WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved four bipartisan bills that maintain America’s leadership in energy research infrastructure and enhance Department of Energy (DOE) basic research.
The Department of Energy Research Infrastructure Act (H.R. 4376) was introduced by Rep. Steve Knight (R-Calif.), vice chairman of the Energy Subcommittee. The Accelerating American Leadership in Science Act (H.R. 4377) was introduced by Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.), a member of the Energy Subcommittee. The Nuclear Energy Research Infrastructure Act (H.R. 4378) was introduced by Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas), chairman of the Energy Subcommittee. The Low Dose Radiation Research Act (H.R. 4675) was introduced by Rep. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), vice chairman of the Research and Technology Subcommittee.
Chairman Smith: “These bills update and upgrade important Energy Department programs and facilities. Every year, the Energy Department’s national labs host more than 30,000 researchers. The research infrastructure bills championed by Reps. Weber, Knight and Hultgren ensure these scientists will continue to perform their cutting-edge basic research here in the United States. With passage of today’s five bipartisan research bills, including a STEM research bill, 20 of the 22 bills the Science Committee has brought to the House floor this Congress have been bipartisan pieces of legislation.”
Energy Subcommittee Vice Chairman Knight on H.R. 4376: “I’m incredibly happy the House passed the Department of Energy Research Infrastructure Act. The research programs supported by this bill have the potential to create a generational leap for American scientists in understanding energy and material sciences. When America forges the path in scientific discovery, the entire world benefits.”
Rep. Hultgren on H.R. 4377: “The Accelerating American Leadership in Science Act will ensure America remains the destination for the world’s top researchers to explore the outer reaches of our scientific knowledge. Our national labs like Illinois’s own Fermilab and Argonne are global leaders in groundbreaking scientific research, employing thousands of scientists engaged in vital experiments. The Department of Energy’s Office of Science operates and maintains this large-scale research infrastructure which is beyond the capacity of a single university or business. The world is working to catch up and replicate our success, which is why we need to reaffirm American leadership in fields that improve lives and increase domestic jobs.”
Energy Subcommittee Chairman Weber on H.R. 4378: “America is a land of opportunity, innovation, and advancement. This research reactor, the Versatile Neutron Source, is critical for the development of advanced reactor designs, materials, and nuclear fuels. This type of research requires access to fast neutrons, which are currently only available for civilian research in Russia. Nuclear energy research is an area with plenty of room for development. I am excited for the discoveries to come from our investment in stronger nuclear infrastructure. Many thanks to the Science Committee, Leadership, and my colleagues for their support of this bill."
Research and Technology Subcommittee Vice Chairman Marshall on H.R. 4675: “Today is a great day for our medical industry. I am so proud of the support this bill has received. Radiation therapy has saved thousands of cancer patients’ lives. As medical technology and techniques continue to advance it is critical that we learn more about the effects of low-dose radiation. I look forward to the Senate also supporting this bill that will help our doctors better treat their patients.”
Background:
Rep. Knight’s DOE Research Infrastructure Act directs and authorizes the secretary of energy to upgrade the Advanced Light Source, to complete the Linac Coherent Light Source II High Energy upgrade and to complete construction of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams via funding allocated from within the DOE Office of Science budget. The bill text can be found here.
Rep. Hultgren’s Accelerating American Leadership in Science Act directs and authorizes the secretary of energy to upgrade the Advanced Photon Source, to construct a Long Baseline Neutrino Facility, to provide a proton power upgrade to the Spallation Neutron Source, and to construct a second target station for the Spallation Neutron Source via funding allocated from within the DOE Office of Science budget. The bill text can be found here.
Rep. Weber’s Nuclear Energy Research Infrastructure Act directs and authorizes the secretary of energy to construct a Versatile Neutron Source user facility via funding allocated from within the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy. The bill text can be found here.
Rep. Marshall’s Low Dose Radiation Research Act provides a low-dose radiation basic research program at DOE, which ensures that we develop a thorough knowledge of any health impacts of low levels of radiation and continue to use the best available science to serve and maximize our nation’s energy, medical and defense needs. The bill text can be found here.