II
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 799
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 17 (legislative day, March 16), 2021
Mr. Coons (for himself, Mr. Cassidy, Ms. Smith, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Whitehouse, Mrs. Capito, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Braun, Mr. Tester, Ms. Murkowski, and Mr. Manchin) 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 programs for carbon dioxide capture, transport, utilization, and storage, and for other purposes.
Short title; table of contents
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Storing CO2 And Lowering Emissions Act
or the SCALE Act
.
Table of contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
TITLE I—Utilization of carbon oxides
Sec. 101. Carbon utilization program.
TITLE II—Transportation of captured carbon
Sec. 201. Carbon capture technology program.
Sec. 202. Carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure finance and innovation.
TITLE III—Geologic storage of captured carbon
Sec. 301. Carbon storage validation and testing.
Sec. 302. Secure geologic storage permitting.
Findings
Congress finds that—
the industrial sector is integral to the economy of the United States—
providing millions of jobs and essential products; and
demonstrating global leadership in manufacturing and innovation;
carbon capture and storage technologies are necessary for reducing hard-to-abate emissions from the industrial sector, which emits nearly 25 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States;
carbon removal and storage technologies, including direct air capture, must be deployed at large-scale in the coming decades to remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere;
large-scale deployment of carbon capture, removal, utilization, transport, and storage—
is critical for achieving mid-century climate goals; and
will drive regional economic development, technological innovation, and high-wage employment;
carbon capture, removal, and utilization technologies require a backbone system of shared carbon dioxide transport and storage infrastructure to enable large-scale deployment, realize economies of scale, and create an interconnected carbon management market;
carbon dioxide transport infrastructure and permanent geological storage are proven and safe technologies with existing Federal and State regulatory frameworks;
carbon dioxide transport and storage infrastructure share similar barriers to deployment previously faced by other types of critical national infrastructure, such as high capital costs and chicken-and-egg challenges, that require Federal and State support, in combination with private investment, to be overcome; and
each State should take into consideration, with respect to new carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure—
qualifying the infrastructure as pollution control devices under applicable laws (including regulations) of the State; and
establishing a waiver of ad valorem and property taxes for the infrastructure for a period of not less than 10 years.
Utilization of carbon oxides
Carbon utilization program
Section 969A of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16298a) is amended—
in subsection (a)—
by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
to develop or obtain, in coordination with other applicable Federal agencies and standard-setting organizations, standards and certifications, as appropriate, to facilitate the commercialization of the products and technologies described in paragraph (2);
;
in subsection (b)—
by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);
by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
Grant program
In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Storing CO2 And Lowering Emissions Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to provide grants to eligible entities to use in accordance with subparagraph (D).
Eligible entities
To be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph, an entity shall be—
a State;
a unit of local government; or
a public utility or agency.
Applications
Eligible entities desiring a grant under this paragraph shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
Use of funds
An eligible entity shall use a grant received under this paragraph to procure and use commercial or industrial products that—
use or are derived from anthropogenic carbon oxides; and
demonstrate significant net reductions in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to incumbent technologies, processes, and products.
; and
in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking paragraph (1)
and inserting this subsection
; and
in subsection (d), by striking paragraphs (1) through (5) and inserting the following:
$64,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
$65,250,000 for fiscal year 2022;
$66,562,500 for fiscal year 2023;
$67,940,625 for fiscal year 2024; and
$69,387,656 for fiscal year 2025.
.
Transportation of captured carbon
Carbon capture technology program
Section 962 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16292) is amended—
in subsection (b)(2)—
in subparagraph (C), by striking and
at the end;
in subparagraph (D), by striking program.
and inserting program for carbon capture technologies; and
; and
by adding at the end the following:
a front-end engineering and design program for carbon dioxide transport infrastructure necessary to enable deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies.
; and
in subsection (d)(1)—
in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking and
at the end;
in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following:
for activities under the front-end engineering and design program described in subsection (b)(2)(E), $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2025.
.
Carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure finance and innovation
In general
Title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16181 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
Carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure finance and innovation
Definitions
In this subtitle:
CIFIA program
The term CIFIA program means the carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure finance and innovation program established under section 999B(a).
Common carrier
The term common carrier means a transportation infrastructure operator or owner that—
publishes a publicly available tariff containing the just and reasonable rates, terms, and conditions of nondiscriminatory service; and
holds itself out to provide transportation services to the public for a fee.
Contingent commitment
The term contingent commitment means a commitment to obligate funds from future available budget authority that is—
contingent on those funds being made available in law at a future date; and
not an obligation of the Federal Government.
Eligible project costs
The term eligible project costs means amounts substantially all of which are paid by, or for the account of, an obligor in connection with a project, including—
the cost of—
development-phase activities, including planning, feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting, environmental review, permitting, preliminary engineering and design work, and other preconstruction activities;
construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, replacement, and acquisition of real property (including land relating to the project and improvements to land), environmental mitigation, construction contingencies, and acquisition and installation of equipment (including labor); and
capitalized interest necessary to meet market requirements, reasonably required reserve funds, capital issuance expenses, and other carrying costs during construction; and
transaction costs associated with financing the project, including—
the cost of legal counsel and technical consultants; and
any subsidy amount paid in accordance with section 999B(c)(3)(B)(ii) or section 999C(b)(6)(B)(ii).
Federal credit instrument
The term Federal credit instrument means a secured loan or loan guarantee authorized to be provided under the CIFIA program with respect to a project.
Lender
The term lender means any non-Federal qualified institutional buyer (as defined in section 230.144A(a) of title 17, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), commonly known as Rule 144A(a) of the Securities and Exchange Commission and issued under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.)), including—
a qualified retirement plan (as defined in section 4974(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) that is a qualified institutional buyer; and
a governmental plan (as defined in section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) that is a qualified institutional buyer.
Letter of interest
The term letter of interest means a letter submitted by a potential applicant prior to an application for credit assistance in a format prescribed by the Secretary on the website of the CIFIA program that—
describes the project and the location, purpose, and cost of the project;
outlines the proposed financial plan, including the requested credit and grant assistance and the proposed obligor;
provides a status of environmental review; and
provides information regarding satisfaction of other eligibility requirements of the CIFIA program.
Loan guarantee
The term loan guarantee means any guarantee or other pledge by the Secretary to pay all or part of the principal of, and interest on, a loan or other debt obligation issued by an obligor and funded by a lender.
Master credit agreement
The term master credit agreement means a conditional agreement that—
is for the purpose of extending credit assistance for—
a project of high priority under section 999B(c)(3)(A); or
a project covered under section 999B(c)(3)(B);
does not provide for a current obligation of Federal funds; and
would—
make a contingent commitment of a Federal credit instrument or grant at a future date, subject to—
the availability of future funds being made available to carry out the CIFIA program; and
the satisfaction of all conditions for the provision of credit assistance under the CIFIA program, including section 999C(b);
establish the maximum amounts and general terms and conditions of the Federal credit instruments or grants;
identify the 1 or more revenue sources that will secure the repayment of the Federal credit instruments;
provide for the obligation of funds for the Federal credit instruments or grants after all requirements have been met for the projects subject to the agreement, including—
compliance with all applicable requirements specified under the CIFIA program, including sections 999B(d) and 999C(b)(1); and
the availability of funds to carry out the CIFIA program; and
require that contingent commitments shall result in a financial close and obligation of credit or grant assistance by not later than 4 years after the date of entry into the agreement or release of the commitment, as applicable, unless otherwise extended by the Secretary.
Obligor
The term obligor means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, governmental entity, agency, or instrumentality, or other entity that is primarily liable for payment of the principal of, or interest on, a Federal credit instrument.
Produced in the United States
The term produced in the United States, with respect to iron and steel, means that all manufacturing processes for the iron and steel, including the application of any coating, occurs within the United States.
Project
The term project means a project for common carrier carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure or associated equipment, including pipeline, shipping, rail, or other transportation infrastructure and associated equipment, that will transport or handle carbon dioxide captured from anthropogenic sources or ambient air, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
Project obligation
The term project obligation means any note, bond, debenture, or other debt obligation issued by an obligor in connection with the financing of a project, other than a Federal credit instrument.
Secured loan
The term secured loan means a direct loan or other debt obligation issued by an obligor and funded by the Secretary in connection with the financing of a project under section 999C.
Subsidy amount
The term subsidy amount means the amount of budget authority sufficient to cover the estimated long-term cost to the Federal Government of a Federal credit instrument—
calculated on a net present value basis; and
excluding administrative costs and any incidental effects on governmental receipts or outlays in accordance with the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
Substantial completion
The term substantial completion, with respect to a project, means the date—
on which the project commences transportation of carbon dioxide; or
of a comparable event to the event described in subparagraph (A), as determined by the Secretary and specified in the project credit agreement.
Determination of eligibility and project selection
Establishment of program
The Secretary shall establish and carry out a carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure finance and innovation program, under which the Secretary shall provide for eligible projects in accordance with this subtitle—
a Federal credit instrument under section 999C;
a grant under section 999D; or
both a Federal credit instrument and a grant.
Eligibility
In general
A project shall be eligible to receive a Federal credit instrument or a grant under the CIFIA program if—
the entity proposing to carry out the project submits a letter of interest prior to submission of an application under paragraph (3) for the project; and
the project meets the criteria described in this subsection.
Creditworthiness
In general
Each project and obligor that receives a Federal credit instrument or a grant under the CIFIA program shall be creditworthy, such that there exists a reasonable prospect of repayment of the principal and interest on the Federal credit instrument, as determined by the Secretary under subparagraph (B).
Reasonable prospect of repayment
The Secretary shall base a determination of whether there is a reasonable prospect of repayment under subparagraph (A) on a comprehensive evaluation of whether the obligor has a reasonable prospect of repaying the Federal credit instrument for the eligible project, including evaluation of—
the strength of the contractual terms of an eligible project (if available for the applicable market segment);
the forecast of noncontractual cash flows supported by market projections from reputable sources, as determined by the Secretary, and cash sweeps or other structural enhancements;
the projected financial strength of the obligor—
at the time of loan close; and
throughout the loan term, including after the project is completed;
the financial strength of the investors and strategic partners of the obligor, if applicable; and
other financial metrics and analyses that are relied on by the private lending community and nationally recognized credit rating agencies, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
Applications
To be eligible for assistance under the CIFIA program, an obligor shall submit to the Secretary a project application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
Eligible project costs
A project under the CIFIA program shall have eligible project costs that are reasonably anticipated to equal or exceed $100,000,000.
Revenue sources
The applicable Federal credit instrument shall be repayable, in whole or in part, from—
user fees;
payments owing to the obligor under a public-private partnership; or
other revenue sources that also secure or fund the project obligations.
Obligor will be identified later
A State, local government, agency, or instrumentality of a State or local government, or a public authority, may submit to the Secretary an application under paragraph (3), under which a private party to a public-private partnership will be—
the obligor; and
identified at a later date through completion of a procurement and selection of the private party.
Beneficial effects
The Secretary shall determine that financial assistance for each project under the CIFIA program will—
attract public or private investment for the project;
enable the project to proceed at an earlier date than the project would otherwise be able to proceed or reduce the lifecycle costs (including debt service costs) of the project; or
enable the transportation of carbon dioxide captured from anthropogenic sources or ambient air.
Project readiness
To be eligible for assistance under the CIFIA program, the applicant shall demonstrate a reasonable expectation that the contracting process for construction of the project can commence by not later than 90 days after the date on which a Federal credit instrument or grant is obligated for the project under the CIFIA program.
Selection among eligible projects
Establishment of application process
The Secretary shall establish an application process under which projects that are eligible to receive assistance under subsection (b) may—
receive credit assistance on terms acceptable to the Secretary, if adequate funds are available (including any funds provided on behalf of an eligible project under paragraph (3)(B)(ii)) to cover the subsidy amount associated with the Federal credit instrument; and
receive grants under section 999D if—
adequate funds are available to cover the amount of the grant; and
the Secretary determines that the project is eligible under subsection (b) of that section.
Priority
In selecting projects to receive credit assistance under subsection (b), the Secretary shall give priority to projects that—
are large-capacity, common carrier infrastructure;
have demonstrated demand for use of the infrastructure by associated projects that capture carbon dioxide from anthropogenic sources or ambient air;
enable geographical diversity in associated projects that capture carbon dioxide from anthropogenic sources or ambient air, with the goal of enabling projects in all major carbon dioxide-emitting regions of the United States; and
are sited within, or adjacent to, existing pipeline or other linear infrastructure corridors, in a manner that minimizes environmental disturbance and other siting concerns.
Master credit agreements
Priority projects
The Secretary may enter into a master credit agreement for a project that the Secretary determines—
will likely be eligible for credit assistance under subsection (b), on obtaining—
additional commitments from associated carbon capture projects to use the project; or
all necessary permits and approvals; and
is a project of high priority, as determined in accordance with the criteria described in paragraph (2).
Adequate funding not available
If the Secretary fully obligates funding to eligible projects for a fiscal year and adequate funding is not available to fund a Federal credit instrument, a project sponsor (including a unit of State or local government) of an eligible project may elect—
to enter into a master credit agreement in lieu of the Federal credit instrument; and
to wait to execute a Federal credit instrument until the fiscal year for which additional funds are available to receive credit assistance; or
if the lack of adequate funding is solely with respect to amounts available for the subsidy amount, to pay the subsidy amount to fund the Federal credit instrument.
Federal requirements
In general
Nothing in this subtitle supersedes the applicability of any other requirement under Federal law (including regulations).
NEPA
Federal credit assistance may only be provided under this subtitle for a project that has received an environmental categorical exclusion, a finding of no significant impact, or a record of decision under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
Use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods
In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), no Federal credit instrument or grant provided under the CIFIA program shall be made available for a project unless all iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in the project are produced in the United States.
Exceptions
Paragraph (1) shall not apply in any case or category of cases with respect to which the Secretary determines that—
the application would be inconsistent with the public interest;
iron, steel, or a relevant manufactured good is not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantity, or of a satisfactory quality; or
the inclusion of iron, steel, or a manufactured good produced in the United States will increase the cost of the overall project by more than 25 percent.
Waivers
If the Secretary receives a request for a waiver under this subsection, the Secretary shall—
make available to the public a copy of the request, together with any information available to the Secretary concerning the request—
on an informal basis; and
by electronic means, including on the official public website of the Department;
allow for informal public comment relating to the request for not fewer than 15 days before making a determination with respect to the request; and
approve or disapprove the request by not later than the date that is 120 days after the date of receipt of the request.
Applicability
This subsection shall be applied in accordance with any applicable obligations of the United States under international agreements.
Prevailing rate of wage
In general
The Secretary shall ensure that each laborer and mechanic employed by a contractor or subcontractor for a project financed, in whole or in part, by a Federal credit instrument or grant provided under the CIFIA program shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on the same type of work on similar construction projects in the applicable locality, as determined by the Secretary of Labor under subchapter IV of chapter 31 of part A of subtitle II of title 40, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Davis-Bacon Act
).
Authority of Secretary of Labor
With respect to the labor standards described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor shall have the authority and functions described in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. App.) and section 3145 of title 40, United States Code.
Application processing procedures
Notice of complete application
Not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of an application under this section, the Secretary shall provide to the applicant a written notice describing whether—
the application is complete; or
additional information or materials are needed to complete the application.
Approval or denial of application
Not later than 60 days after the date of issuance of a written notice under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide to the applicant a written notice informing the applicant whether the Secretary has approved or disapproved the application.
Development-Phase activities
Any Federal credit instrument provided under the CIFIA program may be used to finance up to 100 percent of the cost of development-phase activities, as described in section 999A(4)(A).
Secured loans
Agreements
In general
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may enter into agreements with 1 or more obligors to make secured loans, the proceeds of which shall be used—
to finance eligible project costs of any project selected under section 999B;
to refinance interim construction financing of eligible project costs of any project selected under section 999B; or
to refinance long-term project obligations or Federal credit instruments, if the refinancing provides additional funding capacity for the completion, enhancement, or expansion of any project that—
is selected under section 999B; or
otherwise meets the requirements of that section.
Risk assessment
Before entering into an agreement under this subsection, the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall determine an appropriate credit subsidy amount for each secured loan, taking into account all relevant factors, including the creditworthiness factors under section 999B(b)(2).
Terms and limitations
In general
A secured loan under this section with respect to a project shall be on such terms and conditions and contain such covenants, representations, warranties, and requirements (including requirements for audits) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
Maximum amount
The amount of a secured loan under this section shall not exceed an amount equal to 80 percent of the reasonably anticipated eligible project costs.
Payment
A secured loan under this section shall be payable, in whole or in part, from—
user fees;
payments owing to the obligor under a public-private partnership; or
other revenue sources that also secure or fund the project obligations.
Interest rate
In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the interest rate on a secured loan under this section shall be not less than the yield on United States Treasury securities of a similar maturity to the maturity of the secured loan on the date of execution of the loan agreement.
Limited buydowns
In general
Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary may lower the interest rate of a secured loan under this section if the interest rate has increased between the period—
beginning on, as applicable—
the date on which an application acceptable to the Secretary is submitted for the applicable project; or
the date on which the Secretary entered into a master credit agreement for the applicable project; and
ending on the date on which the Secretary executes the Federal credit instrument for the applicable project.
Limitation
The interest rate of a secured loan may not be lowered pursuant to clause (i) by more than the lower of—
11/2 percentage points (150 basis points); and
an amount equal to the amount of the increase in the interest rate described in that clause.
Maturity date
The final maturity date of the secured loan shall be the earlier of—
the date that is 35 years after the date of substantial completion of the project; and
if the useful life of the capital asset being financed is of a lesser period, the date that is the end of the useful life of the asset.
Nonsubordination
In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the secured loan shall not be subordinated to the claims of any holder of project obligations in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency, or liquidation of the obligor.
Preexisting indenture
In general
The Secretary shall waive the requirement under subparagraph (A) for a public agency borrower that is financing ongoing capital programs and has outstanding senior bonds under a preexisting indenture, if—
the secured loan is rated in the A category or higher; and
the secured loan is secured and payable from pledged revenues not affected by project performance, such as a tax-backed revenue pledge or a system-backed pledge of project revenues.
Limitation
If the Secretary waives the nonsubordination requirement under this subparagraph—
the maximum credit subsidy amount to be paid by the Federal Government shall be not more than 10 percent of the principal amount of the secured loan; and
the obligor shall be responsible for paying the remainder of the subsidy amount, if any.
Fees
The Secretary may collect a fee on or after the date of the financial close of a Federal credit instrument under this section in an amount equal to not more than $1,000,000 to cover all or a portion of the costs to the Federal Government of providing the Federal credit instrument.
Maximum Federal involvement
The total Federal assistance provided for a project under the CIFIA program, including any grant provided under section 999D, shall not exceed an amount equal to 80 percent of the eligible project costs.
Repayment
Schedule
The Secretary shall establish a repayment schedule for each secured loan under this section based on—
the projected cash flow from project revenues and other repayment sources; and
the useful life of the project.
Commencement
Scheduled loan repayments of principal or interest on a secured loan under this section shall commence not later than 5 years after the date of substantial completion of the project.
Deferred payments
In general
If, at any time after the date of substantial completion of a project, the project is unable to generate sufficient revenues in excess of reasonable and necessary operating expenses to pay the scheduled loan repayments of principal and interest on the secured loan, the Secretary may, subject to subparagraph (C), allow the obligor to add unpaid principal and interest to the outstanding balance of the secured loan.
Interest
Any payment deferred under subparagraph (A) shall—
continue to accrue interest in accordance with subsection (b)(4) until fully repaid; and
be scheduled to be amortized over the remaining term of the loan.
Criteria
In general
Any payment deferral under subparagraph (A) shall be contingent on the project meeting criteria established by the Secretary.
Repayment standards
The criteria established pursuant to clause (i) shall include standards for the reasonable prospect of repayment.
Prepayment
Use of excess revenues
Any excess revenues that remain after satisfying scheduled debt service requirements on the project obligations and secured loan and all deposit requirements under the terms of any trust agreement, bond resolution, or similar agreement securing project obligations may be applied annually to prepay the secured loan, without penalty.
Use of proceeds of refinancing
A secured loan may be prepaid at any time without penalty from the proceeds of refinancing from non-Federal funding sources.
Sale of secured loans
In general
Subject to paragraph (2), as soon as practicable after substantial completion of a project and after notifying the obligor, the Secretary may sell to another entity or reoffer into the capital markets a secured loan for the project if the Secretary determines that the sale or reoffering can be made on favorable terms.
Consent of obligor
In making a sale or reoffering under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not change any original term or condition of the secured loan without the written consent of the obligor.
Loan guarantees
In general
The Secretary may provide a loan guarantee to a lender in lieu of making a secured loan under this section if the Secretary determines that the budgetary cost of the loan guarantee is substantially the same as, or less than, that of a secured loan.
Terms
The terms of a loan guarantee under paragraph (1) shall be consistent with the terms required under this section for a secured loan, except that the rate on the guaranteed loan and any prepayment features shall be negotiated between the obligor and the lender, with the consent of the Secretary.
Future growth grants
Establishment
The Secretary may provide grants to pay a portion of the cost differential, with respect to any projected future increase in demand for carbon dioxide transportation by an infrastructure project described in subsection (b), between—
the cost of constructing the infrastructure asset with the capacity to transport an increased flow rate of carbon dioxide, as made practicable under the project; and
the cost of constructing the infrastructure asset with the capacity to transport carbon dioxide at the flow rate initially required, based on commitments for the use of the asset.
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall—
be eligible to receive credit assistance under the CIFIA program;
carry out, or propose to carry out, a project for large-capacity, common carrier infrastructure with a probable future increase in demand for carbon dioxide transportation; and
submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
Use of funds
A grant provided under this section may be used only to pay the costs of any additional flow rate capacity of a carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure asset that the project sponsor demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary can reasonably be expected to be used during the 20-year period beginning on the date of substantial completion of the project described in subsection (b)(2).
Maximum amount
The amount of a grant provided under this section may not exceed an amount equal to 80 percent of the cost of the additional capacity described in subsection (a).
Program administration
Requirement
The Secretary shall establish a uniform system to service the Federal credit instruments provided under the CIFIA program.
Fees
The Secretary may collect fees on or after the date of the financial close of a Federal credit instrument provided under the CIFIA program, contingent on authority being provided in appropriations Acts, at a level that is sufficient to cover—
the costs of services of expert firms retained pursuant to subsection (d); and
all or a portion of the costs to the Federal Government of servicing the Federal credit instruments.
Servicer
In general
The Secretary may appoint a financial entity to assist the Secretary in servicing the Federal credit instruments.
Duties
A servicer appointed under paragraph (1) shall act as the agent for the Secretary.
Fee
A servicer appointed under paragraph (1) shall receive a servicing fee, subject to approval by the Secretary.
Assistance from expert firms
The Secretary may retain the services of expert firms, including counsel, in the field of municipal and project finance to assist in the underwriting and servicing of Federal credit instruments.
Expedited processing
The Secretary shall implement procedures and measures to economize the time and cost involved in obtaining approval and the issuance of credit assistance under the CIFIA program.
State and local permits
The provision of credit assistance under the CIFIA program with respect to a project shall not—
relieve any recipient of the assistance of any project obligation to obtain any required State or local permit or approval with respect to the project;
limit the right of any unit of State or local government to approve or regulate any rate of return on private equity invested in the project; or
otherwise supersede any State or local law (including any regulation) applicable to the construction or operation of the project.
Regulations
The Secretary may promulgate such regulations as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to carry out the CIFIA program.
Funding
Funding
In general
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subtitle, to remain available until expended—
$600,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023; and
$300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2026.
Spending and borrowing authority
Spending and borrowing authority for a fiscal year to enter into Federal credit instruments shall be promptly apportioned to the Secretary on a fiscal-year basis.
Reestimates
If the subsidy amount of a Federal credit instrument is reestimated, the cost increase or decrease of the reestimate shall be borne by, or benefit, the general fund of the Treasury, consistent with section 504(f) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 661c(f)).
Administrative costs
Of the amounts made available to carry out the CIFIA program, the Secretary may use not more than $9,000,000 (as indexed for United States dollar inflation from the date of enactment of the Storing CO2 And Lowering Emissions Act (as measured by the Consumer Price Index)) each fiscal year for the administration of the CIFIA program.
Contract authority
In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, execution of a term sheet by the Secretary of a Federal credit instrument that uses amounts made available under the CIFIA program shall impose on the United States a contractual obligation to fund the Federal credit investment.
Availability
Amounts made available to carry out the CIFIA program for a fiscal year shall be available for obligation on October 1 of the fiscal year.
.
Technical amendments
The table of contents for the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–58; 119 Stat. 600) is amended—
in the item relating to section 917, by striking Efficiency
;
by striking the items relating to subtitle J of title IX (relating to ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resources) and inserting the following:
Subtitle J—Carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure finance and innovation
Sec. 999A. Definitions.
Sec. 999B. Determination of eligibility and project selection.
Sec. 999C. Secured loans.
Sec. 999D. Future growth grants.
Sec. 999E. Program administration.
Sec. 999F. State and local permits.
Sec. 999G. Regulations.
Sec. 999H. Funding.
;
by striking the item relating to section 969B and inserting the following:
.
Geologic storage of captured carbon
Carbon storage validation and testing
Section 963 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16293) is amended—
in subsection (a)(1)(B), by striking over a 10-year period
;
in subsection (b)—
in paragraph (1), by striking and demonstration
and inserting demonstration, and commercialization
; and
in paragraph (2)—
in subparagraph (G), by striking and
at the end;
in subparagraph (H), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following:
evaluating the quantity, location, and timing of geologic carbon storage deployment that may be needed, and developing strategies and resources to enable the deployment.
;
by redesignating subsections (e) through (g) as subsections (f) through (h), respectively;
by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
Large-Scale carbon storage commercialization program
In general
The Secretary shall establish a commercialization program under which the Secretary shall provide funding for the development of new or expanded commercial large-scale carbon sequestration projects and associated carbon dioxide transport infrastructure, including funding for the feasibility, site characterization, permitting, and construction stages of project development.
Applications; selection
In general
To be eligible to enter into an agreement with the Secretary for funding under paragraph (1), an entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
Application process
The Secretary shall establish an application process that, to the maximum extent practicable—
is open to projects at any stage of development described in paragraph (1); and
facilitates expeditious development of projects described in that paragraph.
Project selection
In selecting projects for funding under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to—
projects with substantial carbon dioxide storage capacity; or
projects that will store carbon dioxide from multiple carbon capture facilities.
;
in subsection (f) (as so redesignated), in paragraph (1), by inserting with respect to the research, development, demonstration program components described in subsections (b) through (d)
before give preference
; and
in subsection (h) (as so redesignated)—
in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
;
by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and indenting appropriately;
by inserting before subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated) the following:
for activities under the research, development, demonstration program components described in subsections (b) through (d)—
; and
by adding at the end the following:
for activities under the commercialization program component described in subsection (e), to remain available until expended, $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
.
Secure geologic storage permitting
Definitions
In this section:
Administrator
The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Class VI well
The term Class VI well means a well described in section 144.6(f) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
Geologic sequestration permitting
For the permitting of Class VI wells by the Administrator for the injection of carbon dioxide for the purpose of geologic sequestration in accordance with the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.) and the final rule of the Administrator entitled Federal Requirements Under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program for Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Geologic Sequestration (GS) Wells
(75 Fed. Reg. 77230 (December 10, 2010)), there is authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, $5,000,000.
State permitting program grants
Establishment
The Administrator shall award grants to States that, pursuant to section 1422 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300h–1), receive the approval of the Administrator for a State underground injection control program for permitting Class VI wells for the injection of carbon dioxide.
Use of funds
A State that receives a grant under paragraph (1) shall use the amounts received under the grant to defray the expenses of the State related to the establishment and operation of a State underground injection control program described in paragraph (1).
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, $50,000,000.