In-Depth: Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) has called his legislation essential for efforts to “advance basic research and set clear science priorities for the DOE”. Smith said that the Office of Science’s six basic research programs, which include the basic energy sciences, biological and environmental research, advanced scientific computing, nuclear physics, high energy physics, and fusion energy, are “the core mission of [DOE] and lead to scientific discovery that can provide benefits across the economy.”

Writing about this legislation in the Washington Times, Rep. Smith added:

“The DOE Research and Innovation Act, approved by the Science Committee and passed by the House earlier this year, prioritizes basic and fundamental energy research at DOE. This legislation empowers private-sector innovators to partner with DOE to develop first-of-its-kind, groundbreaking energy technology. It is my hope that as we look at the future of DOE, we will prioritize basic energy research and development that only the federal government has the resources to pursue. This, in turn, will help the private sector build on basic research discoveries, commercialize innovative energy technology and create jobs. Throughout American history, we have cultivated innovative energy technologies that have unlocked new possibilities. Today, the energy industry is incorporating more innovation than ever before. It is groundbreaking technology — not government regulations — that will protect the environment, lower energy costs for consumers and ensure that America remains a world energy and technology leader. By prioritizing basic research and letting technology lead the way, the American people will benefit in many ways for years to come.”

Original cosponsor Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) underscored the value of DOE’s basic research programs to the U.S.’s international competitiveness and economic future, calling the 10 national labs the Office of Science oversees the “crown jewels of our national research infrastructure.”

In June 2013, the Heritage Foundation, the Center for American Progress, and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation produced a report supporting policy changes to update the National Labs. They wrote:

“While the pace of innovation and the complexity of national challenges have accelerated, the labs have not kept stride. Although private-sector innovation will remain the cornerstone of economic growth, lab scientists and engineers do important work that can be of significant future use to private enterprise.”

This legislation promotes a number of programs that President Trump’s FY 2019 budget proposal targeted for dramatic reductions, including the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and ARPA-E. In the administration’s budget proposal for FY 2018, which started October 1, 2017, the Trump administration called for a 70% cut to sustainable transportation and renewable energy research, an 80% cut to energy efficiency research, and a 17% cut to the Office of Science.

However, at the ARPA-E Annual Summit on March 14, 2018, Energy Secretary Rick Perry hailed ARPA-E innovation as “impressive” and “one of the reasons DOE is having a profound impact on American lives.” The following day, at the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water budget hearing, Secretary Peery indicated that he would follow ‘the will of the committee” with respect to appropriations.

This legislation passed the House of Representatives, with the support of 20 cosponsors, including 12 Republicans and eight Democrats. It then passed the Senate with an amendment by a voice vote.

The original House version of this bill included a fourth section which would have directed the DOE to increase support for nuclear energy research. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced an amendment to strike that section, and it passed the Senate by unanimous consent.

Of Note: The DOE conducts over $9 billion in basic science and applied energy research. The DOE Office of Science partners with national labs and universities to conduct research in the physical sciences. DOE is the largest federal contributor to basic research in the physical sciences, and over 30,000 researchers conduct research in the major science facilities at the national labs each year.

DOE’s national laboratory complex provides the facilities and expertise to conduct R&D development for military and civilian applications of nuclear energy. However, the U.S. regulatory system, managed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, is unable to process licenses in a timely manner which suppresses private investment and technology development.

The ARPA-E program’s future has been a source of political debate for over a year. In two straight budget requests, the Trump administration has proposed terminating the agency, which supports risky but potentially transformative R&D, while supporters have rallied to protect it. In the FY 2018 spending bill, House appropriators agreed to zero out ARPA-E’s budget, purportedly at the Science Committee’s request. Ultimately, strong bipartisan support in the Senate led to ARPA-E receiving $353 million — the largest annual appropriation in ARPA-E’s history. Now, the previous pockets of congressional support for terminating the agency seem have disappeared. In their FY 2019 spending legislation, House appropriators joined their Senate colleagues in recommending robust funding for ARPA–E.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) Op-Ed
  
• CBO Cost Estimate
  
• American Security Project Letter (In Support)
  
• RPC Summary