Lunar surface power

(a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Increased access to reliable power could further NASA goals of carrying out robust human and robotic exploration of the Moon and other deep space destinations. (2) Commercial entities seek to deploy technologies such as solar arrays, nuclear reactors, and radioisotope power systems to the surface of the Moon for the purpose of providing power for lunar activities. (3) Leveraging commercially developed power infrastructure to carry out Moon to Mars program activities could allow NASA to increase efficiency and reduce costs of such missions, and encourage commercial entities to accelerate the deployment of lunar power sources. (b) Report on power demand (1) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of NASA shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the non-governmental entity under subsection (c) a report that forecasts the demand for power, including heat and electricity, of NASA for operations on the lunar surface during the 10-year period beginning on such date of enactment. (2) Elements The report required under paragraph (1) shall— (A) consider the power demand of NASA for operations on the lunar surface for— (i) near-term exploration activities; (ii) long-duration surface activities; and (iii) activities intended to be conducted throughout the lunar night; and (B) include an assessment of— (i) the projected power needs for both human and robotic NASA operations on the lunar surface; and (ii) an assessment of the power needs of commercial entities engaged in activities to support NASA operations. (3) Form The report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex. (c) Lunar power purchase agreement feasibility study (1) In general The Administrator of NASA may enter into an arrangement with an non-governmental entity with appropriate expertise to conduct a study evaluating the feasibility of using power purchase agreements to facilitate the private sector development and deployment of lunar surface power capabilities. (2) Contents The study conducted under paragraph (1) shall consider the results of the report required under subsection (b), and may include the following: (A) An identification of facilities and technical capabilities needed to support lunar surface power production. (B) A description and assessment of the types and technical readiness of technologies that could be used to provide the United States with access to lunar surface power, and an estimated timeline of availability of such technologies. (C) An identification of lessons learned from Federal Government experience with power purchase agreements, including a description of any relevant Federal Government use of such agreements, and a description of how such lessons learned could inform or be applied to future such agreements. (D) Potential policy and legal issues associated with lunar power purchase agreements between providers and the Federal Government, international partners, and other private sector entities. (3) Report Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of NASA shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the results of the study under paragraph (1). (d) Agreements (1) In general Based on the results of the report under subsection (b), the study under subsection (c), and consultation under each of such subsections, the Administrator of NASA may, through an open and competitive solicitation process, enter into an agreement with not fewer than two private sector entities that utilize not fewer than two different energy technologies, for the purpose of procuring power systems or acquiring power on the lunar surface. (2) Terms The Administrator of NASA shall ensure any agreement entered into under paragraph (1) satisfies the following: (A) Includes the right of the Administrator to terminate such agreement if the private sector entity concerned is unable to commence the delivery of power on the lunar surface by the date that is four years after the date on which such an agreement is entered into. (B) Does not allow for payment in excess of ten percent of the contract value to be made before power is provided to NASA, or a NASA-sponsored entity, on the lunar surface. (3) Sunset (A) In general The authority to enter into agreements under paragraph (1) shall terminate on October 1, 2030. (B) Saving provision An agreement entered into under paragraph (1) that is entered into before the date of termination specified in subparagraph (A)— (i) shall not be affected by such termination; and (ii) shall continue until the conclusion of such agreement. (e) Coordination In preparing the report under subsection (b)(1) and conducting the study under subsection (c)(1), the Administrator of NASA may consult with the following: (1) The Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium. (2) The Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of other Federal departments or agencies, as determined appropriate by the Administrator. (3) International partners. (4) Relevant private sector entities.