§18647 Science laboratories infrastructure program

Summary

The Director of the Office of Science must run a program to make lab buildings safer, more efficient, and ready for research. The program covers projects to update or replace space that no longer fits research needs, replace buildings that are too costly to fix, modernize utility systems, remove extra or unusable facilities, and build new modern labs with controlled environments. The Director can use many ways to get the work done and paid for, such as major and minor construction funding, energy and utility contracts, alternative financing, and expense funding. Each year through fiscal year 2027, when the President’s budget is sent, the Secretary must send Congress a list of the projects to be funded, with a description and a funding plan. Up to $550,000,000 is authorized for each fiscal year 2023 through 2027 from Office of Science funds to carry out these activities. The list must go to the Senate Committees on Appropriations and Energy and Natural Resources, and the House Committees on Appropriations and Science, Space, and Technology.