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S. 981Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

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

Sponsored by Amy KlobucharSen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Introduced April 27, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 3:01 PM UTC

The bill directs the Energy Secretary to create a pilot program that gives grants to nonprofit‑owned buildings for installing energy‑efficiency materials such as better roofs, lighting, windows, doors, HVAC upgrades, and renewable energy systems. The program is aimed at hospitals, schools, youth centers, faith‑based groups and similar nonprofit facilities, and it would be funded with $10 million each year from 2018 through 2022.

Key Provisions

  • Defines eligible applicants as nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) entities) that own or operate a building.
  • Specifies “energy‑efficiency material” to include roofs, lighting, windows, doors, HVAC components, insulation, wiring, plumbing, and renewable energy generation systems.
  • Requires the Secretary of Energy to launch the pilot program within one year of enactment and to award grants up to $200,000 each.
  • Grants are awarded based on performance criteria: projected energy savings, cost‑effectiveness, a plan for measuring those savings, and the applicant’s financial need.
  • Appropriates $10 million annually for FY 2018‑2022 to fund the program, with an additional $150 million offset added to the Energy Independence and Security Act for FY 2018.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

April 27, 2017

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

April 27, 2017

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

April 27, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued April 27, 2017

II

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 981

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 27, 2017

Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Hoeven) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

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.

.