Trees for Residential Energy and Economic Savings Act of 2021 or the TREES Act of 2021
This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a grant program for states, local governments, Indian tribes, and other entities to facilitate tree planting projects that reduce residential energy consumption. Under the program, DOE may award grants to facilitate the planting of at least 300,000 trees annually in residential neighborhoods.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3522 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3522
To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program to
facilitate tree planting that reduces residential energy consumption,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 25, 2021
Ms. Matsui (for herself, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. McKinley, and
Mr. Fortenberry) introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program to
facilitate tree planting that reduces residential energy consumption,
and for other purposes.
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 ``Trees for Residential Energy and
Economic Savings Act of 2021'' or the ``TREES Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. TREE PLANTING GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program under
which the Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to facilitate
covered projects in accordance with this section.
(b) Consultation.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall
consult with the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of
the Forest Service.
(c) Applications.--To receive a grant under the Program, an
eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such
time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary
may require, including the following:
(1) A description of how the proposed covered project will
reduce residential energy consumption.
(2) An estimate of the expected reduction in residential
energy consumption to be achieved by the covered project.
(3) A description of the total eligible costs of the
project and other sources of funding for the covered project.
(4) A description of anticipated community engagement in
the covered project.
(5) A description of the tree species to be planted under
the covered project and the suitability of such species to the
local environment.
(d) Priority.--In awarding grants under the Program, the Secretary
shall give priority to covered projects that--
(1) provide the largest potential reduction in residential
energy consumption for households with a high energy burden;
(2) provide maximum amounts of--
(A) shade during periods when residences are
exposed to the most sun intensity; and
(B) wind protection during periods when residences
are exposed to the most wind intensity;
(3) are located in a neighborhood with a low percentage of
tree canopy cover;
(4) are located in a neighborhood with a high percentage of
senior citizens or children;
(5) are located in an area where the average annual income
is below the regional median;
(6) will collaboratively engage community members to be
affected by the tree planting; and
(7) will employ local residents as a substantial percentage
of the workforce of the covered project, with a focus on local
residents who are unemployed or underemployed.
(e) Tree Planting Goals.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable,
award grants under the Program in a manner that facilitates the
planting of at least 300,000 trees each year.
(f) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a covered
project assisted by a grant awarded under the Program shall be 90
percent.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out the Program, $50,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2022 through 2026.
(h) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered project.--The term ``covered project'' means a
tree planting project carried out to reduce residential energy
consumption.
(2) Eligible cost.--The term ``eligible cost'' means, with
respect to a covered project--
(A) the cost of carrying out the project,
including--
(i) planning and design activities;
(ii) establishing nurseries to supply
trees;
(iii) purchasing trees; and
(iv) preparing sites and planting trees;
(B) the cost of maintaining and monitoring planted
trees for a period of not more than 3 years;
(C) the cost of training activities; and
(D) any other cost determined appropriate by the
Secretary.
(3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means
each of the following:
(A) A State government entity.
(B) A local government entity.
(C) An Indian Tribe.
(D) A nonprofit organization.
(E) A retail power provider.
(4) Energy burden.--The term ``energy burden'' means the
percentage of household income spent on residential energy
bills.
(5) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(6) Local government entity.--The term ``local government
entity'' means any municipal government or county government
entity with jurisdiction over local land use decisions.
(7) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit
organization'' means an organization described in section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from
tax under section 501(a) of such Code.
(8) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the program
established under subsection (a).
(9) Retail power provider.--The term ``retail power
provider'' means any entity authorized under State or Federal
law to generate, distribute, or provide retail electricity,
natural gas, or fuel oil service.
(10) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
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