Sec. 7. Biological and environmental research
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The Director shall carry out a program of basic research in the areas of biological systems science and environmental science relevant to the development of new energy technologies and to support Department missions in energy, environment, and national security. The Director shall carry out research and development activities in fundamental, structural, computational, and systems biology to increase systems-level understanding of the complex biological systems, which may include activities— to accelerate breakthroughs and new knowledge that would enable the cost-effective, sustainable production of— biomass-based liquid transportation fuels; bioenergy; and biobased materials; to improve understanding of the global carbon cycle, including processes for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, through photosynthesis and other biological processes, for sequestration and storage; and to understand the biological mechanisms used to transform, immobilize, or remove contaminants from subsurface environments.
In carrying out activities under subsection (a), the Director shall select and establish up to four bioenergy research centers to conduct basic and fundamental research in plant and microbial systems biology, bio imaging and analysis, and genomics to inform the production of fuels, chemicals from sustainable biomass resources, and to facilitate the translation of basic research results to industry. The Director shall select centers under paragraph
(1)on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis. The Director shall consider applications from National Laboratories, multi-institutional collaborations, and other appropriate entities. A center established under this subsection shall receive support for a period of not more than 5 years, subject to the availability of appropriations. The Director may select a center for participation under this subsection that is in existence, or undergoing a renewal process, on the date of enactment of this Act. Such center shall be eligible to receive support for the duration the 5-year period beginning on the date of establishment of such center. Upon the expiration of any period of support of a center under this subsection, the Director may renew support for the center, on a merit-reviewed basis, for a period of not more than 5 years. Consistent with the existing authorities of the Department, the Director may terminate an underperforming center for cause during the performance period. Subtitle G of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16311 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 977 the following new section: The Secretary shall carry out a basic research program on low-dose radiation to— enhance the scientific understanding of, and reduce uncertainties associated with, the effects of exposure to low-dose radiation; and inform improved risk-assessment and risk-management methods with respect to such radiation. In carrying out the program required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— formulate scientific goals for low-dose radiation basic research in the United States; identify ongoing scientific challenges for understanding the long-term effects of ionizing radiation on biological systems; develop a long-term strategic and prioritized basic research agenda to address such scientific challenges in coordination with other research efforts; leverage the collective body of knowledge from existing low-dose radiation research; and engage with other Federal agencies, research communities, and potential users of information produced under this section, including institutions concerning radiation research, medical physics, radiology, health physics, and emergency response. In carrying out the program, the Secretary, in coordination with the Physical Science Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council, shall— support the directives under section 106 of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act ( 42 U.S.C. 6601 note); ensure that the Office of Science of the Department of Energy consults with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Defense, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Homeland Security; advise and assist the National Science and Technology Council on policies and initiatives in radiation biology, including enhancing scientific knowledge of the effects of low-dose radiation on biological systems to improve radiation risk-assessment and risk-management methods; and identify opportunities to stimulate international cooperation relating to low-dose radiation and leverage research and knowledge from sources outside of the United States. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a 4-year research plan that identifies and prioritizes basic research needs relating to low-dose radiation. In developing such plan, the Secretary shall incorporate the components described in subsection (b). In this section, the term low-dose radiation means a radiation dose of less than 100 millisieverts. Nothing in this section shall be construed to subject any research carried out by the Secretary for the program under this section to any limitations described in 977(e) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16317(e) ). From within funds authorized to be appropriated under section 11 of the Department of Energy Science and Innovation Act of 2018 , for Biological and Environmental Research, the Secretary make available to carry out this section— $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; and $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019. . The table of contents for subtitle G of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 977 the following: 977A. Low-dose radiation research program. . As part of the activities described in subsection (a), the Director is authorized to carry out research to develop multiscale computational models that incorporate and examine interactions among human and earth systems. The Director shall not approve new climate science-related initiatives without making a determination that such work is well-coordinated with any relevant work carried out by other Federal agencies.
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