,,ii ,calendar ,no4 #ahe #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ihc ,report ,no4 #aaf-hb ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,april #b1 #bjai,mr4 ,coons 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,collins1 ,mr4 ,reed1 ,mrs4 ,shaheen1 ,mr4 ,manchin1 ,ms4 ,murkowski1 ,mr4 ,heinrich1 and ,mr4 ,blumenthal7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,september #aj1 #bjai ,reported by ,ms4 ,murkowski1 without amendment ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act to reauthorize the weatherization assistance program1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,weatherization ,enhancement and ,local ,energy ,efficiency ,investment and ,accountability ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,weatherization ,assistance ,program 7a7 ,definition of weatherization materials ,section #dab7i77;,j7 of the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fhfb7i77;,j77 is amended-- 7#a7 by inserting 1 including renewable energy technologies and other advanced technologies1 after technologies2 and 7#b7 by striking ,development1 and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting ,development and the ,secretary of ,agriculture44 7b7 ,allowance for health and safety benefits ,section #dac7;b7 of the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fhfc7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b77;,b71 by striking paragraph 7#e7 and inserting paragraph 7#f72 7#b7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#e7 and 7#f7 as paragraphs 7#f7 and 7#g71 respectively2 and 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#d7 the following3 7#e7 ,in carrying out paragraph 7#c71 the ,secretary may take into consideration evidence-based values for improvements in the health and safety of occupants of weatherized homes1 and other non-energy benefits1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 7c7 ,contractor optimization 7#a7 ,technical transfer grants ,section #dad;,b7a77#d7 of the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fhfd;b7a77#d77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking for persons and inserting the following3 for-- 7,a7 persons 2 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,a7 7as so designated71 by striking the period at the end and inserting the following3 2 and 7,b7 private entities that are contracted to provide weatherization assistance under this part1 in accordance with rules determined by the ,secretary4 4 7#b7 ,contractor optimization ,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 ,contractor optimization ,the ,secretary may request that entities receiving funding from the ,federal ,government or from a ,state through a weatherization assistance program under section #dac or #dad-- 7#a7 perform periodic reviews of the use of private contractors in the provision of weatherization assistance1 if applicable2 and 7#b7 encourage an increased use and expanded role of contractors as appropriate4 4 7#c7 ,table of contents amendment ,the table of contents for the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act 7,public ,law #id-che2 #ij ,stat4 #aabe7 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #dad;,b the following3 ,sec4 #dad;,c4 ,contractor optimization4 4 7d7 ,financial assistance for ,,wap enhancement and innovation 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act 7,public ,law #id-che2 #ij ,stat4 #aabe7 is amended by inserting after section #dad;,c 7as added by subsection 7c77 the following3 #dad;,d4 ,financial assistance for ,,wap enhancement and innovation 7a7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this section are-- 7#a7 to expand the number of dwelling units that are occupied by low-income persons that receive weatherization assistance under this section by making those dwelling units weatherization-ready2 7#b7 to promote the deployment of renewable energy in dwelling units that are occupied by low-income persons2 7#c7 to ensure healthy indoor environments by enhancing or expanding health and safety measures and resources available to dwellings that are occupied by low-income persons2 and 7#d7 to disseminate new methods and best practices among eligible entities providing weatherization assistance under this section4 7b7 ,definition of eligible entity ,in this section1 the term eligible entity means-- 7#a7 an entity receiving funding from the ,federal ,government or from a ,state through a weatherization assistance program under section #dac or #dad2 and 7#b7 a nonprofit organization4 7c7 ,financial assistance awards ,the ,secretary shall1 to the extent funds are made available1 award financial assistance through a competitive process to an eligible entity-- 7#a7 with respect to dwelling units that are occupied by low-income persons-- 7,a7 to implement measures to make those dwelling units weatherization-ready1 including by addressing structural1 plumbing1 roofing1 and electrical issues1 environmental hazards1 and other issues that the ,secretary determines to be appropriate2 7,b7 to install energy efficiency technologies1 including home energy management systems1 smart devices1 and other technologies the ,secretary determines to be appropriate2 7,c7 to install renewable energy systems 7as defined in section #dae7;c77#f77;,a772 and 7,d7 to implement measures to ensure healthy indoor environments by improving indoor air quality1 accessibility1 and other healthy home measures1 as determined by the ,secretary2 7#b7 to improve the capability of the eligible entity-- 7,a7 to significantly increase the number of energy retrofits performed by the eligible entity2 7,b7 to replicate best practices for work performed under this section on a larger scale2 and 7,c7 to leverage additional funds to sustain the provision of weatherization assistance and other work performed under this section after the financial assistance awarded under this section is expended2 7#c7 for innovative outreach and education regarding the benefits and availability of weatherization assistance and other assistance available under this section2 7#d7 for quality control of work performed under this section2 7#e7 for data collection1 measurement1 and verification with respect to that work2 7#f7 for program monitoring1 oversight1 evaluation1 and reporting of that work2 7#g7 for labor1 training1 and technical assistance relating to that work2 7#h7 subject to subsection 7g77#b71 for planning1 management1 and administration of that work2 and 7#i7 for any other appropriate activity1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7d7 ,applications ,to be eligible for an award of financial assistance under this section1 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary an application in such manner and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7e7 ,award factors ,in awarding financial assistance under this section1 the ,secretary shall consider-- 7#a7 the record of the eligible entity1 using the most recent year for which data are available1 in constructing1 renovating1 repairing1 and making energy efficient single-family1 multifamily1 or manufactured homes that are occupied by low-income persons1 either directly or through affiliates1 chapters1 or other partners2 7#b7 the number of dwelling units occupied by low-income persons that the eligible entity has built1 renovated1 repaired1 weatherized1 and made more energy efficient in the #e years immediately preceding the date on which the eligible entity submits an application under subsection 7d72 7#c7 the qualifications1 experience1 and past performance of the eligible entity1 including experience successfully managing and administering ,federal funds2 7#d7 the strength of the proposal of the eligible entity to achieve one or more of the purposes described in subsection 7a72 7#e7 the extent to which the eligible entity will use partnerships and regional coordination to achieve one or more of the purposes described in subsection 7a72 7#f7 regional and climate zone diversity2 7#g7 urban1 suburban1 and rural localities2 and 7#h7 any other appropriate factor1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7f7 ,first award ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 not later than #bgj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall make a first award of financial assistance under this section4 7g7 ,amount and term 7#a7 ,maximum amount ,the total amount of financial assistance awarded to an eligible entity under this section shall not exceed #b1jjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,planning1 management1 and administration ,of the amount awarded to an eligible entity under this section1 not more than #ae percent may be used by the eligible entity for the purpose described in subsection 7c77#h74 7#c7 ,technical and training assistance ,the total amount of financial assistance awarded to an entity under this section shall be reduced by the cost of any technical and training assistance provided by the ,secretary under this section that relates to that financial assistance4 7#d7 ,term ,the term of an award of financial assistance under this section shall not exceed #c years4 7h7 ,guidance ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall issue guidance on implementing this section1 which shall include1 with respect to eligible entities awarded financial assistance under this section-- 7#a7 standards for allowable expenditures2 7#b7 a minimum saving-to-investment ratio2 and 7#c7 standards for-- 7,a7 training programs2 7,b7 energy audits2 7,c7 the provision of technical assistance2 7,d7 monitoring activities carried out using the financial assistance2 7,e7 verification of energy and cost savings2 7,f7 liability insurance requirements2 and 7,g7 recordkeeping and reporting requirements1 which shall include reporting to the ,office of ,weatherization and ,intergovernmental ,programs of the ,department of ,energy applicable data on each dwelling unit retrofitted or otherwise assisted by the eligible entity using the financial assistance4 7i7 ,compliance with ,state and local law ,nothing in this section supersedes or modifies any ,state or local law to the extent that the ,state or local law is more stringent than this section4 7j7 ,review and evaluation ,the ,secretary shall review and evaluate the performance of each eligible entity that receives an award of financial assistance under this section1 which may include an audit4 7k7 ,annual report ,the ,secretary shall submit to the relevant committees of ,congress an annual report that describes-- 7#a7 the actions taken by the ,secretary and eligible entities awarded financial assistance under this section to achieve the purposes of this section during the year covered by the report2 and 7#b7 the energy and cost savings1 and any other accomplishments1 achieved under this section during the year covered by the report4 7l7 ,funding 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd1 of the amount appropriated under section #dbb-- 7,a7 if the amount is not more than #bbe1jjj1jjj1 no funds shall be used to carry out this section2 7,b7 if the amount is not more than #bfj1jjj1jjj1 not more than #b percent of that amount may be used to carry out this section2 7,c7 if the amount is not more than #cjj1jjj1jjj1 not more than #d percent of that amount may be used to carry out this section2 and 7,d7 if the amount is more than #cjj1jjj1jjj1 not more than #f percent of that amount may be used to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,amounts excluded ,each amount described in paragraph 7#a7 shall not include the amount made available for ,department of ,energy headquarters training or technical assistance4 7#c7 ,maximum amount ,the maximum amount used to carry out this section in each fiscal year shall not exceed #be1jjj1jjj4 4 7#b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act 7,public ,law #id-che2 #ij ,stat4 #aabe7 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #dad;,c 7as added by subsection 7c77#c77 the following3 ,sec4 #dad;,d4 ,financial assistance for ,,wap enhancement and innovation4 4 7e7 ,increase in administrative funds ,section #dae7;a77#a7 of the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fhfe7;a77#a77 is amended by striking #aj percent and inserting #ae percent4 7f7 ,reweatherization date ,section #dae7;c7 of the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fhfe7;c77 is amended by striking paragraph 7#b7 and inserting the following3 7#b7 ,further assistance 7,a7 ,definition of interim service 7i7 ,in general ,in this paragraph1 the term interim service means an energy service that takes place between instances of weatherization or partial weatherization of a dwelling unit1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7ii7 ,inclusion ,in this paragraph1 the term interim service includes-- 7,i7 the provision of energy information and education to assist with energy management2 7,,ii7 an evaluation of the effectiveness of installed weatherization measures2 and 7,,iii7 the provision of services1 equipment1 or other measures funded by non-,federal funds1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,further assistance ,dwelling units weatherized or partially weatherized under this part1 or under other ,federal programs-- 7i7 may not receive further financial assistance for weatherization under this part until the date that is #ae years after the date on which the previous weatherization was completed2 and 7ii7 may receive further financial assistance for weatherization under this part for the purpose of providing an interim service4 4 7g7 ,reauthorization of ,,wap ,section #dbb of the ,energy ,conservation and ,production ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fhgb7 is amended in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a7 by striking appropriated and all that follows through #bjab44 in paragraph 7#e7 and inserting appropriated #cej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd44 #c4 ,waiver study 7a7 ,in general ,it is the sense of ,congress that1 to the maximum extent practicable1 the ,secretary of ,energy should coordinate with the ,director of the ,office of ,management and ,budget to grant waivers of requirements under section #bjj4cac of title #b1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or successor regulations71 to better leverage private sector funds for the purposes of using funding awarded under 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 seq474 7b7 ,study ,not more than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,energy shall submit to the relevant committees of ,congress a report that describes-- 7#a7 each waiver that has been requested under subsection 7a72 and 7#b7 the determination of the ,secretary and the ,director of the ,office of ,management and ,budget regarding each waiver requested under subsection 7a74 ,september #aj1 #bjai,reported without amendment