42 USC 6371h-1 - Energy sustainability and efficiency grants and loans for institutions

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 17, 2024

§ 6371h–1.

Energy sustainability and efficiency grants and loans for institutions

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Combined heat and power

(2)

District energy systems

(3)

Energy sustainability

(4)

Institution of higher education

(5)

Institutional entity

(6)

Renewable energy source

(7)

Sustainable energy infrastructure

The term “sustainable energy infrastructure” means—

(A)

facilities for production of energy from renewable energy sources, thermal energy sources, or highly efficient technologies, including combined heat and power or other waste heat use; and

(B)

district energy systems.

(8)

Thermal energy source

The term “thermal energy source” means—

(A)

a natural source of cooling or heating from lake or ocean water; and

(B)

recovery of useful energy that would otherwise be wasted from ongoing energy uses.

(b)

Technical assistance grants

(1)

In general

(2)

Assistance

The Secretary shall support institutional entities in—

(A)

identification of opportunities for sustainable energy infrastructure;

(B)

understanding the technical and economic characteristics of sustainable energy infrastructure;

(C)

utility interconnection and negotiation of power and fuel contracts;

(D)

understanding financing alternatives;

(E)

permitting and siting issues;

(F)

obtaining case studies of similar and successful sustainable energy infrastructure systems; and

(G)

reviewing and obtaining computer software for assessment, design, and operation and maintenance of sustainable energy infrastructure systems.

(3)

Eligible costs for technical assistance grants

On receipt of an application of an institutional entity, the Secretary may make grants to the institutional entity to fund a portion of the cost of—

(A)

feasibility studies to assess the potential for implementation or improvement of sustainable energy infrastructure;

(B)

analysis and implementation of strategies to overcome barriers to project implementation, including financial, contracting, siting, and permitting barriers; and

(C)

detailed engineering of sustainable energy infrastructure.

(c)

Grants for energy efficiency improvement and energy sustainability

(1)

Grants

(A)

In general

(B)

Requirement

(C)

Minimum funding

(2)

Criteria

Evaluation of projects for grant funding shall be based on criteria established by the Secretary, including criteria relating to—

(A)

improvement in energy efficiency;

(B)

reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and other air emissions, including criteria air pollutants and ozone-depleting refrigerants;

(C)

increased use of renewable energy sources or thermal energy sources;

(D)

reduction in consumption of fossil fuels;

(E)

active student participation; and

(F)

need for funding assistance.

(3)

Condition

As a condition of receiving a grant under this subsection, an institutional entity shall agree—

(A)

to implement a public awareness campaign concerning the project in the community in which the institutional entity is located; and

(B)

to submit to the Secretary, and make available to the public, reports on any efficiency improvements, energy cost savings, and environmental benefits achieved as part of a project carried out under paragraph (1), including quantification of the results relative to the criteria described under paragraph (2).

(d)

Grants for innovation in energy sustainability

(1)

Grants

(A)

In general

(B)

Requirement

(C)

Minimum funding

(2)

Innovation projects

An innovation project carried out with a grant under this subsection shall—

(A)

involve—

(i)

an innovative technology that is not yet commercially available; or

(ii)

available technology in an innovative application that maximizes energy efficiency and sustainability;

(B)

have the greatest potential for testing or demonstrating new technologies or processes; and

(C)

to the extent undertaken by an institution of higher education, ensure active student participation in the project, including the planning, implementation, evaluation, and other phases of projects.

(3)

Condition

(e)

Allocation to institutions of higher education with small endowments

(1)

In general

(2)

Requirement

(f)

Grant amounts

(1)

In general

(2)

In the case of grants for technical assistance under subsection (b), grant funds shall be available for not more than—

(A)

an amount equal to the lesser of—

(i)

$50,000; or

(ii)

75 percent of the cost of feasibility studies to assess the potential for implementation or improvement of sustainable energy infrastructure;

(B)

an amount equal to the lesser of—

(i)

$90,000; or

(ii)

60 percent of the cost of guidance on overcoming barriers to project implementation, including financial, contracting, siting, and permitting barriers; and

(C)

an amount equal to the lesser of—

(i)

$250,000; or

(ii)

40 percent of the cost of detailed engineering and design of sustainable energy infrastructure.

(3)

Grants for efficiency improvement and energy sustainability

In the case of grants for efficiency improvement and energy sustainability under subsection (c), grant funds shall be available for not more than an amount equal to the lesser of—

(A)

$1,000,000; or

(B)

60 percent of the total cost.

(4)

Grants for innovation in energy sustainability

In the case of grants for innovation in energy sustainability under subsection (d), grant funds shall be available for not more than an amount equal to the lesser of—

(A)

$500,000; or

(B)

75 percent of the total cost.

(g)

Loans for energy efficiency improvement and energy sustainability

(1)

In general

(2)

Terms and conditions

(A)

In general

(B)

Maturity

The final maturity of loans made within a period shall be the lesser of, as determined by the Secretary—

(i)

20 years; or

(ii)

90 percent of the useful life of the principal physical asset to be financed by the loan.

(C)

Default

(D)

Benchmark interest rate

(i)

In general

(ii)

Minimum

(iii)

New loans

(E)

Credit risk

The Secretary shall—

(i)

prescribe explicit standards for use in periodically assessing the credit risk of making direct loans under this subsection; and

(ii)

find that there is a reasonable assurance of repayment before making a loan.

(F)

Advance budget authority required

(3)

Criteria

Evaluation of projects for potential loan funding shall be based on criteria established by the Secretary, including criteria relating to—

(A)

improvement in energy efficiency;

(B)

reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and other air emissions, including criteria air pollutants and ozone-depleting refrigerants;

(C)

increased use of renewable electric energy sources or renewable thermal energy sources;

(D)

reduction in consumption of fossil fuels; and

(E)

need for funding assistance, including consideration of the size of endowment or other financial resources available to the institutional entity.

(4)

Labor standards

(A)

In general

(B)

Authority and functions

(h)

Program procedures

(i)

Authorization

(1)

Grants

(2)

Loans

(Pub. L. 94–163, title III, § 399A, as added Pub. L. 110–140, title IV, § 471, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1642.)

cite as: 42 USC 6371h-1