Teams will put their robots through eight tasks, ranging from driving a utility vehicle to carrying and connecting a fire hose, Dec. 20-21 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla.
John Beale, a former senior policy advisor in the agency's Office of Air and Radiation, had pleaded guilty to stealing government money. He has agreed to pay about $890,000 in restitution and about $500,000 to DOJ in criminal forfeiture.
The proposal comes in the wake of the Chevron 2012 pipe rupture and fire in the Bay Area.
They can overheat and melt and thus present fire and burn hazards.