Cost-Share Accountability Act of 2025

The Cost-Share Accountability Act of 2025 would require the Department of Energy to provide regular reports to Congress and the public about its use of authority to reduce or eliminate cost-sharing requirements for federally-funded energy research projects. Cost-sharing typically means that private companies or other non-federal entities must contribute their own funds to match federal research investments. The bill would mandate that the Department of Energy submit an initial report within 120 days of enactment and then provide quarterly reports thereafter detailing when and how it has waived these cost-sharing requirements.

The bill addresses concerns about the Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy awarding large grants without requiring cost-sharing contributions from recipients. While such waivers can accelerate investment in new technologies, they also remove funding from the competitive award process and limit opportunities for other organizations to submit competing proposals. By requiring transparency through regular reporting, the bill would give Congress and the public visibility into these decisions.