---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 17282"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "17282"
heading: "Renewable energy deployment"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/17282"
units:
  - "Chapter 152 — Energy Independence and Security"
  - "Subchapter VII — Improved Management of Energy Policy"
  - "Part A — Management Improvements"
---

# §17282. Renewable energy deployment

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Alaska small hydroelectric power—** The term “Alaska small hydroelectric power” means power that—
    - (A) is generated—
      - (i) in the [State](/usc/42/17151.md?p=6) of Alaska;
      - (ii) without the use of a dam or impoundment of water; and
      - (iii) through the use of—
        - (I) a lake tap (but not a perched alpine lake); or
        - (II) a run-of-river screened at the point of diversion; and
    - (B) has a nameplate capacity rating of a wattage that is not more than 15 megawatts.
  - (2) **Eligible applicant—** The term “eligible applicant” means any—
    - (A) governmental entity;
    - (B) private utility;
    - (C) public utility;
    - (D) municipal utility;
    - (E) cooperative utility;
    - (F) [Indian tribes](/usc/42/17151.md?p=4); and
    - (G) Regional [Corporation](/usc/42/2297h.md?p=2) (as defined in [section 1602 of title 43](/usc/43/1602.md)).
  - (3) **Ocean energy—**
    - (A) **Inclusions—** The term “ocean energy” includes current, wave, and tidal energy.
    - (B) **Exclusion—** The term “ocean energy” excludes thermal energy.
  - (4) **Renewable energy project—** The term “renewable energy [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2)” means a [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2)—
    - (A) for the commercial generation of electricity; and
    - (B) that [generates](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=8) electricity from—
      - (i) solar, wind, or [geothermal](/usc/42/17191.md?p=6) energy or ocean energy;
      - (ii) biomass (as defined in [section 15852(b) of this title](/usc/42/15852.md?p=b));
      - (iii) landfill gas; or
      - (iv) Alaska small hydroelectric power.
- (b) **Renewable energy construction grants—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall use amounts appropriated under this section to make grants for use in carrying out renewable energy [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2).
  - (2) **Criteria—** Not later than 180 days after December 19, 2007, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall set forth criteria for use in awarding grants under this section.
  - (3) **Application—** To receive a grant from the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) under [paragraph (1)](#b-1), an eligible applicant shall submit to the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) may require, including a written assurance that—
    - (A) all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors during [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7), alteration, or repair that is financed, in whole or in part, by a grant under this section shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) in the locality, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) of Labor in accordance with sections 3141–3144, [3146](/usc/40/3146.md), and [3147](/usc/40/3147.md) of title 40; and
    - (B) the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) of Labor shall, with respect to the labor standards described in this paragraph, have the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (5 U.S.C. App.) and [section 3145 of title 40](/usc/40/3145.md).
  - (4) **Non-Federal share—** Each eligible applicant that receives a grant under this subsection shall contribute to the total cost of the renewable energy [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) constructed by the eligible applicant an amount not less than 50 percent of the total cost of the [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2).
- (c) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–140, title VIII, § 803, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1718.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(B), is set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as a note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress.