Legislation for Funding Transparency at Energy Department Passes House

Legislation that requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to report to Congress any changes to cost-share commitments by recipients of federal funding was approved by the U.S. House on Jan. 30.
DOE funds for energy research and development are essential for U.S. innovation, the proposal’s sponsor, Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), said.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires the DOE to charge funding recipients a cost share. Research and development funds might have a 20 percent cost share, he said, whereas commercialization and demonstration grants can have 50 percent.
The measure supports the filing by the energy secretary of quarterly reports on cost-sharing attached to the department’s investments to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; and the House and Senate Committee on Appropriations….}