42 U.S.C. § 6309 — Consumer education

**(a) In general** The Secretary shall, in close cooperation and coordination with the Commission and appropriate industry trade associations and industry members, including retailers, and interested consumer and environmental organizations, carry out a program to educate consumers and other persons with respect to— (1) the significance of estimated annual operating costs; (2) the way in which comparative shopping, including comparisons of estimated annual operating costs, can save energy for the Nation and money for consumers; and (3) such other matters as the Secretary determines may encourage the conservation of energy in the use of consumer products. Such steps to educate consumers may include publications, audiovisual presentations, demonstrations, and the sponsorship of national and regional conferences involving manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers, and State, local, and Federal Government representatives. Nothing in this section may be construed to require the compilation of lists which compare the estimated annual operating costs of consumer products by model or manufacturer’s name. **(b) State and local incentive programs** (1) The Secretary shall, not later than one year after October 24, 1992, issue recommendations to the States for establishing State and local incentive programs designed to encourage the acceleration of voluntary replacement, by consumers, of existing showerheads, faucets, water closets, and urinals with those products that meet the standards established for such products pursuant to subsections (j) and (k) of [section 6295 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section6295&num=0&edition=prelim). (2) In developing such recommendations, the Secretary shall consult with the heads of other federal 11 So in original. Probably should be capitalized. agencies, including the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; State officials; manufacturers, suppliers, and installers of plumbing products; and other interested parties. **(c) HVAC maintenance** (1) To ensure that installed air conditioning and heating systems operate at maximum rated efficiency levels, the Secretary shall, not later than 180 days after August 8, 2005, carry out a program to educate homeowners and small business owners concerning the energy savings from properly conducted maintenance of air conditioning, heating, and ventilating systems. (2) The Secretary shall carry out the program under paragraph (1), on a cost-shared basis, in cooperation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and any other entities that the Secretary determines to be appropriate, including industry trade associations, industry members, and energy efficiency organizations. **(d) Small business education and assistance** (1) The Administrator of the Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Secretary and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall develop and coordinate a Government-wide program, building on the Energy Star for Small Business Program, to assist small businesses in— (A) becoming more energy efficient; (B) understanding the cost savings from improved energy efficiency; (C) understanding and accessing Federal procurement opportunities with regard to Energy Star technologies and products; and (D) identifying financing options for energy efficiency upgrades. (2) The Secretary, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall— (A) make program information available to small business concerns directly through the district offices and resource partners of the Small Business Administration, including small business development centers, women’s business centers, and the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), and through other Federal agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Agriculture; and (B) coordinate assistance with the Secretary of Commerce for manufacturing-related efforts, including the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program. (3) The Secretary, on a cost shared basis in cooperation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall provide to the Small Business Administration all advertising, marketing, and other written materials necessary for the dissemination of information under paragraph (2). (4) The Secretary, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, as part of the outreach to small business concerns under the Energy Star Program for Small Business Program, may enter into cooperative agreements with qualified resources partners (including the National Center for Appropriate Technology) to establish, maintain, and promote a Small Business Energy Clearinghouse (in this subsection referred to as the “Clearinghouse”). (5) The Secretary, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall ensure that the Clearinghouse provides a centralized resource where small business concerns may access, telephonically and electronically, technical information and advice to help increase energy efficiency and reduce energy costs. (6) There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection, to remain available until expended.