Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Trees for Residential Energy and Economic Savings Act of 2021” or the “TREES Act of 2021”.
Trees for Residential Energy and Economic Savings Act of 2021
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program to facilitate tree planting that reduces residential energy consumption, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Tree planting grant program
Definitions— In this section:
Covered project— The term covered project means a tree planting project that reduces residential energy consumption.
Eligible cost— The term eligible cost means, with respect to a covered project—
the cost of carrying out the project, including—
planning and design activities;
establishing nurseries to supply trees;
purchasing trees; and
preparing sites and planting trees;
the cost of maintaining and monitoring trees planted under the project for a period of not more than 3 years;
the cost of training activities; and
any other cost determined appropriate by the Secretary.
Eligible entity— The term eligible entity means—
a State government entity;
a local government entity;
an Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304));
a nonprofit organization; and
a retail power provider.
Energy burden— The term energy burden means the percentage of household income spent on residential energy bills.
Local government entity— The term local government entity means any municipal government or county government entity with jurisdiction over local land use decisions.
Nonprofit organization— The term nonprofit organization means an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that Code.
Program— The term Program means the program established under subsection (b).
Retail power provider— The term retail power provider means any entity authorized under State or Federal law to generate, distribute, or provide retail electricity, natural gas, or fuel oil service.
Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.
Establishment— Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to facilitate covered projects in accordance with this section.
Consultation— In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
Applications— To receive a grant under the Program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including, with respect to the proposed covered project, a description of—
how the covered project will reduce residential energy consumption and the expected reduction in residential energy consumption;
the total eligible costs of the covered project and other sources of funding for the covered project;
the anticipated community engagement in the covered project; and
the tree species to be planted under the covered project and the suitability of those species to the local environment.
Priority— In awarding grants under the Program, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that propose covered projects that—
provide the largest potential reduction in residential energy consumption for households with a high energy burden;
provide maximum amounts of—
shade during periods when residences are exposed to the most sun intensity; and
wind protection during periods when residences are exposed to the most wind intensity;
are located in a neighborhood with a low percentage of tree canopy cover;
are located in a neighborhood with a high percentage of senior citizens or children;
are located in an area where the average annual income is below the regional median;
will collaboratively engage community members that will be affected by the tree planting; and
will employ local residents as a substantial percentage of the workforce of the covered project, with a focus on local residents who are unemployed or underemployed.
Tree planting goals— Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, award grants under the Program in a manner that facilitates the planting of at least 300,000 trees each year.
Federal share— The Federal share of the cost of a covered project carried out using a grant awarded under the Program shall be 90 percent.
Authorization of appropriations— There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the Program $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.