House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin said on July 20 that the House passed two bipartisan bills: H.R. 3029, the Nucleic Acid Standards for Biosecurity Act, and H.R. 8790, the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act.
“The United States must continue leading the world in innovation while protecting our national security and strengthening our economic competitiveness,” said Chairman Brian Babin. “The House took an important step toward both goals today by advancing bipartisan legislation that strengthens America’s biosecurity and accelerates next-generation geothermal technologies. Together, these bills support American innovation, bolster our energy security, and reinforce U.S. leadership in science and technology.”
H.R. 3029 directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to conduct measurement research and convene a public-private consortium to develop voluntary technical standards and best practices for screening synthetic nucleic acids. The bill aims to strengthen U.S. biosecurity by supporting science-based standards that help mitigate emerging biological risks without introducing new federal mandates. It also seeks to promote responsible biotechnology innovation while enhancing America’s economic competitiveness and national security.
H.R. 8790 directs the Department of Energy to support research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of next-generation and closed-loop geothermal technologies. The legislation is intended to accelerate the development of innovative geothermal systems that provide reliable baseload American energy with a goal of strengthening U.S. energy security.
The bill also enhances geothermal research by improving federal data-sharing efforts as well as building on previous initiatives such as the Department of Energy’s FORGE project through additional testing and technology development.