Department of Energy BIO Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 4, 2021

Department of Energy Biological Innovation Opportunities Act or the Department of Energy BIO Act

This bill requires the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) within the Department of Energy to select and establish up to four bioenergy research centers. The centers must conduct research to inform the production of biofuels and to facilitate the translation of the research results to industry.

ARPA-E may select existing bioenergy research centers and provide support for them under this bill.

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.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4] · R–IN

Committees

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3]

Legislative record

Actions

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

May 4, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
May 4, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
May 4, 2021
Introduced in House
May 4, 2021
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in House · May 4, 2021 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2961 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.

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Discuss H.R.2961, 117th Congress: Department of Energy BIO Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2961

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-05-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr2961/BILLS-117hr2961ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T05:00:51Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.2961 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2961 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

Discuss H.R.2961, 117th Congress: Department of Energy BIO Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2961

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-05-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr2961/BILLS-117hr2961ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T05:00:51Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2961 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2961 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

Discuss H.R.2961, 117th Congress: Department of Energy BIO Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2961

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-05-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr2961/BILLS-117hr2961ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T05:00:51Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2961 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2961 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

Discuss H.R.2961, 117th Congress: Department of Energy BIO Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2961

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-05-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr2961/BILLS-117hr2961ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T05:00:51Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2961 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.