Sec. 4. Technical assistance program
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The Secretary shall establish a program to disseminate information and provide technical assistance, directly or through grants provided so that recipients may contract to obtain technical assistance, to assist eligible entities in identifying, evaluating, planning, and designing local energy infrastructure. The technical assistance under paragraph
(1)shall include assistance with 1 or more of the following: Identification of opportunities to use waste energy or renewable energy resources. Assessment of technical and economic characteristics. Utility interconnection. Negotiation of power and fuel contracts. Permitting and siting issues. Marketing and contract negotiations. Business planning and financial analysis. Engineering design. The information dissemination under paragraph
(1)shall include— information relating to the topics identified in paragraph (2), including case studies of successful examples; and computer software for assessment, design, and operation and maintenance of local energy infrastructure. Any nonprofit or for-profit entity shall be eligible to receive assistance under the program established under subsection (a). On application by an eligible entity, the Secretary may award grants to an eligible entity to provide funds to cover not more than— 100 percent of the cost of initial assessment to identify local energy opportunities; 75 percent of the cost of feasibility studies to assess the potential for the implementation of local energy infrastructure; 60 percent of the cost of guidance on overcoming barriers to the implementation of local energy infrastructure, including financial, contracting, siting, and permitting issues; and 45 percent of the cost of detailed engineering of local energy infrastructure. An eligible entity desiring technical assistance under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require under the rules and procedures adopted under subsection (f). The Secretary shall seek applications for technical assistance under this section— on a competitive basis; and on a periodic basis, but not less frequently than once every 12 months. In evaluating projects, the Secretary shall give priority to projects that have the greatest potential for— maximizing elimination of fossil fuel use; strengthening the reliability of local energy supplies and boosting the resiliency of energy infrastructure to the impact of extreme weather events, power grid failures, and interruptions in supply of fossil fuels; minimizing environmental impact, including regulated air pollutants, greenhouse gas emissions, and use of ozone-depleting refrigerants; facilitating use of renewable energy resources; increasing industrial competitiveness; and maximizing local job creation. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall adopt rules and procedures for the administration of the program established under this section, consistent with the provisions of this Act. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $150,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2014 through 2018, to remain available until expended.