Fossil Energy Research and Development Act - H.R. 3607

Overview
Purpose
"To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct Federal research in fossil energy and to promote the development and demonstration of environmentally responsible coal and natural gas technologies, and for other purposes."
Primary Sponsors
Reps. Marc Veasey (D-TX) and David Schweikert (R-AZ)
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/3607/text
Summary of Selected Provisions
  • Updates policies governing the Department of Energy’s fossil energy R&D programs
  • Directs DOE’s carbon capture technology program to fund R&D and large-scale demonstration projects for coal and natural gas plants and support at least three “Carbon Capture Test Centers”
  • Directs DOE to carry out a carbon utilization RD&D program and commission a National Academies study on the barriers and opportunities to commercializing uses of carbon dioxide
  • Directs DOE to program dedicated to exploring technologies for removing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. Among other activities, the program would award prizes for technology development and support at least one test center for direct air capture technologies
  • Directs DOE to develop and assess methods to recover rare earth elements and other strategic minerals from coal and coal byproduct streams
  • Requires DOE to conduct RD&D programs for waste gas utilization and methane leak detection and mitigation
  • Grants the National Energy Technology Laboratory a special hiring authority for technical personnel and enables the lab to spend 2 to 4% of its budget on discretionary R&D projects
  • Recommends the budget for DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy increase to $1 billion by fiscal year 2024 and sets target funding levels for various activities supported by the office
Actions
Actions on the House bill
House Science Committee approved bill
07/24/2019
Bill introduced
07/02/2019
Status update

H.R. 3607 incorporated into the House's Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act.

Relevant FYI Bulletins

Congress Sets New Goals for DOE Technology Programs

A product of two years of legislative work, the Energy Act of 2020 overhauls policy across the Department of Energy’s applied energy and fusion R&D programs, including by recommending substantial funding increases and greatly expanding efforts aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

House Stakes Out Energy R&D Priorities With Major Policy Bill

The House passed a sweeping energy policy reform package last month that includes expansive new direction to the Department of Energy’s applied R&D programs and recommends significant funding increases for renewable energy, fission and fusion energy, and carbon capture.

Moniz Making Case for $11 Billion Carbon Removal Initiative

Former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz is working to build congressional support for a major interagency R&D initiative designed to bring down the cost of carbon dioxide removal technologies over ten years.

Energy R&D Legislation Takes Shape in House

The House Science Committee has advanced three bills out of subcommittee that would set policy for the Department of Energy’s solar, wind, and fossil energy R&D programs. The legislation recommends funding increases — particularly for carbon capture, storage, utilization, and removal — and outlines a broad portfolio encompassing the development, deployment, and operation of energy systems.