As part of the clean coal power initiative, the Secretary shall award competitive, merit-based grants to institutions of higher education for the establishment of centers of excellence for energy systems of the future.

The Secretary shall award grants under this section to institutions of higher education that show the greatest potential for advancing new clean coal technologies.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IV, § 404, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 753.)