A bill to test the commercial, environmental, and social viability of various oil shale technologies.

(Measure passed Senate, amended, roll call #185 (61-23))

Federal Oil Shale Commercialization Test Act - Declares it the purpose of this Act to establish a Federal program to test the commercial, social, and environmental viability of oil shale technologies.

Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish a program to determine the commercial viability of as many as three oil shale retorting technologies; (2) invite proposals from interested persons for the design, construction, and operation of oil shale commercial demonstration projects; and (3) select as many as three such proposals and enter into contracts for the implementation of such projects. Requires that at least one of the selected projects employ an above ground retorting technology and that another selected project employ an in-site process. Stipulates that any such contracts shall be expressly contingent upon the availability of funds appropriated. Sets forth considerations for the Secretary in selecting projects.

Authorizes the Secretary to select a site for the demonstration projects and sets forth criteria for the Secretary in selecting a site or sites. Requires the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of the Interior and appropriate State and local officials in selecting appropriate public lands for demonstration facilities.

Establishes criteria for the evaluation of the economic, social, and environmental impact of oil shale technologies. Requires the publication of such evaluation by the Secretary within one year of the completion of the demonstration projects. Requires the Secretary to hold at least one public hearing, prior to the completion of his evaluation, in the area which would be most directly affected by the commercial development of oil shale.

Vests title in the United States to any invention made or conceived by a participant in the demonstration projects. Prohibits the Secretary, under the authority of the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974, from waiving the rights of the United States to title in such inventions. Authorizes the Secretary to grant nonexclusive licenses for inventions made or conceived during the projects. Protects the ownership of background patents which project participants possess at the outset of the program. Allows a person participating in such program to have a nonexclusive paid-up license to any invention made or conceived during the course of the program.

Establishes a panel to advise the Secretary on the social, environmental, and safety impact of the demonstration projects authorized by this Act.

Authorizes the Secretary to use, store, or sell any shale oil produced during the program. Requires public sale of such oil to the highest qualified bidder.

Authorizes the Secretary to make financial commitments for the purpose of financing essential community development and planning necessitated by the funding of demonstration facilities under this Act. Limits the amount of such commitments to $20,000,000 per year for fiscal years 1979 and 1980. Authorizes the Secretary to make direct loans and grants to eligible States and local governments should authorized funds prove insufficient. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 for such purposes.

Creates within the Treasury the Oil Shale Commercialization Test Special Fund to carry out such community development and planning assistance programs. Prescribes rules to govern the operation of the fund and related financial matters.

States that the water impact of any such project shall be governed by State law and regulation.

Requires the Secretary, within 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to submit to Congress a comprehensive plan for the acquisition of information and evaluation of the environmental, social, economic, and technological impact of the program. Sets forth required content of such report. Requires an annual report from the Secretary on action he has or has not taken under this Act.

Requires that the interest paid on any bond obligation guaranteed under this Act shall be included in the gross income of the purchaser of such obligation.

Provides for the public disclosure of information collected by the Secretary under this Act, except to the extent such information is exempted from disclosure by federal law.

Requires the holders of federal contracts under this Act to keep records, as the Secretary may require, subject to inspection and audit by the Secretary and the Comptroller General.

Authorizes appropriations for carrying out the provisions of this Act.