42 U.S.C. § 17233 — Untitled legal text

Page 9018 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 17233 Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Section was enacted as part of the Energy Act of 2020, and not as part of the Energy Independence and Secu- rity Act of 2007 which comprises this chapter. Section is comprised of section 3201 of div. Z of Pub. L. 116–260. Subsec. (f) of section 3201 of div. Z of Pub. L. 116–260 amended section 17231 of this title. Section 40334(1) of Pub. L. 117–58, which directed amendment of section 3201 of the Energy Policy Act of 2020 by redesig- nating subsections (e) through (g) as subsections (f) through (h), respectively, was executed by making the amendment to section 3201 of div. Z of Pub. L. 116–260, known as the Energy Act of 2020, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. AMENDMENTS 2021—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, § 40112(1), sub- stituted ‘‘including—’’ for ‘‘including’’, inserted subpar. (A) designation before ‘‘at least’’, and added subpar. (B). Subsec. (c)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 117–58, § 40112(2), (3), added par. (3) and redesignated former pars. (3) and (4) as (4) and (5), respectively. Subsecs. (e) to (h). Pub. L. 117–58, § 40334, which di- rected amendment of section 3201 of the Energy Policy Act of 2020 by adding subsec. (e) and redesignating former subsecs. (e) to (g) as (f) to (h), respectively, was executed to this section, which is section 3201 of the Energy Act of 2020, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries WAGE RATE REQUIREMENTS For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including au- thority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of this title. § 17233. Energy storage technology and microgrid assistance program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term ‘‘eligible entity’’ means— (A) a rural electric cooperative; (B) an agency, authority, or instrumen- tality of a State or political subdivision of a State that sells or otherwise uses electrical energy to provide electric services for cus- tomers; or (C) a nonprofit organization working with at least 6 entities described in subparagraph (A) or (B). (2) Energy storage technology The term ‘‘energy storage technology’’ in- cludes grid-enabled water heaters, building heating or cooling systems, electric vehicles, the production of hydrogen for transportation or industrial use, or other technologies that store energy. (3) Microgrid The term ‘‘microgrid’’ means a localized grid that operates autonomously regardless of whether the grid can operate in connection with another grid. (4) Renewable energy source The term ‘‘renewable energy source’’ has the meaning given the term in section 918c(a) of title 7. (5) Rural electric cooperative The term ‘‘rural electric cooperative’’ means an electric cooperative (as defined in section 796 of title 16) that sells electric energy to per- sons in rural areas. (6) Secretary The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of Energy. (b) In general Not later than 180 days after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall— (1) provide grants to eligible entities under subsection (d); (2) provide technical assistance to eligible entities under subsection (e); and (3) disseminate information to eligible enti- ties on— (A) the activities described in subsections (d)(1) and (e); and (B) potential and existing energy storage technology and microgrid projects. (c) Cooperative agreement The Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity to carry out subsection (b). (d) Grants (1) In general The Secretary may award grants to eligible entities for identifying, evaluating, designing, and demonstrating energy storage technology and microgrid projects that utilize energy from renewable energy sources. (2) Application To be eligible to receive a grant under para- graph (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 as- sess the potential for implementation or improvement of energy storage technology or microgrid projects; (ii) to analyze and implement strategies to overcome barriers to energy storage technology or microgrid project imple- mentation, including financial, con- tracting, siting, and permitting barriers; (iii) to conduct detailed engineering of energy storage technology or microgrid projects; (iv) to perform a cost-benefit analysis with respect to an energy storage tech- nology or microgrid project; (v) to plan for both the short- and long- term inclusion of energy storage tech- nology or microgrid projects into the fu- ture development plans of the eligible en- tity; or (vi) to purchase and install necessary equipment, materials, and supplies for demonstration of emerging technologies; and Page 9019 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 17242 (B) may use the grant to obtain technical assistance from experts in carrying out the activities described in subparagraph (A). (4) Condition As a condition of receiving a grant under paragraph (1), an eligible entity shall— (A) implement a public awareness cam- paign, in coordination with the Secretary, about the project implemented under the grant in the community in which the eligi- ble entity is located, which campaign shall include providing projected environmental benefits achieved under the project, where to find more information about the program es- tablished under this section, and any other information the Secretary determines nec- essary; (B) submit to the Secretary, and make available to the public, a report that de- scribes— (i) any energy cost savings and environ- mental 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 tools and re- sources that will benefit other rural electric cooperatives, which may include cost cal- culators, guidebooks, handbooks, templates, and training courses. (5) Cost-share Activities under this subsection shall be sub- ject to the cost-sharing requirements of sec- tion 16352 of this title. (e) Technical assistance (1) In general In carrying out the program established under subsection (b), the Secretary may pro- vide eligible entities with technical assistance relating to— (A) identifying opportunities for energy storage technology and microgrid projects; (B) understanding the technical and eco- nomic characteristics of energy storage technology or microgrid projects; (C) understanding financing alternatives; (D) permitting and siting issues; (E) obtaining case studies of similar and successful energy storage technology or microgrid projects; (F) reviewing and obtaining computer soft- ware for assessment, design, and operation and maintenance of energy storage tech- nology or microgrid systems; and (G) understanding and utilizing the reli- ability and resiliency benefits of energy storage technology and microgrid projects. (2) External contracts In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary may enter into contracts with third-party ex- perts, including engineering, finance, and in- surance experts, to provide technical assist- ance to eligible entities relating to the activi- ties described in such paragraph, or other rel- evant activities, as determined by the Sec- retary. (f) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025. (2) Administrative costs Not more than 5 percent of the amount ap- propriated under paragraph (1) for each fiscal year shall be used for administrative expenses. (Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title III, § 3202, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2525.) Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Section was enacted as part of the Energy Act of 2020, and not as part of the Energy Independence and Secu- rity Act of 2007 which comprises this chapter. PART E—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS § 17241. Lightweight materials research and de- velopment (a) In general As soon as practicable after December 19, 2007, the Secretary of Energy shall establish a pro- gram to determine ways in which the weight of motor vehicles could be reduced to improve fuel efficiency without compromising passenger safe- ty by conducting research, development, and demonstration relating to— (1) the development of new materials (in- cluding cast metal composite materials formed by autocombustion synthesis) and ma- terial processes that yield a higher strength- to-weight ratio or other properties that reduce vehicle weight; and (2) reducing the cost of— (A) lightweight materials (including high- strength steel alloys, aluminum, magne- sium, metal composites, and carbon fiber re- inforced polymer composites) with the prop- erties required for construction of lighter- weight vehicles; and (B) materials processing, automated man- ufacturing, joining, and recycling light- weight materials for high-volume applica- tions. (b) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $80,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. (Pub. L. 110–140, title VI, § 651, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1694.) Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as a note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress. § 17242. Commercial insulation demonstration program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Advanced insulation The term ‘‘advanced insulation’’ means insu- lation that has an R value of not less than R35 per inch.