HR1326119th Congress

DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act

Sponsored By: Representative Lucas

Passed House

Summary

Cross‑agency research and development would link the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture to run competitive, merit‑reviewed joint R&D programs. The work would target AI and data integration, biofuels and biobased products, grid security, rural technology, and wildfire prevention.

Show full summary
  • Farmers and rural communities would see research aimed at precision agriculture, mechanization, biofuels, and ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This could improve farm efficiency and support rural manufacturing and technology.
  • Researchers, national laboratories, universities, and nonprofits would gain access to a coordinated, competitive funding process and to large standardized data sets for agriculture, environment, supply chains, and economics. The bill also allows reimbursable agreements to broaden collaboration with other federal agencies and partners.
  • Energy companies and grid operators would get joint R&D on grid modernization, grid security, colocation of energy with agricultural activities, carbon storage links, and wildfire risk reduction that affects energy infrastructure.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Joint energy and farm research program

If enacted, Energy and Agriculture would run joint research and demo projects. They would sign an agreement and pick projects through a competitive, merit review. Federal agencies, national labs, colleges, nonprofits, and other partners could apply. The Secretaries could use reimbursable agreements to share costs. They could also support research facilities, equipment, and training as needed.

Priority topics for joint research

If enacted, joint projects would focus on set topics. Examples include AI and data tools; crop science and pest control; energy-water issues; biofuels and sustainable feedstocks. They could also study colocating farms with energy and carbon storage, invasive species, high-risk tech, grid security, rural tech, and wildfires. The list would guide which project ideas get considered.

Shared research data with security rules

If enacted, the agencies would build ways to use large, voluntary, standardized datasets. Data could include farm, environment, supply chain, and economic info, with different accuracy and scale. They would promote secure data sharing and open collaboration that follows federal rules. All projects would need to follow existing federal research-security laws, which could add compliance steps and costs.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Lucas

OK • R

Cosponsors

  • Lofgren

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/13/2025

  • Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 2/21/2025

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 372 • No: 35

house vote • 3/24/2025

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

Yes: 372 • No: 35

View on Congress.gov
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