S. 1501 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1501 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 12, 2013 Mr. Merkley introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To establish a Financing Energy Efficient Manufacturing Program in the Department of Energy to provide financial assistance to promote energy efficiency and onsite renewable technologies in manufacturing and industrial facilities. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act. 2. Purpose The purpose of this Act is to encourage widespread deployment of energy efficiency and onsite renewable energy technologies in manufacturing and industrial facilities throughout the United States through the establishment of a Financing Energy Efficient Manufacturing Program that would— (1) encourage the widespread availability of financial products and programs with attractive rates and terms that significantly reduce or eliminate upfront expenses to allow manufacturing and industrial businesses to invest in energy efficiency measures, onsite clean and renewable energy systems, smart grid systems, and alternative vehicle fleets by providing credit support, credit enhancement, secondary markets, and other support to originators of the financial products and sponsors of the financing programs; and (2) help building owners to invest in measures and systems that reduce energy costs, in many cases creating a net cost savings that can be realized in the short-term, and may also allow manufacturing and industrial businesses owners to defer capital expenditures, save money to hire new workers, and increase the value, comfort, and sustainability of the property of the owners. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Covered program The term covered program means a program to finance energy efficiency retrofit, onsite clean and renewable energy, smart grid, and alternative vehicle fleet projects for industrial businesses. (2) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy. (3) State The term State means— (A) a State; (B) the District of Columbia; (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and (D) any other territory or possession of the United States. 4. Financing Energy Efficient Manufacturing Program (a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the Financing Energy Efficient Manufacturing Program, under which the Secretary shall provide grants to States to establish or expand covered programs. (b) Applications (1) In general A State may apply to the Secretary for a grant under subsection (a) to establish or expand covered programs. (2) Evaluation The Secretary shall evaluate applications submitted by States under paragraph (1) on the basis of— (A) the likelihood that the covered program would— (i) be established or expanded; and (ii) increase the total investment and energy savings of retrofit projects to be supported; (B) in the case of industrial business efficiency financing initiatives conducted under subsection (c), evidence of multistate cooperation and coordination with lenders, financiers, and owners; and (C) other factors that would advance the purposes of this Act, as determined by the Secretary. (c) Multistate facilitation The Secretary shall consult with States and relevant stakeholders with applicable expertise to establish a process to identify financing opportunities for manufacturing and industrial business with asset portfolios across multiple States. (d) Administration A State receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall give a higher priority to covered programs that— (1) leverage private and non-Federal sources of funding; and (2) aim explicitly to expand the use of energy efficiency project financing using private sources of funding. (e) Davis-Bacon compliance (1) In general All laborers and mechanics employed on projects funded directly by or assisted in whole or in part by this Act shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on projects of a character similar in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of part A of subtitle II of title 40, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Davis-Bacon Act). (2) Authority With respect to the labor standards specified in this subsection, the Secretary of Labor shall have the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. App.) and section 3145 of title 40, United States Code. (f) Reports (1) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of receipt of a grant under this Act, a State shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that describes the performance of covered programs carried out using the grant funds. (2) Data (A) In general A State receiving a grant under this Act, in cooperation with the Secretary, shall— (i) collect and share data resulting from covered programs carried out under this Act; and (ii) include in the report submitted under paragraph (1) any data collected under clause (i). (B) Department databases The Secretary shall incorporate data described in subparagraph (A) into appropriate databases of the Department of Energy, with provisions for the protection of confidential business data. 5. Authorization of appropriations (a) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $250,000,000, to remain available until expended. (b) State energy offices Funds provided to a State under this Act shall be provided to the office within the State that is responsible for developing the State energy plan for the State under part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321 et seq.).