New Manhattan Project for Energy Independence - Requires the President to convene a summit to review the progress and promise of, the interrelationship of, and the additional funding needed to accelerate the progress of: (1) developing alternative technology vehicles that are not more than 10% more expensive than comparable model year vehicles; (2) developing and building energy efficient buildings that use no more than 50% of the energy of buildings of similar size and type; (3) constructing a large scale solar thermal power plant or solar photovoltaic power plant capable of generating 300 megawatts or more at a cost of 10 cents or less per kilowatt-hour; (4) developing and producing biofuel that does not exceed 105% of the cost for the energy equivalent of unleaded gasoline; (5) developing and implementing a carbon capture and storage system for a large scale coal-burning power plant that does not increase operating costs more than 15% compared to a baseline design without carbon capture and storage while providing an estimated chance of carbon dioxide escape of no greater than 1% over 5,000 years; (6) developing both a process to remediate radioactive waste so that it is not harmful for at least 5,000 years and a model that accounts for the effects of nuclear waste in that process; and (7) developing a sustainable nuclear fusion reaction capable of providing a large-scale sustainable source of electricity for residential, commercial, or government entities.
Requires the Secretary of Energy to implement: (1) a program to support such technologies; and (2) a program to competitively award cash prizes to advance the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application necessary to advance such technologies.
Establishes the New Manhattan Project Commission on Energy Independence and sets forth its duties, including recommending to Congress steps to achieve 50% energy independence within 10 years and 100% energy independence within 20 years and assessing the impact of foreign energy dependence on national security.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 301 Introduced in House (IH)]
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 301
To ensure the energy independence of the United States by promoting
research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of
technologies through a system of grants and prizes on the scale of the
original Manhattan Project.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 18, 2011
Mr. Forbes introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To ensure the energy independence of the United States by promoting
research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of
technologies through a system of grants and prizes on the scale of the
original Manhattan Project.
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 ``New Manhattan Project for Energy
Independence''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the
Commission established under section 7.
(2) Research.--The term ``research'' includes research on
the technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes
required to achieve the goals described in section 3.
SEC. 3. GOALS.
(a) In General.--The purpose of this Act is to enable the
achievement of each of the following goals:
(1) Vehicle fuel efficiencies and alternative fuel
sources.--Development and manufacturing of a plug-in hybrid
vehicle, alternative fuel vehicle, electric vehicle, hydrogen
fuel cell vehicle, or other alternative technology vehicle--
(A) that is not more than 10 percent more expensive
than a comparable model vehicle of the same model year;
(B) with--
(i) equal acceleration, horsepower, and top
speed performance; and
(ii) not more than 20 percent reduction in
cargo space,
as compared to a comparable model vehicle of the same
model year;
(C) that meets or exceeds Federal safety standards;
(D) that can travel at least 750 miles between
refueling; and
(E) in the case of a gasoline-powered vehicle, that
can travel at least 70 miles per gallon of gasoline.
(2) Green buildings.--Develop and build an energy efficient
residential or commercial building that--
(A) uses no more than 50 percent of the energy of
the average new building of similar size and type;
(B) costs no more than 15 percent more to construct
than the cost of a building of similar size and type;
and
(C) can be effectively reproduced in a variety of
climate environments found in the United States.
(3) Solar power.--Construction of a large scale solar
thermal power plant or solar photovoltaic power plant capable
of generating 300 megawatts or more at a cost of 10 cents or
less per kilowatt-hour when all capital and operating expenses
are calculated into the cost.
(4) Biofuels.--Development and production of a biofuel
that, when mass produced, does not exceed 105 percent of the
cost for the energy equivalent of unleaded gasoline when all
capital and operating expenses are calculated into the cost of
the biofuel.
(5) Carbon sequestration.--Development and implementation
of a carbon capture and storage system for a large scale coal-
burning power plant that does not increase operating costs more
than 15 percent compared to a baseline design without carbon
capture and storage while providing an estimated chance of
carbon dioxide escape no greater than 1 percent over 5,000
years.
(6) Nuclear waste.--Development of both--
(A) a validated process for remediation of the
radioactive waste form so it is no longer harmful to
the health or welfare of the environment or individuals
for a period to be determined by the Commission, which
shall be not less than 5,000 years; and
(B) a model that accounts for all the effects of
nuclear waste in that process.
(7) Nuclear fusion.--Development of a sustainable nuclear
fusion reaction capable of providing a large-scale (greater
than 300 megawatts), sustainable source of electricity for
residential, commercial, or government entities.
(b) Amendment of Goals.--The Secretary of Energy may amend a goal
described in subsection (a) pursuant to a recommendation from the
Commission under section 7(b)(5), or on his own initiative, if such
amendment serves the purpose of achieving the goal of United States
energy independence through the development of technologies that lead
to the widespread adoption of improvements that increase energy supply
or energy efficiency.
SEC. 4. SUMMIT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the President shall convene a summit that includes--
(1) the principal advisors and directors of all programs in
the Federal Government related to the achievement of the goals
described in section 3;
(2) the members of the Commission; and
(3) leading researchers at the Federal laboratories and
representatives of private sector partners engaged in the
production and manufacturing of technologies necessary to
achieve the goals described in section 3.
(b) Purpose.--The summit shall be for the purpose of reviewing the
progress and promise for each of these technologies, the
interrelationship of these technologies to each other, and additional
funding resources needed to accelerate the progress of these programs
toward achieving the goals described in section 3.
SEC. 5. GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the
Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and other Federal
agencies as appropriate, shall carry out a program consisting of a
collaborative effort with industry, government, and academia to support
research, development, demonstration, and commercial application
activities related to achieving the goals described in section 3.
(b) Grants.--Such program shall consist of grants to researchers,
large and small businesses, National Laboratories, institutions of
higher education, or any other qualified applicant, including veterans.
(c) Limitation on Amount.--No grant shall be made under this
section in an amount that exceeds 5 percent of the amount authorized
under section 8(1) for prizes for the achievement of the same goal.
(d) Cost Sharing.--The Federal share of the costs of a project for
which a grant is made under this section shall not exceed 15 percent.
SEC. 6. PRIZE PROGRAM.
(a) Prize Authority.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Energy shall carry out a
program to competitively award cash prizes in conformity with
this section to advance the research, development,
demonstration, and commercial application necessary to achieve
the goals described in section 3.
(2) Advertising and solicitation of competitors.--
(A) Advertising.--The Secretary shall widely
advertise prize competitions under this section to
encourage broad participation by researchers, large and
small businesses, institutions of higher education, and
any other qualified applicants, including veterans.
(B) Announcement through federal register notice.--
The Secretary shall announce each prize competition
under this section by publishing a notice in the
Federal Register. This notice shall include essential
elements of the competition such as the subject of the
competition, the duration of the competition, the
eligibility requirements for participation in the
competition, the process for participants to register
for the competition, the amount of the prize, and the
criteria for awarding the prize, which shall include,
at a minimum, the achievement of one of the goals
described in section 3.
(3) Announcement of prizes.--The Secretary may not issue a
notice required by paragraph (2)(B) until all the funds needed
to pay out the announced amount of the prize have been
appropriated.
(b) Prize Categories.--
(1) Categories.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish a
single prize under this section for each of the goals described
in paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 3.
(2) Criteria.--In establishing the criteria required by
this section, the Secretary--
(A) shall consult with other Federal agencies,
including the National Science Foundation; and
(B) may consult with other experts such as private
organizations, including professional societies,
industry associations, and the National Academy of
Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering.
(c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to win a prize under this section,
an individual or entity--
(1) shall have complied with all the requirements in
accordance with the Federal Register notice required under
subsection (a)(2)(B);
(2) in the case of a private entity, shall be incorporated
in and maintain a primary place of business in the United
States, and in the case of an individual, whether participating
singly or in a group, shall be a citizen of, or an alien
lawfully admitted for permanent residence in, the United
States; and
(3) shall not be a Federal entity, a Federal employee
acting within the scope of his employment, or an employee of a
national laboratory acting within the scope of his employment.
(d) Award Selection.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Energy shall award prizes
under this section on the basis of the criteria published in
the notice required under subsection (a)(2)(B), after receiving
the recommendations of the Commission under section 7(b)(3).
(2) Congressional notification.--If the Secretary awards a
prize under paragraph (1) in a manner that does not conform to
the recommendations of the Commission, the Secretary shall
transmit a report to the Congress explaining the reasons for
such action.
(e) Intellectual Property.--The Federal Government shall not, by
virtue of offering or awarding a prize under this section, be entitled
to any intellectual property rights derived as a consequence of, or
direct relation to, the participation by a registered participant in a
competition authorized by this section. This subsection shall not be
construed to prevent the Federal Government from negotiating a license
for the use of intellectual property developed for a prize competition
under this section.
(f) Liability.--
(1) Waiver of liability.--The Secretary of Energy may
require registered participants to waive claims against the
Federal Government (except claims for willful misconduct) for
any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or
profits arising from the registered participants' participation
in a competition under this section. The Secretary shall give
notice of any waiver required under this paragraph in the
notice required by subsection (a)(2)(B).
(2) Liability insurance.--
(A) Requirements.--Registered participants in a
prize competition under this section shall be required
to obtain liability insurance or demonstrate financial
responsibility, in amounts determined by the Secretary,
for claims by--
(i) a third party for death, bodily injury,
or property damage or loss resulting from an
activity carried out in connection with
participation in a competition under this
section; and
(ii) the Federal Government for damage or
loss to Government property resulting from such
an activity.
(B) Federal government insured.--The Federal
Government shall be named as an additional insured
under a registered participant's insurance policy
required under subparagraph (A) with respect to claims
described in clause (i) of that subparagraph, and
registered participants shall be required to agree to
indemnify the Federal Government against third-party
claims for damages arising from or related to
competition activities under this section.
(g) Nonsubstitution.--The programs created under this section shall
not be considered a substitute for Federal research and development
programs.
SEC. 7. COMMISSION.
(a) Establishment.--There shall be established the New Manhattan
Project Commission on Energy Independence.
(b) Functions.--The Commission shall--
(1) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, submit to Congress and the President a report
containing--
(A) recommendations on steps that must be taken in
order for the United States to achieve 50 percent
energy independence within 10 years and 100 percent
energy independence within 20 years; and
(B) an assessment of the impact of foreign energy
dependence on United States national security;
(2) advise the Secretary of Energy on the design and
operation of the grant program established under section 5;
(3) make recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on the
design and operation, including selection criteria, of the
prize program carried out under section 6;
(4) make recommendations to the Secretary of Energy
selecting participants who have achieved a goal for which a
prize will be awarded under section 6; and
(5) submit recommendations to Congress for any amendments
to make the goals described in section 3 more stringent, as
appropriate because of changing circumstances, if such
amendments serve the purpose of achieving the goal of United
States energy independence through the development of
technologies that lead to the widespread adoption of
improvements that increase energy supply or energy efficiency.
(c) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of 13 members as
follows:
(1) The Under Secretary for Science of the Department of
Energy.
(2) The Administrator of the Research and Innovative
Technology Administration.
(3) The Director of the National Science Foundation.
(4) The Chairman of the Federal Laboratory Consortium for
Technology Transfer.
(5) The President of the National Academy of Sciences.
(6) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
(7) Two members appointed by the minority leader of the
House of Representatives.
(8) Two members appointed by the majority leader of the
Senate.
(9) Two members appointed by the minority leader of the
Senate.
(d) Terms of Membership.--Each member of the Commission appointed
under subsection (c) (6) through (9) shall be appointed for a term of
two years, except that of the members first appointed, one under each
of those paragraphs shall be appointed for a term of one year. A member
of the Commission may serve after the expiration of the member's term
until a successor has taken office.
(e) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its
powers but, in the case of a member appointed under subsection (c) (6)
through (9), shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment was made. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy for an
unexpired term shall be appointed for the remainder of such term.
(f) Quorum.--Seven members of the Commission shall constitute a
quorum.
(g) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the
Chairman or a majority of its members.
(h) Compensation.--(1) Each member of the Commission shall serve
without compensation.
(2) While away from their homes or regular places of business in
the performance of duties for the Commission, members of the Commission
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under
sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
(i) Staff.--Subject to rules prescribed by the Commission, the
Commission may appoint personnel as it considers appropriate.
(j) Applicability of Certain Civil Service Laws.--The staff of the
Commission shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5,
United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service,
and shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and
subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification
and General Schedule pay rates.
(k) Experts and Consultants.--The Commission may procure temporary
and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United
States Code.
(l) Hearings and Sessions.--The Commission may, for the purpose of
carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places,
take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers
appropriate.
(m) Powers of Members and Agents.--Any member or agent of the
Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which
the Commission is authorized to take by this section.
(n) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly
from any department or agency of the United States information
necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the
Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that
information to the Commission.
(o) Subpoena Power.--
(1) In general.--The Commission may issue subpoenas
requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the
production of any evidence relating to any matter under
investigation by the Commission. The attendance of witnesses
and the production of evidence may be required from any place
within the United States at any designated place of hearing
within the United States.
(2) Failure to obey a subpoena.--If a person refuses to
obey a subpoena issued under paragraph (1), the Commission may
apply to a United States district court for an order requiring
that person to appear before the Commission to give testimony,
produce evidence, or both, relating to the matter under
investigation. The application may be made within the judicial
district where the hearing is conducted or where that person is
found, resides, or transacts business. Any failure to obey the
order of the court may be punished by the court as civil
contempt.
(3) Service of subpoenas.--The subpoenas of the Commission
shall be served in the manner provided for subpoenas issued by
a United States district court under the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure for the United States district courts.
(4) Service of process.--All process of any court to which
application is made under paragraph (2) may be served in the
judicial district in which the person required to be served
resides or may be found.
(p) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Section 14 of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the
Commission.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Energy--
(1) for the period encompassing fiscal years 2012 through
2021--
(A) $500,000,000 for awarding the prize under
section 6 for meeting the goal described in section
3(1);
(B) $250,000,000 for awarding the prize under
section 6 for meeting the goal described in section
3(2);
(C) $250,000,000 for awarding the prize under
section 6 for meeting the goal described in section
3(3);
(D) $1,000,000,000 for awarding the prize under
section 6 for meeting the goal described in section
3(4);
(E) $1,000,000,000 for awarding the prize under
section 6 for meeting the goal described in section
3(5);
(F) $1,000,000,000 for awarding the prize under
section 6 for meeting the goal described in section
3(6);
(G) $10,000,000,000 for awarding the prize under
section 6 for meeting the goal described in section
3(7); and
(H) $10,000,000,000 for carrying out the grant
program under section 5; and
(2) such sums as may be necessary for carrying out this Act
for subsequent fiscal years.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
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