USC Subchapter VI

USC Subchapter VI
in effect

42 U.S.C. § 7231 Officers and employees

(a) Authority of Secretary to appoint and fix compensationIn the performance of his functions the Secretary is authorized to appoint and fix the compensation of such officers and employees, including attorneys, as may be necessary to carry out such functions. Except as otherwise provided in this section, such officers and employees shall be appointed in accordance with the civil service laws and their compensation fixed in accordance with title 5. (b) Appointment of scientific, engineering, etc., personnel without regard to civil service laws; compensation; termination of authority(1) Subject to the limitations provided in paragraph (2) and to the extent the Secretary deems such action necessary to the discharge of his functions, he may appoint not more than three hundred eleven of the scientific, engineering, professional, and administrative personnel of the department without regard to the civil service laws, and may fix the compensation of such personnel not in excess of the maximum rate payable for GS–18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5. (2) The Secretary’s authority under this subsection to appoint an individual to such a position without regard to the civil service laws shall cease—(A) when a person appointed, within four years after October 1, 1977, to fill such position under paragraph (1) leaves such position, or (B) on the day which is four years after such date, whichever is later. (c) Placement of GS–16, GS–17, and GS–18 positions without regard to section 3324 of title 5; termination of authority(1) Subject to the provisions of chapter 51 of title 5 but notwithstanding the last two sentences of section 5108(a) 11 See References in Text note below. of such title, the Secretary may place at GS–16, GS–17, and GS–18, not to exceed one hundred seventy-eight positions of the positions subject to the limitation of the first sentence of section 5108(a) 1 of such title. (2) Appointments under this subsection may be made without regard to the provisions of sections 3324 of title 5, relating to the approval by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management of appointments under GS–16, GS–17, and GS–18 if the individual placed in such position is an individual who is transferred in connection with a transfer of functions under this chapter and who, immediately before October 1, 1977, held a position and duties comparable to those of such position. (3) The Secretary’s authority under this subsection with respect to any position shall cease when the person first appointed to fill such position leaves such position. (d) Appointment of additional scientific, engineering, etc., personnel without regard to civil service laws; compensationIn addition to the number of positions which may be placed at GS–16, GS–17, and GS–18 under section 5108 of title 5, under existing law, or under this chapter, and to the extent the Secretary deems such action necessary to the discharge of his functions, he may appoint not more than two hundred of the scientific, engineering, professional, and administrative personnel without regard to the civil service laws and may fix the compensation of such personnel not in excess of the maximum rate payable for GS–18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5. (e) Determination of maximum aggregate number of positionsFor the purposes of determining the maximum aggregate number of positions which may be placed at GS–16, GS–17, or GS–18 under section 5108(a) of title 5, 63 percent of the positions established under subsections (b) and (c) shall be deemed GS–16 positions, 25 percent of such positions shall be deemed GS–17 positions, and 12 percent of such positions shall be deemed GS–18. (f) Intelligence and intelligence-related positions exempt from competitive serviceAll positions in the Department which the Secretary determines are devoted to intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government are excepted from the competitive service, and the individuals who occupy such positions as of August 14, 1991, shall, while employed in such positions, be exempt from the competitive service.

42 U.S.C. § 7232 Senior positions

In addition to those positions created by subchapter II of this chapter, there shall be within the Department fourteen additional officers in positions authorized by section 5316 of title 5 who shall be appointed by the Secretary and who shall perform such functions as the Secretary shall prescribe from time to time.

42 U.S.C. § 7233 Experts and consultants

The Secretary may obtain services as authorized by section 3109 of title 5, at rates not to exceed the daily rate prescribed for grade GS–18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5 for persons in Government service employed intermittently.

42 U.S.C. § 7234 Advisory committees

The Secretary is authorized to establish in accordance with chapter 10 of title 5 such advisory committees as he may deem appropriate to assist in the performance of his functions. Members of such advisory committees, other than full-time employees of the Federal Government, while attending meetings of such committees or while otherwise serving at the request of the Secretary while serving away from their homes or regular places of business, may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5 for individuals in the Government serving without pay.

42 U.S.C. § 7235 Armed services personnel

(a) The Secretary is authorized to provide for participation of Armed Forces personnel in carrying out functions authorized to be performed, on August 4, 1977, in the Energy Research and Development Administration and under chapter 869 of title 10. Members of the Armed Forces may be detailed for service in the Department by the Secretary concerned (as such term is defined in section 101 of such title) pursuant to cooperative agreements with the Secretary. (b) The detail of any personnel to the Department under this section shall in no way affect status, office, rank, or grade which officers or enlisted men may occupy or hold or any emolument, perquisite, right, privilege, or benefit incident to, or arising out of, such status, office, rank, or grade. A member so detailed shall not be subject to direction or control by his armed force, or any officer thereof, directly or indirectly, with respect to the responsibilities exercised in the position to which detailed.

42 U.S.C. § 7237 Priority placement, job placement, retraining, and counseling programs for United States Department of Energy employees affected by reduction in force

(a) Definitions(1) For the purposes of this section, the term “agency” means the United States Department of Energy. (2) For the purposes of this section, the term “eligible employee” means any employee of the agency who—(A) is scheduled to be separated from service due to a reduction in force under—(i) regulations prescribed under section 3502 of title 5; or (ii) procedures established under section 3595 of title 5; or (B) is separated from service due to such a reduction in force, but does not include—(i) an employee separated from service for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency; or (ii) an employee who, at the time of separation, meets the age and service requirements for an immediate annuity under subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 5. (b) Priority placement and retraining programNot later than 30 days after September 30, 1996, the United States Department of Energy shall establish an agency-wide priority placement and retraining program for eligible employees. (c) Filling vacancy from outside agencyThe priority placement program established under subsection (b) shall include provisions under which a vacant position shall not be filled by the appointment or transfer of any individual from outside of the agency if—(1) there is then available any eligible employee who applies for the position within 30 days of the agency issuing a job announcement and is qualified (or can be trained or retrained to become qualified within 90 days of assuming the position) for the position; and (2) the position is within the same commuting area as the eligible employee’s last-held position or residence. (d) Job placement and counseling servicesThe head of the agency may establish a program to provide job placement and counseling services to eligible employees. A program established under subsection (d) may include, but is not limited to, such services as—(1) career and personal counseling; (2) training and job search skills; and (3) job placement assistance, including assistance provided through cooperative arrangements with State and local employment services offices.

42 U.S.C. § 7238 Temporary appointments for scientific and technical experts in Department of Energy research and development programs

(a) The Secretary, utilizing authority under other applicable law and the authority of this section, may appoint for a limited term, or on a temporary basis, scientists, engineers, and other technical and professional personnel on leave of absence from academic, industrial, or research institutions to work for the Department. (b) The Department may pay, to the extent authorized for certain other Federal employees by section 5723 of title 5, travel expenses for any individual appointed for a limited term or on a temporary basis and transportation expenses of his or her immediate family and his or her household goods and personal effects from that individual’s residence at the time of selection or assignment to his or her duty station. The Department may pay such travel expenses to the same extent for such an individual’s return to the former place of residence from his or her duty station, upon separation from the Federal service following an agreed period of service. The Department may also pay a per diem allowance at a rate not to exceed the daily amounts prescribed under section 5702 of title 5 to such an individual, in lieu of transportation expenses of the immediate family and household goods and personal effects, for the period of his or her employment with the Department. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the employer’s contribution to any retirement, life insurance, or health benefit plan for an individual appointed for a term of one year or less, which could be extended for no more than one additional year, may be made or reimbursed from appropriations available to the Department.

42 U.S.C. § 7251 General authority

To the extent necessary or appropriate to perform any function transferred by this chapter, the Secretary or any officer or employee of the Department may exercise, in carrying out the function so transferred, any authority or part thereof available by law, including appropriation Acts, to the official or agency from which such function was transferred.

42 U.S.C. § 7252 Delegation

Except as otherwise expressly prohibited by law, and except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the Secretary may delegate any of his functions to such officers and employees of the Department as he may designate, and may authorize such successive redelegations of such functions within the Department as he may deem to be necessary or appropriate.

42 U.S.C. § 7253 Reorganization

(a) Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary is authorized to establish, alter, consolidate or discontinue such organizational units or components within the Department as he may deem to be necessary or appropriate. Such authority shall not extend to the abolition of organizational units or components established by this chapter, or to the transfer of functions vested by this chapter in any organizational unit or component. (b) The authority of the Secretary to establish, abolish, alter, consolidate, or discontinue any organizational unit or component of the National Nuclear Security Administration is governed by the provisions of section 2409 of title 50. (c) The authority of the Secretary under subsection (a) does not apply to the National Nuclear Security Administration. The corresponding authority that applies to the Administration is set forth in section 2402(e) 11 See References in Text note below. of title 50.

42 U.S.C. § 7254 Rules and regulations

The Secretary is authorized to prescribe such procedural and administrative rules and regulations as he may deem necessary or appropriate to administer and manage the functions now or hereafter vested in him.

42 U.S.C. § 7255 Subpoena

For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the Secretary, or his duly authorized agent or agents, shall have the same powers and authorities as the Federal Trade Commission under section 49 of title 15 with respect to all functions vested in, or transferred or delegated to, the Secretary or such agents by this chapter. For purposes of carrying out its responsibilities under the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 [15 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.], the Commission shall have the same powers and authority as the Secretary has under this section.

42 U.S.C. § 7256 Contracts, leases, etc., with public agencies and private organizations and persons

(a) General authorityThe Secretary is authorized to enter into and perform such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other similar transactions with public agencies and private organizations and persons, and to make such payments (in lump sum or installments, and by way of advance or reimbursement) as he may deem to be necessary or appropriate to carry out functions now or hereafter vested in the Secretary. (b) Limitation on authority; appropriationsNotwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, no authority to enter into contracts or to make payments under this subchapter shall be effective except to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriation Acts. (c) Leasing of excess Department of Energy propertyThe Secretary may lease, upon terms and conditions the Secretary considers appropriate to promote national security or the public interest, acquired real property and related personal property that—(1) is located at a facility of the Department of Energy to be closed or reconfigured; (2) at the time the lease is entered into, is not needed by the Department of Energy; and (3) is under the control of the Department of Energy. (d) Terms of lease(1) A lease entered into under subsection (c) may not be for a term of more than 10 years, except that the Secretary may enter into a lease that includes an option to renew for a term of more than 10 years if the Secretary determines that entering into such a lease will promote the national security or be in the public interest. (2) A lease entered into under subsection (c) may provide for the payment (in cash or in kind) by the lessee of consideration in an amount that is less than the fair market rental value of the leasehold interest. Services relating to the protection and maintenance of the leased property may constitute all or part of such consideration. (e) Environmental concerns(1) Before entering into a lease under subsection (c), the Secretary shall consult with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (with respect to property located on a site on the National Priorities List) or the appropriate State official (with respect to property located on a site that is not listed on the National Priorities List) to determine whether the environmental conditions of the property are such that leasing the property, and the terms and conditions of the lease agreement, are consistent with safety and the protection of public health and the environment. (2) Before entering into a lease under subsection (c), the Secretary shall obtain the concurrence of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or the appropriate State official, as the case may be, in the determination required under paragraph (1). The Secretary may enter into a lease under subsection (c) without obtaining such concurrence if, within 60 days after the Secretary requests the concurrence, the Administrator or appropriate State official, as the case may be, fails to submit to the Secretary a notice of such individual’s concurrence with, or rejection of, the determination. (f) Retention and use of rentals; reportTo the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts, the Secretary may retain and use money rentals received by the Secretary directly from a lease entered into under subsection (c) in any amount the Secretary considers necessary to cover the administrative expenses of the lease, the maintenance and repair of the leased property, or environmental restoration activities at the facility where the leased property is located. Amounts retained under this subsection shall be retained in a separate fund established in the Treasury for such purpose. The Secretary shall annually submit to the Congress a report on amounts retained and amounts used under this subsection. (g) Additional authorities(1) In addition to authority granted to the Secretary under any other provision of law, the Secretary may exercise the same authority to enter into transactions (other than contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants), subject to the same terms and conditions as the Secretary of Defense under section 2371 11 See References in Text note below. of title 10 (other than subsections (b) and (f) of that section). (2) In applying section 2371 1 of title 10 to the Secretary under paragraph (1)—(A) the term “basic” shall be replaced by the term “research”; (B) the term “applied” shall be replaced by the term “development”; and (C) the terms “advanced research projects” and “advanced research” shall be replaced by the term “demonstration projects”. (3) The authority of the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall not be subject to—(A) section 5908 of this title; or (B) section 2182 of this title. (4)(A) The Secretary shall use such competitive, merit-based selection procedures in entering into transactions under paragraph (1), as the Secretary determines in writing to be practicable. (B) A transaction under paragraph (1) shall relate to a research, development, or demonstration project only if the Secretary determines in writing that the use of a standard contract, grant, or cooperative agreement for the project is not feasible or appropriate. (5) Protection from disclosure.—(A) In general.—The Secretary may protect from disclosure any information developed pursuant to a transaction under paragraph (1) that would be protected from disclosure under section 552(b)(4) of title 5, if obtained from a person other than a Federal agency—(i) for up to 5 years after the date on which the information is developed; or (ii) for up to 30 years after the date on which the information is developed, if the Secretary determines that the nature of the technology under the transaction, including nuclear technology, could reasonably require an extended period of protection from disclosure to reach commercialization. (B) Extension during term.—The Secretary may extend the period of protection from disclosure during the term of any transaction described in subparagraph (A) in accordance with that subparagraph. (6)(A) Not later than 90 days after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall issue guidelines for transactions under paragraph (1). (B) The guidelines shall be published in the Federal Register for public comment in accordance with rulemaking procedures of the Department. (C) The Secretary shall not have authority to carry out transactions under paragraph (1) until the guidelines for transactions required under subparagraph (A) are final. (7) The annual report of the head of an executive agency under section 2371(h) 1 of title 10 shall be submitted to Congress. (8)(A) In this paragraph, the term “nontraditional Government contractor” has the meaning given the term “nontraditional defense contractor” in section 845(f) 1 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (Public Law 103–160; 10 U.S.C. 2371 note). (B) Not later than 1 year after the date on which the final guidelines are published under paragraph (6), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report describing—(i) the use by the Department of authorities under this section, including the ability to attract nontraditional Government contractors; and (ii) whether additional safeguards are necessary to carry out the authorities. (9) The authority of the Secretary under this subsection may be delegated only to an officer of the Department who is appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. (10) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the authority to enter into transactions under paragraph (1) shall terminate on September 30, 2030.

42 U.S.C. § 7256c Milestone-based demonstration projects

(a) In generalActing under section 7256(g) of this title, notwithstanding paragraph (10) of such section, the Secretary of Energy (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”) may carry out demonstration projects as a milestone-based demonstration project that requires particular technical and financial milestones to be met before a participant is awarded grants by the Department through a competitive award process. (b) RequirementsIn carrying out milestone-based demonstration projects under the authority in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, for each relevant project—(1) request proposals from eligible entities, as determined by the Secretary, including—(A) a business plan, that may include a plan for scalable manufacturing and a plan for addressing supply chain gaps; (B) a plan for raising private sector investment; and (C) proposed technical and financial milestones, including estimated project timelines and total costs; and (2) award funding of a predetermined amount to projects that successfully meet proposed milestones under paragraph (1)(C) or for expenses deemed reimbursable by the Secretary, in accordance with terms negotiated for an individual award; (3) require cost sharing in accordance with section 16352 of this title; and (4) communicate regularly with selected eligible entities and, if the Secretary deems appropriate, exercise small amounts of flexibility for technical and financial milestones as projects mature. (c) AwardsFor the program established under subsection (a)—(1) an award recipient shall be responsible for all costs until milestones are achieved, or reimbursable expenses are reviewed and verified by the Department; and (2) should an awardee not meet the milestones described in subsection (a), the Secretary or their designee may end the partnership with an award recipient and use the remaining funds in the ended agreement for new or existing projects carried out under this section. (d) Project managementIn carrying out projects under this program and assessing the completion of their milestones in accordance with subsection (b), the Secretary shall consult with experts that represent diverse perspectives and professional experiences, including those from the private sector, to ensure a complete and thorough review. (e) ReportIn accordance with section 16391a(a) of this title, the Secretary shall report annually on any demonstration projects carried out using the authorities under this section.

42 U.S.C. § 7257 Acquisition, construction, etc., of laboratories, research and testing sites, etc.

The Secretary is authorized to acquire (by purchase, lease, condemnation, or otherwise), construct, improve, repair, operate, and maintain laboratories, research and testing sites and facilities, quarters and related accommodations for employees and dependents of employees of the Department, personal property (including patents), or any interest therein, as the Secretary deems necessary; and to provide by contract or otherwise for eating facilities and other necessary facilities for the health and welfare of employees of the Department at its installations and purchase and maintain equipment therefor.

42 U.S.C. § 7257d Expanded research by Secretary of Energy

(a) Detection and identification research(1) In generalIn conjunction with the working group under section 247d–6(a) of this title, the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration shall expand, enhance, and intensify research relevant to the rapid detection and identification of pathogens likely to be used in a bioterrorism attack or other agents that may cause a public health emergency. (2) Authorized activitiesActivities carried out under paragraph (1) may include—(A) the improvement of methods for detecting biological agents or toxins of potential use in a biological attack and the testing of such methods under variable conditions; (B) the improvement or pursuit of methods for testing, verifying, and calibrating new detection and surveillance tools and techniques; and (C) carrying out other research activities in relevant areas. (3) ReportNot later than 180 days after June 12, 2002, the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives, a report setting forth the programs and projects that will be funded prior to the obligation of funds appropriated under subsection (b). (b) AuthorizationFor the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary in each of fiscal years 2002 through 2006.

42 U.S.C. § 7258 Facilities construction

(a) Employees and dependents stationed at remote locationsAs necessary and when not otherwise available, the Secretary is authorized to provide for, construct, or maintain the following for employees and their dependents stationed at remote locations:(1) Emergency medical services and supplies; (2) Food and other subsistence supplies; (3) Messing facilities; (4) Audio-visual equipment, accessories, and supplies for recreation and training; (5) Reimbursement for food, clothing, medicine, and other supplies furnished by such employees in emergencies for the temporary relief of distressed persons; (6) Living and working quarters and facilities; and (7) Transportation of schoolage dependents of employees to the nearest appropriate educational facilities. (b) Medical treatment at reasonable pricesThe furnishing of medical treatment under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and the furnishing of services and supplies under paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a) shall be at prices reflecting reasonable value as determined by the Secretary. (c) Use of reimbursement proceedsProceeds from reimbursements under this section shall be deposited in the Treasury and may be withdrawn by the Secretary to pay directly the cost of such work or services, to repay or make advances to appropriations of funds which will initially bear all or a part of such cost, or to refund excess sums when necessary. Such payments may be credited to a working capital fund otherwise established by law, including the fund established pursuant to section 7263 of this title, and used under the law governing such fund, if the fund is available for use by the Department for performing the work or services for which payment is received.

42 U.S.C. § 7259 Use of facilities

(a) Facilities of United States and foreign governmentsWith their consent, the Secretary and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may, with or without reimbursement, use the research, equipment, and facilities of any agency or instrumentality of the United States or of any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States, or of any political subdivision thereof, or of any foreign government, in carrying out any function now or hereafter vested in the Secretary or the Commission. (b) Facilities under custody of SecretaryIn carrying out his functions, the Secretary, under such terms, at such rates, and for such periods not exceeding five years, as he may deem to be in the public interest, is authorized to permit the use by public and private agencies, corporations, associations, or other organizations or by individuals of any real property, or any facility, structure, or other improvement thereon, under the custody of the Secretary for Department purposes. The Secretary may require permittees under this section to recondition and maintain, at their own expense, the real property, facilities, structures, and improvements involved to a satisfactory standard. This section shall not apply to excess property as defined in section 102(3) of title 40. (c) Use of reimbursement proceedsProceeds from reimbursements under this section shall be deposited in the Treasury and may be withdrawn by the Secretary or the head of the agency or instrumentality of the United States involved, as the case may be, to pay directly the costs of the equipment, or facilities provided, to repay or make advances to appropriations or funds which do or will initially bear all or a part of such costs, or to refund excess sums when necessary, except that such proceeds may be credited to a working capital fund otherwise established by law, including the fund established pursuant to section 7263 of this title, and used under the law governing such fund, if the fund is available for use for providing the equipment or facilities involved.

42 U.S.C. § 7259a Activities of Department of Energy facilities

(a) Research and activities on behalf of non-department persons and entities(1) The Secretary of Energy may conduct research and other activities referred to in paragraph (2) at facilities of the Department of Energy on behalf of other departments and agencies of the Government, agencies of State and local governments, and private persons and entities. (2) The research and other activities that may be conducted under paragraph (1) are those which the Secretary is authorized to conduct by law, including research and activities authorized under the following provisions of law:(A) The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.). (B) The Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 [42 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.]. (C) The Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5901 et seq.). (b) Charges(1) The Secretary shall impose on the department, agency, or person or entity for which research and other activities are carried out under subsection (a) a charge for such research and activities in carrying out such research and activities, which shall include—(A) the direct cost incurred in carrying out such research and activities; and (B) the overhead cost, including site-wide indirect costs, associated with such research and activities. (2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall also impose on the department, agency, or person or entity concerned a Federal administrative charge (which includes any depreciation and imputed interest charges) in an amount not to exceed 3 percent of the full cost incurred in carrying out the research and activities concerned. (B) The Secretary may waive the imposition of the Federal administrative charge required by subparagraph (A) in the case of research and other activities conducted on behalf of small business concerns, institutions of higher education, non-profit entities, and State and local governments. (3) Not later than 2 years after October 17, 1998, the Secretary shall terminate any waiver of charges under section 33 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2053) that were made before such date, unless the Secretary determines that such waiver should be continued. (c) Pilot program of reduced facility overhead charges(1) The Secretary may, with the cooperation of participating contractors of the contractor-operated facilities of the Department, carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary and such contractors reduce the facility overhead charges imposed under this section for research and other activities conducted under this section. (2) The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at contractor-operated facilities selected by the Secretary in consultation with the contractors concerned. (3) The Secretary shall determine the facility overhead charges to be imposed under the pilot program at a facility based on a joint review by the Secretary and the contractor for the facility of all items included in the overhead costs of the facility in order to determine which items are appropriately incurred as facility overhead charges by the contractor in carrying out research and other activities at such facility under this section. (4) The Secretary shall commence carrying out the pilot program under this subsection not later than October 1, 1999, and shall terminate the pilot program on September 30, 2003. (5) Not later than January 31, 2003, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an interim report on the results of the pilot program under this subsection. The report shall include any recommendations for the extension or expansion of the pilot program, including the establishment of multiple rates of overhead charges for various categories of persons and entities seeking research and other activities in contractor-operated facilities of the Department. (d) Applicability with respect to user fee practiceThis section does not apply to the practice of the Department of Energy with respect to user fees at Department facilities.

42 U.S.C. § 7260 Field offices

The Secretary is authorized to establish, alter, consolidate or discontinue and to maintain such State, regional, district, local or other field offices as he may deem to be necessary to carry out functions vested in him.

42 U.S.C. § 7261 Acquisition of copyrights, patents, etc.

The Secretary is authorized to acquire any of the following described rights if the property acquired thereby is for use by or for, or useful to, the Department: (1) copyrights, patents, and applications for patents, designs, processes, and manufacturing data; (2) licenses under copyrights, patents, and applications for patents; and (3) releases, before suit is brought, for past infringement of patents or copyrights.

42 U.S.C. § 7261a Protection of sensitive technical information

(a) Property rights in inventions and discoveries; timely determination; reports to Congressional committees(1) Whenever any contractor makes an invention or discovery to which the title vests in the Department of Energy pursuant to exercise of section 202(a)(ii) or (iv) of title 35, or pursuant to section 2182 of this title or section 5908 of this title in the course of or under any Government contract or subcontract of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program or the nuclear weapons programs or other atomic energy defense activities of the Department of Energy and the contractor requests waiver of any or all of the Government’s property rights, the Secretary of Energy may decide to waive the Government’s rights and assign the rights in such invention or discovery. (2) Such decision shall be made within 150 days after the date on which a complete request for waiver of such rights has been submitted to the Secretary by the contractor. For purposes of this paragraph, a complete request includes such information, in such detail and form, as the Secretary by regulation prescribes as necessary to allow the Secretary to take into consideration the matters described in subsection (b) in making the decision. (3) If the Secretary fails to make the decision within such 150-day period, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate, within 10 days after the end of the 150-day period, a report on the reasons for such failure. The submission of such report shall not relieve the Secretary of the requirement to make the decision under this section. The Secretary shall, at the end of each 30-day period after submission of the first report during which the Secretary continues to fail to make the decision required by this section, submit another report on the reasons for such failure to the committees listed in this paragraph. (b) Matters to be consideredIn making a decision under this section, the Secretary shall consider, in addition to the applicable policies of section 2182 of this title or subsections (c) and (d) of section 5908 of this title—(1) whether national security will be compromised; (2) whether sensitive technical information (whether classified or unclassified) under the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program or the nuclear weapons programs or other atomic energy defense activities of the Department of Energy for which dissemination is controlled under Federal statutes and regulations will be released to unauthorized persons; (3) whether an organizational conflict of interest contemplated by Federal statutes and regulations will result; and (4) whether failure to assert such a claim will adversely affect the operation of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program or the nuclear weapons programs or other atomic energy defense activities of the Department of Energy.

42 U.S.C. § 7261b Technology transfer to small businesses

(1) The Secretary of Energy shall establish a program to facilitate and encourage the transfer of technology to small businesses and shall issue guidelines relating to the program not later than May 1, 1993. (2) For the purposes of this section, the term “small business” means a business concern that meets the applicable size standards prescribed pursuant to section 632(a) of title 15.

42 U.S.C. § 7261c Technology partnerships ombudsman

(a) Appointment of ombudsmanThe Secretary of Energy shall direct the director of each national laboratory of the Department of Energy, and may direct the director of each facility under the jurisdiction of the Department of Energy, to appoint a technology partnership ombudsman to hear and help resolve complaints from outside organizations regarding the policies and actions of each such laboratory or facility with respect to technology partnerships (including cooperative research and development agreements), patents, and technology licensing. (b) QualificationsAn ombudsman appointed under subsection (a) shall be a senior official of the national laboratory or facility who is not involved in day-to-day technology partnerships, patents, or technology licensing, or, if appointed from outside the laboratory or facility, function as such a senior official. (c) DutiesEach ombudsman appointed under subsection (a) shall—(1) serve as the focal point for assisting the public and industry in resolving complaints and disputes with the national laboratory or facility regarding technology partnerships, patents, and technology licensing; (2) promote the use of collaborative alternative dispute resolution techniques such as mediation to facilitate the speedy and low-cost resolution of complaints and disputes, when appropriate; and (3) report quarterly on the number and nature of complaints and disputes raised, along with the ombudsman’s assessment of their resolution, consistent with the protection of confidential and sensitive information, to—(A) the Secretary; (B) the Administrator for Nuclear Security; (C) the Director of the Office of Dispute Resolution of the Department of Energy; and (D) the employees of the Department responsible for the administration of the contract for the operation of each national laboratory or facility that is a subject of the report, for consideration in the administration and review of that contract.

42 U.S.C. § 7263 Capital fund

The Secretary is authorized to establish a working capital fund, to be available without fiscal year limitation, for expenses necessary for the maintenance and operation of such common administrative services as he shall find to be desirable in the interests of economy and efficiency, including such services as a central supply service for stationery and other supplies and equipment for which adequate stocks may be maintained to meet in whole or in part the requirements of the Department and its agencies; central messenger, mail, telephone, and other communications services; office space, central services for document reproduction, and for graphics and visual aids; and a central library service. The capital of the fund shall consist of any appropriations made for the purpose of providing capital (which appropriations are hereby authorized) and the fair and reasonable value of such stocks of supplies, equipment, and other assets and inventories on order as the Secretary may transfer to the fund, less the related liabilities and unpaid obligations. Such funds shall be reimbursed in advance from available funds of agencies and offices in the Department, or from other sources, for supplies and services at rates which will approximate the expense of operation, including the accrual of annual leave and the depreciation of equipment. The fund shall also be credited with receipts from sale or exchange of property and receipts in payment for loss or damage to property owned by the fund. There shall be covered into the United States Treasury as miscellaneous receipts any surplus found in the fund (all assets, liabilities, and prior losses considered) above the amounts transferred or appropriated to establish and maintain said fund. There shall be transferred to the fund the stocks of supplies, equipment, other assets, liabilities, and unpaid obligations relating to the services which he determines will be performed through the fund. Appropriations to the fund, in such amounts as may be necessary to provide additional working capital, are authorized.

42 U.S.C. § 7264 Seal of Department

The Secretary shall cause a seal of office to be made for the Department of such design as he shall approve and judicial notice shall be taken of such seal.

42 U.S.C. § 7265 Regional Energy Advisory Boards

(a) Establishment; membershipThe Governors of the various States may establish Regional Energy Advisory Boards for their regions with such membership as they may determine. (b) ObserversRepresentatives of the Secretary, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior, the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall be entitled to participate as observers in the deliberations of any Board established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. The Federal Cochairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission or any regional commission under title V of the Public Works and Economic Development Act [42 U.S.C. 3181 et seq.] shall be entitled to participate as an observer in the deliberations of any such Board which contains one or more States which are members of such Commission. (c) Recommendations of BoardEach Board established pursuant to subsection (a) may make such recommendations as it determines to be appropriate to programs of the Department having a direct effect on the region. (d) Notice of reasons not to adopt recommendationsIf any Regional Advisory Board makes specific recommendations pursuant to subsection (c), the Secretary shall, if such recommendations are not adopted in the implementation of the program, notify the Board in writing of his reasons for not adopting such recommendations.

42 U.S.C. § 7266 Designation of conservation officers

The Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Interior, the United States Postal Service, and the Administrator of General Services shall each designate one Assistant Secretary or Assistant Administrator, as the case may be, as the principal conservation officer of such Department or of the Administration. Such designated principal conservation officer shall be principally responsible for planning and implementation of energy conservation programs by such Department or Administration and principally responsible for coordination with the Department of Energy with respect to energy matters. Each agency, Department or Administration required to designate a principal conservation officer pursuant to this section shall periodically inform the Secretary of the identity of such conservation officer, and the Secretary shall periodically publish a list identifying such officers.

42 U.S.C. § 7267 Annual report

The Secretary shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, commencing with the first complete fiscal year following October 1, 1977, make a report to the President for submission to the Congress on the activities of the Department during the preceding fiscal year. Such report shall include a statement of the Secretary’s goals, priorities, and plans for the Department, together with an assessment of the progress made toward the attainment of those goals, the effective and efficient management of the Department and progress made in coordination of its functions with other departments and agencies of the Federal Government. In addition, such report shall include the information required by section 774 of title 15, section 6325(c) of this title, section 10224(c) of this title, section 5877 of this title, and section 5914 11 See References in Text note below. of this title, and shall include: (1) projected energy needs of the United States to meet the requirements of the general welfare of the people of the United States and the commercial and industrial life of the Nation, including a comprehensive summary of data pertaining to all fuel and energy needs of residents of the United States residing in—(A) areas outside standard metropolitan statistical areas; and (B) areas within such areas which are unincorporated or are specified by the Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce, as rural areas; (2) an estimate of (A) the domestic and foreign energy supply on which the United States will be expected to rely to meet such needs in an economic manner with due regard for the protection of the environment, the conservation of natural resources, and the implementation of foreign policy objectives, and (B) the quantities of energy expected to be provided by different sources (including petroleum, natural and synthetic gases, coal, uranium, hydroelectric, solar, and other means) and the expected means of obtaining such quantities; (3) current and foreseeable trends in the price, quality, management, and utilization of energy resources and the effects of those trends on the social, environmental, economic, and other requirements of the Nation; (4) a summary of research and development efforts funded by the Federal Government to develop new technologies, to forestall energy shortages, to reduce waste, to foster recycling, to encourage conservation practices, and to increase efficiency; and further such summary shall include a description of the activities the Department is performing in support of environmental, social, economic and institutional, biomedical, physical and safety research, development, demonstration, and monitoring activities necessary to guarantee that technological programs, funded by the Department, are undertaken in a manner consistent with and capable of maintaining or improving the quality of the environment and of mitigating any undesirable environmental and safety impacts; (5) a review and appraisal of the adequacy and appropriateness of technologies, procedures, and practices (including competitive and regulatory practices) employed by Federal/State, and local governments and nongovernmental entities to achieve the purposes of this chapter; (6) a summary of cooperative and voluntary efforts that have been mobilized to promote conservation and recycling, together with plans for such efforts in the succeeding fiscal year, and recommendations for changes in laws and regulations needed to encourage more conservation and recycling by all segments of the Nation’s populace; (7) a summary of substantive measures taken by the Department to stimulate and encourage the development of new manpower resources through the Nation’s colleges and universities and to involve these institutions in the execution of the Department’s research and development programs; and (8) to the extent practicable, a summary of activities in the United States by companies or persons which are foreign owned or controlled and which own or control United States energy sources and supplies, including the magnitude of annual foreign direct investment in the energy sector in the United States and exports of energy resources from the United States by foreign owned or controlled business entities or persons, and such other related matters as the Secretary may deem appropriate.

42 U.S.C. § 7268 Leasing report

The Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the Congress not later than one year after August 4, 1977, a report on the organization of the leasing operations of the Federal Government, together with any recommendations for reorganizing such functions may deem necessary or appropriate.

42 U.S.C. § 7269 Transfer of funds

The Secretary, when authorized in an appropriation Act, in any fiscal year, may transfer funds from one appropriation to another within the Department, except that no appropriation shall be either increased or decreased pursuant to this section by more than 5 per centum of the appropriation for such fiscal year.

42 U.S.C. § 7269b Transfer of unexpended appropriation balances

The unexpended balances of prior appropriations provided for activities in this Act or subsequent Energy and Water Development Appropriations Acts may on and after October 2, 1992, be transferred to appropriation accounts for such activities established pursuant to this title.11 See References in Text note below. Balances so transferred may be merged with funds in the applicable established accounts and thereafter may be accounted for as one fund for the same time period as originally enacted.

42 U.S.C. § 7269c Funding for Department of Energy activities not included in Fossil Energy account

In this Act and future Acts, up to 4 percent of program direction funds available to the National Energy Technology Laboratory may be used to support Department of Energy activities not included in this Fossil Energy account: Provided further, That in this Act and future Acts, the salaries for Federal employees performing research and development activities at the National Energy Technology Laboratory can continue to be funded from any appropriate DOE program accounts.

42 U.S.C. § 7270 Authorization of appropriations

Appropriations to carry out the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to annual authorization.

42 U.S.C. § 7270a Guards for Strategic Petroleum Reserve facilities

Under guidelines prescribed by the Secretary and concurred with by the Attorney General, employees of the Department of Energy and employees of contractors and subcontractors (at any tier) of the Department of Energy, while discharging their official duties of protecting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (established under part B of title I of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act [42 U.S.C. 6231 et seq.]) or its storage or related facilities or of protecting persons upon the Strategic Petroleum Reserve or its storage or related facilities, may— (1) carry firearms, if designated by the Secretary and qualified for the use of firearms under the guidelines; and (2) arrest without warrant any person for an offense against the United States—(A) in the case of a felony, if the employee has reasonable grounds to believe that the person—(i) has committed or is committing a felony; and (ii) is in or is fleeing from the immediate area of the felony; and (B) in the case of a felony or misdemeanor, if the violation is committed in the presence of the employee.

42 U.S.C. § 7270b Trespass on Strategic Petroleum Reserve facilities

(a) The Secretary may issue regulations relating to the entry upon or carrying, transporting, or otherwise introducing or causing to be introduced any dangerous weapon, explosive, or other dangerous instrument or material likely to produce substantial injury or damage to persons or property into or onto the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, its storage or related facilities, or real property subject to the jurisdiction, administration, or in the custody of the Secretary under part B of title I of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6231–6247). The Secretary shall post conspicuously, on the property subject to the regulations, notification that the property is subject to the regulations. (b) Whoever willfully violates a regulation of the Secretary issued under subsection (a) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished upon conviction by a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

42 U.S.C. § 7270c Annual assessment and report on vulnerability of facilities to terrorist attack

(a) The Secretary shall, on an annual basis, conduct a comprehensive assessment of the vulnerability of Department facilities to terrorist attack. (b) Not later than January 31 each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the assessment conducted under subsection (a) during the preceding year. Each report shall include the results of the assessment covered by such report, together with such findings and recommendations as the Secretary considers appropriate.

42 U.S.C. § 7273b Security investigations

(1) No funds appropriated to the Department of Energy may be obligated or expended for the conduct of an investigation by the Department of Energy or any other Federal department or agency for purposes of determining whether to grant a security clearance to an individual or a facility unless the Secretary of Energy determines both of the following:(A) That a current, complete investigation file is not available from any other department or agency of the Federal government with respect to that individual or facility. (B) That no other department or agency of the Federal government is conducting an investigation with respect to that individual or facility that could be used as the basis for determining whether to grant the security clearance. (2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), a current investigation file is a file on an investigation that has been conducted within the past five years.

42 U.S.C. § 7274 Environmental impact statements relating to defense facilities of Department of Energy

(1) The Secretary may not proceed with the preparation of an environmental impact statement relating to the construction or operation of a defense facility of the Department of Energy if the estimated cost of preparing such statement exceeds $250,000 unless—(A) the Secretary has notified the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives of his intent to prepare such statement and a period of thirty days has expired after the date on which such notice was received by such committees; or (B) the Secretary has received from each such committee, before the expiration of such thirty-day period, a written notice that the committee agrees with the decision of the Secretary regarding the preparation of such statement. (2) The provisions of paragraph (1) shall not apply in the case of any environmental impact statement on which the Secretary began preparation before December 4, 1981.

42 U.S.C. § 7274e Scholarship and fellowship program for environmental restoration and waste management

(a) EstablishmentThe Secretary of Energy shall conduct a scholarship and fellowship program for the purpose of enabling individuals to qualify for employment in environmental restoration and waste management positions in the Department of Energy. The scholarship and fellowship program shall be known as the “Marilyn Lloyd Scholarship and Fellowship Program”. (b) EligibilityTo be eligible to participate in the scholarship and fellowship program, an individual must—(1) be accepted for enrollment or be currently enrolled as a full-time student at an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [20 U.S.C. 1001]); (2) be pursuing a program of education that leads to an appropriate higher education degree in a qualifying field of study, as determined by the Secretary; (3) sign an agreement described in subsection (c); (4) be a citizen or national of the United States or be an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence; and (5) meet such other requirements as the Secretary prescribes. (c) AgreementAn agreement between the Secretary and a participant in the scholarship and fellowship program established under this section shall be in writing, shall be signed by the participant, and shall include the following provisions:(1) The Secretary’s agreement to provide the participant with educational assistance for a specified number of school years (not exceeding 5) during which the participant is pursuing a program of education in a qualifying field of study. The assistance may include payment of tuition, fees, books, laboratory expenses, and a stipend. (2) The participant’s agreement (A) to accept such educational assistance, (B) to maintain enrollment and attendance in the program of education until completed, (C) while enrolled in such program, to maintain satisfactory academic progress as prescribed by the institution of higher education in which the participant is enrolled, and (D) after completion of the program of education, to serve as a full-time employee in an environmental restoration or waste management position in the Department of Energy for a period of 12 months for each school year or part thereof for which the participant is provided a scholarship or fellowship under the program established under this section. (d) Repayment(1) Any person participating in a scholarship or fellowship program established under this section shall agree to pay to the United States the total amount of educational assistance provided to the person under the program, plus interest at the rate prescribed by paragraph (4), if the person—(A) does not complete the course of education as agreed to pursuant to subsection (c), or completes the course of education but declines to serve in a position in the Department of Energy as agreed to pursuant to subsection (c); or (B) is voluntarily separated from service or involuntarily separated for cause from the Department of Energy before the end of the period for which the person has agreed to continue in the service of the Department of Energy. (2) If an employee fails to fulfill his agreement to pay to the Government the total amount of educational assistance provided to the person under the program, plus interest at the rate prescribed by paragraph (4), a sum equal to the amount of the educational assistance (plus such interest) is recoverable by the Government from the person or his estate by—(A) in the case of a person who is an employee, setoff against accrued pay, compensation, amount of retirement credit, or other amount due the employee from the Government; and (B) such other method as is provided by law for the recovery of amounts owing to the Government. (3) The Secretary may waive in whole or in part a required repayment under this subsection if the Secretary determines the recovery would be against equity and good conscience or would be contrary to the best interests of the United States. (4) For purposes of repayment under this section, the total amount of educational assistance provided to a person under the program shall bear interest at the applicable rate of interest under section 427A(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1077a(c)). (e) Preference for cooperative education studentsIn evaluating applicants for award of scholarships and fellowships under the program, the Secretary of Energy may give a preference to an individual who is enrolled in, or accepted for enrollment in, an educational institution that has a cooperative education program with the Department of Energy. (f) Coordination of benefitsA scholarship or fellowship awarded under this section shall be taken into account in determining the eligibility of the student for Federal student financial assistance provided under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.). (g) Award of scholarships and fellowships(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall award at least 20 scholarships (for undergraduate students) and 20 fellowships (for graduate students) during fiscal year 1992. (2) The requirement to award 20 scholarships and 20 fellowships under paragraph (1) applies only to the extent there is a sufficient number of applicants qualified for such awards. (h) Report to CongressNot later than January 1, 1993, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to Congress a report on activities undertaken under the program and recommendations for future activities under the program. (i) FundingOf the funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to section 3101(9)(B), $1,000,000 may be used for the purpose of carrying out this section.

42 U.S.C. § 7274g Environmental restoration and waste management five-year plan and budget reports

(a) Five-year plan(1) Not later than September 1 of each year, the Secretary of Energy shall issue a plan for environmental restoration and waste management activities to be conducted, during the five-year period beginning on October 1 of the next calendar year, at all facilities owned or operated by the Department of Energy except defense nuclear facilities. The plan also shall contain a description of environmental restoration and waste management activities conducted during the fiscal year in which the plan is submitted and of such activities to be conducted during the fiscal year beginning on October 1 of the same calendar year. Such five-year plan shall be designed to complete environmental restoration at all such Department of Energy facilities not later than the year 2019. (2) The Secretary shall prepare each annual five-year plan in a preliminary form at least four months before the date on which that plan is required to be issued under paragraph (1). The preliminary plan shall contain the matters referred to in paragraph (4) (other than the matters referred to in subparagraph (J) of that paragraph). The Secretary shall provide the preliminary plan to the Governors and Attorneys General of affected States, appropriate representatives of affected Indian tribes, and the public for coordination, review, and comment. (3) At the same time the Secretary issues an annual five-year plan under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit the plan to the President and Congress, publish a notice of the issuance of the plan in the Federal Register, and make the plan available to the Governors and Attorneys General of affected States, appropriate representatives of affected Indian tribes, and the public. (4) The annual five-year plan, and the actions and other matters contained in the plan, shall be in accordance with all laws, regulations, permits, orders, and agreements. The plan shall include, with respect to the Department of Energy facilities required by paragraph (1) to be covered by the plan, the following matters:(A) A description of the actions, including identification of specific projects, necessary to maintain or achieve compliance with Federal, State, or local environmental laws, regulations, permits, orders, and agreements. (B) A description of the actions, including identification of specific projects, to be taken at each Department of Energy facility in order to implement environmental restoration activities planned for each such facility. (C) A description of research and development activities for the expeditious and efficient environmental restoration of such facilities. (D) A description of the technologies and facilities necessary to carry out the environmental restoration activities. (E) A description of the waste management activities, including identification of specific projects, necessary to continue to operate the Department of Energy facilities or to decontaminate and decommission the facilities, as the case may be. (F) A description of research and development activities for waste management. (G) A description of the technologies and facilities necessary to carry out the waste management activities. (H) A description of activities and practices that the Secretary is undertaking or plans to undertake to minimize the generation of waste. (I) The estimated costs of, and personnel required for, each project, action, or activity contained in the plan. (J) A description of the respects in which the plan differs from the preliminary form of that plan issued pursuant to paragraph (2), together with the reasons for any differences. (K) A discussion of the implementation of the preceding annual five-year plan. (L) Such other matters as the Secretary finds appropriate and in the public interest. (5) The Secretary shall consult with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Governors and Attorneys General of affected States, and appropriate representatives of affected Indian tribes in the preparation of the plan and the preliminary form of the plan pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2). The Secretary shall include as an appendix to the plan (A) all comments submitted on the preliminary form of the plan by the Administrator, Governors and Attorneys General of affected States, and affected Indian tribes, and (B) a summary of comments submitted by the public. (6) The first annual five-year plan issued pursuant to this section shall be issued in 1992. (b) Treatment of plans under section 4332The development and adoption of any part of any plan (including any preliminary form of any such plan) under subsection (a) shall not be considered a major Federal action for the purposes of subparagraph (C), (E), or (F) of section 4332(2) of this title. Nothing in this subsection shall affect the Department of Energy’s ongoing preparation of a programmatic environmental impact statement on environmental restoration and waste management. (c) GrantsThe Secretary of Energy is authorized to award grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, affected States and affected Indian tribes to assist such States and tribes in participating in the development of the annual five-year plan (including the preliminary form of such plan). (d) FundingOf the funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to section 3103, $20,000,000 may be used for the purpose of carrying out subsection (c). (e) Budget reportsEach year, at the same time the President submits to Congress the budget for a fiscal year (pursuant to section 1105 of title 31), the President shall submit to Congress a description of proposed activities and funding levels contained in the annual five-year plan (issued, pursuant to subsection (a)(1), in the year preceding the year in which the budget is submitted to Congress) that are not included in the budget or are included in the budget in a different form or at a different funding level, together with the reasons for such differences.

42 U.S.C. § 7274l Authority to transfer certain Department of Energy property

(a) Authority to transfer(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Energy may transfer, for consideration, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the property referred to in subsection (b) to any person if the Secretary determines that such transfer will mitigate the adverse economic consequences that might otherwise arise from the closure of a Department of Energy facility. (2) The amount of consideration received by the United States for a transfer under paragraph (1) may be less than the fair market value of the property transferred if the Secretary determines that the receipt of such lesser amount by the United States is in accordance with the purpose of such transfer under this section. (3) The Secretary may require any additional terms and conditions with respect to a transfer of property under paragraph (1) that the Secretary determines appropriate to protect the interests of the United States. (b) Covered propertyProperty referred to in subsection (a) is the following property of the Department of Energy that is located at a Department of Energy facility to be closed or reconfigured:(1) The personal property and equipment at the facility that the Secretary determines to be excess to the needs of the Department of Energy. (2) Any personal property and equipment at the facility (other than the property and equipment referred to in paragraph (1)) the replacement cost of which does not exceed an amount equal to 110 percent of the costs of relocating the property or equipment to another facility of the Department of Energy.

42 U.S.C. § 7274l–1 Vesting title in property interests related to energy development, demonstration, and deployment programs funded under Department of Energy appropriations

(a) Hereafter, for energy development, demonstration, and deployment programs funded under Department of Energy appropriations (other than those for the National Nuclear Security Administration and Office of Environmental Management) provided for fiscal year 2022, the current fiscal year, or any fiscal year thereafter (including by Acts other than appropriations Acts), the Secretary may vest unconditional title or other property interests acquired under projects in an award recipient, subrecipient, or successor in interest, including the United States, at the conclusion of the award period for projects receiving an initial award in fiscal year 2022 or later. (b) Upon vesting unconditional title pursuant to subsection (a) in an award recipient, subrecipient, or successor in interest other than the United States, the United States shall have no liabilities or obligations to the property. (c) For purposes of this section, the term “property interest” does not include any interest in intellectual property developed using funding provided under a project.

42 U.S.C. § 7275 Definitions

As used in sections 7275 to 7276c of this title: (1) The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration. (2) The term “integrated resource planning” means a planning process for new energy resources that evaluates the full range of alternatives, including new generating capacity, power purchases, energy conservation and efficiency, cogeneration and district heating and cooling applications, and renewable energy resources, in order to provide adequate and reliable service to its electric customers at the lowest system cost. The process shall take into account necessary features for system operation, such as diversity, reliability, dispatchability, and other factors of risk; shall take into account the ability to verify energy savings achieved through energy conservation and efficiency and the projected durability of such savings measured over time; and shall treat demand and supply resources on a consistent and integrated basis. (3) The term “least cost option” means an option for providing reliable electric services to electric customers which will, to the extent practicable, minimize life-cycle system costs, including adverse environmental effects, of providing such service. To the extent practicable, energy efficiency and renewable resources may be given priority in any least-cost option. (4) The term “long-term firm power service contract” means any contract for the sale by Western Area Power Administration of firm capacity, with or without energy, which is to be delivered over a period of more than one year. (5) The terms “customer” or “customers” means any entity or entities purchasing firm capacity with or without energy, from the Western Area Power Administration under a long-term firm power service contract. Such terms include parent-type entities and their distribution or user members. (6) For any customer, the term “applicable integrated resource plan” means the integrated resource plan approved by the Administrator under sections 7275 to 7276c of this title for that customer.

42 U.S.C. § 7276 Regulations to require integrated resource planning

(a) RegulationsWithin 1 year after October 24, 1992, the Administrator shall, by regulation, revise the Final Amended Guidelines and Acceptance Criteria for Customer Conservation and Renewable Energy Programs published in the Federal Register on August 21, 1985 (50 F.R. 33892), or any subsequent amendments thereto, to require each customer purchasing electric energy under a long-term firm power service contract with the Western Area Power Administration to implement, within 3 years after October 24, 1992, integrated resource planning in accordance with the requirements of sections 7275 to 7276c of this title. (b) Certain small customersNotwithstanding subsection (a), for customers with total annual energy sales or usage of 25 Gigawatt Hours or less which are not members of a joint action agency or a generation and transmission cooperative with power supply responsibility, the Administrator may establish different regulations and apply such regulations to customers that the Administrator finds have limited economic, managerial, and resource capability to conduct integrated resource planning. The regulations under this subsection shall require such customers to consider all reasonable opportunities to meet their future energy service requirements using demand-side techniques, new renewable resources and other programs that will provide retail customers with electricity at the lowest possible cost, and minimize, to the extent practicable, adverse environmental effects.

42 U.S.C. § 7276a Technical assistance

The Administrator may provide technical assistance to customers to, among other things, conduct integrated resource planning, implement applicable integrated resource plans, and otherwise comply with the requirements of sections 7275 to 7276c of this title. Technical assistance may include publications, workshops, conferences, one-to-one assistance, equipment loans, technology and resource assessment studies, marketing studies, and other mechanisms to transfer information on energy efficiency and renewable energy options and programs to customers. The Administrator shall give priority to providing technical assistance to customers that have limited capability to conduct integrated resource planning.

42 U.S.C. § 7276b Integrated resource plans

(a) Review by Western Area Power AdministrationWithin 1 year after October 24, 1992, the Administrator shall, by regulation, revise the Final Amended Guidelines and Acceptance Criteria for Customer Conservation and Renewable Energy Programs published in the Federal Register on August 21, 1985 (50 F.R. 33892), or any subsequent amendments thereto, to require each customer to submit an integrated resource plan to the Administrator within 12 months after such regulations are amended. The regulation shall require a revision of such plan to be submitted every 5 years after the initial submission. The Administrator shall review the initial plan in accordance with a schedule established by the Administrator (which schedule will provide for the review of all initial plans within 24 months after such regulations are amended), and each revision thereof within 120 days after his receipt of the plan or revision and determine whether the customer has in the development of the plan or revision, complied with sections 7275 to 7276c of this title. Plan amendments may be submitted to the Administrator at any time and the Administrator shall review each such amendment within 120 days after receipt thereof to determine whether the customer in amending its plan has complied with sections 7275 to 7276c of this title. If the Administrator determines that the customer, in developing its plan, revision, or amendment, has not complied with the requirements of sections 7275 to 7276c of this title, the customer shall resubmit the plan at any time thereafter. Whenever a plan or revision or amendment is resubmitted the Administrator shall review the plan or revision or amendment within 120 days after his receipt thereof to determine whether the customer has complied with sections 7275 to 7276c of this title. (b) Criteria for approval of integrated resource plansThe Administrator shall approve an integrated resource plan submitted as required under subsection (a) if, in developing the plan, the customer has:(1) Identified and accurately compared all practicable energy efficiency and energy supply resource options available to the customer. (2) Included a 2-year action plan and a 5-year action plan which describe specific actions the customer will take to implement its integrated resource plan. (3) Designated “least-cost options” to be utilized by the customer for the purpose of providing reliable electric service to its retail consumers and explained the reasons why such options were selected. (4) To the extent practicable, minimized adverse environmental effects of new resource acquisitions. (5) In preparation and development of the plan (and each revision or amendment of the plan) has provided for full public participation, including participation by governing boards. (6) Included load forecasting. (7) Provided methods of validating predicted performance in order to determine whether objectives in the plan are being met. (8) Met such other criteria as the Administrator shall require. (c) Use of other integrated resource plansWhere a customer or group of customers are implementing integrated resource planning under a program responding to Federal, State, or other initiatives, including integrated resource planning considered and implemented pursuant to section 2621(d) of title 16, in evaluating that customer’s integrated resource plan under sections 7275 to 7276c of this title, the Administrator shall accept such plan as fulfillment of the requirements of sections 7275 to 7276c of this title to the extent such plan substantially complies with the requirements of sections 7275 to 7276c of this title. (d) Compliance with integrated resource plansWithin 1 year after October 24, 1992, the Administrator shall, by regulation, revise the Final Amended Guidelines and Acceptance Criteria for Customer Conservation and Renewable Energy Programs published in the Federal Register on August 21, 1985 (50 F.R. 33892), or any subsequent amendments thereto, to require each customer to fully comply with the applicable integrated resource plan and submit an annual report to the Administrator (in such form and containing such information as the Administrator may require) describing the customer’s progress to the goals established in such plan. After the initial review under subsection (a) the Administrator shall periodically conduct reviews of a representative sample of applicable integrated resource plans and the customer’s implementation of the applicable integrated resource plan to determine if the customers are in compliance with their plans. If the Administrator finds a customer out-of-compliance, the Administrator shall impose a surcharge under this section on all electric energy purchased by the customer from the Western Area Power Administration or reduce such customer’s power allocation by 10 percent, unless the Administrator finds that a good faith effort has been made to comply with the approved plan. (e) Enforcement(1) No approved planIf an integrated resource plan for any customer is not submitted before the date 12 months after the guidelines are amended as required under this section or if the plan is disapproved by the Administrator and a revised plan is not resubmitted by the date 9 months after the date of such disapproval, the Administrator shall impose a surcharge of 10 percent of the purchase price on all power obtained by that customer from the Western Area Power Administration after such date. The surcharge shall remain in effect until an integrated resource plan is approved for that customer. If the plan is not submitted for more than one year after the required date, the surcharge shall increase to 20 percent for the second year (or any portion thereof prior to approval of the plan) and to 30 percent thereafter until the plan is submitted or the contract for the purchase of power by such customer from the Western Area Power Administration terminates. (2) Failure to comply with approved planAfter approval by the Administrator of an applicable integrated resource plan for any customer, the Administrator shall impose a 10 percent surcharge on all power purchased by such customer from the Western Area Power Administration whenever the Administrator determines that such customer’s activities are not consistent with the applicable integrated resource plan. The surcharge shall remain in effect until the Administrator determines that the customer’s activities are consistent with the applicable integrated resource plan. The surcharge shall be increased to 20 percent if the customer’s activities are out of compliance for more than one year and to 30 percent after more than 2 years, except that no surcharge shall be imposed if the customer demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Administrator, that a good faith effort has been made to comply with the approved plan. (3) Reduction in power allocationIn the case of any customer subject to a surcharge under paragraph (1) or (2), in lieu of imposing such surcharge the Administrator may reduce such customer’s power allocation from the Western Area Power Administration by 10 percent. The Administrator shall provide by regulation the terms and conditions under which a power allocation terminated under this subsection may be reinstated. (f) Integrated resource planning cooperativesWith the approval of the Administrator, customers within any State or region may form integrated resource planning cooperatives for the purposes of complying with sections 7275 to 7276c of this title, and such customers shall be allowed an additional 6 months to submit an initial integrated resource plan to the Administrator. (g) Customers with more than 1 contractIf more than one long-term firm power service contract exists between the Administrator and a customer, only one integrated resource plan shall be required for that customer under sections 7275 to 7276c of this title. (h) Program reviewWithin 1 year after January 1, 1999, and at appropriate intervals thereafter, the Administrator shall initiate a public process to review the program established by this section. The Administrator is authorized at that time to revise the criteria set forth in subsection (b) to reflect changes, if any, in technology, needs, or other developments.

42 U.S.C. § 7276c Miscellaneous provisions

(a) Environmental impact statementThe provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.] shall apply to actions of the Administrator implementing sections 7275 to 7276c of this title in the same manner and to the same extent as such provisions apply to other major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. (b) Annual reportsThe Administrator shall include in the annual report submitted by the Western Area Power Administration (1) a description of the activities undertaken by the Administrator and by customers under sections 7275 to 7276c of this title and (2) an estimate of the energy savings and renewable resource benefits achieved as a result of such activities. (c) State regulated investor-owned utilitiesAny State regulated electric utility (as defined in section 2602(18) of title 16) shall be exempt from the provisions of sections 7275 to 7276c of this title. (d) Rural Electrification Administration requirementsNothing in sections 7275 to 7276c of this title shall require a customer to take any action inconsistent with a requirement imposed by the Rural Electrification Administration 11 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.

42 U.S.C. § 7276d Property protection program for power marketing administrations

The Administrators of the Western Area Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, and the Southeastern Power Administration may each carry out programs to reduce vandalism, theft, and destruction of property that is under their jurisdiction.

42 U.S.C. § 7276e Provision of rewards

In carrying out a program under this section and section 7276d of this title, each Administrator referred to in section 7276d of this title is authorized to provide rewards (including cash rewards) to individuals who provide information or evidence leading to the arrest and prosecution of individuals causing damage to, or loss of, Federal property under their jurisdiction. The amount of any one such reward paid to any individual may not exceed a value of $1,000.

42 U.S.C. § 7276f Western Area Power Administration; deposit and availability of discretionary offsetting collections

Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, section 825s of title 16, and section 392a of title 43, funds collected by the Western Area Power Administration from the sale of power and related services that are applicable to the repayment of the annual expenses of this account in this and subsequent fiscal years shall be credited to this account as discretionary offsetting collections for the sole purpose of funding such expenses, with such funds remaining available until expended: Provided further, That for purposes of this appropriation, annual expenses means expenditures that are generally recovered in the same year that they are incurred (excluding purchase power and wheeling expenses).

42 U.S.C. § 7276g Western Area Power Administration; deposit and availability of funds related to Falcon and Amistad Dams

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 2 of the Act of June 18, 1954 (68 Stat. 255) as amended, and section 3302 of title 31, all funds collected by the Western Area Power Administration from the sale of power and related services from the Falcon and Amistad Dams that are applicable to the repayment of the annual expenses of the hydroelectric facilities of these Dams and associated Western Area Power Administration activities in this and subsequent fiscal years shall be credited to this account as discretionary offsetting collections for the sole purpose of funding such expenses, with such funds remaining available until expended: Provided further, That for purposes of this appropriation, annual expenses means expenditures that are generally recovered in the same year that they are incurred.

42 U.S.C. § 7277 Report concerning review of United States coal imports

(a) In generalThe Energy Information Administration shall issue a report quarterly, and provide an annual summary of the quarterly reports to the Congress, on the status of United States coal imports. Such quarterly reports may be published as a part of the Quarterly Coal Report published by the Energy Information Administration. (b) ContentsEach report required by this section shall—(1) include current and previous year data on the quantity, quality (including heating value, sulfur content, and ash content), and delivered price of all coals imported by domestic electric utility plants that imported more than 10,000 tons during the previous calendar year into the United States; (2) identify the foreign nations exporting the coal, the domestic electric utility plants receiving coal from each exporting nation, the domestically produced coal supplied to such plants, and the domestic coal production, by State, displaced by the imported coal; (3) identify (to the extent allowed under disclosure policy), at regional and State levels of aggregation, transportation modes and costs for delivery of imported coal from the exporting country port of origin to the point of consumption in the United States; and (4) specifically highlight and analyze any significant trends of unusual variations in coal imports. (c) Date of reportsThe first report required by this section shall be submitted to Congress in March 1986. Subsequent reports shall be submitted within 90 days after the end of each quarter. (d) LimitationInformation and data required for the purpose of this section shall be subject to the law regarding the collection and disclosure of such data.

42 U.S.C. § 7278 Availability of appropriations for Department of Energy for transportation, uniforms, security, and price support and loan guarantee programs; transfer of funds; acceptance of contributions

Appropriations for the Department of Energy under this title 11 See References in Text note below. in this and subsequent Energy and Water Development Appropriations Acts, on and after October 2, 1992, shall be available for hire of passenger motor vehicles; hire, maintenance and operation of aircraft; purchase, repair and cleaning of uniforms; and reimbursement to the General Services Administration for security guard services. From these appropriations, transfers of sums may on and after October 2, 1992, be made to other agencies of the United States Government for the performance of work for which this appropriation is made. None of the funds made available to the Department of Energy under this Act or subsequent Energy and Water Development Appropriations Acts shall be used to implement or finance authorized price support or loan guarantee programs unless specific provision is made for such programs in an appropriation Act. The Secretary is authorized on and after October 2, 1992, to accept lands, buildings, equipment, and other contributions from public and private sources and to prosecute projects in cooperation with other agencies, Federal, State, private, or foreign.

42 U.S.C. § 7278a Availability of funds for energy and water development for multiyear contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements of $1,000,000 or less

Notwithstanding section 301(c) of this Act, none of the funds made available under the heading “Department of Energy—Energy Programs—Science” in this or any subsequent Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations Act for any fiscal year may be used for a multiyear contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or Other Transaction Agreement of $1,000,000 or less unless the contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or Other Transaction Agreement is funded for the full period of performance as anticipated at the time of award.

42 U.S.C. § 7279 Identification in budget materials of amounts for certain Department of Energy pension obligations

The Secretary of Energy shall include in the budget justification materials submitted to Congress in support of the Department of Energy budget for a fiscal year (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31) specific identification, as a budgetary line item, of the amounts required to meet the pension obligations of the Department of Energy for contractor employees at each facility of the Department of Energy operated using amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Energy.

42 U.S.C. § 7279a Future-years energy program annual submission and budgeting

(a) Submission to CongressThe Secretary of Energy shall submit to Congress each year, at the time that the President’s budget is submitted to Congress that year under section 1105(a) of title 31, a future-years energy program reflecting the estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations included in that budget. Any such future-years energy program shall cover the fiscal year with respect to which the budget is submitted and at least the four succeeding fiscal years. A future-years energy program shall be included in the fiscal year 2014 budget submission to Congress and every fiscal year thereafter. (b) ElementsEach future-years energy program shall contain the following:(1) The estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations necessary to support programs, projects, and activities of the Secretary of Energy during the 5-fiscal year period covered by the program, expressed in a level of detail comparable to that contained in the budget submitted by the President to Congress under section 1105 of title 31. (2) The estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations shaped by high-level, prioritized program and budgetary guidance that is consistent with the administration’s policies and out year budget projections and reviewed by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) senior leadership to ensure that the future-years energy program is consistent and congruent with previously established program and budgetary guidance. (3) A description of the anticipated workload requirements for each DOE national laboratory during the 5-fiscal year period. (c) Consistency in budgeting(1) The Secretary of Energy shall ensure that amounts described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) for any fiscal year are consistent with amounts described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) for that fiscal year. (2) Amounts referred to in paragraph (1) are the following:(A) The amounts specified in program and budget information submitted to Congress by the Secretary of Energy in support of expenditure estimates and proposed appropriations in the budget submitted to Congress by the President under section 1105(a) of title 31 for any fiscal year, as shown in the future-years energy program submitted pursuant to subsection (a). (B) The total amounts of estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations necessary to support the programs, projects, and activities of the administration included pursuant to paragraph (5) of section 1105(a) of such title in the budget submitted to Congress under that section for any fiscal year.

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