SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Biofuels Research and Development 
Enhancement Act'' .

SEC. 2. BIOFUELS AND BIOREFINERY INFORMATION CENTER.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy (in this Act referred to 
as the ``Secretary''), in cooperation with the Secretary of 
Agriculture, shall establish an information center to make available to 
interested parties information on research, development, and commercial 
application of technologies related to biofuels and biorefineries, 
including--
            (1) biochemical and thermochemical conversion technologies 
        capable of making fuels from lignocellulosic feedstocks;
            (2) biotechnology processes capable of making biofuels with 
        an emphasis on development of biorefinery technologies using 
        enzyme-based processing systems; and
            (3) other advanced processes and technologies that will 
        enable the development of biofuels.
    (b) Administration.--In administering the biofuels and biorefinery 
information center, the Secretary shall--
            (1) continually update information provided by the center;
            (2) make information available to interested parties on the 
        process for establishing a biorefinery; and
            (3) make information and assistance provided by the center 
        available through a toll-free telephone number and website.

SEC. 3. BIOFUELS AND ADVANCED BIOFUELS INFRASTRUCTURE.

    Section 932 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16232) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(f) Biofuels and Advanced Biofuels Infrastructure.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a program 
        of research, development, and demonstration as it relates 
        existing transportation fuel distribution infrastructure and 
        new alternative distribution infrastructure. The program shall 
        focus on the physical and chemical properties of biofuels and 
        efforts to prevent or mitigate against adverse impacts of those 
        properties in the following areas:
                    ``(A) Corrosion of metal, plastic, rubber, cork, 
                fiberglass, glues, or any other material used in pipes 
                and storage tanks.
                    ``(B) Dissolving of storage tank sediments.
                    ``(C) Clogging of filters.
                    ``(D) Contamination from water or other adulterants 
                or pollutants.
                    ``(E) Poor flow properties related to low 
                temperatures.
                    ``(F) Oxidative and thermal instability in long-
                term storage and use.
                    ``(G) Increased volatile emissions.
                    ``(H) Microbial contamination.
                    ``(I) Problems associated with electrical 
                conductivity.
                    ``(J) Increased nitrogen oxide emissions.''.

SEC. 4. BIODIESEL.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on any research and 
development challenges inherent in increasing to 5 percent the 
proportion of diesel fuel sold in the United States that is biodiesel 
(as defined in section 757 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
16105)).

SEC. 5. BIORESEARCH CENTERS FOR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY PROGRAM.

    Section 977(a)(1) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
16317(a)(1)) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the 
following: ``, including the establishment of at least 11 bioresearch 
centers of varying sizes, as appropriate, that focus on biofuels, of 
which at least 2 centers shall be located in each of the 4 Petroleum 
Administration for Defense Districts with no subdistricts and at least 
1 center shall be located in each of the subdistricts of the Petroleum 
Administration for Defense District with subdistricts''.

SEC. 6. GRANTS FOR BIOFUEL PRODUCTION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN 
              CERTAIN STATES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide grants to eligible 
entities for research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
application of biofuel production technologies in States with low rates 
of ethanol production, including low rates of production of cellulosic 
biomass ethanol, as determined by the Secretary.
    (b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, an entity shall--
            (1)(A) be an institution of higher education (as defined in 
        section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801)) 
        located in a State described in subsection (a); or
            (B) be a consortium including at least 1 such institution 
        of higher education, and industry, State agencies, Indian 
        tribal agencies, or local government agencies located in the 
        State; and
            (2) have proven experience and capabilities with relevant 
        technologies.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $25,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2008 through 2010.

SEC. 7. BIOREFINERY ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

    Section 932 of Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16232), is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(g) Biorefinery Energy Efficiency.--The Secretary shall establish 
a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
application for increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy 
consumption in the operation of biorefinery facilities.''.

SEC. 8. STUDY OF INCREASED CONSUMPTION OF ETHANOL-BLENDED GASOLINE WITH 
              HIGHER LEVELS OF ETHANOL.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary 
of Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency, and the Secretary of Transportation, and after providing notice 
and an opportunity for public comment, shall conduct a study of the 
feasibility of increasing consumption in the United States of ethanol-
blended gasoline with levels of ethanol that are not less than 10 
percent and not more than 40 percent.
    (b) Study.--The study under subsection (a) shall include--
            (1) a review of production and infrastructure constraints 
        on increasing consumption of ethanol;
            (2) an evaluation of the economic, market, and energy-
        related impacts of State and regional differences in ethanol 
        blends;
            (3) an evaluation of the economic, market, and energy-
        related impacts on gasoline retailers and consumers of separate 
        and distinctly labeled fuel storage facilities and dispensers;
            (4) an evaluation of the environmental impacts of the 
        ethanol blends described in subsection (a) on evaporative and 
        exhaust emissions from on-road, off-road, and marine vehicle 
        engines;
            (5) an evaluation of the impacts of the ethanol blends 
        described in subsection (a) on the operation, durability, and 
        performance of on-road, off-road, and marine vehicle engines; 
        and
            (6) an evaluation of the safety impacts of the ethanol 
        blends described in subsection (a) on consumers that own and 
        operate off-road and marine vehicle engines.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing 
the results of the study conducted under this section.

SEC. 9. STUDY OF OPTIMIZATION OF FLEXIBLE FUELED VEHICLES TO USE E-85 
              FUEL.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a study of whether 
optimizing flexible fueled vehicles to operate using E-85 fuel would 
increase the fuel efficiency of flexible fueled vehicles, and shall 
include recommendations for how manufacturers can best optimize such 
vehicles to increase fuel efficiency.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science and 
Technology of the House of Representatives the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources of the Senate a report that describes the results of 
the study under this section, including any recommendations of the 
Secretary.

SEC. 10. STUDY OF ENGINE DURABILITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF 
              BIODIESEL.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall initiate a study on the effects of the 
use of biodiesel on engine durability.
    (b) Components.--The study under this section shall include--
            (1) an assessment of whether the use of biodiesel in 
        conventional diesel engines lessens engine durability; and
            (2) an assessment of the effects referred to in subsection 
        (a) with respect to biodiesel blends at varying concentrations, 
        including the following percentage concentrations of biodiesel:
                    (A) 5 percent biodiesel.
                    (B) 10 percent biodiesel.
                    (C) 20 percent biodiesel.
                    (D) 30 percent biodiesel.
                    (E) 100 percent biodiesel.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science and 
Technology of the House of Representatives the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources of the Senate a report that describes the results of 
the study under this section, including any recommendations of the 
Secretary.

SEC. 11. BIOENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AUTHORIZATION OF 
              APPROPRIATION.

    (a) Section 931 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16231) 
is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) at the end of paragraph (2) by striking 
                ``and'';
                    (B) at the end of paragraph (3) by striking the 
                period and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(4) $963,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$251,000,000'' 
                and inserting ``$377,000,000'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``$274,000,000'' 
                and inserting ``$398,000,000''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(4) $419,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which 
        $150,000,00 shall be for section 932(d).''.
Biofuels Research and Development Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish an information center on research, development, and commercial application of technologies related to biofuels and biorefineries, including: (1) biochemical and thermochemical conversion technologies to make fuels from lignocellulosic feedstocks; (2) biotechnology processes that emphasize enzyme-based processing systems; and (3) other advanced processes and technologies that will enable biofuel development.

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to instruct the Secretary to implement a research, development, and demonstration program relating to: (1) existing transportation fuel distribution infrastructure and new alternative distribution infrastructure, focusing on the physical and chemical properties of biofuels and prevention of or mitigation against certain adverse impacts; (2) bioresearch centers located in Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts, with a focus on biofuels; and (3) increased energy efficiency and reduced energy consumption in biorefinery facilities.

Directs the Secretary to make grants for research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of biofuel production technologies in states with low rates of ethanol production and of cellulosic biomass ethanol.

Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on: (1) research and development challenges in increasing to 5% biodiesel fuel sold in the United States; (2) the feasibility of increasing domestic consumption of ethanol-blended gasoline with specified levels of ethanol; (3) whether optimizing flexible fueled vehicles to use E-85 fuel would increase their fuel efficiency; and (4) the effects of biodiesel upon engine durability.
{"src": "billsum_test", "title": "To enhance research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of biofuels related technologies, and for other purposes."}