Congress Requires Report on U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation

The following provision was part of the 2005 energy bill enacted by Congress:

SEC. 986. COOPERATION BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--

(1) on February 1, 1996, the United States and Israel signed the agreement entitled ``Agreement between the Department of Energy of the United States of America and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of Israel Concerning Energy Cooperation'', (referred to in this section as the ``Agreement'') to establish a framework for collaboration between the United States and Israel in energy research and development activities;

(2) the Agreement entered into force in February 2000;

(3) in February 2005, the Agreement was automatically renewed for 1 additional 5-year period pursuant to Article X of the Agreement; and

(4) under the Agreement, the United States and Israel may cooperate in energy research and development in a variety of alternative and advanced energy sectors.

(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives a report that describes--

(1) the ways in which the United States and Israel have cooperated on energy research and development activities under the Agreement;

(2) projects initiated pursuant to the Agreement; and

(3) plans for future cooperation and joint projects under the Agreement.

(c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that energy cooperation between the Governments of the United States and Israel is mutually beneficial in the development of energy technology.