Bill Summary
This legislation, called the "ARPA-E Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2019," aims to amend the America COMPETES Act in order to reauthorize the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). This bill seeks to promote the development of transformative science and technology solutions to address energy, environmental, economic, and national security challenges. It also sets specific goals for ARPA-E, including reducing energy imports, emissions, and improving energy efficiency. The bill also requires an annual report and strategic vision roadmap, as well as coordination and evaluation of ARPA-E's activities. Finally, the bill authorizes appropriations for ARPA-E.
Possible Impacts
1) The legislation could potentially affect people by providing increased funding for research and development of energy technologies that could lead to improved energy efficiency and reduced emissions, benefiting the environment and public health.
2) The ARPA-E Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2019 could also affect individuals by creating job opportunities in the energy sector and stimulating economic growth.
3) The legislation could also impact people by promoting the use of advanced technologies to improve the management and disposal of radioactive waste, enhancing national security and protecting public health.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3915 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3915
To amend the America COMPETES Act to reauthorize the Advanced Research
Projects Agency-Energy, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 23, 2019
Mr. Lucas (for himself, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Baird, Miss Gonzalez-Colon of
Puerto Rico, Mr. Gonzalez of Ohio, Mr. Bacon, and Mr. Woodall)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the America COMPETES Act to reauthorize the Advanced Research
Projects Agency-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 ``ARPA-E Reauthorization and Reform
Act of 2019''.
SEC. 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 the America COMPETES 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), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``energy technology projects'' and inserting
``advanced technology projects''.
(c) Responsibilities.--Section 5012(e)(3)(A) of the America
COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16538(e)(3)(A)) is amended by striking
``energy''.
(d) Reports and Roadmaps.--Section 5012(h) of the America COMPETES
Act (42 U.S.C. 16538(h)) is amended to read as follows:
``(h) Annual Report.--
``(1) In general.--As part of the annual budget request
submitted for each fiscal year, the Director shall provide to
the relevant authorizing and appropriations committees of
Congress a report that--
``(A) describes projects supported by ARPA-E during
the previous fiscal year;
``(B) identifies and includes an analysis of
projects supported by ARPA-E during the previous fiscal
year that demonstrate duplication of other activities
funded by the Department; and
``(C) describes current, proposed, and planned
projects to be carried out pursuant to subsection
(e)(3)(D).
``(2) Strategic vision roadmap.--Beginning with the report
submitted with respect to fiscal year 2020, and every 4 fiscal
years thereafter, the report required under paragraph (1) 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 4 fiscal years.''.
(e) Coordination and Nonduplication.--Section 5012(i)(1) of the
America COMPETES 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 the America COMPETES 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 Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2019,
the Secretary is authorized to enter into a contract with a
third party entity to 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) Authorization of Appropriations.--Paragraph (2) of section
5012(o) of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16538(o)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--Subject to
paragraph (4), there are authorized to be appropriated to the
Director of ARPA-E--
``(A) $392,800,000 for fiscal year 2020;
``(B) $419,600,000 for fiscal year 2021;
``(C) $446,400,000 for fiscal year 2022;
``(D) $473,200,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
``(E) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.''.
(h) Technical Amendments.--Section 5012(g)(3)(A)(iii) of the
America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16538(g)(3)(A)(iii)) is amended by
striking ``subpart'' each place it appears and inserting
``subparagraph''.
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