(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology passed four bipartisan bills designed to propel our energy, research, and technology sectors forward.

“The passage of today's bills is a significant step toward innovation in these critical fields,” Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) said. “Our energy legislation will support America's clean energy future by expanding geothermal energy research and driving the development and demonstration of domestic nuclear fuel projects. The two research and technology bills will strengthen interagency research partnerships to tackle critical challenges in the agricultural sector and promote collaborative research funding at NIST. I want to thank our committee members for their hard work in crafting these bills, and I look forward to advancing them on the House floor while championing their critical benefits for our nation.”

List of Bills Passed:

H.R. 8613, the NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act

Sponsored by Chairman Lucas and Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR)

Authorizes the National Science Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture to conduct cross-cutting and collaborative research and development to enhance agricultural sustainability through advanced technological solutions.

H.R. 8665, the Supercritical Geothermal Research and Development Act

Sponsored by Chairman Lucas and Rep. Salinas

Directs research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities at the Department of Energy to support supercritical geothermal and closed-loop geothermal systems in supercritical conditions.

H.R. 8673, the Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness Act 

Sponsored by Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA)

Establishes the Foundation for Standards and Metrology at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

H.R. 8674, the Milestones for Advanced Nuclear Fuel Act

Sponsored by Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY) and Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-IL)

Establishes milestone-based development and demonstration projects relating to nuclear fuels at the Department of Energy.