March 21, 2025
Ms. Wasserman Schultz (for herself, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Schneider, Ms. Tenney, Mr. Moskowitz, Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida, Mr. Bishop, Ms. Strickland, Mr. Veasey, Mr. Moulton, Ms. Titus, and Mr. Gottheimer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to expand and reauthorize the United States-Israel Energy Cooperation program, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the BIRD Energy and U.S.-Israel Energy Center Reauthorization Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
The Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Energy Foundation was launched in 2009 to promote bilateral cooperation between the United States and Israel in energy development.
(2)
BIRD Energy helps address energy challenges and opportunities of interest to both the United States and Israel while focusing on commercializing clean energy technologies that improve economic competitiveness, create jobs, and support innovative companies.
(3)
The funding for scientific research and development helps advance the capabilities of both countries in a wide variety of areas, including cybersecurity for energy infrastructure, renewable energy, energy storage, and fossil energy.
Sec. 3. Extension and reauthorization of energy cooperation authorities
(a) Extension of cooperative research authorization
Section 7(d) of the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 (22 U.S.C. 8606(d)) is amended—
(1)
by striking $2,000,000
and inserting $5,000,000
; and
(2)
by striking fiscal year 2021
and inserting each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031
.
(b) Extension of authorization for Energy Center
Section 1280A(e) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (22 U.S.C. 8607(e)) is amended—
(1)
by striking $4,000,000
and inserting $7,000,000
; and
(2)
by striking fiscal year 2021
and inserting each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031
.
Sec. 4. Additional United States-Israel energy cooperation categories
Section 917(b)(2) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110–140; 42 U.S.C. 17337(b)(2)) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (H), by striking ; and
and inserting a semicolon;
(2)
in subparagraph (I), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(J)
hydrogen energy;
(K)
fusion energy;
(L)
industrial decarbonization;
(M)
carbon management;
(N)
agrivoltaics;
(O)
grid modernization; and
(P)
cybersecurity for energy infrastructure.
Sec. 5. Reauthorization of United States-Israel Energy Cooperation
Section 917(e) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110–140; 42 U.S.C. 17337(e)) is amended by striking 2024
and inserting 2035
.