BIRD Energy and U.S.-Israel Energy Center Reauthorization Act of 2025
The BIRD Energy and U.S.-Israel Energy Center Reauthorization Act of 2025 would extend and expand the United States–Israel energy cooperation program (commonly known as BIRD Energy). Building on authority from the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and related statutes, the bill increases funding limits, extends the authorized periods through 2031 for current authorities and through 2035 for overall reauthorization, and broadens the set of energy technologies and activities eligible for U.S.–Israel collaboration. The aim is to promote bilateral R&D, accelerate commercialization of clean energy technologies, improve energy security, and support job creation and economic competitiveness in both countries. The bill also expands the topics covered to include areas like hydrogen, fusion energy, industrial decarbonization, carbon management, agrivoltaics, grid modernization, and cybersecurity for energy infrastructure.
Key Points
- 1Funding increases and extended authorization for U.S.–Israel energy cooperation programs:
- 2- Section 7(d) extension raises the annual cap from $2,000,000 to $5,000,000 and extends authorization through fiscal years 2026–2031.
- 3- Section 1280A(e) extension raises the annual cap from $4,000,000 to $7,000,000 and extends authorization through fiscal years 2026–2031.
- 4Expanded cooperation categories to cover additional energy technologies and areas:
- 5- Adds hydrogen energy, fusion energy, industrial decarbonization, carbon management, agrivoltaics, grid modernization, and cybersecurity for energy infrastructure to the U.S.–Israel energy cooperation menu.
- 6Reauthorization timeline broadened:
- 7- Reauthorizes the program through 2035, with related authorities extended through 2031, signaling a longer-term bilateral energy collaboration framework.
- 8Policy aims and focus:
- 9- Emphasizes commercialization of clean energy technologies, cybersecurity for energy systems, and broad energy challenges benefiting both nations’ energy security, economic competitiveness, and job creation.
- 10Legislative oversight and scope:
- 11- The bill involves multiple committees (Science, Space, and Technology; Foreign Affairs; Homeland Security) for consideration and jurisdiction, reflecting both energy and security dimensions of the partnership.