S. 717 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 717 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 11, 2013 Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Hoeven) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations for the purpose of retrofitting nonprofit buildings with energy-efficiency improvements. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act. 2. Energy efficiency retrofit pilot program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Applicant The term applicant means a nonprofit organization that applies for a grant under this section. (2) Energy-efficiency improvement (A) In general The term energy-efficiency improvement means an installed measure (including a product, equipment, system, service, or practice) that results in a reduction in demand by a nonprofit organization for energy or fuel supplied from outside the nonprofit building. (B) Inclusions The term energy-efficiency improvement includes an installed measure described in subparagraph (A) involving— (i) repairing, replacing, or installing— (I) a roof, electrical wiring, plumbing, sewage, or lighting system, or component of a roof, electrical wiring, or system; (II) a window; (III) a door, including a security door; or (IV) a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system or component of the system (including insulation); (ii) a renewable energy generation or heating system, including a solar, photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, or biomass (including wood pellet) system or component of the system; and (iii) any other measure taken to modernize, renovate, or repair a nonprofit building to make the nonprofit building more energy efficient. (3) Nonprofit building (A) In general The term nonprofit building means a building operated and owned by a nonprofit organization. (B) Inclusions The term nonprofit building includes a building described in subparagraph (A) that is— (i) a hospital; (ii) a youth center; (iii) a school; (iv) a social-welfare program facility; (v) a house of worship; and (vi) any other nonresidential and noncommercial structure. (4) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy. (b) Establishment Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to award grants for the purpose of retrofitting nonprofit buildings with energy-efficiency improvements. (c) Grants (1) In general The Secretary may award grants under the program established under subsection (b). (2) Application The Secretary may award a grant under this section if an applicant submits to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may prescribe. (3) Criteria for grant In determining whether to award a grant under this section, the Secretary shall apply performance-based criteria, which shall give priority to applications based on— (A) the cost-effectiveness of the energy-efficiency improvement; and (B) an effective plan for evaluation, measurement, and verification of energy savings. (4) Limitation on Individual Grant Amount Each grant awarded under this section shall not exceed— (A) an amount equal to 50 percent of the energy-efficiency improvement; and (B) $200,000. (5) Cost Sharing (A) In general A grant awarded under this section shall be subject to a minimum non-Federal cost-sharing requirement of 50 percent. (B) In-kind contributions The non-Federal share may be provided in the form of in-kind contributions of materials or services. (d) Authorization of Appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2017, to remain available until expended. 3. Offset The Secretary of Energy shall use to carry out the pilot program established under section 2 amounts otherwise made available to carry out the Building Technologies Program.