§17253 Geologic sequestration training and research

Summary

The Secretary must hire the National Academy of Sciences to do a study that plans a college and university program to support capturing and storing carbon underground. The study must describe a multi‑field program (geology, engineering, hydrology, environmental science, and related areas), cover undergraduate and graduate training with a focus on graduate research and degrees, create application guidelines for schools that want to run such programs, and give a budget and funding recommendations for the grant program in subsection (b). The Secretary must send the study to Congress no later than 1 year after December 19, 2007. One million dollars ($1,000,000) is authorized for fiscal year 2008 to carry out the study. The Secretary must set up a competitive grant program so colleges and universities can get 4‑year grants for new faculty salaries/startup and for graduate student internships in geologic carbon sequestration. Grants can be renewed up to two extra 3‑year terms based on performance rules from the Academy study, including graduate counts. Programs should, as much as possible, link with the Department’s Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships for internships and hands‑on training. Funds needed to run the grant program are authorized as necessary.