An amendment numbered 22 printed in House Report 109-49 to establish an annual award for organizations that have advanced the field of renewable energy technology.

SEC. 1452. NATIONAL PRIORITY PROJECT DESIGNATION.

(a) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:

(1) Secretary.--The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Energy.

(2) Department.--The term “Department” means the Department of Energy.

(b) Designation of National Priority Projects.--

(1) In general.--There is hereby established the National Priority Project designation, which shall be evidenced by a medal bearing the inscription “National Priority Project”. The medal shall be of such design and materials and bear such additional inscriptions as the President may prescribe.

(2) Making and presentation of designation.--

(A) In general.--The President, on the basis of recommendations made by the Secretary, shall annually designate organizations, if any, that have--

(i) advanced the field of renewable energy technology and contribute to North American energy independence; and

(ii) a project that has been certified by the Secretary under subsection (c).

(B) Presentation.--The President shall designate projects with such ceremonies as the President may prescribe.

(C) Use of designation.--An organization that receives a designation under this section may publicize its designation as a National Priority Project in its advertising.

(D) Categories in which the designation may be given.--Separate designations shall be made to qualifying projects in each of the following categories:

(i) Renewable energy generation projects.

(ii) Energy efficient and renewable energy building projects.

(c) Application and Certification.--

(1) Selection criteria.--Certification and selection of the projects to receive the designation shall be based on the following criteria:

(A) For all projects.--The project demonstrates that it will install no less than 30 megawatts of renewable energy generation capacity.

(B) For energy efficient building and renewable energy projects.--In addition to meeting the criteria established in subparagraph (A), building projects shall--

(i) comply with nationally recognized standards for high-performance, sustainable buildings;

(ii) utilize whole-building integration of energy efficiency and environmental performance design and technology, including advanced building controls;

(iii) utilize renewable energy for at least 50 percent of its energy consumption;

(iv) comply with applicable Energy Star standards; and

(v) include at least 5,000,000 square feet of enclosed space.

(2) Application.--

(A) Initial applications.--No later than 4 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register an invitation and guidelines for submitting applications, consistent with the provisions of this section.

(B) Contents.--The application shall describe the project, or planned project, and its plans to meet the criteria listed in paragraph (1).

(3) Certification.--Not later than 60 days after the application period described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall certify projects that are reasonably expected to meet the criteria described in paragraph (1).