,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bdfb ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #aa1 #bjai,ms4 ,duckworth 7for herself and ,mr4 ,booker7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to help reduce household energy burdens by expanding access to solar energy for low-income households4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,low-,income ,solar ,energy ,act4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act1 the term low-income1 used with respect to a household1 means a household that is eligible for a payment under the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfba et seq471 in accordance with-- 7#a7 section #bfje7;b77#b7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbd7;b772 and 7#b7 ,state eligibility guidelines 7consistent with such ,act7 for that payment4 #c4 ,low-income home energy assistance 7a7 ,authorization of appropriations ,section #bfjb of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfba7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the first sentence of subsection 7b71 by striking #bfjg;,a71 and all that follows and inserting #bfjg;,a71 #f1jge1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj and each subsequent fiscal year42 and 7#b7 in subsection 7e71 by striking 7e7 of and inserting 7f7 of4 7b7 ,reservation of funds ,section #bfjd of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbc7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7e7 as subsection 7f72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7d7 the following3 7e7 7#a7 ,of the funds available to a ,state under subsection 7a71 a territory under subsection 7b71 or a tribal organization or other entity under subsection 7d71 up to #be percent may be reserved by the ,state1 territory1 or organization or entity1 for solar projects for covered housing4 7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall expand the program funded under section #bfjb7;b7 to include such solar projects1 and for purposes of this title shall consider-- 7,a7 the funds used for such projects to be assistance for home energy costs2 and 7,b7 the projects to be activities that provide assistance for home energy costs1 rather than to residential weatherization or other energy-related home repair4 7#c7 ,in determining whether to award1 under that program1 funding that includes a portion for a solar project to a ,state1 territory1 or tribal organization or entity1 the ,secretary shall use the application and request processes specified in this title1 with such adjustments as the ,secretary may specify in regulations4 7#d7 ,the ,secretary shall issue regulations and guidance for ,states1 territories1 and tribal organizations and entities1 that receive funds under subsection 7a71 7b71 or 7d7 7referred to individually in this subsection as a covered recipient71 to-- 7,a7 define the solar projects that may be funded through the reserved funds described in paragraph 7#a72 7,b7 specify the circumstances and process under which a covered recipient1 with an arrangement with a particular type of local agency or organization to distribute assistance for home energy costs1 may instead enter into an arrangement with a different local agency or organization with expertise in solar projects1 for such projects2 and 7,c7 specify how a covered recipient may distribute such funds in a manner that usefully finances the work of solar project developers and solar panel installers for such projects4 7#e7 ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of the ,low-,income ,solar ,energy ,act1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 evaluate whether community solar projects could be administered through the program carried out under this title2 and 7,b7 prepare and submit to ,congress a report containing the evaluation4 7#f7 ,in this section1 the term covered housing means federally assisted housing as defined in section #fhc of the ,housing and ,community ,development ,act of #aiib 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acfda71 and housing occupied by a low-income household1 as defined in section #b of the ,low-,income ,solar ,energy ,act4 4 7c7 ,use of funds ,section #bfje7;b77#a77;,a7 of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbd7;b77#a77;,a77 is amended by inserting 1 including the costs of solar projects for covered housing as defined in section #bfjd7;e7 after home energy costs4 7d7 ,conforming amendment ,section #bfji of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbh7 is amended by inserting 1 or carrying out solar projects for covered housing or community solar projects under section #bfjd7;e7 after home repairs4 #d4 ,solar financing and workforce training 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,community solar project ,the term community solar project means a project for the renewable generation of energy through solar power that has multiple subscribers that receive benefits on utility bills that are directly attributable to the project4 7#b7 ,community solar subscription ,the term community solar subscription means ownership of a financial share in a community solar project that serves multiple consumers4 7#c7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means a developer or installer of solar equipment4 7#d7 ,eligible household ,the term eligible household means a household that includes an eligible individual as defined in section #cb7;c77#a7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf for purposes of the credit under section #cb of that ,code4 7#e7 ,interconnection ,the term interconnection has the meaning given the term in section #aaa7;d77#ae7 of the ,public ,utility ,regulatory ,policies ,act of #aigh 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #bfba7;d77#ae774 7#f7 ,program ,the term program means the solar financing program established under subsection 7b77#a74 7#g7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 7b7 ,solar financing program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a solar financing program under which the ,secretary shall offer a variety of financing mechanisms1 including grants1 loans1 loan guarantees1 and interest buy-downs1 to support the deployment of solar projects for eligible households1 in accordance with this subsection4 7#b7 ,grants 7,a7 ,in general ,under the program1 the ,secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for deploying residential solar projects or community solar projects-- 7i7 that benefit eligible households2 and 7ii7 in which the tariff1 net metering1 bill credit1 or other valuation of solar energy generation1 or the sale of that solar generation by a third party1 enables a savings-to-investment ratio of at least #a3a for an eligible entity over a period of not more than #aj years4 7,b7 ,use of funds ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under the program shall use the grant only to pay for-- 7i7 the cost and installation of solar equipment in buildings in which the dwelling units of eligible households are located1 including the cost of materials1 labor1 and permitting2 7ii7 repairs or upgrades to the buildings described in clause 7i7 that may be needed to ensure that solar equipment is installed in a safe manner2 and 7iii7 the cost of a community solar subscription4 7#c7 ,solar housing loans 7,a7 ,in general ,under the program1 the ,secretary shall provide loans at zero percent interest-- 7i7 to owners of buildings-- 7,i7 that receive assistance under section #h7o7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f7o772 or 7,,ii7 with respect to which a credit is allowable under section #db of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf for the taxable year in which the loan is provided2 and 7ii7 for the purpose of-- 7,i7 installing solar equipment that benefits the dwelling unit of a tenant2 7,,ii7 if necessary for the installation of solar equipment under subclause 7,i71 making any upgrade to the building in which the dwelling unit is located2 and 7,,iii7 covering the cost of a community solar subscription4 7,b7 ,savings 7i7 ,in general ,an owner of a building receiving a loan under this subsection shall-- 7,i7 reduce the rent that each tenant described in clause 7ii7 is required to pay by an amount that is proportional to the savings obtained through any solar upgrades described in subparagraph 7,a72 and 7,,ii7 enter into an affordability agreement with the ,secretary to ensure that the rent of the tenant remains affordable for the duration of the tenancy4 7ii7 ,tenant described ,a tenant referred to in clause 7i7 is a low-income tenant occupying a dwelling unit in the building1 which dwelling unit is affected by a solar upgrade described in subparagraph 7,a74 7,c7 ,guidance2 regulation ,the ,secretary shall-- 7i7 publish guidance on what constitutes a benefit to the dwelling unit of a tenant under subparagraph 7,a77ii77,i72 and 7ii7 promulgate a regulation on the manner in which a community solar subscription under subparagraph 7,a77ii77,,iii7 shall be managed4 7c7 ,community solar projects ,the ,secretary shall establish a program under which the ,secretary shall make grants for community solar projects-- 7#a7 to be used for costs associated with interconnection of the community solar project1 including application fees1 interconnection fees1 engineering reviews1 and other associated costs incurred during the interconnection process2 7#b7 to be used for costs associated with upgrades to a distribution system1 if the distribution system requires service or new equipment to accommodate the installation of the community solar project2 and 7#c7 led by nonprofit organizations to support the implementation of the projects for low-income households4 7d7 ,minority and woman-,owned businesses ,the ,secretary shall1 to the maximum extent practicable1 contract with minority or women-owned businesses for the deployment of solar projects that are financed under this section4 7e7 ,solar workforce program 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,eligible participant ,the term eligible participant means an individual who is a member of an underrepresented group1 including-- 7i7 an individual who is a religious1 racial1 or ethnic minority2 7ii7 a woman2 7iii7 a veteran2 7iv7 an individual with a disability2 7v7 an unemployed energy worker2 7vi7 an energy worker employed by a fossil fuel industry who is being transitioned away from that industry because of a ,state renewable program or ,federal program1 as determined by the ,secretary2 7vii7 a socioeconomically disadvantaged individual2 and 7viii7 a formerly incarcerated individual4 7,b7 ,local workforce development board2 ,state workforce development board ,the terms local workforce development board and ,state workforce development board have the meanings given the terms local board and ,state board1 respectively1 in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb74 7,c7 ,program partner ,the term program partner means-- 7i7 a business2 7ii7 an employer or industry association2 7iii7 a labor management organization2 7iv7 a local workforce development board or ,state workforce development board2 7v7 a #b- or #d-year institution of higher education that offers an educational program leading to an associate's or bachelor's degree in conjunction with a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship or other training program2 7vi7 the ,armed ,forces 7including the ,national ,guard and the ,army ,reserve72 7vii7 a nonprofit organization2 7viii7 a community-based organization2 and 7ix7 an economic development agency4 7#b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a solar workforce program to assist eligible participants in pursuing careers in the solar energy industry1 including as-- 7,a7 solar photovoltaic system installers2 7,b7 solar technicians2 7,c7 electrical system inspectors2 and 7,d7 other professionals in the solar industry1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,courses ,in carrying out the program established under paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary shall create courses or seek to administer existing courses that provide-- 7,a7 job training1 including through internships and work-based training in accordance with paragraph 7#d72 7,b7 employment skills training2 and 7,c7 comprehensive support services that-- 7i7 enhance the training experience and promote the professional development of participants2 and 7ii7 help participants transition into the workforce4 7#d7 ,course partners ,to the maximum extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall partner with program partners to provide internships and work-based training as part of the job training offered under paragraph 7#c77;,a74 7#e7 ,exam requirement ,as a requirement for completing a course under paragraph 7#c71 the ,secretary shall require each participant in the course to earn an applicable industry-recognized entry-level certificate or other credential1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7f7 ,guarantee of loans for acquisition of property ,section #ajh of the ,housing and ,community ,development ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjh7 is amended by striking or 7#f7 and inserting 7#f7 the installation of solar energy equipment2 or 7#g74 7g7 ,power purchase agreements for public housing agencies ,section #f of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;d7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7u7 ,power purchase agreements 7#a7 ,in general ,each contract for contributions for a public housing agency shall provide that the agency may enter into third-party power purchase agreements with third-party providers for a period of not more than #bj years1 in addition to a #b-year option period1 for the installation of solar energy equipment in public housing projects4 7#b7 ,utilities ,with respect to tenant-paid utilities1 any solar rate savings from a power purchase agreement that may result in rebates to a family shall not be used in the calculation of lower utility allowances for the family that results in an increase in the rent paid by the family4 4 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section #bdj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 #e4 ,rulemaking relating to utility allowances 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section1 the term covered housing means-- 7#a7 public housing1 as defined in section #c7;b7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;a7b772 and 7#b7 tenant-based assistance provided under section #h7o7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f7o774 7b7 ,rulemaking ,the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development shall promulgate regulations to provide that1 with respect to covered housing1 any solar rate savings for a dwelling unit that is associated with this ,act or an amendment made by this ,act shall not be used in the calculation of lower utility allowances for a family that results in an increase in the rent paid by the family4