The Secretary shall establish a research, development, and demonstration program in microbial and plant systems biology, protein science, computational biology, and environmental science to support the energy, national security, and environmental missions of the Department.
The program shall support individual researchers and multidisciplinary teams of researchers through competitive, merit-reviewed grants.
In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall consult with other Federal agencies that conduct genetic and protein research.
The program shall have the goal of developing technologies and methods based on the biological functions of genomes, microbes, and plants that—
(1) can facilitate the production of fuels, including hydrogen in sustainable production systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
(2) convert carbon dioxide to organic carbon;
(3) detoxify soils and water, including at facilities of the Department, contaminated with heavy metals and radiological materials;
(4) develop cellulosic and other feedstocks that are less resource and land intensive and that promote sustainable use of resources, including soil, water, energy, forests, and land, and ensure protection of air, water, and soil quality; and
(5) address other Department missions as identified by the Secretary.
Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall prepare and transmit to Congress a research plan describing how the program authorized pursuant to this section will be undertaken to accomplish the program goals established in subsection (b).
The Secretary shall contract with the National Academy of Sciences to review the research plan developed under this subsection. The Secretary shall transmit the review to Congress not later than 18 months after transmittal of the research plan under paragraph (1), along with the Secretary's response to the recommendations contained in the review.
Within the funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to this part, amounts shall be available for projects to develop, plan, construct, acquire, or operate special equipment, instrumentation, or facilities, including user facilities at National Laboratories, for researchers conducting research, development, demonstration, and commercial application in systems biology and proteomics and associated biological disciplines.
In carrying out the program under this section, the Secretary shall not conduct biomedical research.
Nothing in this section shall authorize the Secretary to conduct any research or demonstrations—
(A) on human cells or human subjects; or
(B) designed to have direct application with respect to human cells or human subjects.
In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish at least 7 bioenergy research centers, which may be of varying size.
The Secretary shall establish at least 1 bioenergy research center in each Petroleum Administration for Defense District or Subdistrict of a Petroleum Administration for Defense District.
The goals of the centers established under this subsection shall be to accelerate basic transformational research and development of biofuels, including biological processes.
A center under this subsection shall be selected on a competitive basis for a period of 5 years.
After the end of the period described in subparagraph (A), a grantee may reapply for selection on a competitive basis.
A center that is in existence on December 19, 2007—
(A) shall be counted towards the requirement for establishment of at least 7 bioenergy research centers; and
(B) may continue to receive support for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of establishment of the center.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §977, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 903; Pub. L. 110–140, title II, §§232(a), 233, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1537.)
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