Critical Materials Processing Technology Testbed Act

This bill establishes a Critical Materials Processing Technology Testbed Capability to be administered by the Secretary of Energy through a competitive, merit-reviewed process. The Testbed allows for research, development, and demonstration of novel critical materials processing technologies and scalable performance testing on feedstock materials. Applications are considered from National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, private companies, multi-institutional collaborations, and other appropriate entities, and the Testbed may be implemented as a single site or multiple sites.

Sec. 2, Focus areas: The Testbed focuses on substantive improvements to critical materials processing technologies, including reduced energy intensity, reduced pollutants, reduced water consumption, lower environmental and societal impacts, lower lifecycle costs, improved recovery efficiencies, process improvement beyond traditional thermal or pyro chemical techniques, reduced volumes and toxicity of waste, noise reduction, worker safety, and processing techniques applicable to a wide range of material sources.

Sec. 2, Duration: The Testbed receives support for up to five years, subject to appropriations, and may be renewed for additional five-year periods through a merit-reviewed process.

Sec. 2, Technology transfer: The Secretary, with the Director of the Office of Technology Transitions, facilitates translation and secure transfer of research results to industry.

Sec. 2, Intellectual property: The Secretary ensures intellectual property and value proposition from Testbed activities are retained within the United States.

Sec. 2, Interagency engagement: The Secretary consults with the EPA Administrator to align Testbed goals with applicable laws and environmental justice priorities, and ensures cooperation with and avoids duplication of activities of other Department research entities, National Laboratories, other federal agencies, institutions of higher education, U.S. industry, nongovernmental organizations, and other relevant entities.

Sec. 2, Authorization of appropriations: $150,000,000 is authorized for fiscal year 2024 to establish the Testbed, and $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028 for Testbed activities. The Secretary may require cost-sharing for funds from fiscal years 2025-2028 from entities other than National Laboratories seeking to conduct activities at the Testbed.

Sec. 2, Definitions: 'Critical material' includes materials defined in section 7002(a)(2) of the Energy Act of 2020 and strategic minerals determined by the Secretary of Defense under Presidential Determination 2022-11. 'Department' means the Department of Energy. 'Institution of higher education' is defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965. 'National Laboratory' is defined by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Energy.