,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #dddg ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,september #bj1 #bjai,mr4 ,o',halleran 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,mullin1 ,mr4 ,lamb1 and ,mr4 ,norman7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology1 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 an energy storage and microgrid grant and technical assistance program4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,expanding ,access to ,sustainable ,energy ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,definitions 7a7 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a rural electric cooperative2 or 7,b7 a nonprofit organization working with at least #f or more rural electric cooperatives4 7#b7 ,energy storage ,the term energy storage means the use of a system1 equipment1 facility1 or technology that-- 7,a7 is capable of absorbing energy1 storing that energy for a period of time1 and dispatching the stored energy2 and 7,b7 7i7 uses a mechanical1 electrochemical1 or thermal process to store energy that-- 7,i7 was generated at an earlier time for use at a later time2 or 7,,ii7 was generated from a mechanical process1 and would otherwise be wasted1 for delivery at a later time2 or 7ii7 stores thermal energy for direct use for heating or cooling at a later time in a manner that avoids the need to use electricity at that later time1 including the storage and use offered by a grid-enabled water heater4 7#c7 ,island ,the term island1 with respect to a distributed generator or energy storage equipment1 means that the generator or equipment continues to power a location in the absence of electric power from a primary source4 7#d7 ,microgrid ,the term microgrid means an interconnected system of loads and distributed energy resources1 including generators and energy storage devices1 within clearly defined electrical boundaries that-- 7,a7 acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid2 and 7,b7 can connect and disconnect from the grid to operate in both grid-connected mode and island mode4 7#e7 ,renewable energy source ,the term renewable energy source has the meaning given the term in section #fji7;a7 of the ,public ,utility ,regulatory ,policies ,act of #aigh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #iah;c7a774 7#f7 ,rural electric cooperative ,the term rural electric cooperative means an electric cooperative 7as defined in section #c of the ,federal ,power ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gif77 that sells electric energy to persons in rural areas4 7#g7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 #c4 ,energy storage and microgrid assistance program 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish a program under which the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 provide grants to eligible entities under subsection 7c72 7#b7 provide technical assistance to eligible entities under subsection 7d72 and 7#c7 disseminate information to eligible entities on-- 7,a7 the activities described in subsections 7c77#a7 and 7d72 and 7,b7 potential and existing energy storage and microgrid projects4 7b7 ,cooperative agreement ,the ,secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity to carry out subsection 7a74 7c7 ,grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for identifying1 evaluating1 designing1 and demonstrating energy storage and microgrid projects that utilize energy from renewable energy sources4 7#b7 ,application ,to be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph 7#a71 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7#c7 ,use of grant ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 shall use the grant-- 7i7 to conduct feasibility studies to assess the potential for implementation or improvement of energy storage or microgrid projects2 7ii7 to analyze and implement strategies to overcome barriers to energy storage or microgrid project implementation1 including financial1 contracting1 siting1 and permitting barriers2 7iii7 to conduct detailed engineering of energy storage or microgrid projects2 7iv7 to perform a cost-benefit analysis with respect to an energy storage or microgrid project2 7v7 to plan for both the short- and long-term inclusion of energy storage or microgrid projects into the future development plans of the eligible entity2 or 7vi7 to purchase and install necessary equipment1 materials1 and supplies for demonstration of emerging technologies2 and 7,b7 may use the grant to obtain technical assistance from experts in carrying out the activities described in this ,act4 7#d7 ,condition ,as a condition of receiving a grant under paragraph 7#a71 an eligible entity shall-- 7,a7 implement a public awareness campaign about the project implemented under the grant in the community in which the eligible entity is located2 7,b7 submit to the ,secretary1 and make available to the public1 a report that describes-- 7i7 any energy cost savings and environmental benefits achieved under the project2 and 7ii7 the results of the project1 including quantitative assessments to the extent practicable1 associated with each activity described in paragraph 7#c77;,a72 and 7,c7 create and disseminate useful or innovative tools and resources that will benefit other rural electric cooperatives1 which may include cost calculators1 guidebooks1 handbooks1 templates and training courses4 7#e7 ,cost-share ,activities under this subsection shall be subject to the cost-sharing requirements of section #ihh of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afceb74 7d7 ,technical assistance 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall carry out subsection 7a77#b7 by providing eligible entities with technical assistance relating to-- 7,a7 identifying opportunities for energy storage and microgrid projects2 7,b7 understanding the technical and economic characteristics of energy storage or microgrid projects2 7,c7 understanding financing alternatives2 7,d7 permitting and siting issues2 7,e7 obtaining case studies of similar and successful energy storage or microgrid projects2 7,f7 reviewing and obtaining computer software for assessment1 design1 and operation and maintenance of energy storage or microgrid systems2 and 7,g7 understanding and utilizing the reliability and resiliency benefits of energy storage and microgrid projects4 7#b7 ,external contracts ,in carrying out subsection 7a77#b71 the ,secretary may enter into contracts with third-party experts1 including engineering1 finance1 and insurance experts1 to provide technical assistance to eligible entities relating to the activities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,g7 of paragraph 7#a71 or other relevant activities1 as determined by the ,secretary4 #d4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,in general ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act #e1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbe4 7b7 ,administrative costs ,not more than #e percent of the amount appropriated under subsection 7a7 for each fiscal year shall be used for administrative expenses4