The Road to 1984 Under the Semblance of Conservation

To establish a social and behavioral sciences research program at the Department of Energy, and for other purposes. (Introduced in House)

HR 3247 IH

111th CONGRESS

1st Session
H. R. 3247
To establish a social and behavioral sciences research program at the Department of Energy, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 17, 2009

Mr. BAIRD introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology

A BILL

To establish a social and behavioral sciences research program at the Department of Energy, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES RESEARCH PROGRAM.

(a) In General- The Secretary shall establish a social and behavioral sciences research program to identify and understand social and behavioral factors that influence energy consumption and acceptance and adoption rates of new energy technologies, and to promote the utilization of the results of social and behavioral research to improve the design, development, demonstration, and application of energy technologies.

(b) Director- The Secretary shall appoint or designate a Director of Social and Behavioral Research to carry out the program established under this section.

(c) Duties of the Director- The Director shall--

• (1) develop a research plan in accordance with section 2;


• (2) implement the research program under this section;


• (3) work with the relevant Department of Energy program offices to integrate the results of social and behavioral research into their work;


• (4) develop tools, practices, and information to apply and integrate the results of social and behavioral research into programs that--

(A) design, develop, and demonstrate technologies that supply energy and improve energy efficiency; and

(B) provide information on energy consumption to consumers; and

• (5) assist the Secretary in awarding research grants under section 3.
  SEC. 2. RESEARCH PLAN.

(a) In General- The Director, in consultation with the Advisory Committee established under section 4, shall develop a research plan and, not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act, transmit such plan to the Congress. Prior to finalizing the research plan, the Director shall publish a draft of the proposed research plan in the Federal Register with a public comment period of not less than 30 days.

(b) Contents of Research Plan- The research plan shall--

• (1) set forth priorities and a schedule for carrying out the research program under section 1 and the research grant program under section 3;


• (2) address social and behavioral factors that influence--


• (A) patterns of energy consumption by individuals, households, and businesses; and

(B) decisions to implement energy conservation measures,
including the factors that influence decisions to adopt energy efficient technologies and practices;

• (3) include a description of the mechanisms the Department will use to integrate the findings of social and behavioral research into other relevant Department programs; and


• (4) include responses to comments received during the public comment period.

(c) Review and Revision- The Director shall review the research plan every 5 years and revise the plan as appropriate.

SEC. 3. SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH GRANTS.

(a) In General- The Secretary shall provide grants to support social and behavioral research consistent with the research plan developed under section 2.

(b) Awards- Grant awards under this section may be for a period up to 3 years. The Secretary shall award grants through a competitive, merit-based, peer-reviewed process.

(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2015.

SEC. 4. SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

(a) Establishment- The Secretary shall establish an Advisory Committee composed of experts in relevant fields--

• (1) to advise the Secretary and the Director on priority areas for research;


• (2) to assist the Director in the development of the research plan under section 2; and


• (3) to provide other assistance and advice as requested by the Secretary or the Director.

(b) Federal Advisory Committee Act- Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Advisory Committee established under subsection (a) until 3 years after the date the Advisory Committee is established.