July 17, 2025
Mr. Foster (for himself, Ms. Norton, Mr. Thanedar, and Mr. Smith of Washington) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
To direct the Secretary of Energy to fund projects to restore and modernize National Laboratories, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. National Laboratories restoration and modernization
(a) Restoration and modernization
(1) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) National laboratory
The term National Laboratory has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
(B) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.
(2) Restoration And Modernization Projects
The Secretary shall fund projects described in paragraph (3) as needed to address the deferred maintenance, critical infrastructure needs, and modernization of National Laboratories.
(3) Projects described
Projects described in this paragraph are the following:
(A)
Priority deferred maintenance projects at National Laboratories, including facilities sustainment for, upgrade of, and construction of research laboratories, administrative and support buildings, utilities, roads, power plants, and any other critical infrastructure.
(B)
Lab modernization projects at National Laboratories, including lab modernization projects relating to core infrastructure needed to carry out the following:
(i)
Support existing and emerging science missions with new and specialized requirements for world-leading scientific user facilities and computing capabilities.
(ii)
Maintain safe, efficient, reliable, and environmentally sustainable and responsible operations.
(4) Submission to Congress
For each fiscal year through fiscal year 2030, at the same time as the annual budget submission of the President, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a list of projects for which the Secretary will provide funding under this section, including a description of each project and the funding profile for each such project.
(5) Authorization of appropriations
(A) In general
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection $5,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
(B) Office of Science
Not less than one-third of the amounts made available to carry out this section each fiscal year shall be managed by the Office of Science of the Department of Energy.
(b) Strategy for facilities and infrastructure
Section 993 the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16357) is amended to read as follows:
993. Strategy for facilities and infrastructure
(a) Facility and infrastructure policy
(1) In general
The Secretary shall implement a strategy for facilities and infrastructure supported by the Office of Science, the Office of Environmental Management, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, the Office of Nuclear Energy, and the National Nuclear Security Administration Science and Technology Programs at all National Laboratories and single-purpose research facilities.
(2) Strategy
The strategy shall provide cost-effective means for ensuring enabling infrastructure can support current and future science and energy mission needs by carrying out the following:
(A)
Maintaining existing facilities and infrastructure.
(B)
Closing unneeded facilities.
(C)
Making facility modifications.
(D)
Building new facilities.
(b) Report
(1) In general
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report describing the strategy under subsection (a).
(2) Contents
For each National Laboratory and single-purpose research facility that is primarily used for science and energy research and across each Office that manages National Laboratories, the report under paragraph (1) shall contain the following:
(A)
The current priority list of each proposed National Laboratory and single-purpose research facility and infrastructure project, including cost and schedule requirements, and proposed funding source.
(B)
A current 10-year plan that demonstrates the reconfiguration of each such National Laboratory and single-purpose research facility and infrastructure to meet respective missions and to address respective long-term operational costs and return on investment.
(C)
A preliminary estimate of funding and resources required to fulfill such 10-year plan, and a description of how investments will be allocated among budgetary sources.
(D)
A description of facilities and infrastructure planning processes, including data and metrics relied upon, project prioritization criteria, and stakeholder engagement.