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Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act

S. 196 · 117th Congress · Feb 3, 2021 · Lineage

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Energy to establish an energy efficiency materials pilot program.

Section 1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act”.

Sec. 2 Energy efficiency materials pilot program

(a)
Definitions— In this section:
(1)
Applicant— The term applicant means a nonprofit organization that applies for a grant under this section.
(2)
Energy-efficiency material—
(A)
In general— The term energy-efficiency material means a material (including a product, equipment, or system) the installation of which results in a reduction in use by a nonprofit organization of energy or fuel.
(B)
Inclusions— The term energy-efficiency material includes—
(i)
a roof or lighting system or component of the system;
(ii)
a window;
(iii)
a door, including a security door;
(iv)
a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system or component of the system (including insulation and wiring and plumbing improvements needed to serve a more efficient system); and
(v)
a renewable energy generation or heating system, including a solar, photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, or biomass (including wood pellet) system or component of the system.
(3)
Nonprofit building—
(A)
In general— The term nonprofit building means a building operated and owned by an organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.
(B)
Inclusions— The term nonprofit building includes a building described in subparagraph (A) that is—
(i)
a hospital;
(ii)
a youth center;
(iii)
a school;
(iv)
a social-welfare program facility;
(v)
a faith-based organization; or
(vi)
any other nonresidential and noncommercial structure.
(4)
Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.
(b)
Establishment— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to award grants for the purpose of providing nonprofit buildings with energy-efficiency materials.
(c)
Grants—
(1)
In general— The Secretary may award grants under the program established under subsection (b).
(2)
Application— The Secretary may award a grant under paragraph (1) if an applicant submits to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may prescribe.
(3)
Criteria for grant— In determining whether to award a grant under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall apply performance-based criteria, which shall give priority to applicants based on—
(A)
the energy savings achieved;
(B)
the cost effectiveness of the use of energy-efficiency materials;
(C)
an effective plan for evaluation, measurement, and verification of energy savings; and
(D)
the financial need of the applicant.
(4)
Limitation on individual grant amount— Each grant awarded under this section shall not exceed $200,000.
(d)
Authorization of appropriations— There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, to remain available until expended.