article: SECTION 1. ENERGY-RELATED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. (a) Findings.--Congress finds that-- (1) information and opinions provided by individuals and entities of the academic and industrial sectors should be an important consideration with respect to energy-related research and development activities carried out by the Federal Government; (2) in carrying out energy-related research and development activities, the Federal Government should regularly seek input from multiple sources, including the industrial sector, academia, and other relevant sectors; (3) research is better focused around well-defined problems that need to be resolved; (4) a number of potential problems to be resolved are likely to require input from a diverse selection of technologies and contributing sectors; (5) sharing of information relating to energy research and development is important to the development and innovation of energy technologies; (6) necessary intellectual property protection can lead to delays in sharing valuable information that could aid in resolving major energy-related problems; (7) the Federal Government should facilitate the sharing of information from a diverse array of industries by ensuring the protection of intellectual property while simultaneously creating an environment of openness and cooperation; and (8) the Federal Government should revise the methods of the Federal Government regarding energy-related research and development to encourage faster development and implementation of energy technologies. (b) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Network.--The term ``network'' means the Energy Technologies Innovation Network established by subsection (d)(1). (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy. (3) Survey.--The term ``survey'' means a survey conducted pursuant to subsection (c). (c) Energy-Related Research and Development Priorities.-- (1) In general.--Not less frequently than once every 5 years, the Secretary shall conduct a survey in accordance with this subsection to determine the 10 highest-priority energy- related problems to resolve to ensure the goals of-- (A) maximizing the energy security of the United States; (B) maximizing improvements in energy efficiency within the United States; and (C) minimizing damage to the economy and the environment of the United States. (2) Survey.-- (A) In general.--Each survey shall contain a request that the respondent shall list, in descending order of priority, the 10 highest-priority energy- related problems that, in the opinion of the respondent, require resolution as quickly as practicable to ensure the goals described in paragraph (1). (B) Announcement.--The Secretary shall announce the existence of each survey by-- (i) publishing an announcement in the Federal Register; and (ii) placing an announcement in a prominent position on the homepage of the website of the Department of the Energy. (C) Availability.--The Secretary shall ensure that each survey is made available-- (i) in an electronic format only through a link on the Department of Energy website; (ii) for a period of not less than 21 days and not more than 30 days; and (iii) to any individual or entity that elects to participate. (D) Additional information gathering.--Each survey-- (i) shall require each respondent to provide information regarding-- (I) the age of the respondent; (II) the occupational category of the respondent; (III) the period of time during which the respondent has held the current occupation of the respondent; and (IV) the State and country in which the respondent resides; and (ii) may request, but shall not require-- (I) the name of the respondent; (II) an identification of the employer of the respondent; (III) the electronic mail address of the respondent; and (IV) such other information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (E) Respondents.--The Secretary shall seek responses to a survey from appropriate representatives of-- (i) the energy, transportation, manufacturing, construction, mining, and electronic industries; (ii) academia; (iii) research facilities; (iv) nongovernmental organizations; (v) the Federal Government; and (vi) units of State and local government. (F) Nonpolitical requirement.--The Secretary shall ensure that each survey is conducted, to the maximum extent practicable-- (i) in a transparent, nonpolitical, and scientific manner; and (ii) without any political bias. (G) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which a survey under this subsection is no longer available under subparagraph (C)(ii), the Secretary shall submit to Congress and make available to the public (including through publication in the Federal Register and on the website of the Department of Energy) a report that-- (i) describes the results of the survey; and (ii) includes a list of the 10 highest- priority energy-related problems based on all responses to the survey. (3) Effect of results on energy-related research and development.-- (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), on receipt of a report under paragraph (2)(G), the Secretary shall ensure that, during the 5-year period beginning on the date of receipt of the report, all energy-related research and development activities of the Department of Energy are carried out for the purpose of resolving, to the maximum extent practicable, the 10 problems included on the list of the report under paragraph (2)(G)(ii). (B) Additional problems.--In addition to the activities described in subparagraph (A), during the 5- year period beginning on the date of receipt of a report under paragraph (2)(G), the Secretary may carry out, using the same quantity of resources as are allocated to any 1 energy-related problem included on the list of the report under paragraph (2)(G)(ii), energy-related research and development activities for the purpose of resolving, to the maximum extent practicable, 2 additional energy-related problems that-- (i) are not included on the list; and (ii) are high-priority energy-related problems, as determined by the Secretary. (d) Energy Technologies Innovation Network.-- (1) Establishment.--There is established an information and collaboration network, to be known as the ``Energy Technologies Innovation Network''. (2) Purpose.--The purpose of the network shall be to provide a forum through which interested parties (including scientists and entrepreneurs) can present, discuss, and collaborate with respect to information and ideas relating to energy technologies. (3) Operation of network.-- (A) In general.--The Secretary shall offer to enter into a contract, after an open bidding process, with a third party to operate the network. (B) Requirements.--The third party selected under subparagraph (A) shall-- (i) have experience with respect to the establishment and maintenance of a comprehensive database of Federal research and development projects that is-- (I) easily searchable; (II) open to the public; and (III) capable of expansion; (ii) provide a secure electronic forum to enable collaboration among users of the network; and (iii) collaborate with the Secretary to protect the intellectual property rights of individual users and governmental agencies participating in the network in accordance with paragraph (6). (4) Required contributors.--Each research laboratory or other facility that receives Federal funding shall provide to the network the results of the research conducted using that funding, regardless of whether the research relates to energy, subject to the condition that revelation of the research will not adversely effect national security. (5) Other contributors.--Other entities, including entities in the academic and industrial sectors and individuals, may participate in the network to actively contribute to resolving-- (A) the energy-related problems included on the list of the report under subsection (c)(2)(G)(ii); or (B) any other energy-related problem that the contributor determines would advance the goals described in subsection (c)(1). (6) Protection of information and ideas.--In collaborating with a third party in operating the network under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall employ such individuals and entities with experience relating to-- (A) intellectual property as the Secretary determines to be necessary to ensure that-- (i) information and ideas presented, and discussed in the network are-- (I) monitored with respect to the intellectual property owners and components of the information or ideas; and (II) protected in accordance with applicable Federal intellectual property law (including regulations); (ii) information and ideas developed within the network are-- (I) monitored with respect to the intellectual property components of the developers of the information or ideas; and (II) protected in accordance with applicable Federal intellectual property law (including regulations); and (iii) contributors to the network are provided adequate assurances that intellectual property rights of the contributors will be protected with respect to participation in the network; (B) setting up, maintaining, and operating a network that ensures security and reliability. (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
summary: Directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a survey every five years to determine the 10 highest-priority energy-related problems to resolve to ensure the goals of: (1) maximizing U.S. energy security; (2) maximizing improvements in energy efficiency within the United States; and (3) minimizing damage to the domestic economy and the environment. Instructs the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress the survey results, including a list of the 10 highest-priority energy-related problems based on survey responses; and (2) ensure that, during the five year period beginning on the date of receipt of the report, all energy-related research and development activities of the Department of Energy (DOE) are implemented for the purpose of resolving the problems listed. Establishes the Energy Technologies Innovation Network to provide a forum through which interested parties (including scientists and entrepreneurs) can present, discuss, and collaborate with respect to information and ideas relating to energy technologies. Requires each research facility that receives federal funding to provide to the Network the results of the research conducted using that funding, regardless of whether the research relates to energy.