§ 12005. Demonstration and commercial application projects
(a)
Purpose
The purpose of this section is to direct the Secretary to further the commercialization of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies through a five-year program.
(b)
Demonstration and commercial application projects
(1)
Establishment
(A)
The Secretary shall solicit proposals for demonstration and commercial application projects for renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. Such projects may include projects for—
(B)
Requirements.—
Each project selected under this section shall include at least one for-profit business. Activities supported under this section shall be performed in the United States. Each project under this section shall require the manufacture and reproduction substantially within the United States for commercial sale of any invention or product that may result from the project.
(2)
Forms of financial assistance
(A)
In supporting projects selected under subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary may choose from among the forms of agreements described in section
13541 of this title.
(4)
Advisory Committee
(A)
The Secretary shall establish an Advisory Committee on Demonstration and Commercial Application of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technologies (in this chapter referred to as the “Advisory Committee”) to advise the Secretary on the development of the solicitation and evaluation criteria for projects under this section, and on otherwise carrying out his responsibilities under this section. The Secretary shall appoint members to the Advisory Committee, including at least one member representing—
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to require the Secretary to reestablish the Advisory Committee in place under this subsection as of October 24, 1992, or to perform again any duties performed by such advisory committee before October 24, 1992.
(B)
Not later than 18 months after October 24, 1992, the Advisory Committee shall provide the Secretary with a report assessing the implementation of the program under this section, including specific recommendations for improvements or changes to the program and solicitation process. The Secretary shall transmit such report and, if any, the Secretary’s recommendations to the Congress.
(c)
Selection of projects
(1)
Solicitation
(A)
Not later than 9 months after October 24, 1992, the Secretary shall solicit proposals for projects under this section. The Secretary may make additional solicitations for proposals if the Secretary determines that such solicitations are necessary to carry out this section.
(B)
A solicitation for proposals under this paragraph shall establish a closing date for receipt of proposals. The Secretary may, if necessary, extend the closing date for receipt of proposals for a period not to exceed 90 days.
(C)
Each solicitation under this paragraph shall include a description of the criteria, developed by the Secretary, according to which proposals will be evaluated. In developing such criteria, the Secretary shall consider—
(i)
the need for Federal involvement to commercialize the technology or speed commercialization of the technology;
(3)
Project selection
The Secretary shall, within 120 days after the closing date established under paragraph (1)(B), select proposals to receive financial assistance under this section. In selecting proposals under this paragraph, the Secretary shall—
(d)
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for carrying out this section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1994.