H.R. 2280 — BIRD Energy and U.S.-Israel Energy Center Reauthorization Act of 2025

This section states congressional findings on the Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Energy Foundation, including its launch in 2009 to promote U.S.-Israel cooperation in energy development, its role in addressing mutual energy challenges through commercialization of clean energy technologies that boost economic competitiveness and jobs, and its funding contributions to advancements in cybersecurity for energy infrastructure, renewable energy, energy storage, and fossil energy.

This section reauthorizes and increases the authorization of appropriations for U.S.-Israel cooperation programs, as follows: (1) for presidential authorities to promote cooperation with Israel in energy, water, agriculture, and alternative fuel technologies—including sharing research, equipment, and personnel—and for Department of Homeland Security cooperative research programs on border security, explosives detection, emergency services, and cybersecurity (22 U.S.C. 8606), to $5 million for each of FY2026 through 2031 (from $2 million for FY2021); and (2) for the United States-Israel Energy Center, which supports joint energy innovation, research, and commercialization (22 U.S.C. 8607), to $7 million for each of FY2026 through 2031 (from $4 million for FY2021).

This section expands the categories eligible for United States-Israel energy cooperation under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to include (J) hydrogen energy; (K) fusion energy; (L) industrial decarbonization; (M) carbon management; (N) agrivoltaics; (O) grid modernization; and (P) cybersecurity for energy infrastructure. (As background, the act authorizes the Secretary of Energy to engage in joint research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities with Israel in specified energy areas to advance mutual national interests.)