# What This Bill Does

This bill directs the Department of Energy to spend money fixing up and modernizing the National Laboratories—the government-run research facilities scattered across the country that work on everything from nuclear energy to climate science to advanced computing. Think of it as a major renovation and upgrade project for aging scientific facilities that have fallen into disrepair.

The bill tackles two main problems. First, it addresses deferred maintenance—the backlog of repairs and upkeep that these labs have put off over the years. Buildings, roads, power plants, utilities, and other basic infrastructure at these facilities have deteriorated and need fixing. Second, it funds modernization projects to keep these labs competitive and capable of doing cutting-edge research. This includes building new specialized research facilities and upgrading computing capabilities so scientists can tackle today's most challenging problems.

The bill authorizes $6.1 billion per year for five years (2022 through 2026) to pay for these projects. At least one-sixth of that money must go to the Office of Science, which oversees many of the nation's premier research institutions. Each year, the Secretary of Energy has to tell Congress exactly which projects will get funded and how much money each one will receive, giving lawmakers a chance to review the spending plans.

For everyday Americans, this matters because these National Laboratories conduct research that affects national security, energy innovation, medical breakthroughs, and technological advancement. By keeping these facilities in good shape and up-to-date, the bill helps ensure American scientists can remain competitive globally and continue making discoveries that benefit the country.

Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2021

Foster, Bill

Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Energy to fund projects as needed to address the deferred maintenance, critical infrastructure needs, and modernization of the National Laboratories.