BIOENERGY RESEARCH CENTERS.

SEC. 233. BIOENERGY RESEARCH CENTERS. Section 977 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16317) is amended by adding at the end the following:“(f) Bioenergy Research Centers.—“(1) Establishment of centers.—In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish at least 7 bioenergy research centers, which may be of varying size.“(2) Geographic distribution.—The Secretary shall establish at least 1 bioenergy research center in each Petroleum 121 STAT. 1538 Administration for Defense District or Subdistrict of a Petroleum Administration for Defense District.“(3) Goals.—The goals of the centers established under this subsection shall be to accelerate basic transformational research and development of biofuels, including biological processes.“(4) Selection and duration.—“(A) In general.—A center under this subsection shall be selected on a competitive basis for a period of 5 years.“(B) Reapplication.—After the end of the period described in subparagraph (A), a grantee may reapply for selection on a competitive basis.“(5) Inclusion.—A center that is in existence on the date of enactment of this subsection—“(A) shall be counted towards the requirement for establishment of at least 7 bioenergy research centers; and“(B) may continue to receive support for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of establishment of the center.”.