I
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5633
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 16, 2006
Mrs. Biggert (for herself, Mr. Honda, Mr. Reichert, Mr. Schwarz of Michigan, Mr. Boehlert, Mr. Gordon, Mr. Ehlers, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. McCaul of Texas, and Mr. Baird) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science
A BILL
To establish a program of demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy efficiency technologies and systems for buildings, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Energy Efficient Buildings Act of
2006
.
Energy efficient building grant program
Energy Efficient Building Pilot Grant Program
In general
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Energy (in this section referred to as the
Secretary
) shall establish a pilot program to award grants to
businesses and organizations for new construction of energy efficient
buildings, or major renovations of buildings that will result in energy
efficient buildings, to demonstrate innovative energy efficiency technologies,
especially those sponsored by the Department of Energy.
Awards
The Secretary shall award grants under this subsection competitively to those applicants whose proposals—
best demonstrate—
likelihood to meet or exceed the standards referred to in subsection (b)(2);
likelihood to maximize cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities; and
advanced energy efficiency technologies; and
are least likely to be realized without Federal assistance.
Amount of grants
Grants under this subsection shall be for up to 50 percent of design and energy modeling costs, not to exceed $50,000 per building. No single grantee may be eligible for more than 3 grants per year under this program.
Grant payments
Initial payment
The Secretary shall pay 50 percent of the total amount of the grant to grant recipients upon selection.
Remainder of payment
The Secretary shall pay the remaining 50 percent of the grant only after independent certification that operational buildings are energy efficient buildings as defined in subsection (b).
Failure to comply
The Secretary shall not provide the remainder of the payment unless the building is certified within 6 months after operation of the completed building to meet the requirements described in subparagraph (B), or in the case of major renovations the building is certified within 6 months of the completion of the renovations.
Report to congress
Not later than 3 years after awarding the first grant under this subsection, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report containing—
the total number and dollar amount of grants awarded under this subsection; and
an estimate of aggregate cost and energy savings enabled by the pilot program under this subsection.
Administrative expenses
Administrative expenses for the program under this subsection shall not exceed 10 percent of appropriated funds.
Definition of energy efficient building
For purposes of this section the term
energy efficient building
means a building that—
achieves a reduction in energy consumption of—
at least 25 percent for new construction, compared to the energy standards set by the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (in the case of residential buildings) or ASHRAE Standard 90.1–2004; or
at least 20 percent for major renovations, compared to energy consumption before renovations are begun; and
is constructed or renovated in accordance with the most current, appropriate, and applicable voluntary consensus standards, as determined by the Secretary, such as those listed in the assessment under section 914(b), or revised or developed under section 914(c), of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for carrying out this section $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.