§17244 Renewable Energy Innovation Manufacturing Partnership

Summary

Creates a program that gives grant money to teams to research, develop, and test better ways to make renewable energy technologies. Each year the Secretary must run a competitive contest to pick projects. The program aims to improve manufacturing processes, materials, and facilities; raise U.S. production of renewable energy parts; and coordinate federal, state, and private efforts. Eligible teams must include at least one public or nonprofit research group or national lab and at least one private company that makes or develops renewable energy components (for example, solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, storage, or fuel cells). Grants can pay for market studies, multiyear applied research, demonstrations and deployments for advanced manufacturing, or similar approved projects. The Secretary will set the application, review, and funding rules. Cost-sharing rules in section 16352 apply. For up to 5 years after an award, the Secretary may keep confidential business information out of FOIA releases. Small renewable manufacturers should get priority. Up to $25,000,000 is authorized each year for fiscal years 2008 through 2013, to remain available until spent.