---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 15811"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "15811"
heading: "Voluntary commitments to reduce industrial energy intensity"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/15811"
units:
  - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs"
  - "Subchapter I — Energy Efficiency"
  - "Part A — Federal Programs"
---

# §15811. Voluntary commitments to reduce industrial energy intensity

- (a) **Definition of energy intensity—** In this section, the term “energy intensity” means the primary energy consumed for each unit of physical output in an industrial process.
- (b) **Voluntary agreements—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) may enter into voluntary agreements with one or more [persons](/usc/42/16451.md?p=12) in industrial sectors that consume significant quantities of primary energy for each unit of physical output to reduce the energy intensity of the production activities of the [persons](/usc/42/16451.md?p=12).
- (c) **Goal—** Voluntary agreements under this section shall have as a goal the reduction of energy intensity by not less than 2.5 percent each year during the period of calendar years 2007 through 2016.
- (d) **Recognition—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4), in cooperation with other appropriate Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), shall develop mechanisms to recognize and publicize the achievements of participants in voluntary agreements under this section.
- (e) **Technical assistance—** A [person](/usc/42/16451.md?p=12) that enters into an agreement under this section and continues to make a good faith effort to achieve the energy efficiency goals specified in the agreement shall be eligible to receive from the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) a grant or technical assistance, as appropriate, to assist in the achievement of those goals.
- (f) **Report—** Not later than each of June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2017, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall submit to Congress a report that—
  - (1) evaluates the success of the voluntary agreements under this section; and
  - (2) provides independent verification of a sample of the energy savings estimates provided by participating firms.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–58, title I, § 106, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 611.)