,,ii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #abac ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #bj1 #bjac ,mr4 ,coons 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,collins1 and ,mr4 ,reed7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to reauthorize the weatherization and ,state energy programs1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,weatherization ,enhancement1 and ,local ,energy ,efficiency ,investment and ,accountability ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,findings4 ,,title ,i--,weatherization ,assistance ,program ,sec4 #aja4 ,reauthorization of weatherization assistance program4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,grants for new1 self-sustaining low-income1 single-family and multifamily housing energy retrofit model programs to eligible multistate housing and energy nonprofit organizations4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,standards program4 ,,title ,,ii--,state ,energy ,programs ,sec4 #bja4 ,reauthorization of ,state energy programs4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 the ,state energy program established under part ,d of title ,,iii of the ,energy ,policy and ,conservation ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fcba et seq47 7referred to in this section as ,,sep7 and the ,weatherization ,assistance ,program for ,low-,income ,persons established under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fhfa et seq47 7referred to in this section as ,,wap7 have proven to be beneficial1 long-term partnerships among ,federal1 ,state1 and local partners2 7#b7 the ,,sep and the ,,wap have been reauthorized on a bipartisan basis over many years to address changing national1 regional1 and ,state circumstances and needs1 especially through-- 7,a7 the ,energy ,policy and ,conservation ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fbja et seq472 7,b7 the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fhja et seq472 7,c7 the ,state ,energy ,efficiency ,programs ,improvement ,act of #aiij 7,public ,law #aja-ddj2 #ajd ,stat4 #ajjf72 7,d7 the ,energy ,policy ,act of #aiib 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acbja et seq472 7,e7 the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aehja et seq472 and 7,f7 the ,energy ,independence and ,security ,act of #bjjg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agjja et seq472 7#c7 the ,,sep1 also known as the ,state energy conservation program-- 7,a7 was first created in #aige to implement a ,state-based1 national program in support of energy efficiency1 renewable energy1 economic development1 energy emergency preparedness1 and energy policy2 and 7,b7 has come to operate in every sector of the economy in support of the private sector to improve productivity and has dramatically reduced the cost of government through energy savings at the ,state and local levels2 7#d7 ,federal laboratory studies have concluded that1 for every ,federal dollar invested through the ,,sep1 more than #g is saved in energy costs and almost #aa in non-,federal funds is leveraged2 7#e7 the ,,wap-- 7,a7 was first created in #aigf to assist low-income families in response to the first oil embargo2 7,b7 has become the largest residential energy conservation program in the ,united ,states1 with more than #g1ajj1jjj homes weatherized since the ,,wap was created2 7,c7 saves an estimated #ce percent of consumption in the typical weatherized home1 yielding average annual savings of #dcg per year in home energy costs2 7,d7 has created thousands of jobs in both the construction sector and in the supply chain of materials suppliers1 vendors1 and manufacturers who supply the ,,wap2 7,e7 returns #b4ea in energy savings for every ,federal dollar spent in energy and nonenergy benefits over the life of weatherized homes2 7,f7 serves as a foundation for residential energy efficiency retrofit standards1 technical skills1 and workforce training for the emerging broader market and reduces residential and power plant emissions of carbon dioxide by #b4fe metric tons each year per home2 and 7,g7 has decreased national energy consumption by the equivalent of #bd1ajj1jjj barrels of oil annually2 7#f7 the ,,wap can be enhanced with the addition of a targeted portion of ,federal funds through an innovative program that supports projects performed by qualified nonprofit organizations that have a demonstrated capacity to build1 renovate1 repair1 or improve the energy efficiency of a significant number of low-income homes2 7#g7 the ,,wap has increased energy efficiency opportunities by promoting new1 competitive public-private sector models of retrofitting low-income homes through new ,federal partnerships2 7#h7 improved monitoring and reporting of the work product of the ,,wap has yielded benefits1 and expanding independent verification of efficiency work will support the long-term goals of the ,,wap2 7#i7 reports of the ,government ,accountability ,office in #bjaa1 ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,energy1 and ,state auditors have identified ,state-level deficiencies in monitoring efforts that can be addressed in a manner that will ensure that ,,wap funds are used more effectively2 7#aj7 through the history of the ,,wap1 the ,,wap has evolved with improvements in efficiency technology1 including1 in the #aiijs1 many ,states adopting advanced home energy audits1 which has led to great returns on investment2 and 7#aa7 as the home energy efficiency industry has become more performance-based1 the ,,wap should continue to use those advances in technology and the professional workforce4 ,i ,weatherization assistance program #aja4 ,reauthorization of weatherization assistance program ,section #dbb of the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fhgb7 is amended by striking appropriated-- and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting appropriated #dej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjad through #bjah44 #ajb4 ,grants for new1 self-sustaining low-income1 single-family and multifamily housing energy retrofit model programs to eligible housing and nonprofit organizations ,the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act is amended by inserting after section #dad;,b 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fhfd;b7 the following3 #dad;,c4 ,grants for new1 self-sustaining low-income1 single-family and multifamily housing energy retrofit model programs to eligible housing and nonprofit organizations 7a7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this section are-- 7#a7 to expand the number of low-income1 single-family and multifamily homes that receive energy efficiency retrofits2 7#b7 to promote innovation and new models of retrofitting low-income homes through new ,federal partnerships with covered organizations that leverage substantial donations1 donated materials1 volunteer labor1 homeowner labor equity1 and other private sector resources2 7#c7 to assist the covered organizations in demonstrating1 evaluating1 improving1 and replicating widely the model low-income energy retrofit programs of the covered organizations2 and 7#d7 to ensure that the covered organizations make the energy retrofit programs of the covered organizations self-sustaining by the time grant funds have been expended4 7b7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,covered organization ,the term covered organization means an organization that-- 7,a7 is described in section #eja7;c77#c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf and exempt from taxation under #eja7;a7 of that ,code2 and 7,b7 has an established record of constructing1 renovating1 repairing1 or making energy efficient an aggregate quantity of not less than #bej owner-occupied1 single-family or multifamily homes for low-income households1 either directly or through affiliates1 chapters1 or other direct partners 7using the most recent year for which data are available74 7#b7 ,low-income ,the term low-income means an income level that is not more than #bjj percent of the poverty level 7as determined in accordance with criteria established by the ,director of the ,office of ,management and ,budget7 applicable to a family of the size involved1 except that the ,secretary may establish a higher or lower level if the ,secretary determines that a higher or lower level is necessary to carry out this section4 7#c7 ,weatherization ,assistance ,program for ,low-,income ,persons ,the term ,weatherization ,assistance ,program for ,low-,income ,persons means the program established under this part 7including part #ddj of title #aj1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations74 7c7 ,competitive grant program ,the ,secretary shall make grants to covered organizations through a national competitive process for use in accordance with this section4 7d7 ,award factors ,in making grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall consider-- 7#a7 the number of low-income homes the applicant-- 7,a7 has built1 renovated1 repaired1 or made more energy efficient as of the date of the application2 and 7,b7 can reasonably be projected to build1 renovate1 repair1 or make energy efficient during the grant period beginning on the date of the application2 7#b7 the qualifications1 experience1 and past performance of the applicant1 including experience successfully managing and administering ,federal funds2 7#c7 the number and diversity of ,states and climates in which the applicant works as of the date of the application2 7#d7 the amount of non-,federal funds1 donated or discounted materials1 discounted or volunteer skilled labor1 volunteer unskilled labor1 homeowner labor equity1 and other resources the applicant will provide2 7#e7 the extent to which the applicant could successfully replicate the energy retrofit program of the applicant and sustain the program after the grant funds have been expended2 7#f7 regional diversity2 7#g7 urban1 suburban1 and rural localities2 and 7#h7 such other factors as the ,secretary determines to be appropriate4 7e7 ,applications 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall request proposals from covered organizations4 7#b7 ,administration ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 an applicant shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7#c7 ,awards ,not later than #ij days after the date of issuance of a request for proposals1 the ,secretary shall award grants under this section4 7f7 ,eligible uses of grant funds ,a grant under this section may be used for-- 7#a7 energy efficiency audits1 cost-effective retrofit1 and related activities in different climatic regions of the ,united ,states2 7#b7 energy efficiency materials and supplies2 7#c7 organizational capacity-- 7,a7 to significantly increase the number of energy retrofits2 7,b7 to replicate an energy retrofit program within a ,state or in other ,states2 and 7,c7 to ensure that the program is self-sustaining after the ,federal grant funds are expended2 7#d7 energy efficiency1 audit and retrofit training1 and ongoing technical assistance2 7#e7 information to homeowners on proper maintenance and energy savings behaviors2 7#f7 quality control and improvement2 7#g7 data collection1 measurement1 and verification2 7#h7 program monitoring1 oversight1 evaluation1 and reporting2 7#i7 management and administration 7up to a maximum of #aj percent of the total grant72 7#aj7 labor and training activities2 and 7#aa7 such other activities as the ,secretary determines to be appropriate4 7g7 ,maximum amount ,the amount of a grant provided under this section shall not exceed #e1jjj1jjj4 7h7 ,guidelines 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall issue guidelines to implement the grant program established under this section4 7#b7 ,administration ,the guidelines-- 7,a7 shall not apply to the ,weatherization ,assistance ,program for ,low-,income ,persons1 in whole or major part2 but 7,b7 may rely on applicable provisions of law governing the ,weatherization ,assistance ,program for ,low-,income ,persons to establish-- 7i7 standards for allowable expenditures2 7ii7 a minimum savings-to-investment ratio2 7iii7 standards-- 7,i7 to carry out training programs2 7,,ii7 to conduct energy audits and program activities2 7,,iii7 to provide technical assistance2 7,,iv7 to monitor program activities2 and 7,v7 to verify energy and cost savings2 7iv7 liability insurance requirements2 and 7v7 recordkeeping requirements1 which shall include reporting to the ,office of ,weatherization and ,intergovernmental ,programs of the ,department of ,energy applicable data on each home retrofitted4 7i7 ,review and evaluation ,the ,secretary shall review and evaluate the performance of any covered organization that receives a grant under this section 7which may include an audit71 as determined by the ,secretary4 7j7 ,compliance with ,state and local law ,nothing in this section or any program carried out using a grant provided under this section supersedes or otherwise affects any ,state or local law1 to the extent that the ,state or local law contains a requirement that is more stringent than the applicable requirement of this section4 7k7 ,annual reports ,the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress annual reports that provide-- 7#a7 findings2 7#b7 a description of energy and cost savings achieved and actions taken under this section2 and 7#c7 any recommendations for further action4 7l7 ,funding ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #de1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjad through #bjah4 4 #ajc4 ,standards program ,section #dae of the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fhfe7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7f7 ,standards program 7#a7 ,contractor qualification ,effective beginning ,january #a1 #bjae1 to be eligible to carry out weatherization using funds made available under this part1 a contractor shall be selected through a competitive bidding process and be-- 7,a7 accredited by the ,building ,performance ,institute2 7,b7 an ,energy ,smart ,home ,performance ,team accredited under the ,residential ,energy ,services ,network2 or 7,c7 accredited by an equivalent accreditation or program accreditation-based ,state certification program approved by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,grants for energy retrofit model programs 7,a7 ,in general ,to be eligible to receive a grant under section #dad;,c1 a covered organization 7as defined in section #dad;,c7b77 shall use a crew chief who-- 7i7 is certified or accredited in accordance with paragraph 7#a72 and 7ii7 supervises the work performed with grant funds4 7,b7 ,volunteer labor ,a volunteer who performs work for a covered organization that receives a grant under section #dad;,c shall not be required to be certified under this subsection if the volunteer is not directly installing or repairing mechanical equipment or other items that require skilled labor4 7,c7 ,training ,the ,secretary shall use training and technical assistance funds available to the ,secretary to assist covered organizations under section #dad;,c in providing training to obtain certification required under this subsection1 including provisional or temporary certification4 7#c7 ,minimum efficiency standards ,effective beginning ,october #a1 #bjae1 the ,secretary shall ensure that-- 7,a7 each retrofit for which weatherization assistance is provided under this part meets minimum efficiency and quality of work standards established by the ,secretary after weatherization of a dwelling unit2 7,b7 at least #aj percent of the dwelling units are randomly inspected by a third party accredited under this subsection to ensure compliance with the minimum efficiency and quality of work standards established under subparagraph 7,a72 and 7,c7 the standards established under this subsection meet or exceed the industry standards for home performance work that are in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 ,,ii ,state energy programs #bja4 ,reauthorization of ,state energy programs ,section #cfe7;f7 of the ,energy ,policy and ,conservation ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fcbe7;f77 is amended by striking #abe1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjjg through #bjab and inserting #ge1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjad through #bjah4