The U.S. House passed legislation requiring the Department of Energy (DOE) to report to Congress any changes to cost-share commitments by recipients of federal funding on Jan. 30.
DOE funds for energy research and development are essential for U.S. innovation, bill sponsor Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) said.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires the DOE to charge funding recipients a cost share. Research and development funds might have a 20 percent cost share, he said, whereas commercialization and demonstration grants can have 50 percent.
The bill was passed in support of the energy secretary submitting quarterly reports on cost-sharing attached to the department’s investments to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; and the House and Senate Committee on Appropriations….