Sponsors (2)
The bill increases transparency and predictability around DOE cost‑sharing waivers—improving oversight and fairness for stakeholders—while adding recurring reporting burdens that can raise administrative costs, risk disclosure of sensitive information, and potentially slow program execution.
Taxpayers, federal oversight committees, state governments, and researchers will get regular public reporting on DOE use of cost‑sharing waivers, increasing transparency and accountability and helping deter inconsistent or opaque waiver decisions.
Grantees and project partners (state governments, utilities, and research teams) gain greater predictability because DOE must document when it reduces or eliminates non‑Federal cost‑sharing, improving planning and financial decision-making for projects.
State governments, utilities, and grant recipients may face slower award processing and program execution because quarterly reporting and associated compliance work can delay DOE decision-making and project starts.
Utilities, energy companies, and researchers risk disclosure of sensitive negotiation details or proprietary information in regular public reports unless redactions are properly applied.
DOE staff and taxpayers will incur ongoing administrative costs to prepare and publish quarterly reports, diverting staff time and federal resources from other program activities.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires DOE to report publicly and to four congressional committees on its use of authority to reduce or waive non‑Federal cost sharing, with first report within 120 days and quarterly thereafter.
Requires the Department of Energy to report publicly and to four congressional committees on how it uses its authority to reduce or eliminate non‑Federal cost‑sharing for DOE awards. The first report must be delivered within 120 days of enactment, and DOE must provide at least quarterly reports thereafter that cover the period addressed by each report.
Introduced January 13, 2025 by Jay Obernolte · Last progress March 25, 2025