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 may enter into voluntary agreements with one or more persons 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.
(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, in cooperation with other appropriate Federal agencies, shall develop mechanisms to recognize and publicize the achievements of participants in voluntary agreements under this section.
(e) Technical assistance
A person 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 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 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.
(
§15812. Advanced Building Efficiency Testbed
(a) Establishment
The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, shall establish an Advanced Building Efficiency Testbed program for the development, testing, and demonstration of advanced engineering systems, components, and materials to enable innovations in building technologies. The program shall evaluate efficiency concepts for government and industry buildings, and demonstrate the ability of next generation buildings to support individual and organizational productivity and health (including by improving indoor air quality) as well as flexibility and technological change to improve environmental sustainability. Such program shall complement and not duplicate existing national programs.
(b) Participants
The program established under subsection (a) shall be led by a university with the ability to combine the expertise from numerous academic fields including, at a minimum, intelligent workplaces and advanced building systems and engineering, electrical and computer engineering, computer science, architecture, urban design, and environmental and mechanical engineering. Such university shall partner with other universities and entities who have established programs and the capability of advancing innovative building efficiency technologies.
(c) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $6,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2008, to remain available until expended. For any fiscal year in which funds are expended under this section, the Secretary shall provide one-third of the total amount to the lead university described in subsection (b), and provide the remaining two-thirds to the other participants referred to in subsection (b) on an equal basis.
(
§15813. Enhancing energy efficiency in management of Federal lands
(a) Sense of the Congress
It is the sense of the Congress that Federal agencies should enhance the use of energy efficient technologies in the management of natural resources.
(b) Energy efficient buildings
To the extent practicable, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall seek to incorporate energy efficient technologies in public and administrative buildings associated with management of the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National Forest System, National Marine Sanctuaries System, and other public lands and resources managed by the Secretaries.
(c) Energy efficient vehicles
To the extent practicable, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall seek to use energy efficient motor vehicles, including vehicles equipped with biodiesel or hybrid engine technologies, in the management of the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National Forest System, National Marine Sanctuaries System, and other public lands and resources managed by the Secretaries.
(
Part B—Energy Assistance and State Programs
§15821. Energy efficient appliance rebate programs
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Eligible State
The term "eligible State" means a State that meets the requirements of subsection (b).
(2) Energy Star program
The term "Energy Star program" means the program established by
(3) Residential Energy Star product
The term "residential Energy Star product" means a product for a residence that is rated for energy efficiency under the Energy Star program.
(4) State energy office
The term "State energy office" means the State agency responsible for developing State energy conservation plans under
(5) State program
The term "State program" means a State energy efficient appliance rebate program described in subsection (b)(1).
(b) Eligible States
A State shall be eligible to receive an allocation under subsection (c) if the State—
(1) establishes (or has established) a State energy efficient appliance rebate program to provide rebates to residential consumers for the purchase of residential Energy Star products, or products with improved energy efficiency in cold climates, to replace used appliances of the same type;
(2) submits an application for the allocation at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require; and
(3) provides assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the State will use the allocation to supplement, but not supplant, funds made available to carry out the State program.
(c) Amount of allocations
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate to the State energy office of each eligible State to carry out subsection (d) an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying the amount made available under subsection (f) for the fiscal year by the ratio that the population of the State in the most recent calendar year for which data are available bears to the total population of all eligible States in that calendar year.
(2) Minimum allocations
For each fiscal year, the amounts allocated under this subsection shall be adjusted proportionately so that no eligible State is allocated a sum that is less than an amount determined by the Secretary.
(d) Use of allocated funds
The allocation to a State energy office under subsection (c) may be used to pay up to 50 percent of the cost of establishing and carrying out a State program.
(e) Issuance of rebates
Rebates may be provided to residential consumers that meet the requirements of the State program. The amount of a rebate shall be determined by the State energy office, taking into consideration—
(1) the amount of the allocation to the State energy office under subsection (c);
(2) the amount of any Federal or State tax incentive available for the purchase of the residential Energy Star product or product with improved energy efficiency in a cold climate; and
(3) the difference between the cost of the residential Energy Star product or product with improved energy efficiency in a cold climate and the cost of an appliance that is not a residential Energy Star product or product with improved energy efficiency in a cold climate, but is of the same type as, and is the nearest capacity, performance, and other relevant characteristics (as determined by the State energy office) to, the residential Energy Star product or product with improved energy efficiency in a cold climate.
(f) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2007—Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2), (3).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
Amendment by
§15822. Energy efficient public buildings
(a) Grants
The Secretary may make grants to the State agency responsible for developing State energy conservation plans under
(1) through construction of new energy efficient public buildings that use at least 30 percent less energy than a comparable public building constructed in compliance with standards prescribed in the most recent version of the International Energy Conservation Code, or a similar State code intended to achieve substantially equivalent efficiency levels; or
(2) through renovation of existing public buildings to achieve reductions in energy use of at least 30 percent as compared to the baseline energy use in such buildings prior to renovation, assuming a 3-year, weather-normalized average for calculating such baseline.
(b) Administration
State energy offices receiving grants under this section shall—
(1) maintain such records and evidence of compliance as the Secretary may require; and
(2) develop and distribute information and materials and conduct programs to provide technical services and assistance to encourage planning, financing, and design of energy efficient public buildings by units of local government.
(c) Authorization of appropriations
For the purposes of this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010. Not more than 10 percent of appropriated funds shall be used for administration.
(
§15823. Low income community energy efficiency pilot program
(a) Grants
The Secretary is authorized to make grants to units of local government, private, non-profit community development organizations, and Indian tribe economic development entities to improve energy efficiency; identify and develop alternative, renewable, and distributed energy supplies; and increase energy conservation in low income rural and urban communities.
(b) Purpose of grants
The Secretary may make grants on a competitive basis for—
(1) investments that develop alternative, renewable, and distributed energy supplies;
(2) energy efficiency projects and energy conservation programs;
(3) studies and other activities that improve energy efficiency in low income rural and urban communities;
(4) planning and development assistance for increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and facilities; and
(5) technical and financial assistance to local government and private entities on developing new renewable and distributed sources of power or combined heat and power generation.
(c) Definition
For purposes of this section, the term "Indian tribe" means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaskan Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (
(d) Authorization of appropriations
For the purposes of this section there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2008.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is
§15824. State Technologies Advancement Collaborative
(a) In general
The Secretary, in cooperation with the States, shall establish a cooperative program for research, development, demonstration, and deployment of technologies in which there is a common Federal and State energy efficiency, renewable energy, and fossil energy interest, to be known as the "State Technologies Advancement Collaborative" (referred to in this section as the "Collaborative").
(b) Duties
The Collaborative shall—
(1) leverage Federal and State funding through cost-shared activity;
(2) reduce redundancies in Federal and State funding; and
(3) create multistate projects to be awarded through a competitive process.
(c) Administration
The Collaborative shall be administered through an agreement between the Department and appropriate State-based organizations.
(d) Funding sources
Funding for the Collaborative may be provided from—
(1) amounts specifically appropriated for the Collaborative; or
(2) amounts that may be allocated from other appropriations without changing the purpose for which the amounts are appropriated.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to carry out this section such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
(
Part C—Energy Efficient Products
§15831. Public energy education program
(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall convene an organizational conference for the purpose of establishing an ongoing, self-sustaining national public energy education program.
(b) Participants
The Secretary shall invite to participate in the conference individuals and entities representing all aspects of energy production and distribution, including—
(1) industrial firms;
(2) professional societies;
(3) educational organizations;
(4) trade associations; and
(5) governmental agencies.
(c) Purpose, scope, and structure
(1) Purpose
The purpose of the conference shall be to establish an ongoing, self-sustaining national public energy education program to examine and recognize interrelationships between energy sources in all forms, including—
(A) conservation and energy efficiency;
(B) the role of energy use in the economy; and
(C) the impact of energy use on the environment.
(2) Scope and structure
Taking into consideration the purpose described in paragraph (1), the participants in the conference invited under subsection (b) shall design the scope and structure of the program described in subsection (a).
(d) Technical assistance
The Secretary shall provide technical assistance and other guidance necessary to carry out the program described in subsection (a).
(e) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
(
§15832. Energy efficiency public information initiative
(a) In general
The Secretary shall carry out a comprehensive national program, including advertising and media awareness, to inform consumers about—
(1) the need to reduce energy consumption during the 4-year period beginning on August 8, 2005;
(2) the benefits to consumers of reducing consumption of electricity, natural gas, and petroleum, particularly during peak use periods;
(3) the importance of low energy costs to economic growth and preserving manufacturing jobs in the United States; and
(4) practical, cost-effective measures that consumers can take to reduce consumption of electricity, natural gas, and gasoline, including—
(A) maintaining and repairing heating and cooling ducts and equipment;
(B) weatherizing homes and buildings;
(C) purchasing energy efficient products; and
(D) proper tire maintenance.
(b) Cooperation
The program carried out under subsection (a) shall—
(1) include collaborative efforts with State and local government officials and the private sector; and
(2) incorporate, to the maximum extent practicable, successful State and local public education programs.
(c) Report
Not later than July 1, 2009, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the effectiveness of the program under this section.
(d) Termination of authority
The program carried out under this section shall terminate on December 31, 2010.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $90,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
(
§15833. Energy efficiency pilot program
(a) In general
The Secretary shall establish a pilot program under which the Secretary provides financial assistance to at least 3, but not more than 7, States to carry out pilot projects in the States for—
(1) planning and adopting statewide programs that encourage, for each year in which the pilot project is carried out—
(A) energy efficiency; and
(B) reduction of consumption of electricity or natural gas in the State by at least 0.75 percent, as compared to a baseline determined by the Secretary for the period preceding the implementation of the program; or
(2) for any State that has adopted a statewide program as of August 8, 2005, activities that reduce energy consumption in the State by expanding and improving the program.
(b) Verification
A State that receives financial assistance under subsection (a)(1) shall submit to the Secretary independent verification of any energy savings achieved through the statewide program.
(c) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010, to remain available until expended.
(
§15834. Report on failure to comply with deadlines for new or revised energy conservation standards
(a) Initial report
The Secretary shall submit a report to Congress regarding each new or revised energy conservation or water use standard which the Secretary has failed to issue in conformance with the deadlines established in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act [
(b) Implementation report
Every 6 months following the submission of a report under subsection (a) until the adoption of a new or revised standard described in such report, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress an implementation report describing the Secretary's progress in implementing the Secretary's plan or the issuance of the new or revised standard.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is
Part D—Public Housing
§15841. Energy-efficient appliances
In purchasing appliances, a public housing agency shall purchase energy-efficient appliances that are Energy Star products or FEMP-designated products, as such terms are defined in
(
§15842. Energy strategy for HUD
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall develop and implement an integrated strategy to reduce utility expenses through cost-effective energy conservation and efficiency measures and energy efficient design and construction of public and assisted housing. The energy strategy shall include the development of energy reduction goals and incentives for public housing agencies. The Secretary shall submit a report to Congress, not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, on the energy strategy and the actions taken by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to monitor the energy usage of public housing agencies and shall submit an update every 2 years thereafter on progress in implementing the strategy.
(