Regional Innovation Act of 2021
This bill establishes a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program and a Regional Clean Energy Innovation Program.
The bill directs the Department of Commerce to establish the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program to
Additionally, the Department of Energy shall establish the Regional Clean Energy Innovation Program to
Commerce shall carry out a program of data collection and analysis of technology and innovation sectors critical to realizing national objectives, including national security, economic prosperity, and social welfare.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4588 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4588
To amend the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to
establish a regional technology and innovation hub program, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 20, 2021
Ms. Wild (for herself, Mr. Baird, Mr. Bowman, Mr. Gonzalez of Ohio, and
Mr. Khanna) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to
establish a regional technology and innovation hub program, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Regional
Innovation Act of 2021''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Regional innovation capacity.
Sec. 3. Regional Clean Energy Innovation Program.
SEC. 2. REGIONAL INNOVATION CAPACITY.
(a) In General.--The Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of
1980 (Public Law 96-480; 15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 28 as section 29; and
(2) by inserting after section 27 the following:
``SEC. 28. REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION HUB PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
`appropriate committees of Congress' means--
``(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, the Committee on Environment and Public
Works, and the Committee on Appropriations of the
Senate; and
``(B) the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives.
``(2) Cooperative extension services.--The term
`cooperative extension services' has the meaning given the term
in section 1404 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3103).
``(3) Historically black colleges and universities.--The
term `historically Black colleges and universities' has the
same meaning given to the term in section 322 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
``(4) Labor organization.--The term `labor organization'
has the meaning given the term in section 2(5) of the National
Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(5)), except that such term
shall also include--
``(A) any organization composed of labor
organizations, such as a labor union federation or a
State or municipal labor body; and
``(B) any organization which would be included in
the definition for such term under such section (5) but
for the fact that the organization represents--
``(i) individuals employed by the United
States, any wholly owned Government
corporation, any Federal Reserve Bank, or any
State or political subdivision thereof;
``(ii) individuals employed by persons
subject to the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 151
et seq.); or
``(iii) individuals employed as
agricultural laborers.
``(5) Manufacturing extension center.--The term
`manufacturing extension center' has the meaning given the term
`Center' in section 25(a) of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k(a)).
``(6) Manufacturing usa institute.--The term `Manufacturing
USA institute' means an Manufacturing USA institute described
in section 34(d) of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278s(d)).
``(7) Minority serving institution.--The term `minority-
serving institution' means a Hispanic-serving institution, an
Alaska Native-serving institution, a Native Hawaiian-serving
institutions, a Predominantly Black Institution, an Asian
American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving
institution, or a Native American-serving nontribal institution
as described in section 371 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
``(8) Site connectivity infrastructure.--The term `site
connectivity infrastructure' means localized driveways and
access roads to a facility as well as hookups to the new
facility for drinking water, waste water, broadband, and other
basic infrastructure services already present in the area.
``(9) State.--The term `state' has the meaning given such
term in section 27(a) of the Stevenson-Wydler Act of 1980 (15
U.S.C. 3722(a)).
``(10) Tribal college or university.--The term `Tribal
College or University' has the meaning given such term in
section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059c).
``(11) Venture development organization.--The term `venture
development organization' has the meaning given such term in
section 27(a) of the Stevenson-Wydler Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C.
3722(a)).
``(b) Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Secretary shall carry out a program--
``(A) to encourage new and constructive
collaboration among local, State, and Federal
government entities, institutions of higher education,
the private sector, economic development organizations,
labor organizations, nonprofit organizations, and
community organizations to promote inclusive regional
innovation initiatives;
``(B) to support eligible consortia in the
development and implementation of regional innovation
strategies;
``(C) to designate eligible consortia as regional
technology and innovation hubs and facilitate
activities by consortia designated as regional
technology and innovation hubs in implementing their
regional innovation strategies, in order--
``(i) to enable United States leadership in
technology and innovation sectors critical to
national and economic security;
``(ii) to support regional economic
development and resilience, including in small
cities and rural areas, and promote increased
geographic diversity of innovation across the
United States;
``(iii) to promote the benefits of
technology development and innovation for all
Americans, including underserved communities
and vulnerable communities;
``(iv) to support domestic job creation and
broad-based economic growth; and
``(v) to improve the pace of market
readiness, industry maturation, and overall
commercialization of innovative research;
``(D) to ensure that the regional technology and
innovation hubs address the intersection of emerging
technologies and either regional challenges or national
challenges; and
``(E) to conduct ongoing research, evaluation,
analysis, and dissemination of best practices for
regional development and competitiveness in technology
and innovation.
``(2) Awards.--The Secretary shall carry out the program
required by paragraph (1) through the award of the following:
``(A) Strategy development grants or cooperative
agreements to eligible consortia under subsection (e).
``(B) Strategy implementation grants or cooperative
agreements to regional technology and innovation hubs
under subsection (f).
``(c) Eligible Consortia.--For purposes of this section, an
eligible consortium is a consortium that--
``(1) includes 1 or more of each of the following--
``(A) institutions of higher education, which may
include Historically Black Colleges and Universities,
Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority Serving
Institutions;
``(B) State, local, or Tribal governments or other
political subdivisions of a State, including State and
local agencies, or a consortia thereof;
``(C) industry or firms in relevant technology or
innovation sectors;
``(D) labor organizations or workforce training
organizations, which may include State and local
workforce development boards as established under
section 101 and 107 of the Workforce Investment and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111; 3122); and
``(E) organizations that contribute to increasing
the participation of underserved populations in
science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship;
and
``(2) may include 1 or more--
``(A) economic development entities with relevant
expertise, including a district organization (as
defined in section 300.3 of title 13, Code of Federal
Regulations, or successor regulation);
``(B) economic development organizations or similar
entities that are focused primarily on improving
science, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, or
access to capital;
``(C) venture development organizations;
``(D) financial institutions and investment funds;
``(E) primary and secondary educational
institutions, including career and technical education
schools;
``(F) National Laboratories (as defined in section
2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801));
``(G) Federal laboratories;
``(H) Manufacturing extension centers;
``(I) Manufacturing USA institutes;
``(J) transportation planning organizations;
``(K) a cooperative extension services; and
``(L) organizations that represent the perspectives
of underserved communities in economic development
initiatives.
``(d) Designation of Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (b)(1)(C),
the Secretary shall use a competitive, merit-review process to
designate not fewer than 10 eligible consortia as regional
technology and innovation hubs.
``(2) Geographic distribution.--In conducting the
competitive process under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
ensure geographic distribution in the designation of regional
technology and innovation hubs by--
``(A) focusing on localities that are not leading
technology centers;
``(B) ensuring that not fewer than one third of
eligible consortia designated as regional technology
and innovation hubs significantly benefit a rural or
other underserved community;
``(C) ensuring that at least one eligible
consortium designated as a regional technology and
innovation hub is headquartered in a State that is
eligible to receive funding from the Established
Program to Stimulate Competitive Research of the
National Science Foundation; and
``(D) ensuring that at least one eligible
consortium designated as a regional technology and
innovation hub is headquartered in a region that has a
high density of institutions of higher education
serving populations historically underrepresented in
STEM, including historically Black Colleges and
Universities and minority serving institutions.
``(3) Relation to certain grant awards.--The Secretary
shall not require an eligible consortium to receive a grant or
cooperative agreement under subsection (e) in order to be
designated as a regional technology and innovation hub under
paragraph (1) of this subsection.
``(e) Strategy Development Grants and Cooperative Agreements.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall use a competitive,
merit-review process to award grants or cooperative agreements
to eligible consortia for the development of regional
innovation strategies.
``(2) Number of recipients.--The Secretary shall award a
grant or cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) to not fewer
than 20 eligible consortia.
``(3) Geographic diversity and representation.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out
paragraph (1) in a manner that ensures geographic
diversity and representation from communities of
differing populations.
``(B) Awards to rural communities and underserved
communities.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall award not fewer than one-half of the
grants and cooperative agreements under such paragraph
to eligible consortia that significantly benefit a
rural state, rural community, or other underserved
community.
``(4) Use of funds.--The amount of a grant or cooperative
agreement awarded under paragraph (1) shall be as follows:
``(A) To coordinate locally defined planning
processes, across jurisdictions and agencies, relating
to developing a comprehensive regional technology
strategy.
``(B) To identify regional partnerships for
developing and implementing a comprehensive regional
technology strategy.
``(C) To conduct or update assessments to determine
regional needs and capabilities.
``(D) To develop or update goals and strategies to
implement an existing comprehensive regional plan.
``(E) To identify or implement planning and local
zoning and other code changes necessary to implement a
comprehensive regional technology strategy.
``(F) To develop or update goals for ensuring that
any new regional technology strategy mitigates and does
not exacerbate economic or social inequities in a
region.
``(5) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of an
effort carried out using a grant or cooperative agreement
awarded under this subsection may not exceed 80 percent--
``(A) where in-kind contributions may be used for
all or part of the non-Federal share, but Federal
funding from other government sources may not count
towards the non-Federal share;
``(B) except in the case of an eligible consortium
that represents all or part of a rural or other
underserved community, the Federal share may be up to
90 percent of the total cost, subject to subparagraph
(A); and
``(C) except in the case of an eligible consortium
that is led by a Tribal government, the Federal share
may be up to 100 percent of the total cost of the
project.
``(f) Strategy Implementation Grants and Cooperative Agreements.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall use a competitive,
merit-review process to award grants or cooperative agreements
to regional technology and innovation hubs for the
implementation of regional innovation strategies, including
regional strategies for infrastructure and site development, in
support of the regional innovation and technology and
innovation hub's plans and programs. The Secretary should
determine the size and number of awards based on appropriations
available to ensure the success of regional technology and
innovation hubs as outlined in subsection (h).
``(2) Use of funds.--Financial assistance awarded under
paragraph (1) to a regional technology and innovation hub may
be used by the regional technology and innovation hub to
support any of the following activities, consistent with the
most current regional innovation strategy of the regional
technology and innovation hub:
``(A) Workforce development activities.--Workforce
development activities, including activities relating
to the following:
``(i) The creation of partnerships between
industry, workforce, nonprofit, and educational
institutions to create and align technical
training and educational programs.
``(ii) The design, development, and
updating of educational and training curriculum
tied to demonstrated regional workforce needs.
``(iii) The procurement of facilities and
equipment, as required to train a technical
workforce.
``(iv) The development and execution of
programs to rapidly award certificates or
credentials recognized by regional industries
or other organizations.
``(v) The matching of regional employers
with a potential new entrant, underemployed,
underrepresented, or incumbent workforce.
``(vi) The expansion of successful training
programs at a scale required by the region
served by the regional technology and
innovation hub, including through the use of
online education.
``(vii) The development and expansion of
programs with the goal of increasing the
participation of persons historically
underrepresented in STEM in the workforce
development plans of the regional technology
and innovation hub.
``(B) Business and entrepreneur development
activities.--Business and entrepreneur development
activities, including activities relating to the
following:
``(i) The development and growth of
regional businesses and the training of
entrepreneurs.
``(ii) The support of technology
commercialization, including funding for
activities relevant for advancing high growth
potential ventures such as acceleration,
incubation and other relevant programming.
``(iii) The development of capital networks
and consortia to attract necessary private
funding to businesses and entrepreneurs in the
region.
``(iv) The development of networks for
business and entrepreneur mentorship.
``(C) Technology development and maturation
activities.--Technology maturation activities,
including activities relating to the following:
``(i) The development and deployment of
technologies in sectors critical to the region
served by the regional technology and
innovation hub or to national and economic
security, including industry-university
research cooperation, proof of concept,
prototype development, and testing.
``(ii) The development of programming to
support the creation and transfer of
intellectual property into private use, such as
through startup creation.
``(iii) The provision of facilities for
technology maturation, including incubators for
collaborative development of technologies by
private sector, academic, nonprofit, and other
entities.
``(iv) Activities to provide or ensure
access to capital for new business formation
and business expansion, including by attracting
new private, public, and philanthropic
investment and by establishing regional venture
and loan funds.
``(D) Infrastructure-related activities.--The
building of facilities and site connectivity
infrastructure necessary to carry out activities
described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), including
activities relating to the following:
``(i) Establishing a center with required
tools and instrumentation for workforce
development.
``(ii) Establishing a facility for
technology development, demonstration, and
testing.
``(iii) Establishing collaborative
incubators to support technology
commercialization and entrepreneur training.
``(3) Term.--
``(A) Initial performance period.--The term of an
initial grant or cooperative agreement awarded under
this subsection shall be for a period that the
Secretary deems appropriate for the proposed activities
but not less than 2 years.
``(B) Subsequent performance period.--The Secretary
may renew a grant or cooperative agreement awarded to a
regional technology and innovation hub under paragraph
(1) for such period as the Secretary considers
appropriate, if the Secretary determines that the
regional technology and innovation hub has made
satisfactory progress towards the metrics agreed to
under subparagraph (j).
``(C) Flexible approach.--In renewing a grant or
cooperative agreement under subparagraph (B), the
Secretary and eligible consortium may agree to new or
additional uses of funds in order to meet changes in
the needs of the region.
``(4) Limitation on amount of awards.--
``(A) Initial performance period.--The amount of an
initial grant or cooperative agreements awarded to a
regional technology and innovation hub under paragraph
(3)(A) shall be no more than $150,000,000.
``(B) Subsequent performance period.--Upon renewal
of a grant or cooperative agreement under paragraph
(3)(B), the Secretary may award funding in the amount
that the Secretary considers appropriate, ensuring that
no single regional technology and innovation hub
receives more than 15 percent of the aggregate amount
of the grants and cooperative agreements awarded under
this subsection.
``(5) Matching required.--
``(A) Initial performance period.--Except in the
case of a regional technology and innovation hub
described in subparagraph (C), the total amount of all
grants awarded to a regional technology and innovation
hub under this subsection in phase one shall not exceed
90 percent of the total operating costs of the regional
technology and innovation hub during the initial
performance period.
``(B) Subsequent performance period.--Except in the
case of a regional technology and innovation hub
described in subparagraph (C), the total amount of all
grants awarded to a regional technology and innovation
hub in subsequent performance periods shall not exceed
75 percent of the total operating costs of the regional
technology and innovation hub in each year of the grant
or cooperative agreement.
``(C) Rural communities or underserved communities
and indian tribes.--
``(i) In general.--The total Federal
financial assistance awarded in a given year to
a regional technology and innovation hub under
this subsection shall not exceed amounts as
follows:
``(I) In the case of a regional
technology and innovation hub that
primarily serves a rural community or
other underserved community, in a
fiscal year, 90 percent of the total
funding of the regional technology and
innovation hub in that fiscal year.
``(II) In the case of a regional
technology and innovation hub that is
led by a Tribal government, in a fiscal
year, 100 percent of the total funding
of the regional technology and
innovation hub in that fiscal year.
``(ii) Minimum threshold of rural
representation.--For purposes of clause (i)(I),
the Secretary shall establish a minimum
threshold of rural representation and other
underserved community representation in the
regional technology and innovation hub.
``(D) In-kind contributions.--For purposes of this
paragraph, in-kind contributions may be used for part
of the non-Federal share of the total funding of a
regional technology and innovation hub in a fiscal
year.
``(6) Grants for infrastructure.--Any grant or cooperative
agreement awarded under this subsection to support the
construction of facilities and site connectivity infrastructure
shall be awarded pursuant to section 201 of the Public Works
and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3141) and
subject to the provisions of such Act, except that subsection
(b) of such section and sections 204 and 301 of such Act (42
U.S.C. 3144; 3161) shall not apply.
``(7) Relation to certain grant awards.--The Secretary
shall not require a regional technology and innovation hub to
receive a grant or cooperative agreement under subsection (e)
in order to receive a grant or cooperative agreement under this
subsection.
``(g) Applications.--An eligible consortium seeking designation as
a regional technology and innovation hub under subsection (d) or a
grant or cooperative agreement under subsection (e) or (f) shall submit
to the Secretary an application therefore at such time, in such manner,
and containing such information as the Secretary may specify.
``(h) Considerations for Designation and Award of Strategy
Implementation Grants and Cooperative Agreements.--In selecting an
eligible consortium that submitted an application under subsection (g)
for designation under subsection (d) or for a grant or cooperative
agreement under subsection (f), the Secretary shall consider the
following:
``(1) The potential of the eligible consortium to advance
the research, development, deployment, and domestic
manufacturing of technologies in a technology or innovation
sector critical to national and economic security.
``(2) The likelihood of positive regional economic effect,
including increasing the number of high wage domestic jobs, and
creating new economic opportunities for economically
disadvantaged and underrepresented populations.
``(3) How the eligible consortium plans to integrate with
and leverage the resources of 1 or more federally funded
research and development centers, National Laboratories,
Federal laboratories, Manufacturing USA institutes, Hollings
Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers, or other Federal
entities.
``(4) How the eligible consortium will engage with the
private sector, including small- and medium-sized businesses to
commercialize new technologies and improve the resiliency of
domestic supply chains in a technology or innovation sector
critical to national and economic security.
``(5) How the eligible consortium will carry out workforce
development and skills acquisition programming, including
through partnerships with entities that include State and local
workforce development boards, institutions of higher education,
including community colleges, historically Black colleges and
universities, Tribal colleges and universities, and minority
serving institutions, labor organizations, and workforce
development programs, and other related activities authorized
by the Secretary, to support the development of a skilled
technical workforce for the regional technology and innovation
hub.
``(6) How the eligible consortium will improve or expand
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education
programs and opportunities in the identified region in
elementary and secondary school and higher education
institutions located in the identified region.
``(7) How the eligible consortium plans to develop
partnerships with venture development organizations and sources
of private investment in support of private sector activity,
including launching new or expanding existing companies.
``(8) How the eligible consortium plans to organize the
activities of regional partners across sectors in support of a
regional technology and innovation hub.
``(9) How the eligible consortium will ensure that growth
in technology and innovation sector produces opportunity across
the identified region, including for economically
disadvantaged, minority, and rural populations, including
consideration of how the eligible consortium takes into account
the relevant impact of regional status and plans for--
``(A) available housing stock and housing policies;
``(B) local and regional transportation systems;
``(C) high speed internet access; and
``(D) primary and secondary education.
``(10) How much the regions educational institutions are
committed to aligning their activities, including research and
education, as appropriate, to a region's economic strengths and
areas of focus.
``(11) The likelihood efforts served by the consortium will
be sustained once Federal support ends.
``(i) Coordination and Collaboration.--
``(1) Coordination with regional innovation program.--The
Secretary shall ensure the activities under this section do not
duplicate activities or efforts under section 27.
``(2) Coordination among hubs.--The Secretary shall ensure
eligible consortia that receive a grant or cooperative
agreement under this section coordinate and share best
practices for regional economic development.
``(3) Coordination with programs of the national institute
of standards and technology.--The Secretary shall coordinate
the activities of regional technology and innovation hubs
designated under this section, the Hollings Manufacturing
Extension Partnership, and the Manufacturing USA Program, as
the Secretary considers appropriate, to maintain the
effectiveness of a manufacturing extension center or a
Manufacturing USA institute.
``(4) Coordination with department of energy programs.--The
Secretary shall, in collaboration with the Secretary of Energy,
coordinate the activities and selection of regional technology
and innovation hubs designated under this section, as the
Secretaries consider appropriate, to maintain the effectiveness
of activities at the Department of Energy and the National
Laboratories.
``(5) Interagency collaboration.--In designating regional
technology and innovation hubs under subsection (d) and
awarding grants or cooperative agreements under subsection (f),
the Secretary--
``(A) shall collaborate with Federal departments
and agencies whose missions contribute to the goals of
the regional technology and innovation hub;
``(B) shall consult with the Director of the
National Science Foundation for the purpose of ensuring
that the regional technology and innovation hubs are
aligned with relevant science, technology, and
engineering expertise; and
``(C) may accept funds from other Federal agencies
to support grants, cooperative agreements, and
activities under this section.
``(j) Performance Measurement, Transparency, and Accountability.--
``(1) Metrics, standards, and assessment.--For each grant
and cooperative agreement awarded under subsection (f) for a
regional technology and innovation hub, the Secretary shall--
``(A) in consultation with the regional technology
and innovation hub, develop metrics, which may include
metrics relating to domestic job creation, patent
awards, increases in research funding, business
formation and expansion, and participation of
individuals or communities historically
underrepresented in STEM in, to assess the
effectiveness of the activities funded in making
progress toward the purposes set forth under subsection
(b)(1);
``(B) establish standards for the performance of
the regional technology and innovation hub that are
based on the metrics developed under subparagraph (A);
and
``(C) prior to any award made under a subsequent
performance period in subsection (f) and every 2 years
thereafter until Federal financial assistance under
this section for the regional technology and innovation
hub is discontinued, conduct an assessment of the
regional technology and innovation hub to confirm
whether the performance of the regional technology and
innovation hub is meeting the standards for performance
established under subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.
``(2) Final reports by recipients of strategy
implementation grants and cooperative agreements.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall require each
eligible consortium that receives a grant or
cooperative agreement under subsection (f) for
activities of a regional technology and innovation hub,
as a condition of receipt of such grant or cooperative
agreement, to submit to the Secretary, not later than
120 days after the last day of the term of the grant or
cooperative agreement, a report on the activities of
the regional technology and innovation hub supported by
the grant or cooperative agreement.
``(B) Contents of report.--Each report submitted by
an eligible consortium under subparagraph (A) shall
include the following:
``(i) A detailed description of the
activities carried out by the regional
technology and innovation hub using the grant
or cooperative agreement described in
subparagraph (A), including the following:
``(I) A description of each project
the regional technology and innovation
hub completed using such grant or
cooperative agreement.
``(II) An explanation of how each
project described in subclause (I)
achieves a specific goal under this
section in the region of the regional
technology and innovation hub with
respect to--
``(aa) the resiliency of a
supply chain;
``(bb) research,
development, and deployment of
a critical technology;
``(cc) workforce training
and development;
``(dd) domestic job
creation;
``(ee) entrepreneurship and
company formation;
``(ff) commercialization;
``(gg) access to private
capital; or
``(hh) participation of
individuals or communities
historically underrepresented
in STEM.
``(ii) A discussion of any obstacles
encountered by the regional technology and
innovation hub in the implementation of the
regional technology and innovation hub and how
the regional technology and innovation hub
overcame those obstacles.
``(iii) An evaluation of the success of the
projects of the regional technology and
innovation hub using the performance standards
and measures established under paragraph (1),
including an evaluation of the planning process
and how the project contributes to carrying out
the regional innovation strategy of the
regional technology and innovation hub.
``(iv) The effectiveness of the regional
technology and innovation hub in ensuring that,
in the region of the regional technology and
innovation hub, growth in technology and
innovation sectors produces broadly shared
opportunity across the region, including for
economic disadvantaged and underrepresented
populations and rural areas.
``(v) Information regarding such other
matters as the Secretary may require.
``(3) Interim reports by recipients of grants and
cooperative agreements.--In addition to requiring submittal of
final reports under paragraph (2)(A), the Secretary may require
a regional technology and innovation hub described in such
paragraph to submit to the Secretary such interim reports as
the Secretary considers appropriate.
``(4) Annual reports to congress.--Not less frequently than
once each year, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress an annual report on the results of the
assessments conducted by the Secretary under paragraph (1)(C)
during the period covered by the report.
``(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary--
``(1) $50,000,000 to award grants and cooperative
agreements under subsection (e) for the period of fiscal years
2022 through 2026;
``(2) $2,000,000,000 to award grants and cooperative
agreements under subsection (f) for the period of fiscal years
2022 and 2023; and
``(3) $4,800,000,000 to award grants and cooperative
agreements under subsection (f) for the period of fiscal years
2024 through 2026.
``(l) Administration.--The Secretary may use funds made available
to carry out this section for administrative costs under this
section.''.
(b) Initial Designations and Awards.--
(1) Competition required.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this section, subject to the
availability of appropriations, the Secretary of Commerce shall
commence a competition under subsection (d)(1) of section 28 of
the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15
U.S.C. 3723) as added by subsection (a).
(2) Designation and award.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this section, if the Secretary has
received at least 1 application under subsection (g) of section
28 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980
(15 U.S.C. 3723) from an eligible consortium whom the Secretary
considers suitable for designation under subsection (d)(1) of
such section, the Secretary shall--
(A) designate at least 1 regional technology and
innovation hub under subsection (d)(1) of such section;
and
(B) award a grant or cooperative agreement under
subsection (f)(1) of such section to each regional
technology and innovation hub designated pursuant to
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.
SEC. 3. REGIONAL CLEAN ENERGY INNOVATION PROGRAM.
Subtitle C of title IX of the Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007 is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 936. REGIONAL CLEAN ENERGY INNOVATION PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Regional clean energy innovation partnership.--The
term `regional clean energy innovation partnership' means a
group of one or more persons, including a covered consortium,
who perform a collection of activities that are coordinated by
such covered consortium to carry out the purposes of the
program under subsection (c) in a region of the United States.
``(2) Covered consortium.--The term `covered consortium'
means an individual or group of individuals in partnership with
a government entity, including a State, local, or tribal
government or unit of such government, and at least 2 or more
of the following additional entities--
``(A) an institution of higher education or a
consortium of institutions of higher education;
``(B) a workforce training provider, including
vocational schools and community colleges;
``(C) a private sector entity;
``(D) a nonprofit organization;
``(E) a community group;
``(F) a labor group;
``(G) a National Laboratory;
``(H) a venture development organization;
``(I) an organization focused on clean energy
technology innovation or entrepreneurship;
``(J) a business accelerator or incubator;
``(K) a private sector entity or group of entities,
including a trade or industry association;
``(L) an economic development organization;
``(M) a manufacturing facility or organization;
``(N) a clean energy incubator or accelerator;
``(O) a multi-institutional collaboration; or
``(P) any other entity that the Secretary
determines to be relevant.
``(3) Department.--The term `Department' means the
Department of Energy.
``(4) Program.--The term `program' means the Regional Clean
Energy Innovation Program authorized in subsection (b).
``(5) The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the
Department of Energy.
``(b) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a Regional Clean
Energy Innovation Program, a research, development, demonstration, and
commercial application program designed to enhance the economic,
environmental, and energy security of the United States and accelerate
the pace of innovation of diverse clean energy technologies through the
formation or support of regional clean energy innovation partnerships
that--
``(1) account for the diverse domestic energy resources
available throughout the United States;
``(2) are responsive to the needs of industry, workforce,
policy landscape, and clean energy innovation capabilities of
the region in which such partnership is located;
``(3) enhance and accelerate clean energy innovation;
``(4) are located in diverse geographic regions of the
United States, including United States territories; and
``(5) maximize the opportunities for cooperation between
institutes of higher education, industry, State and local
governments, and nonprofit research institutions with shared
areas of energy expertise.
``(c) Purposes of the Program.--The purposes of the Program
established under subsection (b) are to--
``(1) improve the competitiveness of United States clean
energy technology research, development, demonstration, and
commercial application; and
``(2) support the development of tools and technologies
best suited for use in diverse regions of the United States,
including in rural, tribal, and low-income communities.
``(d) Regional Clean Energy Innovation Partnerships.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall competitively award
grants to covered consortia to establish or support regional
clean energy innovation partnerships that achieve the purposes
of the Program in subsection (c).
``(2) Permissible activities.--Grants awarded under this
subsection shall be used for activities determined appropriate
by the Secretary to achieve the purposes of the Program in
subsection (c), including--
``(A) facilitating the commercial application of
clean energy products, processes, and services,
including through research, development, demonstration,
or technology transfer;
``(B) planning among participants of a regional
clean energy innovation partnership to improve the
strategic and cost-effective coordination of the
partnership;
``(C) improving stakeholder involvement in the
development of goals and activities of a regional clean
energy innovation partnership;
``(D) assessing different incentive mechanisms for
clean energy development and commercial application in
the region;
``(E) hosting events and conferences; and
``(F) establishing and updating roadmaps to measure
progress on relevant goals, such as those relevant to
metrics developed under subsection (g).
``(3) Applications.--Each application submitted to the
Secretary under paragraph (1) may include--
``(A) a list of members and roles of members of the
covered consortia, as well as any other stakeholders
supporting the activities of the regional clean energy
innovation partnership;
``(B) a description of the proposed outcomes of the
regional clean energy innovation partnership;
``(C) an assessment of the relevant clean energy
innovation assets needed in a region to achieve
proposed outcomes, such as education and training
programs, research facilities, infrastructure or site
development, access to capital, manufacturing
capabilities, or other assets;
``(D) a description of proposed activities that the
regional clean energy innovation partnership plans to
undertake and how the proposed activities will achieve
the purposes described in subsection (c) and the
proposed outcomes in subparagraph (B);
``(E) a description of the geographical region that
will engage in the regional clean energy innovation
partnership;
``(F) a plan for attracting additional funds and
identification of funding sources from non-Federal
sources to deliver the proposed outcomes of the
regional clean energy innovation partnership;
``(G) a plan for sustaining activities of the
regional clean energy innovation partnership after
funds received under this program have been expended;
and
``(H) a proposed budget, including financial
contributions from non-Federal sources.
``(4) Considerations.--In selecting covered consortia for
funding under the Program, the Secretary shall, to the maximum
extent practicable--
``(A) give special consideration to applications
from rural, tribal, and low-income communities; and
``(B) ensure that there is geographic diversity
among the covered consortia selected to receive
funding.
``(5) Award amount.--Grants given out under this Program
shall be in an amount not greater than $10,000,000, with the
total grant award in any year less than that in the previous
year.
``(6) Cost share.--For grants that are disbursed over the
course of three or more years, the Secretary shall require, as
a condition of receipt of funds under this section, that a
covered consortium provide not less than 50 percent of the
funding for the activities of the regional clean energy
partnership under this section for years 3, 4, and 5.
``(7) Duration.--Each grant under paragraph shall be for a
period of not longer than 5 years.
``(8) Renewal.--A grant awarded under this section may be
renewed for a period of not more than 5 years, subject to a
rigorous merit review based on the progress of a regional clean
energy innovation partnership towards achieving the purposes of
the program in subsection (c) and the metrics developed under
subsection (g).
``(9) Termination.--Consistent with the existing
authorities of the Department, the Secretary may terminate
grant funding under this subsection to covered consortia during
the performance period if the Secretary determines that the
regional clean energy innovation partnership is
underperforming.
``(10) Administrative costs.--The Secretary may allow a
covered consortium that receives funds under this section to
allocate a portion of the funding received to be used for
administrative or indirect costs.
``(11) Funding.--The Secretary may accept funds from other
Federal agencies to support funding and activities under this
section.
``(e) Planning Funds.--The Secretary may competitively award grants
in an amount no greater than $2,000,000 for a period not longer than 2
years to an entity consisting of a government entity, including a
State, local, or tribal government or unit of such government or any
entity listed under subsection (a)(2) to plan a regional clean energy
innovation partnership or establish a covered consortium for the
purpose of applying for funds under subsection (b).
``(f) Information Sharing.--As part of the program, the Secretary
shall support the gathering, analysis, and dissemination of information
on best practices for developing and operating successful regional
clean energy innovation partnerships.
``(g) Metrics.--In evaluating a grant renewals under subsection
(d)(8), the Secretary shall work with program evaluation experts to
develop and make publicly available metrics to assess the progress of a
regional clean energy innovation partnership towards achieving the
purposes of the program in subsection (c). Such metrics may include--
``(1) the number and quality of--
``(A) new clean energy companies created in the
region as a result of activities carried out under the
regional clean energy innovation partnership;
``(B) new or expanded workforce development or
training programs; and
``(C) support services provided to clean energy
technology developers in the region;
``(2) changes in clean energy employment in the region as a
result of activities carried out under the regional clean
energy innovation partnership; and
``(3) the amount of capital investment in clean energy
companies in the region as a result of activities carried out
under the regional clean energy innovation partnership grant.
``(h) Coordination.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary
shall coordinate with, and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the
activities carried out under this section with the activities of--
``(1) other research entities of the Department, including
the National Laboratories, the Office of Science, the Advanced
Research Projects Agency-Energy, the Office of Technology
Transitions, Energy Innovation Hubs, and Energy Frontier
Research Centers; and
``(2) relevant programs at other Federal agencies,
including--
``(A) the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
under the Economic Development Administration,
including the Regional Innovation Program under section
27 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of
1980 (15 U.S.C. 3722);
``(B) the Hollings Manufacturing Extension
Partnership Program under section 25 of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C.
278k);
``(C) the Manufacturing USA Program under section
34 of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278s);
``(D) the Defense Manufacturing Communities Support
Program under section 846 of the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
(10 U.S.C. 2501 note); and
``(E) the Office of Economic Adjustment at the
Department of Defense.
``(i) Conflicts of Interest.--In carrying out the program, the
Secretary shall maintain conflict of interest procedures, consistent
with the conflict of interest procedures of the Department.
``(j) Evaluation by Comptroller General.--Not later than 3 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 3 years
thereafter, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate an evaluation
on the operation of the program during the most recent 3-year period,
including--
``(1) an assessment of the progress made towards achieving
the purposes specified in subsection (c) based on the metrics
developed under subsection (g);
``(2) the short-term and long-term metrics used to
determine the success of the program under subsection (g), and
any changes recommended to the metrics used;
``(3) the regional clean energy innovation partnerships
established or supported by covered consortia that have
received grants under subsection (d); and
``(4) any recommendations on how the program may be
improved.
``(k) National Laboratories.--In supporting technology transfer
activities at the National Laboratories, the Secretary shall encourage
partnerships with entities that are located in the same region or State
as the National Laboratory.
``(l) Security.--In carrying out the activities under this section,
the Secretary shall ensure proper security controls are in place to
protect sensitive information, as appropriate.
``(m) No Funds for Construction.--No funds provided to the
Department of Energy under this section shall be used for construction.
``(n) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $50,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 117-254.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 117-254.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 183.
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