,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bedh ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #bg1 #bjac ,mr4 ,royce 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,engel1 ,mr4 ,smith of ,new ,jersey1 and ,ms4 ,bass7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,financial ,services1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to establish a comprehensive ,united ,states ,government policy to assist countries in sub-,saharan ,africa to develop an appropriate mix of power solutions for more broadly distributed electricity access in order to support poverty alleviation and drive economic growth1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,electrify ,africa ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,purpose ,the purpose of this ,act is to improve access to affordable1 reliable electricity in ,africa in order to unlock the potential for economic growth1 job creation1 food security1 improved health and education outcomes1 and sustainable poverty reduction4 #c4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 #ehi1jjj1jjj people in sub-,saharan ,africa1 or #fh percent of the population1 do not have access to electricity1 as of #bjaj2 7#b7 electricity services are highly unreliable and remain at least twice as expensive compared to other emerging regions for the majority of people with access to electricity in sub-,saharan ,africa2 7#c7 lack of access to electricity services disproportionally affects women--who often shoulder the burden of seeking sources of heat and light such as dung1 wood or charcoal and are often more exposed to the associated negative health impacts4 ,women and girls also face increase risks of assault from walking long distances to gather fuel sources2 7#d7 people without access to electricity are often trapped in subsistence lifestyles and are unable to work their way out of poverty2 7#e7 a lack of electricity contributes to the high use of inefficient and often highly polluting fuel sources for indoor cooking1 heating1 and lighting that produce toxic fumes resulting in more than #c1jjj1jjj annual premature deaths from respiratory disease1 more annual deaths than from ,,hiv_/,,aids and malaria in sub-,saharan ,africa2 7#f7 electricity access is crucial for the storage of vaccines and anti-retroviral and other lifesaving medical drugs1 as well as the operation of modern lifesaving medical equipment2 7#g7 electricity access can be used to improve food security by enabling post-harvest processing1 pumping1 irrigation1 dry grain storage1 milling1 refrigeration1 and other uses2 7#h7 electricity access can provide improved lighting options1 internet access1 mobile phone charging1 and other new information and communication technologies that can greatly improve health and education outcomes as well as commercial possibilities2 7#i7 ,africa's consumer base of #a1jjj1jjj1jjj people is rapidly growing and will create increasing demand for ,united ,states goods1 services1 and technologies1 but the current ,african electricity deficit limits this growth in demand by restricting economic growth on the continent2 7#aj7 approximately #cj ,african countries face endemic power shortages1 and nearly #gj percent of surveyed ,african businesses cite unreliable power as a major constraint to growth2 7#aa7 the ,millennium ,challenge ,corporation's work in the energy sector shows high projected economic rates of returns that translate to sustainable economic growth and that the highest returns are projected when infrastructure improvements are coupled with significant legislative and regulatory and institutional policy reforms2 7#ab7 in some countries1 regulatory bottlenecks and legal constraints stifle the ability of private investment to assist in the generation and distribution of electricity2 and 7#ac7 without new policies and more effective investments in electricity sector enterprises to increase and expand electricity access in sub-,saharan ,africa1 over #gj percent of the rural population1 and #dh percent of the total population1 will remain without access to electricity by #bjcj4 #d4 ,statement of policy ,congress declares that it is the policy of the ,united ,states1 in consultation with sub-,saharan ,african governments1 to-- 7#a7 encourage the installation of at least an additional #bj1jjj megawatts of electrical power in sub-,saharan ,africa by #bjbj2 7#b7 promote first-time access to electricity for at least #ej1jjj1jjj people in sub-,saharan ,africa by #bjbj in both urban and rural areas2 and 7#c7 promote efficient institutional platforms to provide electrical service to rural and underserved areas4 #e4 ,development of a comprehensive1 multiyear strategy 7a7 ,strategy ,the ,president shall establish a comprehensive1 integrated1 multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-,saharan ,africa to develop an appropriate mix of power solutions1 including renewable energy1 to provide sufficient electricity access to people living in rural and urban areas in order to alleviate poverty and drive economic growth4 ,such strategy shall maintain sufficient flexibility and remain responsive to technological innovation in the power sector4 7b7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report setting forth the strategy described in subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,report contents ,the report required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include a discussion of the elements described in paragraph 7#c71 and should include a discussion of any additional elements relevant to the strategy described in subsection 7a74 7#c7 ,report elements ,the elements referred to in paragraph 7#b7 are the following3 7,a7 ,the general and specific objectives of the strategy described in subsection 7a71 the criteria for determining success of the strategy1 and a description of the manner in which the strategy will increase production and improve access to electricity4 7,b7 ,development of plans and regulations at the national1 regional1 and local level to increase power production1 strengthen electrical transmission and distribution infrastructure1 and improve access to electricity4 7,c7 ,administration plans to increase access to electricity1 including a description of how the strategy will address commercial and residential needs1 as well as urban and rural access4 7,d7 ,administration strategy to reduce waste and improve existing power generation through the use of a broad power mix and use of a distributed generation model4 7,e7 ,administration policy on engaging and leveraging private sector resources and public sector financing4 7,f7 ,a description of the strategy for the transfer of relevant technology and skills to local participation in the long-term maintenance and management of such investments to ensure power sector investments are sustainable1 including the details of the programs to be undertaken to maximize ,united ,states contributions in the areas of technical assistance and training4 7,g7 ,an identification of the relevant executive branch agencies that will be involved in carrying out the strategy1 the level and distribution of resources that will be dedicated on an annual basis among the such agencies1 the assignment of priorities to such agencies1 a description of the role of each agency1 and the types of programs that each agency will be undertaking4 7,h7 ,a description of the mechanisms that will be utilized to coordinate the efforts of the relevant executive branch agencies in carrying out the strategy to avoid duplication of efforts1 enhance coordination1 and ensure that each agency undertakes programs primarily in those areas where each such agency has the greatest expertise1 technical capabilities1 and potential for success4 7,i7 ,a description of the mechanisms to be established for monitoring and evaluating increased electricity access development1 for learning and transmitting best practices among relevant executive branch agencies as well as among participating countries1 and for terminating unsuccessful programs4 7,j7 ,a description of the engagement plan for working with local communities benefitting from the projects and affected by the projects as well as the environment and social impacts of the projects4 7,k7 ,a description of the mechanisms that will be utilized to ensure greater coordination between the ,united ,states and foreign governments1 international organizations1 ,african regional economic communities1 international financial institutions1 and private sector organizations4 7,l7 ,a description of how ,united ,states leadership will be used to enhance the overall international response to prioritizing electricity access for sub-,saharan ,africa and to strengthen coordination among relevant international forums such as the ,g#h and ,g#bj4 7,m7 ,an outline of how the ,administration intends to partner with foreign governments1 the ,world ,bank ,group1 the ,african ,development ,bank ,group1 and the public sector to assist sub-,saharan ,african countries to conduct project feasibility studies and facilitate project development4 7,n7 ,a description of how the ,administration intends to help facilitate transnational and regional power and electrification projects where appropriate4 #f4 ,,usaid 7a7 ,loan guarantees ,it is the sense of ,congress that in pursuing the policy goals described in section #d1 the ,administrator of ,,usaid should identify and prioritize-- 7#a7 where loan guarantees to local ,african financial institutions would facilitate the involvement of such financial institutions in power projects in ,africa2 and 7#b7 where partnerships and grants for research1 development1 and deployment of technology would increase access to electricity in ,africa4 7b7 ,grants ,it is the sense of ,congress that the ,administrator of ,,usaid1 acting through ,,usaid's ,bureau for ,africa and ,economic ,growth1 ,education and ,environment1 should consider providing grants to-- 7#a7 develop national1 regional1 and local energy and electricity policy plans2 7#b7 expand distribution of electricity access to the poorest2 and 7#c7 build a country's capacity to monitor and regulate the energy and electricity sector4 7c7 ,,usaid defined ,in this section1 the term ,,usaid means the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development4 #g4 ,department of the ,treasury ,in pursuing the policy goals described in section #d1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury should direct the ,united ,states ,executive ,director at each institution in the ,world ,bank ,group and the ,african ,development ,bank to use the voice1 vote1 and influence of the ,united ,states to encourage each such entity to-- 7#a7 commit to significantly increase power sector and electrification investments in sub-,saharan ,africa2 7#b7 consider energy needs of individuals where access to an electricity grid is impractical or cost-prohibitive2 7#c7 enhance coordination with the private sector in sub-,saharan ,africa to increase access to electricity2 7#d7 provide technical assistance to the regulatory authorities of sub-,saharan ,african governments to remove unnecessary barriers to investment in commercially viable projects1 reduce transmission and distribution losses1 encourage end-use efficiency1 strengthen local markets1 and unlock domestic investment in the power sector2 and 7#e7 utilize clear1 accountable1 and metric-based targets to measure the effectiveness of such projects4 #h4 ,overseas ,private ,investment ,corporation 7a7 ,in general ,the ,overseas ,private ,investment ,corporation should-- 7#a7 in carrying out its programs and pursuing the policy goals described in section #d1 place a priority on supporting investment in the electricity sector of sub-,saharan ,africa and implement procedures for expedited review of and1 where appropriate1 approval of1 applications by eligible investors for loans1 loan guarantees1 and insurance for such investments2 7#b7 to the extent permitted by its authorities1 policies1 and programs1 support investments in projects that will-- 7,a7 maximize the number of people with new access to electricity to support economic development2 7,b7 improve the transmission and distribution of electricity2 7,c7 provide reliable and low-cost electricity to people living in rural and urban communities2 7,d7 consider energy needs of individuals where access to an electricity grid is impractical or cost-prohibitive2 and 7,e7 reduce transmission and distribution losses and improve end-use efficiency2 7#c7 encourage small- and medium-sized enterprises and cooperative service providers to participate in investment activities in sub-,saharan ,africa2 and 7#d7 publish measurable development impacts of its investments4 7b7 ,amendments ,title ,,iv of chapter #b of part ,i of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa is amended-- 7#a7 in section #bcc 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baic7-- 7,a7 in subsection 7b71 by inserting after the sixth sentence the following new sentence3 ,of the eight such ,directors1 not more than six should be of the same political party42 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7e7 ,investment advisory council ,the ,board shall take prompt measures to increase the loan1 guarantee1 and insurance programs1 and financial commitments1 of the ,corporation in sub-,saharan ,africa1 including through the use of an investment advisory council to assist the ,board in developing and implementing policies1 programs1 and financial instruments with respect to sub-,saharan ,africa4 ,in addition1 the investment advisory council shall make recommendations to the ,board on how the ,corporation can facilitate greater support by the ,united ,states for trade and investment with and in sub-,saharan ,africa4 ,the investment advisory council shall terminate on ,december #ca1 #bjag4 2 7#b7 in section #bcd7;c7 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baid7;c771 by inserting eligible investors or after involve2 7#c7 in section #bce7;a77#b7 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baie71 by striking #bjjg and inserting #bjaf2 and 7#d7 in section #bci7;e7 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baii7;e77 to read as follows3 7e7 ,inspector general ,the ,board shall appoint and maintain an ,inspector ,general in the ,corporation1 in accordance with the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app474 4 7c7 ,policy ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,board of ,directors and ,president of the ,overseas ,private ,investment ,corporation are hereby directed to issue policy guidance that permits significant investment in the electricity sector of the poorest and lowest pollution-emitting countries in a development-driven and environmentally sensitive manner4 #i4 ,trade and ,development ,agency 7a7 ,in general ,the ,director of the ,trade and ,development ,agency should-- 7#a7 promote ,united ,states private sector participation in energy sector development projects in sub-,saharan ,africa through project preparation activities1 including feasibility studies1 technical assistance1 pilot projects1 reverse trade missions1 conferences and workshops2 and 7#b7 seek opportunities to fund project preparation activities that involve increased access to electricity1 including power generation and trade capacity building4 7b7 ,focus ,in pursuing the policy goals described in section #d1 project preparation activities described in subsection 7a7 should focus on power generation using clean energy sources1 improving the efficiency of transmission and distribution grids1 including on-grid1 off-grid and mini-grid solutions1 and promoting energy efficiency and demand-side management4 #aj4 ,progress report ,not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall transmit to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate a report on progress made toward achieving the policy goals described in section #d1 including the following3 7#a7 ,the number and type of policy and legislative changes implemented in partner countries to support increased electricity generation and access since ,united ,states engagement4 7#b7 ,a list of power sector and electrification projects ,united ,states ,government instruments are supporting to achieve the policy goals described in section #d1 and for each such project-- 7,a7 a description of how each such project fits into the national power plans of the partner country2 7,b7 the total cost of each such project and predicted ,united ,states ,government contributions to such projects broken down by ,united ,states ,government funding source1 including from the ,overseas ,private ,investment ,corporation1 the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 the ,department of the ,treasury1 and other appropriate ,united ,states ,government departments and agencies2 7,c7 the amount of actual ,united ,states ,government financing provided to such projects1 broken down by ,united ,states ,government funding source1 including from the ,overseas ,private ,investment ,corporation1 the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 the ,department of the ,treasury1 and other appropriate ,united ,states ,government departments and agencies2 7,d7 the predicted electrical power capacity in megawatts of each project upon completion2 7,e7 expected environmental and social impacts from each project2 7,f7 the number of individuals1 businesses1 schools1 and health facilities that have gained electricity connections as a result of each project at the time of such report2 7,g7 the predicted number of individuals gaining electricity connections as a result of each project upon completion2 and 7,h7 the current operating electrical power capacity in megawatts of each project4