---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 18793"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "18793"
heading: "Energy auditor training grant program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/18793"
units:
  - "Chapter 162 — Energy Infrastructure"
  - "Subchapter V — Energy Efficiency and Building Infrastructure"
  - "Part A — Residential and Commercial Energy Efficiency"
---

# §18793. Energy auditor training grant program

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Covered certification—** The term “covered certification” means any of the following certifications:
    - (A) The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Building Energy Assessment Professional certification.
    - (B) The Association of Energy Engineers Certified Energy Auditor certification.
    - (C) The Building Performance Institute Home Energy Professional Energy Auditor certification.
    - (D) The Residential Energy Services Network Home Energy Rater certification.
    - (E) Any other third-party certification recognized by the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1).
    - (F) Any third-party certification that the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) determines is equivalent to the certifications described in subparagraphs [(A)](#a-1-A) through [(E)](#a-1-E).
  - (2) **Eligible State—** The term “eligible [State](/usc/42/18791.md?p=3)” means a [State](/usc/42/18791.md?p=3) that—
    - (A) has a demonstrated need for assistance for training energy auditors; and
    - (B) meets any additional criteria determined necessary by the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3).
- (b) **Establishment—** Under the [State Energy Program](/usc/42/18791.md?p=4), the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) shall establish a competitive grant [program](/usc/42/18791.md?p=2) under which the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) shall award grants to eligible [States](/usc/42/18791.md?p=3) to train individuals to conduct energy audits or surveys of commercial and residential buildings.
- (c) **Applications—**
  - (1) **In general—** A [State](/usc/42/18791.md?p=3) seeking a grant under [subsection (b)](#b) shall submit to the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) may require, including the energy auditor training [program](/usc/42/18791.md?p=2) plan described in [paragraph (2)](#c-2).
  - (2) **Energy auditor training program plan—** An energy auditor training [program](/usc/42/18791.md?p=2) plan submitted with an application under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) shall include—
    - (A)
      - (i) a proposed training curriculum for energy audit trainees; and
      - (ii) an identification of the covered certification that those trainees will receive on completion of that training curriculum;
    - (B) the expected per-individual cost of training;
    - (C) a plan for connecting trainees with employment opportunities; and
    - (D) any additional information required by the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3).
- (d) **Amount of grant—** The amount of a grant awarded to an eligible [State](/usc/42/18791.md?p=3) under [subsection (b)](#b)—
  - (1) shall be determined by the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3), taking into account the population of the eligible [State](/usc/42/18791.md?p=3); and
  - (2) shall not exceed $2,000,000 for any eligible [State](/usc/42/18791.md?p=3).
- (e) **Use of funds—**
  - (1) **In general—** An eligible [State](/usc/42/18791.md?p=3) that receives a grant under [subsection (b)](#b) shall use the grant funds—
    - (A) to cover any cost associated with individuals being trained or certified to conduct energy audits by—
      - (i) the [State](/usc/42/18791.md?p=3); or
      - (ii) a [State](/usc/42/18791.md?p=3)-certified third party training [program](/usc/42/18791.md?p=2); and
    - (B) subject to [paragraph (2)](#e-2), to pay the wages of a trainee during the period in which the trainee receives training and certification.
  - (2) **Limitation—** Not more than 10 percent of grant funds provided under [subsection (b)](#b) to an eligible [State](/usc/42/18791.md?p=3) may be used for the purpose described in [paragraph (1)(B)](#e-1-B).
- (f) **Consultation—** In carrying out this section, the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) shall consult with the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) of Labor.
- (g) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) to carry out this section $40,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title V, § 40503, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1056.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Wage Rate Requirements

For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of this title.