42 U.S.C. § 18861: Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations

receives or is eligible to receive funding from the Secretary; and this division; or the Energy Act of 2020 ( Public Law 116–260 ; 134 Stat. 1182 ). 1 1 See References in Text note below. The term “program” means the program established under subsection (b). conducting evaluations of proposals for covered projects before the selection of a covered project for funding; conducting independent oversight of the execution of a covered project after funding has been awarded for that covered project; and ensuring a balanced portfolio of investments in covered projects. evaluate proposals for covered projects, including scope, technical specifications, maturity of design, funding profile, estimated costs, proposed schedule, proposed technical and financial milestones, and potential for commercial success based on economic and policy projections; develop independent cost estimates for a proposal for a covered project, if appropriate; recommend to the head of a program office of the Department, as appropriate, whether to fund a proposal for a covered project; oversee the execution of covered projects that receive funding from the Secretary, including reconciling estimated costs as compared to actual costs; evaluating the progress of a covered project based on the proposed schedule and technical and financial milestones; and providing the evaluations under subparagraph (A) to the Secretary; and assess the lessons learned in overseeing covered projects and implement improvements in the process of evaluating and overseeing covered projects. To carry out the program, the Secretary may hire appropriate personnel, including by using the authorities in section 19321 of this title , to perform the duties of the program. The Secretary may solicit, select, and manage covered projects directly through the program. Should an ongoing covered project receive an unfavorable review under subsection (c)(5), the Secretary or their designee may cease funding the covered project and reallocate the remaining funds to new or existing covered projects carried out by that program office. project management and acquisition management entities with the Department, including the Office of Project Management; and professional organizations in project management, construction, cost estimation, and other relevant fields. the covered projects under the purview of the program; and the review of each covered project carried out under subsection (c)(5). a description of the processes and procedures used by the program to evaluate proposals of covered projects and the oversight of covered projects; and the processes and procedures described in subparagraph (A); and the structure of the program, for the purpose of better carrying out the program.