H.R. 5906, ARPA-E Act of 2018
Floor Situation
On Wednesday, June 27, 2018, the House will consider H.R. 5906, the ARPA-E Act of 2018, under suspension of the rules. This bill was introduced on May 22, 2018 by Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) and was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, which ordered the bill reported, as amended, by voice vote on May 23, 2018.
Summary
H.R. 5906 amends the America COMPETES Act to establish Department of Energy policy for the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E). The legislation directs the program to develop transformative science and technology solutions to address energy, environmental, economic, and national security challenges. These challenges include reduction of imports of energy from foreign sources, reduction of energy-related emissions, increased energy efficiency, improved resiliency and reliability of the electrical grid, and transformative solutions to improvement the management, clean-up, and disposal of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel.
Background
In 2005, leaders from both parties in Congress asked the National Academies to "identify the most urgent challenges the U.S. faces in maintaining leadership in key areas of science and technology," as well as specific steps policymakers could take to help the U.S. compete, prosper, and stay secure in the 21st Century.
In its report for Congress, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, the National Academies called for decisive action, warning policymakers that U.S. advantages in science and technology--which made the country a world leader for decades--had already begun to erode.
The report recommended that Congress establish an Advanced Research Projects Agency within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) modeled after the successful Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)--the agency credited with such innovations as GPS, the stealth fighter, and computer networking.
In 2007, Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed into law The America COMPETES Act, which officially authorized ARPA-E's creation. In 2009, ARPA-E received its first appropriations of $400 million, which funded ARPA-E's first projects.
ARPA-E provides awards to advance high-potential, high-impact energy technologies that are too early for private-sector investment. This legislation is intended to ensure ARPA-E focuses on developing innovative technologies to address challenges across the DOE mission, while preventing duplicative grants and requiring grant recipients to demonstrate an attempt to secure private financing before receiving funding through the program.
Cost
A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that enacting H.R. 5906 would not increase net direct spending.
Staff Contact
For questions or further information please contact Jake Vreeburg with the House Republican Policy Committee by email or at 2-1374.