Higher Education Research

Item 250 #1c

Language
Page 253, line 40, strike "$2,800,000" and insert "$5,300,000".
Page 254, line 17, strike "$2,000,000" and insert "$1,000,000".
Page 254, after line 49, insert:
"6. a. Out of this appropriation, the Director, Department of Planning and Budget, shall transfer $1,000,000 the second year from the general fund to the University of Virginia to support cancer research.
b. Out of this appropriation, the Director, Department of Planning and Budget, shall transfer $1,000,000 the second year from the general fund to Virginia Commonwealth University to support cancer research.
c. 1. Out of this appropriation, $1,500,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC) to implement research and development of Virginia’s marine renewable energy resources, with an initial focus on offshore winds, waves, and marine biomass.  These funding amounts are necessary for (but not limited to) energy resource assessment, characterization of extreme storm survival conditions and sea floor anchoring and foundation properties, identification of potential environmental concerns, new technology research and development to enable project installations in deeper offshore waters “over the horizon,” and realistic evaluation of economic benefits and new business opportunities for Virginia's maritime industry.  These funds are necessary to support VCERC's close engagement of the Mineral Management Service (MMS) to ensure that the new MMS rules for alternative energy uses of the outer continental shelf, as well as the 2007-2012 offshore leasing program now being formulated, are well-supported by data and have the best possible terms for Virginia.  These funds also are required for assessment of the VT Agricultural Extension and Research Center as an anchor and field laboratory for VCERC studies related to the nearby access to deepwater and offshore research projects.
2. The distribution of these cost-sharing funds shall be designated by the VCERC Board of Directors for proposals involving VCERC institutions working together.  ODU will fund the support for the VCERC organization as required and provide industry sub-contracting as appropriate to support research and industry collaboration.
3. It is intended that VCERC shall operate following the administrative model of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, employing Old Dominion Research Foundation as its fiscal agent.
4. Funding contained in c.1. is contingent on the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC) and/or the member institutions being able to document existing financial investments in such research activities from other federal or private funds."

Explanation
(This amendment provides funding for cancer research at the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University, alternative and renewable energy, and supplemental funding for the Commonwealth Technology Research Fund.)