PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.238 / 108th Congress

Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2003

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 94.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 8, 2003

Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2003 - Sets forth a funding program for the Secretary of Energy ( Secretary) to implement the programs outlined below, including energy efficiency and conservation research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities that target: (1) lighting systems; (2) buildings; (3) vehicles; (4) an energy efficiency science initiative; (5) distributed energy and electric energy systems; (6) hybrid distributed power systems; (7) electrical transmission systems; (8) renewable energy; and (9) bioenergy.George E. Brown, Jr. and Robert S. Walker Hydrogen Future Act of 2003 - Amends the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990 to instruct the Secretary to conduct a research and development program regarding production, storage, transportation, and use of hydrogen as an energy source in order to enable the private sector to demonstrate the technical feasibility of using hydrogen for industrial, commercial, residential, transportation, and utility applications.Amends the Hydrogen Future Act of 1996 to prescribe guidelines under which the Secretary shall solicit proposals for projects demonstrating hydrogen technologies needed to use fuel cells in Federal, State, and local government stationary and transportation applications.Instructs the Secretary to: (1) implement nuclear energy research programs through a Nuclear Energy Research Initiative; (2) conduct an advanced fuel recycling technology research and development program; (3) establish a university nuclear science and engineering support program; (4) conduct fossil energy research programs; (5) implement a program targeting ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resource exploration and production; (6) implement a fusion energy sciences experimental program for fusion plasmas; (7) maintain facility and infrastructure support for nonmilitary energy laboratories; and (8) establish a program of United States-Mexico energy technology cooperation.Authorizes the Secretary to provide loan guarantees to private firms for: (1) coal gasification; and (2) petroleum coke gasification polygeneration. Authorizes appropriations for a loan to the owner of a specified experimental plant on such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines, including interest rates and upfront payments.Mandates establishment of a Technology Infrastructure Program to improve the ability of National Laboratories and single-purpose research facilities to support Department of Energy missions.Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to replace the position of Director of the Office of Science with the position of Assistant Secretary of Science responsible for fundamental science and engineering research functions of the Department, and for research policy and management.Instructs the Secretary to establish a pilot grant program for: (1) the demonstration and commercial application of alternative fuel school buses and ultra-low sulfur diesel school buses; and (2) acquisition by governmental entities and metropolitan transportation authorities of alternative fueled and advanced vehicles.Prescribes project criteria under which the Secretary is authorized to fund a Clean Coal Power Initiative that targets primarily coal-based gasification technologies and Clean Coal Centers of Excellence.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Boehlert, Sherwood [R-NY-24] · R–NY

Committees

  • Natural Resources Committee
  • Science, Space, and Technology Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 94.

  2. Committee on Resources discharged.

  3. Committee on Resources discharged.

  4. House Committee on Resources Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 27, 2003.

  5. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 108-128, Part I.

  6. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 108-128, Part I.

  7. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  8. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  9. Subcommittee on Energy Discharged.

  10. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

  11. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

  12. Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  13. Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  14. Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  15. Introduced in House

  16. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.238 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.238 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.238 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.238 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources