--- kind: "section" citation: "42 U.S.C. § 16493" title: "42" title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare" number: "16493" heading: "National Priority Project Designation" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/16493" units: - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs" - "Subchapter XIII — Miscellaneous" --- # §16493. National Priority Project Designation - (a) **Designation of National Priority Projects—** - (1) **In general—** There is established the National Priority [Project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) Designation (referred to in this section as the “Designation”), which shall be evidenced by a medal bearing the inscription “National Priority [Project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12)”. - (2) **Design and materials—** The medal shall be of such design and materials and bear such additional inscriptions as the President may prescribe. - (b) **Making and presentation of Designation—** - (1) **In general—** The President, on the basis of recommendations made by the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4), shall annually designate organizations that have— - (A) advanced the field of renewable energy technology and contributed to North American energy [independence](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=1-B); and - (B) been certified by the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) under [subsection (e)](#e). - (2) **Presentation—** The President shall designate [projects](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) with such ceremonies as the President may prescribe. - (3) **Use of Designation—** An organization that receives a Designation under this section may publicize the Designation of the organization as a National Priority [Project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) in advertising. - (4) **Categories in which the Designation may be given—** Separate Designations shall be made to qualifying [projects](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) in each of the following categories: - (A) Wind and biomass energy generation [projects](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12). - (B) Photovoltaic and [fuel cell](/usc/42/16121.md?p=1) energy generation [projects](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12). - (C) Energy efficient building and renewable energy [projects](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12). - (D) First-in-Class [projects](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12). - (c) **Selection criteria—** - (1) **In general—** Certification and selection of the [projects](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) to receive the Designation shall be based on criteria established under this subsection. - (2) **Wind, biomass, and building projects—** In the case of a wind, biomass, or building [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12), the [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) shall demonstrate that the [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) will install not less than 30 megawatts of renewable energy generation capacity. - (3) **Solar photovoltaic and fuel cell projects—** In the case of a solar photovoltaic or [fuel cell](/usc/42/16121.md?p=1) [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12), the [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) shall demonstrate that the [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) will install not less than 3 megawatts of renewable energy generation capacity. - (4) **Energy efficient building and renewable energy projects—** In the case of an energy efficient building or renewable energy [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12), in addition to meeting the criteria established under [paragraph (2)](#c-2), each building [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) shall demonstrate that the [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) will— - (A) comply with third-party certification standards for high-performance, sustainable buildings; - (B) use whole-building integration of energy efficiency and environmental performance design and technology, including advanced building controls; - (C) use renewable energy for at least 50 percent of the energy consumption of the [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12); - (D) comply with applicable Energy Star standards; and - (E) include at least 5,000,000 square feet of enclosed space. - (5) **First-in-Class use—** Notwithstanding paragraphs [(2)](#c-2) through [(4)](#c-4), a new building [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) may qualify under this section if the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) determines that the [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12)— - (A) represents a First-In-Class use of renewable energy; or - (B) otherwise establishes a new paradigm of building integrated renewable energy use or energy efficiency. - (d) **Application—** - (1) **Initial applications—** No later than 120 days after August 8, 2005, and annually thereafter, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall publish in the Federal Register an invitation and guidelines for submitting applications, consistent with this section. - (2) **Contents—** The application shall describe the [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12), or planned [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12), and the plans to meet the criteria established under [subsection (c)](#c). - (e) **Certification—** - (1) **In general—** Not later than 60 days after the application period described in [subsection (d)](#d), and annually thereafter, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall certify [projects](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) that are reasonably expected to meet the criteria established under [subsection (c)](#c). - (2) **Certified projects—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall designate personnel of the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1) to work with [persons](/usc/42/16451.md?p=12) carrying out each certified [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) and ensure that the personnel— - (A) provide each certified [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) with guidance in meeting the criteria established under [subsection (c)](#c); - (B) identify programs of the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1), including [National Laboratories](/usc/42/15801.md?p=3) and Technology Centers, that will assist each [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) in meeting the criteria established under [subsection (c)](#c); and - (C) ensure that knowledge and transfer of the most current technology between the applicable resources of the Federal Government (including the [National Laboratories](/usc/42/15801.md?p=3) and Technology Centers, the [Department](/usc/42/15801.md?p=1), and the Environmental Protection [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1)) and the certified [projects](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) is being facilitated to accelerate commercialization of work developed through those resources. - (f) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 109–58, title XIV, § 1405, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 1062.)