Carbon capture technology program

In this section: The term “large-scale pilot project” means a pilot project that— is large enough— The term “natural gas” means any fuel consisting in whole or in part of— The term “natural gas electric generation facility” means a facility that generates electric energy using natural gas as the fuel. The term “natural gas electric generation facility” includes without limitation a new or existing— The term “program” means the program established under subsection (b)(1). The term “transformational technology” means a technology that represents a significant change in the methods used to convert energy that will enable a step change in performance, efficiency, cost of electricity, and reduction of emissions as compared to the technology in existence on December 27, 2020. The term “transformational technology” includes a broad range of potential technology improvements, including— thermodynamic improvements in energy conversion and heat transfer, including— The Secretary shall establish a carbon capture technology program for the development of transformational technologies that will significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, costs, emissions reductions, and environmental performance of coal and natural gas use, including in manufacturing and industrial facilities. The program shall include— In consultation with the interested entities described in paragraph (6)(C), the Secretary shall develop goals and objectives for the program to be applied to the transformational technologies developed within the program, taking into consideration the following: Increasing the performance of coal electric generation facilities and natural gas electric generation facilities, including by— Using carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies to decrease the carbon dioxide emissions, and the environmental impact from carbon dioxide emissions, from new and existing coal electric generation facilities and natural gas electric generation facilities, including by— Decreasing the non-carbon dioxide relevant environmental impacts of coal and natural gas production, including by— Accelerating the development of technologies to significantly decrease emissions from manufacturing and industrial facilities, including— In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall establish a demonstration program under which the Secretary, through a competitive, merit-reviewed process, shall enter into cooperative agreements by not later than September 30, 2025, for demonstration projects to demonstrate the construction and operation of 6 facilities to capture carbon dioxide from coal electric generation facilities, natural gas electric generation facilities, and industrial facilities. The Secretary, to the maximum extent practicable, shall provide technical assistance to any eligible entity seeking to enter into a cooperative agreement described in subparagraph (A) for the purpose of obtaining any necessary permits and licenses to demonstrate qualifying technologies. The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements under subparagraph (A) with industry stakeholders, including any industry stakeholder operating in partnership with the National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, multiinstitutional collaborations, and other appropriate entities. In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall establish a carbon capture technology commercialization program to demonstrate substantial improvements in the efficiency, effectiveness, cost, and environmental performance of carbon capture technologies for power, industrial, and other commercial applications. The program established under clause (i) shall include funding for commercial-scale carbon capture technology demonstrations of projects supported by the Department, including projects in addition to the projects described in subparagraph (A), including funding for not more than 2 projects to demonstrate substantial improvements in a particular technology type beyond the first of a kind demonstration and to account for considerations described in subparagraph (G). Of the demonstration projects carried out under subparagraph (A)— Each demonstration project under the demonstration program under subparagraph (A)— To be eligible to enter into an agreement with the Secretary for a demonstration project under subparagraphs (A) and (D), an entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. In reviewing applications submitted under clause (i), the Secretary, to the maximum extent practicable, shall— Not later than 1 year after December 27, 2020, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct, and submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on the results of, a study of the successes, failures, practices, and improvements of the Department in carrying out demonstration projects under this paragraph. In conducting the study under subclause (I), the Comptroller General of the United States shall consider— The Secretary shall— Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary solicits applications under subparagraph (G), and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of jurisdiction of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes a detailed description of how the applications under the demonstration program established under subparagraph (A) were or will be solicited and how the applications were or will be evaluated, including— The Secretary shall include— in each report required under clause (i)— The carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration activities described in paragraph (3)(B) shall be carried out by the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, in coordination with the heads of other relevant offices of the Department and the National Laboratories. In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall— consult with interested entities, including— Not later than 18 months after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the program goals and objectives adopted under subsection (b)(3). Not less frequently than once every 2 years after the initial report is submitted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the progress made towards achieving the program goals and objectives adopted under subsection (b)(3). There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section, to remain available until expended— for activities under the research and development program component described in subsection (b)(2)(A)— subject to paragraph (2), for activities under the large-scale pilot projects program component described in subsection (b)(2)(B)— for activities under the demonstration projects program component described in subsection (b)(2)(C)— Activities under subsection (b)(2)(B) shall be subject to the cost-sharing requirements of section 16352(b) of this title. Not later than 2 years after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall award grants to 1 or more entities for the operation of 1 or more test centers (referred to in this subsection as a “Center”) to provide distinct testing capabilities for innovative carbon capture technologies. Each Center shall— The Secretary shall select entities to receive grants under this subsection according to such criteria as the Secretary may develop. The Secretary shall select entities to receive grants under this subsection on a competitive basis. In selecting entities to receive grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall prioritize consideration of applicants that— In selecting entities to receive grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall prioritize carbon capture test centers in existence on December 27, 2020. The Secretary may develop a formula for awarding grants under this subsection. Each grant awarded under this subsection shall be for a term of not more than 5 years, subject to the availability of appropriations. The Secretary may renew a grant for 1 or more additional 5-year terms, subject to a competitive merit review and the availability of appropriations. To the extent otherwise authorized by law, the Secretary may eliminate, and terminate grant funding under this subsection for, a Center during any 5-year term described in paragraph (5) if the Secretary determines that the Center is underperforming. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.