DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act

DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act

This bill requires the Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture to carry out cross-cutting and collaborative research and development activities through the establishment of an interagency agreement.

The agencies are authorized to (1) carry out reimbursable agreements in order to maximize research and development effectiveness, and (2) collaborate with other federal agencies. Further, the interagency agreement must require the use of a competitive, merit-reviewed process, which considers applications from federal agencies, national laboratories, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit institutions.

Research and development activities may include

• collaborative research in a variety of focus areas, such as integrated natural resources and the energy-water nexus, biofuels and biobased products, invasive species management, grid modernization and security, rural technology development, and wildfire risks and prevention;
• developing methods to accommodate large voluntary standardized and integrated data sets on agricultural, environmental, supply chain, and economic information;
• supporting research infrastructure and workforce development; and
• conducting collaborative research and development on ways to improve agriculture operations and processing efficiencies, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Bill 118 hr 1713, also known as the DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act, aims to promote collaboration and coordination between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in conducting research related to energy and agriculture. The bill recognizes the importance of these two sectors in addressing key issues such as climate change, food security, and renewable energy.

The main provisions of the bill include establishing a joint research program between the DOE and USDA to address common research priorities, such as bioenergy, bioproducts, and sustainable agriculture practices. The bill also calls for the creation of a coordinating committee to oversee the implementation of the joint research program and ensure that resources are effectively allocated.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of leveraging existing research infrastructure and expertise within both agencies to maximize the impact of research efforts. It also encourages the sharing of data and research findings to facilitate collaboration and innovation in the fields of energy and agriculture. Overall, the DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act seeks to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of research efforts in the areas of energy and agriculture by promoting collaboration and coordination between the DOE and USDA. By working together, these two agencies can address key challenges facing our nation and contribute to the development of sustainable solutions for the future.