§15977. Department of Energy transportation fuels from Illinois basin coal
(a) In general
The Secretary shall carry out a program to evaluate the commercial and technical viability of advanced technologies for the production of Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuels, and other transportation fuels, manufactured from Illinois basin coal, including the capital modification of existing facilities and the construction of testing facilities under subsection (b).
(b) Facilities
For the purpose of evaluating the commercial and technical viability of different processes for producing Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuels, and other transportation fuels, from Illinois basin coal, the Secretary shall support the use and capital modification of existing facilities and the construction of new facilities at-
(1) Southern Illinois University Coal Research Center;
(2) University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research; and
(3) Energy Center at Purdue University.
(c) Gasification products test center
In conjunction with the activities described in subsections (a) and (b), the Secretary shall construct a test center to evaluate and confirm liquid and gas products from syngas catalysis in order that the system has an output of at least 500 gallons of Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuel per day in a 24-hour operation.
(d) Milestones
(1) Selection of processes
Not later than 180 days after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall select processes for evaluating the commercial and technical viability of different processes of producing Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuels, and other transportation fuels, from Illinois basin coal.
(2) Agreements
Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall offer to enter into agreements-
(A) to carry out the activities described in this section, at the facilities described in subsection (b); and
(B) for the capital modifications or construction of the facilities at the locations described in subsection (b).
(3) Evaluations
Not later than 3 years after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall begin, at the facilities described in subsection (b), evaluation of the technical and commercial viability of different processes of producing Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuels, and other transportation fuels, from Illinois basin coal.
(4) Construction of facilities
(A) In general
The Secretary shall construct the facilities described in subsection (b) at the lowest cost practicable.
(B) Grants or agreements
The Secretary may make grants or enter into agreements or contracts with the institutions of higher education described in subsection (b).
(e) Cost sharing
The cost of making grants under this section shall be shared in accordance with section 16352 of this title.
(f) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $85,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
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