To establish a research, development, and demonstration program in genetics, protein science, and computational biology of microbes and plants to support the energy and environmental mission of the Department of Energy.

Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a research, development, and demonstration program in genetics, protein science, and computational biology of microbes and plants to support the energy and environmental mission of the Department. Provides that the program shall support individual investigators and multidisciplinary teams of investigators through competitive, merit-reviewed grants.

Establishes as the program goal developing technologies and methods, based on the biological functions of microbes and plants, that: (1) can facilitate the production of fuels; (2) convert carbon dioxide to organic carbon; and (3) detoxify soils and water at DOE facilities contaminated with heavy metals and radiological materials. Requires the Secretary to: (1) transmit to Congress a research plan describing how the program will accomplish that goal; (2) contract with the National Academy of Sciences to review the plan; and (3) transmit the review to Congress along with the Secretary's response to recommendations.

Prohibits the Secretary from conducting biomedical research in carrying out such program.

[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1645 Introduced in House (IH)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1645

  To establish a research, development, and demonstration program in 
 genetics, protein science, and computational biology of microbes and 
     plants to support the energy and environmental mission of the 
                         Department of Energy.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 7, 2003

 Mr. Boehlert introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                          Committee on Science

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To establish a research, development, and demonstration program in 
 genetics, protein science, and computational biology of microbes and 
     plants to support the energy and environmental mission of the 
                         Department of Energy.

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

SECTION 1. GENOMES TO LIFE.

    (a) Program.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a 
        research, development and demonstration program in genetics, 
        protein science, and computational biology of microbes and 
        plants to support the energy and environmental mission of the 
        Department.
            (2) Grants.--The program shall support individual 
        investigators and multidisciplinary teams of investigators 
        through competitive, merit-reviewed grants.
            (3) Consultation.--In carrying out the program, the 
        Secretary shall consult with other Federal agencies that 
        conduct genetic and protein research.
    (b) Goals.--The program shall have the goal of developing 
technologies and methods based on the biological functions of microbes 
and plants that--
            (1) can facilitate the production of fuels, including 
        hydrogen;
            (2) convert carbon dioxide to organic carbon; and
            (3) detoxify soils and water at Department facilities 
        contaminated with heavy metals and radiological materials.
    (c) Plan.--
            (1) Development of plan.--Within one year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare and transmit 
        to the Congress a research plan describing how the program 
        authorized pursuant to this section will be undertaken to 
        accomplish the program goals established in section (b).
            (2) Review of plan.--The Secretary shall contract with the 
        National Academy of Sciences to review the research plan 
        developed under this subsection. The Secretary shall transmit 
        the review to the Congress not later than 6 months after 
        transmittal of the research plan under paragraph (1), along 
        with the Secretary's response to the recommendations contained 
        in the review.
    (d) Facilities.--In carrying out the program under this section, 
the Secretary may construct, acquire and operate facilities necessary 
to carry out this section.
    (e) No Biomedical Research.--In carrying out this program, the 
Secretary shall not conduct biomedical research.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy 
such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2004 through 
2007 to carry out this Act.
                                 <all>