This bill reauthorizes and extends funding for the BIRD Energy Foundation and the U.S.-Israel Energy Center, while expanding the scope of joint energy cooperation projects between the two nations through 2035.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Representative
FL-25
This bill reauthorizes and extends key U.S.-Israel energy cooperation programs, including BIRD Energy, through 2031 and expands the scope of joint research. It increases funding authorizations for strategic partnership projects and the Energy Center. Furthermore, the legislation adds crucial modern energy areas like hydrogen, fusion, and grid modernization to the official list of eligible cooperative fields through 2035.
US-Israel Energy Research Gets $5M Boost, Extends Clean Energy Cooperation Through 2035
This bill, the BIRD Energy and US-Israel Energy Center Reauthorization Act of 2025, is essentially an upgrade and extension of a successful international research and development partnership. It takes the existing energy cooperation framework between the U.S. and Israel, pumps up the funding, and pushes the expiration date way out to 2035, ensuring a long-term commitment to joint energy innovation.
More Money, More Years for Energy R&D
If you’re in the energy tech space—or just hope to pay less for cleaner power someday—this bill matters. It significantly increases the authorized funding caps for joint research projects and the US-Israel Energy Center. The cap for strategic partnership research projects is jumping from $2 million to $5 million, while the Energy Center’s authorization is increasing from $4 million to $7 million. These reauthorizations are set to run through fiscal year 2031 (Section 3). This is key because it provides the stability and capital necessary for companies and researchers to tackle ambitious, long-term projects, which is exactly what it takes to bring new energy tech from a lab bench to your home or office.
The New Energy Menu: Fusion, Hydrogen, and Grid Security
Beyond the funding boost, the bill dramatically expands the list of eligible research topics (Section 4). Previously, the cooperation focused on established areas, but now the list is getting a serious update to reflect cutting-edge needs. New categories include Hydrogen energy, Fusion energy, Industrial decarbonization (think making steel and cement production cleaner), and Carbon management. For anyone worried about the reliability of their power, the addition of Grid modernization and Cybersecurity specifically for energy infrastructure is a big deal, aiming to protect our electrical systems from both physical failure and digital attacks.
Also noteworthy is the inclusion of Agrivoltaics, which is the practice of combining solar energy generation with agriculture. If you’re a farmer or rancher, this could mean new ways to monetize your land while simultaneously contributing to renewable energy goals, potentially making solar projects more economically viable in rural areas.
Why the Long-Term Commitment Matters
Perhaps the biggest takeaway is the commitment to longevity. The bill extends the overall authorization for the entire US-Israel Energy Cooperation program from its current expiration date of 2024 all the way to 2035 (Section 5). For businesses, researchers, and venture capitalists, this long timeline is critical. It signals that the government is serious about these programs and that the funding won't dry up after a couple of years. This stability encourages private sector investment and allows for the multi-year development cycles required to commercialize complex technologies like fusion or advanced carbon capture. Essentially, it gives innovators a solid decade-plus to work, which is exactly what’s needed to solve big, complex energy problems.