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H.R. 2To Overhaul Americas Technological Infrastructure

_____________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

DECEMBER, 27, 2012

Mr. ENDERS introduced the following bill; which was referred to

the Committee on Science, Space and Technology for a period

to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, for

consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of

the committee concerned.

_____________________

A BILLTo Overhaul Americas Technological Infrastructure

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of1

Representatives of the United States of America in Congress2

assembled, 3

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.4

This Act may be cited as the "OATI Act".5

SEC. 2. Definitions6

Supergrid: A modern overlay will be added on top of the7

old, piecemeal, overtaxed system, creating a backbone that has8

greater capacity by using higher voltages and reaching more9

remote locations, while connecting disjointed potions of the10

country.11

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1STCONGRESS1STSESSION

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Smartgrid: A technologically controlled grid that can13

recognize internal inconsistencies, operating with the help of14

human oversight, which allows for immediate responses to15

critical situations, shortages, and overflows by automatically16

rerouting power.17

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Business/Infrastructure Grade Broadband (BIG-B):19

Broadband capable of delivering Very High Data Rate or20

higher transmissions to and from the internet. This is frequently21

considered the bare minimum for any company that uses22

modern media to accomplish its basic functions and for high-23

tech industries.24

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Very High Data Rate (VHDR): 30 Mb/s to 300Mb/s of26

data transfer capability. For comparison, most US homes with27

High-speed internet get Medium Data Rate (300Kb/s to 328

Mb/s). Most college campuses have at least Very High Data29

Rate networks, and most public libraries have High Data Rate30

networks.31

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SEC. 3.33

Subsection I Paragraph a: Create ATTIC34

This act will create a new organization, which shall report to the35

Department of Energy, called the American Technology and36

Transmission Infrastructu re Commission (ATTIC). This37

commission will consist of a Director, who will be appointed by38

the Secretary of Energy but who should be an expert in the39

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field of network engineering, electrical systems theory,40

technological infrastructure, or other related field, as per the41

discretion of the SOE.42

Subsection I: Paragraph b: ATTICs Mission and Scope43

ATTIC shall be tasked with the planning and implementation of44

a new smart-supergrid for the United States which shall link the45

main power zones from coast to coast, ensure that power can46

be transmitted to all parts of the contiguous United States, with47

the option to expand the grid to include Alaska, Hawaii, any48

future States, and/or territories. While the details shall be left49

to the experts determined by the DOE (Energy), this grid must50

include Ultra High Voltage transcontinental electrical network,51

must connect the disjointed current systems, must allow for52

interstate energy sales and transfers, and must have53

automated (but manageable) controls to account for power54

emergencies. Furthermore, ATTIC will develop a plan to55

expand the nations current VHDR cable network, with a focus56

on areas with developing business communities, and areas57

which are outside the scope of private broadband providers.58

They may or may not use the TVAs plan for spreading power59

as a basic guide. Using the funds allocated to them and with60

oversight from the SOE, ATTIC shall contract out the necessary61

construction or, should they deem it more practical, provide tax62

breaks and subsidies for companies who wish to implement63

such plans already. They shall be allowed to use market based64

approaches or simple government implementation at their65

discretion for any and all portions of the plan, but the66

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responsibility to determine this system shall ultimately fall on67

them.68

Subsection I: Paragraph c: Reallocate Existing Funds within69

DOE70

The DOE has already been allocated 6.5 Billion dollars71

($6,500,000,000) to construct new power lines and other72

power-infrastructure and is already using federal agencies to do73

so. 3.5 Billion Of these dollars ($3,500,000,000) will be74

redirected to ATTIC for their plan to construct new75

infrastructure. DOE will be given the prerogative to determine76

which funds will be cut from which areas. While this committee77

recommends that they are taken from funds allocated to build78

power lines, as this will result in a minimal disruption of current79

operations.80

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SEC. 4. Implementation and Effective Date82

This bill will become effective upon passage. The DOE83

will be given until the last day of the fiscal year FOLLOWING the84

passage of this bill into law to redistribute the funds towards85

ATTIC.86

ATTICs creation process shall be begun immediately87

upon passage of this bill, With the SOE nominating a Director88

for approval by this committee within one week of passage.89

Should this nominee be rejected, they will have another week90

to find another candidate. This process shall be repeated as91

frequently as necessary. The director of ATTIC shall be allowed92

to select their own staff of no more than 15 individuals, with93

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the option for up to 10 more if requested of this committee and94

need is demonstrated. This committee shall be allowed institute95

a review of the staff upon each position being filled, a majority96

vote can block or revoke a staff appointment. Office space shall97

be granted at the DOE until a more permanent office space can98

be determined.99

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