(Updated September 28, 2006)

H.R. 6203
To Provide for Federal energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities, and for other purposes.
 

Floor Situation

The House is scheduled to consider H.R. 6203 under suspension of the rules on Tuesday, November 8, 2005. The bill is debatable for 40 minutes, may not be amended, and requires a two-thirds majority vote for passage.

Summary

H.R. 6203:

• Supports the development of advanced biofuel technologies by authorizing R&D and demonstration on ethanol production from cellulosic feedstocks, or feedstocks other than corn.  (Section 3)
   
• Focuses research and development efforts on technologies for hydrogen storage onboard vehicles. (Section 4)
   

·         Accelerates development of advanced solar photovoltaic power technology by authorizing photovoltaic R&D (Section 5) and demonstrations (Section 9).
 

• Supports the development of technologies that minimize the cost and environmental impact and maximize the efficiency of harnessing the power of the wind. (Section 6)
   
• Recommends the DOE to carry out a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application on geothermal energy, hydropower, co-generation, and distributed energy production as authorized in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.  (Section 7)
   
• Authorizes plug-in hybrid electric vehicle R&D and demonstration programs to develop a vehicle that can go 20 to 40 miles without using gasoline.  (Section 8)
   
• Provides incentives for the design and construction of energy efficient buildings – today’s buildings consume 39 percent of our nation’s primary energy and 70 percent of its electricity, more energy than any other sector of the economy, including industry and transportation.  (Section 10)
   
• Establishes a cooperative extension program for energy and efficiency technologies, patterned after the successful agricultural extension programs that aided farmers in incorporating advanced technologies in food production.  (Section 11)
   
• Allows the DOE to establish energy technology and energy efficiency education and outreach programs that improve energy supply and improve the efficiency of energy utilization.  (Section 12)
   
• Requires the Secretary of Energy to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct a detailed study of, and make further recommendations on, the October 2005 NAS recommendation to establish an Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy (ARPA-E).  (Section 13)
   
• Supports research on coal methanation, or converting coal into pipeline quality gaseous fuels.  (Section 14)
   
• Supports development of materials that can be added to biobased fuels and ultra low sulfur diesel fuels to make them more compatible with existing fuel storage and delivery infrastructure.  (Section 15)

Legislative History

H.R. 6203 was introduced by Rep. Biggert (IL) on September 27, 2006. The bill was referred to the Science Committee but was not considered.

For additional information or questions, please contact Rep. Biggert's office at 5-3515.