Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act
This bill addresses provisions related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon pollution reduction, nuclear energy, electric grid modernization and cybersecurity, and otherwise makes changes to provisions related to the Department of Energy (DOE), and other federal agencies.
Among other provisions, the bill
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4447 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4447
To establish an energy storage and microgrid grant and technical
assistance program.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 20, 2019
Mr. O'Halleran (for himself, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Lamb, and Mr. Norman)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish an energy storage and microgrid grant and technical
assistance program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding Access to Sustainable
Energy Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a rural electric cooperative; or
(B) a nonprofit organization working with at least
6 or more rural electric cooperatives.
(2) Energy storage.--The term ``energy storage'' means the
use of a system, equipment, facility, or technology that--
(A) is capable of absorbing energy, storing that
energy for a period of time, and dispatching the stored
energy; and
(B)(i) uses a mechanical, electrochemical, or
thermal process to store energy that--
(I) was generated at an earlier time for
use at a later time; or
(II) was generated from a mechanical
process, and would otherwise be wasted, for
delivery at a later time; or
(ii) stores thermal energy for direct use for
heating or cooling at a later time in a manner that
avoids the need to use electricity at that later time,
including the storage and use offered by a grid-enabled
water heater.
(3) Island.--The term ``island'', with respect to a
distributed generator or energy storage equipment, means that
the generator or equipment continues to power a location in the
absence of electric power from a primary source.
(4) Microgrid.--The term ``microgrid'' means an
interconnected system of loads and distributed energy
resources, including generators and energy storage devices,
within clearly defined electrical boundaries that--
(A) acts as a single controllable entity with
respect to the grid; and
(B) can connect and disconnect from the grid to
operate in both grid-connected mode and island mode.
(5) Renewable energy source.--The term ``renewable energy
source'' has the meaning given the term in section 609(a) of
the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C.
918c(a)).
(6) Rural electric cooperative.--The term ``rural electric
cooperative'' means an electric cooperative (as defined in
section 3 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796)) that sells
electric energy to persons in rural areas.
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
SEC. 3. ENERGY STORAGE AND MICROGRID ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program under
which the Secretary shall--
(1) provide grants to eligible entities under subsection
(c);
(2) provide technical assistance to eligible entities under
subsection (d); and
(3) disseminate information to eligible entities on--
(A) the activities described in subsections (c)(1)
and (d); and
(B) potential and existing energy storage and
microgrid projects.
(b) Cooperative Agreement.--The Secretary may enter into a
cooperative agreement with an eligible entity to carry out subsection
(a).
(c) Grants.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants to
eligible entities for identifying, evaluating, designing, and
demonstrating energy storage and microgrid projects that
utilize energy from renewable energy sources.
(2) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
paragraph (1), an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary
an application at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Secretary may require.
(3) Use of grant.--An eligible entity that receives a grant
under paragraph (1)--
(A) shall use the grant--
(i) to conduct feasibility studies to
assess the potential for implementation or
improvement of energy storage or microgrid
projects;
(ii) to analyze and implement strategies to
overcome barriers to energy storage or
microgrid project implementation, including
financial, contracting, siting, and permitting
barriers;
(iii) to conduct detailed engineering of
energy storage or microgrid projects;
(iv) to perform a cost-benefit analysis
with respect to an energy storage or microgrid
project;
(v) to plan for both the short- and long-
term inclusion of energy storage or microgrid
projects into the future development plans of
the eligible entity; or
(vi) to purchase and install necessary
equipment, materials, and supplies for
demonstration of emerging technologies; and
(B) may use the grant to obtain technical
assistance from experts in carrying out the activities
described in this Act.
(4) Condition.--As a condition of receiving a grant under
paragraph (1), an eligible entity shall--
(A) implement a public awareness campaign about the
project implemented under the grant in the community in
which the eligible entity is located;
(B) submit to the Secretary, and make available to
the public, a report that describes--
(i) any energy cost savings and
environmental benefits achieved under the
project; and
(ii) the results of the project, including
quantitative assessments to the extent
practicable, associated with each activity
described in paragraph (3)(A); and
(C) create and disseminate useful or innovative
tools and resources that will benefit other rural
electric cooperatives, which may include cost
calculators, guidebooks, handbooks, templates and
training courses.
(5) Cost-share.--Activities under this subsection shall be
subject to the cost-sharing requirements of section 988 of the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352).
(d) Technical Assistance.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out subsection
(a)(2) by providing eligible entities with technical assistance
relating to--
(A) identifying opportunities for energy storage
and microgrid projects;
(B) understanding the technical and economic
characteristics of energy storage or microgrid
projects;
(C) understanding financing alternatives;
(D) permitting and siting issues;
(E) obtaining case studies of similar and
successful energy storage or microgrid projects;
(F) reviewing and obtaining computer software for
assessment, design, and operation and maintenance of
energy storage or microgrid systems; and
(G) understanding and utilizing the reliability and
resiliency benefits of energy storage and microgrid
projects.
(2) External contracts.--In carrying out subsection (a)(2),
the Secretary may enter into contracts with third-party
experts, including engineering, finance, and insurance experts,
to provide technical assistance to eligible entities relating
to the activities described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of
paragraph (1), or other relevant activities, as determined by
the Secretary.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this Act $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2025.
(b) Administrative Costs.--Not more than 5 percent of the amount
appropriated under subsection (a) for each fiscal year shall be used
for administrative expenses.
<all>
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Stevens amendment en bloc No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Stevens demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1129, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Degette amendment en bloc No. 2
Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1129, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Pallone amendment en bloc. No. 3.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1129, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Haaland amendment No. 32.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Haaland amendment No. 32, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Haaland demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1129, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Levin(CA)amendment en bloc No. 4.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Levin (CA) amendment en bloc No. 4, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Levin (CA) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on amendments, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
The previous question was ordered without objection.
Mr. Lucas moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (text: CR H4947)
Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lucas motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to prohibit the use of funds for entities that fail to certify that they will not transfer intellectual properties, technologies or data to other entities deemed to be of risk by the Secretary of Energy or the United States Trade Representative.
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 193 - 214 (Roll no. 205).
Roll Call #205 (House)Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 185 (Roll no. 206).
Roll Call #206 (House)On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 185 (Roll no. 206).
Roll Call #206 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 4447.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.