S-2503 : Still Just a Bill

Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act

Laboratory Modernization and Technology Transfer Act

This bill instructs the Department of Energy (DOE) to permit its National Laboratories to use funds authorized to support technology transfer within DOE to carry out early stage and precommercial technology demonstration activities so as to remove technology barriers limiting private sector interest and to demonstrate potential commercial applications of any research and technologies arising from activities of the national laboratories.

DOE shall carry out its Agreements for Commercializing Technology pilot program, as announced on December 8, 2011, in accordance with this bill.

Department of Energy Research Coordination Act

DOE shall identify strategic opportunities for collaborative research and development of innovative science and technologies.

DOE shall carry out a program to enhance economic, environmental, and energy security by making awards for the establishment of Energy Innovation Hubs to conduct and support research and development of advanced energy technologies.

Department of Energy Office of Science Policy Act

The bill states that the mission of the Office of Science shall be the delivery of scientific discoveries, capabilities, and major scientific tools to transform the understanding of nature and to advance energy, economic, and national security.

The Office of Science shall: (1) carry out specified research programs; (2) assess the potential for any fusion energy project supported by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E); (3) carry out a program for improving the safety, efficiency, and mission readiness of infrastructure at its laboratories; and (4) ensure the access of researchers to the most advanced accelerator facilities and research capabilities, including the Large Hadron Collider

DOE shall carry out Solar Fuels Research and Electricity Storage Research Initiatives.

The Office of Science may carry out a program for the production of isotopes that are needed for research, medical, industrial, or related purposes.

Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act

By December 31, 2017, DOE shall determine mission need for a versatile reactor-based fast neutron source to operate as a national user facility.

DOE shall: (1) carry out a program for enhancing the nation's capabilities to develop new reactor technologies through high-performance computation modeling and simulation techniques, and (2) submit budget plans for civilian nuclear energy research and development.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2018-07-24FloorHeld at the desk.House floor actions
2018-07-24FloorMessage on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
2018-07-24FloorReceived in the House.House floor actions
2018-07-23FloorPassed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.Senate
2018-07-23FloorMeasure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5219-5225; text: CR S5219-2525)Senate
2018-05-09CalendarsPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 404.Senate
2018-05-09CommitteeCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-241.Senate
2018-03-08CommitteeCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.Senate
2018-03-06IntroReferralRead twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Senate
2018-03-06IntroReferralIntroduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Energy
See Subjects
  • Advanced technology and technological innovations
  • Alternative and renewable resources
  • Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
  • Computers and information technology
  • Congressional oversight
  • Electric power generation and transmission
  • Energy research
  • Energy storage, supplies, demand
  • Executive agency funding and structure
  • Freedom of information
  • Government buildings, facilities, and property
  • Government information and archives
  • Licensing and registrations
  • Medical research
  • Nuclear power
  • Public contracts and procurement
  • Radiation
  • Research administration and funding
  • Research and development
  • Technology transfer and commercialization
  • Biological and life sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Department of Energy
  • Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

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