H.R. 4773 – Reading Mode

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110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4773

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 17, 2007

Mr. Young of Alaska introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To authorize the Department of Energy to make grants to carry out renewable energy projects, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Renewable and Hydroelectric Energy for Alaska’s Tomorrow Act (the Renewable HEAT Act) .

Renewable energy construction grants

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Alaska small hydroelectric power

The term Alaska small hydroelectric power means power that—

(A)

is generated—

(i)

in the State of Alaska;

(ii)

through the use of—

(I)

a lake tap (but not a perched alpine lake);

(II)

a run-of-river screened at the point of diversion; or

(III)

a dam or impoundment of water; and

(B)

has a nameplate capacity rating of a wattage that is not more than 15 megawatts.

(2)

Eligible applicant

The term eligible applicant means any—

(A)

governmental entity;

(B)

private utility;

(C)

public utility;

(D)

municipal utility;

(E)

cooperative utility;

(F)

Indian tribe; or

(G)

Regional Corporation (as defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602)).

(3)

Ocean energy

(A)

Inclusions

The term ocean energy includes current, wave, and tidal energy.

(B)

Exclusion

The term ocean energy excludes thermal energy.

(4)

Renewable energy project

The term renewable energy project means a project—

(A)

for the commercial generation of electricity; and

(B)

that generates electricity from—

(i)

solar, wind, or geothermal energy or ocean energy;

(ii)

biomass (as defined in section 203(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15852(b)));

(iii)

landfill gas; or

(iv)

Alaska small hydroelectric power.

(b)

Renewable Energy Construction Grants

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Energy shall use amounts appropriated under this Act to make grants for use in carrying out renewable energy projects.

(2)

Criteria

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall set forth criteria for use in awarding grants under this section.

(3)

Application

To receive a grant from the Secretary of Energy under paragraph (1), an eligible applicant shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a written assurance that—

(A)

all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors during construction, alteration, or repair that is financed, in whole or in part, by a grant under this section shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar construction in the locality, as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with sections 3141–3144, 3146, and 3147 of title 40, United States Code; and

(B)

the Secretary of Labor shall, with respect to the labor standards described in this paragraph, have the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (5 U.S.C. App.) and section 3145 of title 40, United States Code.

(4)

Non-federal share

Each eligible applicant that receives a grant under this subsection shall contribute to the total cost of the renewable energy project constructed by the eligible applicant an amount not less than 50 percent of the total cost of the project.

(c)

Authorization of Appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.