42 U.S.C. § 18631 — Crosscutting research and development

Page 9168 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 18631 ordination with directors of the National Lab- oratories, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that— (A) assesses the overall effectiveness of the pilot program referred to in subsection (a); (B) identifies opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the pilot program; (C) assesses the potential for program ac- tivities to interfere with the responsibilities of the National Laboratories to the Depart- ment; and (D) provides a recommendation regarding the future of the pilot program. (2) Transparency The Secretary, in coordination with direc- tors of the National Laboratories, shall sub- mit to the appropriate committees of Congress an annual report that accounts for all incidences of, and provides a justification for, non-Federal entities using funds derived from a Federal contract or award to carry out agreements pursuant to this section. (Pub. L. 115–246, title I, § 107, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3132.) SUBCHAPTER II—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESEARCH COORDINATION § 18631. Crosscutting research and development (a) In general The Secretary shall use the capabilities of the Department to identify strategic opportunities for collaborative research, development, dem- onstration, and commercial application of inno- vative science and technologies. (b) Existing programs; coordination of activities To the maximum extent practicable, the Sec- retary shall seek— (1) to leverage existing programs of the De- partment; and (2) to consolidate and coordinate activities throughout the Department to promote col- laboration and crosscutting approaches within programs of the Department. (c) Additional actions The Secretary shall— (1) prioritize activities that use all afford- able domestic resources; (2) develop a planning, evaluation, and tech- nical assessment framework for setting objec- tive long-term strategic goals and evaluating progress that— (A) ensures integrity and independence; and (B) provides the flexibility to adapt to market dynamics; (3) ensure that activities shall be under- taken in a manner that does not duplicate other activities within the Department or other Federal Government activities; and (4) identify programs that may be more ef- fectively left to the States, industry, non- governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, or other stakeholders. (Pub. L. 115–246, title II, § 203, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3135.) § 18632. Energy Innovation Hubs (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Advanced energy technology The term ‘‘advanced energy technology’’ means— (A) an innovative technology— (i) that produces energy from solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, tidal, wave, ocean, or other renewable energy re- sources; (ii) that produces nuclear energy; (iii) for carbon capture and sequestra- tion; (iv) that enables advanced vehicles, vehi- cle components, and related technologies that result in significant energy savings; (v) that generates, transmits, distrib- utes, uses, or stores energy more effi- ciently than conventional technologies, in- cluding through Smart Grid technologies; or (vi) that enhances the energy independ- ence and security of the United States by enabling improved or expanded supply and production of domestic energy resources, including coal, oil, and natural gas; (B) a research, development, demonstra- tion, or commercial application activity necessary to ensure the long-term, secure, and sustainable supply of an energy-critical element; or (C) any other innovative energy tech- nology area identified by the Secretary. (2) Hub (A) In general The term ‘‘Hub’’ means an Energy Innova- tion Hub established under this section. (B) Inclusion The term ‘‘Hub’’ includes any Energy In- novation Hub in existence on September 28, 2018. (3) Qualifying entity The term ‘‘qualifying entity’’ means— (A) an institution of higher education; (B) an appropriate State or Federal entity, including a federally funded research and de- velopment center of the Department; (C) a nongovernmental organization with expertise in advanced energy technology re- search, development, demonstration, or commercial application; or (D) any other relevant entity the Sec- retary determines appropriate. (b) Authorization of program (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out a program to enhance the economic, environmental, and en- ergy security of the United States by making awards to consortia for establishing and oper- ating hubs, to be known as ‘‘Energy Innova- tion Hubs’’, to conduct and support, at, if practicable, one centralized location, multi- disciplinary, collaborative research, develop- ment, demonstration, and commercial applica- tion of advanced energy technologies. (2) Technology development focus The Secretary shall designate for each Hub a unique advanced energy technology or basic research focus.