--The Task Force shall consist of the 
        following members (or, in the case of the head of a Federal 
        agency, a designee at the level of Assistant Secretary or an 
        equivalent level):
                    (A) The Secretary.
                    (B) The Secretary of the Interior.
                    (C) The Secretary of Commerce.
                    (D) The Administrator of the Environmental 
                Protection Agency.
                    (E) The Secretary of Agriculture.
                    (F) The Secretary of Transportation.
                    (G) The Secretary of Energy.
                    (H) The Secretary of Homeland Security.
                    (I) 3 representatives of the State of Louisiana 
                appointed by the Governor of that State.
            (3) Duties.--The Task Force shall make recommendations to 
        the Secretary regarding--
                    (A) policies, strategies, plans, programs, 
                projects, and activities for addressing conservation, 
                protection, restoration, and maintenance of the coastal 
                Louisiana ecosystem;
                    (B) financial participation by each agency 
                represented on the Task Force in conserving, 
                protecting, restoring, and maintaining the coastal 
                Louisiana ecosystem, including recommendations--
                            (i) that identify funds from current agency 
                        missions and budgets; and
                            (ii) for coordinating individual agency 
                        budget requests; and
                    (C) the comprehensive plan under subsection (d).
            (4) Working groups.--The Task Force may establish such 
        working groups as the Task Force determines to be necessary to 
        assist the Task Force in carrying out this subsection.
            (5) Application of the federal advisory committee act.--The 
        Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply 
        to the Task Force or any working group of the Task Force.
    (f) Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a plan for 
        modifying the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet that addresses--
                    (A) wetland losses attributable to the Mississippi 
                River Gulf Outlet;
                    (B) channel bank erosion;
                    (C) hurricane storm surges;
                    (D) saltwater intrusion;
                    (E) navigation interests; and
                    (F) environmental restoration.
            (2) Report.--If the Secretary determines necessary, the 
        Secretary, in conjunction with the Chief of Engineers, shall 
        submit to Congress a report recommending modifications to the 
        Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, including measures to prevent 
        the intrusion of saltwater into the Outlet.
    (g) Science and Technology.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a coastal 
        Louisiana ecosystem science and technology program.
            (2) Purposes.--The purposes of the program established by 
        paragraph (1) shall be--
                    (A) to identify any uncertainty relating to the 
                physical, chemical, geological, biological, and 
                cultural baseline conditions in coastal Louisiana;
                    (B) to improve knowledge of the physical, chemical, 
                geological, biological, and cultural baseline 
                conditions in coastal Louisiana; and
                    (C) to identify and develop technologies, models, 
                and methods to carry out this subsection.
            (3) Working groups.--The Secretary may establish such 
        working groups as the Secretary determines to be necessary to 
        assist the Secretary in carrying out this subsection.
            (4) Contracts and cooperative agreements.--In carrying out 
        this subsection, the Secretary may enter into a contract or 
        cooperative agreement with an individual or entity (including a 
        consortium of academic institutions in Louisiana and 
        Mississippi) with scientific or engineering expertise in the 
        restoration of aquatic and marine ecosystems for coastal 
        restoration and enhancement through science and technology.
    (h) Analysis of Benefits.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 209 of the Flood 
        Control Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 1962-2) or any other provision 
        of law, in carrying out an activity to conserve, protect, 
        restore, or maintain the coastal Louisiana ecosystem, the 
        Secretary may determine that the environmental benefits 
        provided by the program under this section outweigh the 
        disadvantage of an activity under this section.
            (2) Determination of cost-effectiveness.--If the Secretary 
        determines that an activity under this section is cost-
        effective, no further economic justification for the activity 
        shall be required.
    (i) Apportionment.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the 
        non-Federal interest, shall enter into a contract with the 
        National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy 
        of Sciences shall conduct a study.
            (2) Identification of causes and sources.--The study under 
        paragraph (1) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, 
        identify--
                    (A) each cause of degradation of the Louisiana 
                Coastal Area ecosystem that is attributable to an 
                action by the Secretary;
                    (B) an apportionment of the sources of such 
                degradation;
                    (C) any potential reduction in the amount of 
                Federal emergency response funds that would occur as a 
                result of ecosystem restoration in the Louisiana 
                Coastal Area; and
                    (D) the reduction in costs associated with 
                protection and maintenance of infrastructure that is 
                threatened or damaged as a result of coastal erosion in 
                Louisiana that would occur as a result of ecosystem 
                restoration in the Louisiana Coastal Area.
    (j) Report.--Not later than July 1, 2006, the Secretary, in 
conjunction with the Chief of Engineers, shall submit to Congress a 
report describing the features included in table 3 of the report 
described in subsection (a).
    (k) Project Modifications.--
            (1) Review.--The Secretary, in cooperation with any non-
        Federal interest, shall review each federally-authorized water 
        resources project in the coastal Louisiana area in existence on 
        the date of enactment of this Act to determine whether--
                    (A) each project is in accordance with the program 
                under subsection (a); and
                    (B) the project could contribute to ecosystem 
                restoration under subsection (a) through modification 
                of the operations or features of the project.
            (2) Public notice and comment.--Before modifying an 
        operation or feature of a project under paragraph (1)(B), the 
        Secretary shall provide an opportunity for public notice and 
        comment.
            (3) Report.--
                    (A) In general.--Before modifying an operation or 
                feature of a project under paragraph (1)(B), the 
                Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment 
                and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on 
                Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
                Representatives a report describing the modification.
                    (B) Inclusion.--A report under paragraph (2)(B) 
                shall include such information relating to the timeline 
                and cost of a modification as the Secretary determines 
                to be relevant.
            (4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out modifications 
        under this subsection $10,000,000.
Example Output:
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to carry out a program for ecosystem restoration, Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana, substantially in accordance with the report of the Chief of Engineers, dated January 31, 2005. Directs the Secretary to give priority to any: (1) portion of the program identified in that report as a critical restoration feature; (2) Mississippi River diversion project that protects a major population area of the Pontchartain, Pearl, Breton Sound, Barataria, or Terrebonne Basin and that produces an environmental benefit to the coastal area of Louisiana or Mississippi; and (3) barrier island or shoreline project that is carried out in conjunction with a Mississippi River diversion project and that protects a major population area.

Directs the Secretary, in coordination with the Governor of Louisiana, to develop a plan for protecting, preserving, and restoring the coastal Louisiana ecosystem. Establishes the Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Task Force.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a plan for modifying the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet that addresses wetland losses attributable to the Outlet, channel bank erosion, hurricane storm surges, saltwater intrusion, navigation interests, and environmental restoration; (2) establish a coastal Louisiana ecosystem science and technology program; (3) contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct a study to identify causes of degradation of the Area ecosystem attributable to an action by the Secretary; and (4) review each federally-authorized water resources project in the Area to determine whether each project could contribute to ecosystem restoration through modification of the project's operations or features.