,,ii ,calendar ,no4 #chg #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bffj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,october #bb1 #bjai,ms4 ,smith 7for herself and ,ms4 ,collins7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,december #ah1 #bjai,reported by ,ms4 ,murkowski1 with amendments and an amendment to the title,omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic ,a ,,bill ,to establish a grant program for wind energy research1 development1 and demonstration1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,wind ,energy ,research and ,development ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 an institution of higher education2 7,b7 a ,national ,laboratory2 7,c7 a ,federal research agency2 7,d7 a ,state research agency2 7,e7 a nonprofit research organization2 7,f7 an industrial entity2 and 7,g7 a consortium of two or more entities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,f74 7#b7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#c7 ,national ,laboratory ,the term ,national ,laboratory has the meaning given the term in section #b of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aehja74 7#d7 ,program ,the term program means the program established under section #c7;a74 7#e7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 7#f7 ,supersized turbine ,the term supersized turbine means a #ab-megawatt or greater wind turbine that typically has a tower height greater than #adj meters and blades greater than #ge meters4 #c4 ,wind energy technology1 research1 development1 and testing grant program 7a7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a program under which the ,secretary shall award grants on a competitive1 merit-reviewed basis to eligible entities to conduct research1 development1 testing1 and evaluation of wind energy technologies in accordance with this section4 7#b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the program are the following3 7,a7 ,to improve the energy efficiency1 reliability1 resilience1 security1 and capacity of wind energy generation4 7,b7 ,to optimize the design and control of wind energy systems for the broadest practical range of atmospheric conditions4 7,c7 ,to reduce the cost and risk of permitting1 construction1 operation1 and maintenance of wind energy systems1 including using technologies to reduce environmental and community impacts1 improve grid integration1 and reduce regulatory barriers4 7,d7 ,to improve materials1 engineering1 and manufacturing processes for turbines1 including supersized turbines4 7,e7 ,to optimize wind plant performance and integration within hybrid energy systems to enhance cost efficiency and electric grid stability and resilience4 7#c7 ,coordination ,to the maximum extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall coordinate activities under the program with other relevant programs and capabilities of the ,department of ,energy and other ,federal research programs4 7b7 ,grant subject areas ,in addition to awarding the grants described in subsections 7c7 through 7e71 the ,secretary shall award grants under the program to eligible entities to carry out research1 development1 testing1 and evaluation in the following subject areas3 7#a7 ,wind power plant performance and operations1 including-- 7,a7 wind flows and turbine-to-turbine interactions2 7,b7 energy conversion potential2 7,c7 turbine and wind plant control paradigms2 7,d7 turbine and wind plant security2 7,e7 turbine components2 and 7,f7 integrated hybrid plant systems4 7#b7 ,new materials and designs relating to blades1 rotors1 towers1 and drivetrains1 including-- 7,a7 higher tip speed rotor designs2 7,b7 low-noise rotor designs2 7,c7 advanced drivetrain and generator concepts2 7,d7 modular construction and onsite or near-site manufacturing and assembly techniques1 including the use of additive manufacturing2 7,e7 sustainable and recyclable materials1 including thermoplastics1 and manufacturing systems2 7,f7 supersized turbine design and installation approaches2 and 7,g7 lightweight materials4 7#c7 ,offshore wind-specific projects1 including-- 7,a7 fixed and floating substructure concepts2 7,b7 projects to assess and mitigate the impacts of hurricane wind flow1 freshwater ice1 and other conditions specific to the ,united ,states2 7,c7 innovative operations and maintenance strategies2 7,d7 analysis of offshore meteorological1 geological1 and oceanographic data collection2 7,e7 offshore infrastructure monitoring2 and 7,f7 analysis of corrosion and fatigue for the purpose of extending the design life of offshore wind turbine substructures4 7#d7 ,recycling and reuse of wind energy components4 7#e7 ,wind power forecasting and atmospheric measurement systems1 including for turbines and plant systems of varying height4 7#f7 ,distributed wind-specific projects1 including-- 7,a7 cost-effective turbine designs1 components1 and manufacturing2 and 7,b7 microgrid applications4 7#g7 ,advanced transportation mechanisms for wind turbine components4 7#h7 ,transformational technologies for harnessing wind energy1 including airborne wind energy concepts4 7#i7 ,methods to extend the operational lifetime of onshore and offshore wind turbines and systems4 7#aj7 ,other research areas1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7c7 ,wind energy technology validation and market transformation grants 7#a7 ,demonstration projects ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to carry out demonstration projects that demonstrate and validate new wind energy technologies that have the potential to be cost-competitive for land-based1 offshore1 and distributed applications4 7#b7 ,facility for hybrid energy system research grants ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to establish a facility or support an existing facility in conducting research and demonstration projects for wind turbines and plants in hybrid energy systems that incorporate diverse generation sources1 loads1 and storage technologies4 7#c7 ,offshore research facility grants 7,a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to establish a facility to conduct research1 development1 and demonstration projects1 in coordination with the oceanic and atmospheric science communities1 for ocean and atmospheric resource characterization relevant to offshore wind energy development4 7,b7 ,facility requirements ,a facility established using a grant under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be an offshore facility used to evaluate1 test1 and advance atmospheric1 oceanic1 biologic1 and geologic monitoring technologies that improve offshore wind energy development1 including the generation of benchmark data sets for testing offshore wind energy technologies and informing how those technologies may be financed1 insured1 and regulated4 7#d7 ,offshore support structure testing facility grants ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to establish a facility to conduct research1 development1 and demonstration projects for large-scale and full-scale offshore wind energy support structure components and systems1 with an emphasis on innovative structures1 including floating substructures4 7#e7 ,applications ,an eligible entity seeking a grant under this subsection shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including1 in the case of an application for a grant under paragraph 7#a71 a certification that the proposed demonstration project shall be-- 7,a7 conducted in collaboration with industry and1 as appropriate1 with institutions of higher education and other ,federal research programs2 and 7,b7 of sufficient size and geographic diversity to measure wind energy system performance under the full productive range of wind conditions in the ,united ,states4 7d7 ,wind energy incubator grants ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to support innovative technologies that are not significantly represented in-- 7#a7 the portfolio of wind energy research activities carried out by the ,secretary as of the date of enactment of this ,act2 or 7#b7 technology roadmaps used by the ,department of ,energy as of that date4 7e7 ,mitigating regulatory and market barrier grants 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to research1 develop1 test1 and evaluate ways to reduce regulatory and market barriers to the widespread adoption of wind power1 including-- 7,a7 grid transmission and integration challenges2 and 7,b7 permitting issues associated with the potential impacts of wind power systems on wildlife1 radar systems1 local communities1 military operations1 and airspace4 7#b7 ,wildlife impact mitigation ,of the grants awarded under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall ensure that a substantial portion include the development1 testing1 and evaluation of wildlife impact mitigation technologies or strategies to reduce the potential impacts of wind energy facilities on-- 7,a7 bald and golden eagles2 7,b7 bat species2 7,c7 marine wildlife2 and 7,d7 other impacted species4 7f7 ,education and outreach ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall support education and outreach activities to disseminate information and promote public understanding of wind technologies and the wind energy workforce1 including the ,collegiate ,wind ,competition4 7#a7 ,economically distressed area ,the term economically distressed area means an area described in section #cja7;a7 of the ,public ,works and ,economic ,development ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cafa7;a774 7#b7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 an institution of higher education2 7,b7 a ,national ,laboratory2 7,c7 a ,federal research agency2 7,d7 a ,state research agency2 7,e7 a research agency associated with a territory or freely associated state2 7,f7 a tribal energy development organization2 7,g7 an ,indian tribe2 7,h7 a tribal organization2 7,i7 a ,native ,hawaiian community-based organization2 7,j7 a nonprofit research organization2 7,k7 an industrial entity2 7,l7 any other entity1 as determined by the ,secretary2 and 7,m7 a consortium of #b or more entities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,l74 7#c7 ,indian tribe ,the term ,indian tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#d7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#e7 ,national laboratory ,the term ,national ,laboratory has the meaning given the term in section #b of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aehja74 7#f7 ,native ,hawaiian community-based organization ,the term ,native ,hawaiian community-based organization has the meaning given the term in section #fbjg of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #geag74 7#g7 ,program ,the term program means the program established under section #c7;a74 7#h7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 7#i7 ,territory or freely associated state ,the term territory or freely associated state has the meaning given the term insular area in section #adjd of the ,food and ,agriculture ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cajc74 7#aj7 ,tribal energy development organization ,the term tribal energy development organization has the meaning given the term in section #bfja of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #aiib 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ceja74 7#aa7 ,tribal organization ,the term tribal organization has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 #c4 ,wind energy technology program 7a7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a program to conduct research1 development1 testing1 evaluation1 demonstration1 and commercialization of wind energy technologies in accordance with this section4 7#b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the program are the following3 7,a7 ,to improve the energy efficiency1 cost effectiveness1 reliability1 resilience1 security1 integration1 manufacturability1 and recyclability of wind energy technologies4 7,b7 ,to optimize the performance and operation of wind energy components1 turbines1 and systems1 including through the development of new materials1 hardware1 and software4 7,c7 ,to optimize the design and adaptability of wind energy technologies to the broadest practical range of geographic1 atmospheric1 offshore1 and other site conditions1 including-- 7i7 at varying hub heights2 and 7ii7 through the use of computer modeling4 7,d7 ,to support the integration of wind energy technologies with-- 7i7 the electric grid1 including transmission1 distribution1 microgrids1 and distributed energy systems2 and 7ii7 other energy technologies and systems1 such as-- 7,i7 other generation sources2 7,,ii7 demand response technologies2 7,,iii7 energy storage technologies2 and 7,,iv7 hybrid systems4 7,e7 ,to reduce the cost and risk across the lifespan of wind energy technologies1 including-- 7i7 manufacturing1 permitting1 construction1 operations1 maintenance1 and recycling2 and 7ii7 through the development of solutions to transportation barriers to wind components4 7,f7 ,to reduce and mitigate any potential negative impacts of wind energy technologies on-- 7i7 human communities2 7ii7 military operations2 7iii7 aviation2 7iv7 radar2 and 7v7 wildlife and wildlife habitats4 7,g7 ,to address barriers to the commercialization and export of wind energy technologies4 7,h7 ,to support the domestic wind industry1 workforce1 and supply chain4 7#c7 ,targets ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish targets for the program relating to near-term 7up to #b years71 mid-term 7up to #g years71 and long-term 7up to #ae years7 challenges to the advancement of wind energy technologies1 including onshore and offshore technologies4 7b7 ,activities 7#a7 ,types of activities ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall carry out research1 development1 demonstration1 and commercialization activities1 including-- 7,a7 awarding grants and awards1 on a competitive1 merit-reviewed basis2 7,b7 performing precompetitive research and development2 7,c7 establishing or maintaining demonstration facilities and projects1 including through stewardship of existing facilities such as the ,national ,wind ,test ,center2 7,d7 providing technical assistance2 7,e7 entering into contracts and cooperative agreements2 7,f7 providing small business vouchers2 7,g7 conducting education and outreach activities2 7,h7 conducting workforce training activities2 and 7,i7 conducting analyses1 studies1 and reports4 7#b7 ,subject areas ,the ,secretary shall carry out research1 development1 testing1 evaluation1 demonstration1 and commercialization activities in the following subject areas3 7,a7 ,wind power plant performance1 operations1 and security4 7,b7 ,new materials and designs relating to all hardware1 software1 and components of wind energy technologies1 including alternatives to minerals and other commodities from foreign sources that are determined to be vulnerable to disruption4 7,c7 ,advanced wind energy manufacturing technologies and practices1 including materials1 processes1 and design4 7,d7 ,offshore wind-specific projects and plants1 including-- 7i7 the deep water floating systems1 materials1 components1 and operation of offshore facilities2 and 7ii7 the monitoring and analysis of site and environmental considerations unique to offshore sites4 7,e7 ,integration of wind energy technologies with-- 7i7 the electric grid1 including transmission1 distribution1 microgrids1 and distributed energy systems2 and 7ii7 other energy technologies1 including-- 7,i7 other generation sources2 7,,ii7 demand response technologies2 and 7,,iii7 energy storage technologies4 7,f7 ,methods to improve the lifetime1 maintenance1 recycling1 and reuse of wind energy components and systems4 7,g7 ,wind power forecasting and atmospheric measurement systems1 including for turbines and plant systems of varying height4 7,h7 ,hybrid wind energy systems that incorporate diverse-- 7i7 generation sources2 7ii7 loads2 and 7iii7 storage technologies4 7,i7 ,reducing1 including through education and outreach activities1 market barriers to the adoption of wind energy technologies1 such as impacts on1 or challenges relating to-- 7i7 distributed wind technologies1 including the development of best practices1 models1 and voluntary streamlined processes for local permitting of distributed wind energy systems to reduce costs2 7ii7 airspace2 7iii7 military uses2 7iv7 radar2 7v7 local communities2 7vi7 wildlife and wildlife habitats2 and 7vii7 any other appropriate matter1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7,j7 ,advanced physics-based and data analysis computational tools1 in coordination with the high-performance computing programs of the ,department of ,energy4 7,k7 ,transformational technologies for harnessing wind energy4 7,l7 ,other research areas that advance the purposes of the program1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,prioritization ,in carrying out activities under the program1 the ,secretary shall give priority to projects that-- 7,a7 are located in geographically diverse regions of the ,united ,states2 7,b7 support the development or demonstration of projects-- 7i7 in collaboration with tribal energy development organizations1 ,indian tribes1 tribal organizations1 ,native ,hawaiian community-based organizations1 or territories or freely associated states2 or 7ii7 in economically distressed areas2 7,c7 can be replicated in a variety of regions and climates2 7,d7 include business commercialization plans that have the potential for-- 7i7 domestic manufacturing and production of wind energy technologies2 or 7ii7 exports of wind energy technologies2 and 7,e7 satisfy any other priority that the ,secretary determines to be appropriate4 7#d7 ,coordination ,to the maximum extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall coordinate activities under the program with other relevant programs and capabilities of the ,department of ,energy and other ,federal research programs4 7c7 ,wind technician training grant program ,the ,secretary may award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible entities to purchase large pieces of wind component equipment1 such as nacelles1 towers1 and blades1 for use in training wind technician students in onshore or offshore wind applications4 7g77d7 ,wages ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors on projects funded by grants under this section shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on projects of a similar character in the locality1 as determined by the ,secretary of ,labor1 in accordance with subchapter ,,iv of chapter #ca of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code4 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out the program-- 7#a7 #ajc1fib1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj2 7#b7 #ajh1hgf1fjj for fiscal year #bjba2 7#c7 #aad1cbj1dcj for fiscal year #bjbb2 7#d7 #abj1jcf1deb for fiscal year #bjbc2 and 7#e7 #abf1jch1bgd for fiscal year #bjbd4 #d4 ,conforming amendments 7#a7 ,section #d of the ,renewable ,energy and ,energy ,efficiency ,technology ,competitiveness ,act of #aihi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abjjc7 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7i7 by striking paragraph 7#a72 and 7ii7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#e7 as paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#d71 respectively2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7c71 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking the ,wind ,energy ,research ,program14 7#b7 ,section #ica7;a77#b7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afbca7;a77#b77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking subparagraph 7,b72 and 7,b7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,c7 through 7,e7 as subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,d71 respectively4 7#c7 ,section #fcf of the ,energy ,independence and ,security ,act of #bjjg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agbae7 is amended by striking section #ica7;a77#b77;,e77i7 and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting subparagraph 7,d77i7 of section #ica7;a77#b7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afbca7;a77#b7744 7e7 ,wind energy program strategic vision 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than ,september #a1 #bjba1 and every #f years thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the strategic vision1 progress1 goals1 and targets of the program1 including assessments of wind energy markets and manufacturing4 7#b7 ,preparation ,the ,secretary shall coordinate the preparation of the report under paragraph 7#a7 with-- 7,a7 existing peer review processes2 7,b7 studies conducted by the ,national ,laboratories2 and 7,c7 the multiyear program planning required under section #iid of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afceh74 7f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out the program #abj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 #d4 ,conforming amendments 7a7 ,section #d of the ,renewable ,energy and ,energy ,efficiency ,technology ,competitiveness ,act of #aihi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abjjc7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the section heading1 by striking wind1 photovoltaics1 and solar thermal and inserting photovoltaics1 solar thermal1 and other technology2 7#b7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking wind1 photovoltaics1 and solar thermal energy and inserting photovoltaics1 solar thermal1 and other energy technology2 7,b7 by striking paragraph 7#a72 and 7,c7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#e7 as paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#d71 respectively2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7c71 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking the ,wind ,energy ,research ,program14 7b7 ,section #ica7;a77#b7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afbca7;a77#b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking subparagraph 7,b72 and 7#b7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,c7 through 7,e7 as subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,d71 respectively4 7c7 ,section #fcf of the ,energy ,independence and ,security ,act of #bjjg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agbae7 is amended by striking section #ica7;a77#b77;,e77i7 and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting subparagraph 7,d77i7 of section #ica7;a77#b7 of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afbca7;a77#b7744 ,amend the title so as to read3 ,a bill to establish a program for wind energy research1 development1 and demonstration1 and for other purposes44 ,december #ah1 #bjai,reported with amendments and an amendment to the title