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H.R. 2197House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

To require the Secretary of Energy to establish an energy efficiency materials pilot program.

Sponsored by Matt CartwrightRep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA)
Introduced April 27, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 3:02 PM UTC

The bill directs the Energy Secretary to set up a pilot program that gives grants to nonprofit buildings for installing energy‑efficiency materials such as better roofs, windows, HVAC or renewable energy systems. The program is aimed at hospitals, schools, youth centers, faith‑based groups and other nonprofit facilities, helping them reduce energy use. Grants can be up to $200,000 and the program would be funded with $10 million each year from 2018 through 2022.

Key Provisions

  • Defines “applicant” as a nonprofit organization that can apply for a grant.
  • Defines “energy‑efficiency material” to include roofs, lighting, windows, doors, HVAC components, insulation, wiring, plumbing, and renewable energy generation systems such as solar, wind, geothermal or biomass.
  • Defines “nonprofit building” as any building owned and operated by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, including hospitals, schools, youth centers, social‑welfare facilities, faith‑based organizations, and other non‑residential structures.
  • Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish the pilot program within one year of enactment.
  • Allows the Secretary to award grants based on performance criteria: energy savings, cost‑effectiveness, a plan for evaluation and verification, and the applicant’s financial need.
  • Limits each grant to a maximum of $200,000.
  • Authorizes $10 million in appropriations for each fiscal year 2018‑2022, available until expended.
  • Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act to add $150 million for fiscal year 2018.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

Energy Subcommittee

April 28, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 27, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

April 27, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

Energy Subcommittee

April 28, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 27, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2197

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 27, 2017

Mr. Cartwright (for himself, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Costello of Pennsylvania, Mr. Curbelo of Florida, Mr. Engel, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Hanabusa, Mr. Keating, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Lowenthal, Ms. Matsui, Ms. Norton, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Peters, Ms. Pingree, Mr. Pocan, Mr. Raskin, Miss Rice of New York, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Rush, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Tonko, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. Welch, and Mr. McGovern) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Energy to establish an energy efficiency materials pilot program.

1.

Energy efficiency materials pilot program

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Applicant

The term applicant means a nonprofit organization that applies for a grant under this section.

(2)

Energy-efficiency material

(A)

In general

The term energy-efficiency material means a material (including a product, equipment, or system) the installation of which results in a reduction in use by a nonprofit organization of energy or fuel.

(B)

Inclusions

The term energy-efficiency material includes—

(i)

a roof or lighting system or component of the system;

(ii)

a window;

(iii)

a door, including a security door;

(iv)

a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system or component of the system (including insulation and wiring and plumbing improvements needed to serve a more efficient system); and

(v)

a renewable energy generation or heating system, including a solar, photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, or biomass (including wood pellet) system or component of the system.

(3)

Nonprofit building

(A)

In general

The term nonprofit building means a building operated and owned by an organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.

(B)

Inclusions

The term nonprofit building includes a building described in subparagraph (A) that is—

(i)

a hospital;

(ii)

a youth center;

(iii)

a school;

(iv)

a social-welfare program facility;

(v)

a faith-based organization; or

(vi)

any other nonresidential and noncommercial structure.

(4)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.

(b)

Establishment

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to award grants for the purpose of providing nonprofit buildings with energy-efficiency materials.

(c)

Grants

(1)

In general

The Secretary may award grants under the program established under subsection (b).

(2)

Application

The Secretary may award a grant under paragraph (1) if an applicant submits to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may prescribe.

(3)

Criteria for grant

In determining whether to award a grant under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall apply performance-based criteria, which shall give priority to applicants based on—

(A)

the energy savings achieved;

(B)

the cost-effectiveness of the use of energy-efficiency materials;

(C)

an effective plan for evaluation, measurement, and verification of energy savings; and

(D)

the financial need of the applicant.

(4)

Limitation on individual grant amount

Each grant awarded under this section shall not exceed $200,000.

(d)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022, to remain available until expended.

(e)

Offset

Section 422(f) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17082(f)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (3), by striking and at the end;

(2)

in paragraph (4), by striking 2018. and inserting 2017; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(5)

$150,000,000 for fiscal year 2018.

.