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H.R. 3915House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

ARPA–E Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2019

Sponsored by Frank D. LucasRep. Frank D. Lucas (R-OK)
Introduced July 23, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 7:25 AM UTC

The ARPA‑E Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2019 updates the America COMPETES Act to extend funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency‑Energy (ARPA‑E) and broadens its mission. It directs ARPA‑E to focus on transformative technologies that improve U.S. energy security, reduce emissions, enhance grid reliability, and address waste management and other energy‑related challenges. The bill also adds new reporting, coordination, and evaluation requirements and sets specific funding levels through FY 2024.

Key Provisions

  • Expands ARPA‑E’s purpose to develop transformative science and technology solutions for energy, environmental, economic, and national‑security challenges.
  • Sets detailed goals such as reducing foreign energy imports, cutting emissions, improving energy efficiency, managing radioactive waste, and strengthening the electric grid.
  • Requires an annual report that includes project descriptions, analysis of duplicate efforts, and a strategic roadmap every four years.
  • Mandates coordination with other Department of Energy programs and requires grantees to show attempts at private financing before receiving ARPA‑E funds.
  • Orders an independent evaluation of ARPA‑E’s performance within three years of enactment.
  • Specifies authorized appropriations: $392.8 M for FY2020, $419.6 M for FY2021, $446.4 M for FY2022, $473.2 M for FY2023, and $500 M for FY2024.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

July 23, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 23, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

July 23, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 23, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3915

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 23, 2019

Mr. Lucas (for himself, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Baird, Miss González-Colón of Puerto Rico, Mr. Gonzalez of Ohio, Mr. Bacon, and Mr. Woodall) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

A BILL

To amend the America COMPETES Act to reauthorize the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the ARPA–E Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2019.

2.

Advanced research projects agency–energy

(a)

Establishment

Section 5012(b) of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16538(b)) is amended by striking development of energy technologies and inserting development of transformative science and technology solutions to address energy, environmental, economic, and national security challenges.

(b)

Goals

Section 5012(c) of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16538(c)) is amended—

(1)

by striking paragraph (1)(A) and inserting the following:

(A)

to enhance the economic and energy security of the United States through the development of energy technologies that—

(i)

reduce imports of energy from foreign sources;

(ii)

reduce energy-related emissions, including greenhouse gases;

(iii)

improve the energy efficiency of all economic sectors;

(iv)

provide transformative solutions to improve the management, clean-up, and disposal of—

(I)

low-level radioactive waste;

(II)

spent nuclear fuel; and

(III)

high-level radioactive waste;

(v)

improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of all forms of energy production;

(vi)

improve the resiliency, reliability, and security of the electric grid; and

(vii)

address other challenges within the mission of the Department as determined by the Secretary; and

; and

(2)

in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking energy technology projects and inserting advanced technology projects.

(c)

Responsibilities

Section 5012(e)(3)(A) of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16538(e)(3)(A)) is amended by striking energy.

(d)

Reports and roadmaps

Section 5012(h) of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16538(h)) is amended to read as follows:

(h)

Annual report

(1)

In general

As part of the annual budget request submitted for each fiscal year, the Director shall provide to the relevant authorizing and appropriations committees of Congress a report that—

(A)

describes projects supported by ARPA–E during the previous fiscal year;

(B)

identifies and includes an analysis of projects supported by ARPA–E during the previous fiscal year that demonstrate duplication of other activities funded by the Department; and

(C)

describes current, proposed, and planned projects to be carried out pursuant to subsection (e)(3)(D).

(2)

Strategic vision roadmap

Beginning with the report submitted with respect to fiscal year 2020, and every 4 fiscal years thereafter, the report required under paragraph (1) shall include a roadmap describing the strategic vision that ARPA–E will use to guide the choices of ARPA–E for future technology investments over the following 4 fiscal years.

.

(e)

Coordination and nonduplication

Section 5012(i)(1) of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16538(i)(1)) is amended to read as follows:

(1)

In general

To the maximum extent practicable, the Director shall ensure that—

(A)

the activities of ARPA–E are coordinated with, and do not duplicate the efforts of, programs and laboratories within the Department and other relevant research agencies; and

(B)

ARPA–E does not provide funding for a project unless the prospective grantee demonstrates sufficient attempts to secure private financing or indicates that the project is not independently commercially viable.

.

(f)

Evaluation

Section 5012(l) of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16538(l)) is amended—

(1)

by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(1)

In general

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the ARPA–E Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2019, the Secretary is authorized to enter into a contract with a third party entity to conduct an evaluation of how well ARPA–E is achieving the goals and mission of ARPA–E.

; and

(2)

in paragraph (2)—

(A)

by striking shall and inserting may; and

(B)

by striking the recommendation of the National Academy of Sciences and inserting a recommendation.

(g)

Authorization of appropriations

Paragraph (2) of section 5012(o) of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16538(o)) is amended to read as follows:

(2)

Authorization of appropriations

Subject to paragraph (4), there are authorized to be appropriated to the Director of ARPA–E—

(A)

$392,800,000 for fiscal year 2020;

(B)

$419,600,000 for fiscal year 2021;

(C)

$446,400,000 for fiscal year 2022;

(D)

$473,200,000 for fiscal year 2023; and

(E)

$500,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.

.

(h)

Technical amendments

Section 5012(g)(3)(A)(iii) of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 16538(g)(3)(A)(iii)) is amended by striking subpart each place it appears and inserting subparagraph.