[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 84 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 84
To establish a program of demonstration and commercial application of
advanced energy efficiency technologies and systems for buildings, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 4, 2007
Mrs. Biggert introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Science and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a program of demonstration and commercial application of
advanced energy efficiency technologies and systems for buildings, 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 ``Energy Efficient Buildings Act of
2007''.
SEC. 2. ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Energy Efficient Building Pilot Grant Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy (in this Act
referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall establish a pilot
program to award grants to businesses and organizations for new
construction of energy efficient buildings, or major
renovations of buildings that will result in energy efficient
buildings, to demonstrate innovative energy efficiency
technologies, especially those sponsored by the Department of
Energy.
(2) Awards.--The Secretary shall award grants under this
subsection competitively to those applicants whose proposals--
(A) best demonstrate--
(i) likelihood to meet or exceed the
standards referred to in subsection (b)(2);
(ii) likelihood to maximize cost-effective
energy efficiency opportunities; and
(iii) advanced energy efficiency
technologies; and
(B) maximize the leverage of private investment for
costs related to increasing the energy efficiency of
the building.
(3) Consideration.--The Secretary shall give due
consideration to proposals for buildings that are likely to
serve low and moderate income populations.
(4) Amount of grants.--Grants under this subsection shall
be for up to 50 percent of design and energy modeling costs,
not to exceed $50,000 per building. No single grantee may be
eligible for more than 3 grants per year under this program.
(5) Grant payments.--
(A) Initial payment.--The Secretary shall pay 50
percent of the total amount of the grant to grant
recipients upon selection.
(B) Remainder of payment.--The Secretary shall pay
the remaining 50 percent of the grant only after
independent certification, by a professional engineer
or other qualified professional, that operational
buildings are energy efficient buildings as defined in
subsection (b).
(C) Failure to comply.--The Secretary shall not
provide the remainder of the payment unless the
building is certified within 6 months after operation
of the completed building to meet the requirements
described in subparagraph (B), or in the case of major
renovations the building is certified within 6 months
of the completion of the renovations.
(6) Report to congress.--Not later than 3 years after
awarding the first grant under this subsection, the Secretary
shall transmit to Congress a report containing--
(A) the total number and dollar amount of grants
awarded under this subsection; and
(B) an estimate of aggregate cost and energy
savings enabled by the pilot program under this
subsection.
(7) Administrative expenses.--Administrative expenses for
the program under this subsection shall not exceed 10 percent
of appropriated funds.
(b) Definition of Energy Efficient Building.--For purposes of this
section the term ``energy efficient building'' means a building that--
(1) achieves a reduction in energy consumption of--
(A) at least 30 percent for new construction,
compared to the energy standards set by the 2004
International Energy Conservation Code (in the case of
residential buildings) or ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004; or
(B) at least 20 percent for major renovations,
compared to energy consumption before renovations are
begun;
(2) is constructed or renovated in accordance with the most
current, appropriate, and applicable voluntary consensus
standards, as determined by the Secretary, such as those listed
in the assessment under section 914(b), or revised or developed
under section 914(c), of the Energy Policy Act of 2005; and
(3) after construction or renovation--
(A) uses heating, ventilating, and air conditioning
systems that perform at no less than Energy Star
standards; or
(B) if Energy Star standards are not applicable,
uses Federal Energy Management Program recommended
heating, ventilating, and air conditioning products.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary for carrying out this section $10,000,000
for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
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