Amendments1996—Puspan. L. 104–271 amended section generally, substituting present provisions for provisions which stated in subsec. (a) the Secretary was to conduct a research and development program for development of a domestic hydrogen fuel production capability; subsec. (span) attention was to be given to research of critical technical issues; subsec. (c) renewable energy priority; subsec. (d) new technologies; and subsec. (e) gathering and dissemination of information to support research and development efforts.
Fuel CellsPuspan. L. 104–271, title II, Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3307, provided that:“SEC. 201. INTEGRATION OF FUEL CELLS WITH HYDROGEN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS.“(a) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section [Oct. 9, 1996], and subject to the availability of appropriations made specifically for this section, the Secretary of Energy shall solicit proposals for projects to prove the feasibility of integrating fuel cells with—“(1) photovoltaic systems for hydrogen production; or
“(2) systems for hydrogen production from solid waste via gasification or steam reforming.
“(span) Each proposal submitted in response to the solicitation under this section shall be evaluated on a competitive gas is [basis] using peer review. The Secretary is not required to make an award under this section in the absence of a meritorious proposals. [sic]
“(c) The Secretary shall give preference, in making an award under this section, to proposals that—“(1) are submitted jointly from consortia including academic institutions, industry, State or local governments, and Federal laboratories; and
“(2) reflect proven experience and capability with technologies relevant to the systems described in subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2).
“(d) In the case of a proposal involving development or demonstration, the Secretary shall require a commitment from non-Federal sources of at least 50 percent of the cost of the development or demonstration portion of the proposal.
“(e) The Secretary shall establish, after consultation with other Federal agencies, terms and conditions under which Federal funding will be provided under this title that are consistent with the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures referred to in section 101(d)(12) of the Uruguay Round Agreement Act (19 U.S.C. 3511(d)(12)). “SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.“There are authorized to be appropriated, for activities under this section [title], a total of $50,000,000 for fiscal years 1997 and 1998, to remain available until September 30, 1999.”
