Sec. 4. Regional energy partnerships

1,055 words·~5 min read·/bill/113/s/2989/is/section-4

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

The Secretaries shall provide assistance in accordance with this section for the purpose of developing energy strategies and plans that help harmonize and promote national, regional, and State energy goals, including goals for advancing resilient energy systems to mitigate risks and prepare for emerging energy challenges. The Secretaries may provide such technical assistance to States, political subdivisions of States, substate regional organizations (including organizations that cross State boundaries), multistate regional organizations, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations as the Secretaries determine appropriate to promote— the development and improvement of regional energy strategies and plans that sustain and promote energy system modernization across the United States; investment in energy infrastructure, technological capacity, innovation, and workforce development to keep pace with the changing energy ecosystem; structural transformation of the financial, regulatory, legal, and institutional systems that govern energy planning, production, and delivery within States and regions; and public-private partnerships for the implementation of regional energy strategies and plans.

The Secretaries may enter into cooperative agreements with 1 or more States and Indian tribes, on a regional basis, to develop and implement strategies and plans to address the energy challenges of States, Indian tribes, and regions. A cooperative agreement entered into under this subsection shall include provisions covering or providing— the purpose and goals of the cooperative agreement, such as advancing energy efficiency, clean energy, fuel and supply diversity, energy system resiliency, economic development, or other goals to make measurable, significant progress toward specified metrics and objectives that are agreed to by the States or Indian tribes and the Secretaries; the roles and responsibilities of the States or Indian tribes and the Secretaries for various functions of the cooperative agreement, including outreach, communication, resources, and capabilities; a comprehensive framework for the development of energy strategies and plans for States, Indian tribes, or regions; timeframes with associated metrics and objectives; a governance structure to resolve conflicts and facilitate decisionmaking consistent with underlying authorities; and other provisions determined necessary by the Secretaries, in consultation with the States or Indian tribes, to achieve the purposes described in paragraph (1).

Not later than 30 days after the date of the entering into a cooperative agreement under subsection (c), the Secretaries shall, as appropriate, assign or employ individuals who have expertise in the technical and regulatory issues relating to the cooperative agreement, including particular expertise in (as applicable)— energy systems integration; renewable energy and energy efficiency; innovative financing mechanisms; utility regulatory policy; modeling and analysis; facilitation and arbitration; energy assurance and emergency preparedness; and cyber and physical security of energy systems.

Each individual assigned to carry out a cooperative agreement under paragraph

(1)shall— report to a location in the applicable State, Indian tribe, or region not later than 90 days after the date of assignment; be responsible for issues and technical assistance relating to the cooperative agreement; participate as part of the team of personnel working on developing and implementing the applicable regional energy strategy and plan; and build capacity within the State, Indian tribe, or region to continue to implement the goals of this Act after the expiration of the cooperative agreement. Under a cooperative agreement, a comprehensive framework shall be developed that identifies opportunities and actions across various energy sectors and cross-cutting issue areas, including— end-use efficiency; energy supply, including electric generation and fuels; energy delivery; transportation; technical integration, including standards and interdependencies; institutional structures; regulatory policies; financial incentives; and market mechanisms. In this subsection: The term application group means a group of States or Indian tribes that have— entered into a cooperative agreement, on a regional basis, with the Secretaries under subsection (c); and submitted an application for an award under paragraph (2)(A). The term partner State means a State or Indian tribe that is part of an application group. Subject to subparagraph (B), an application group may apply to the Secretaries for awards under this subsection. An individual State or Indian tribe that has entered into a cooperative agreement with the Secretaries under subsection

(c)may apply to the Secretaries for an award under this subsection if the State or Indian tribe demonstrates to the Secretaries the uniqueness of the energy challenges facing the State or Indian tribe. Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretaries shall provide 6 awards under this subsection, with a base amount of $20,000,000 for each award. Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretaries shall increase the amount of an award provided under this subsection to an application group for a successful application under paragraph (2)(A) by the quotient obtained by dividing— the product obtained by multiplying— the number of partner States in the application group; and $100,000,000; by the total number of partner States of all successful applications under this subsection. The amount of a bonus determined under subparagraph

(A)shall not exceed an amount that represents $5,000,000 for each partner State that is a member of the relevant application group. A State or Indian tribe shall not be part of more than 1 award under this subsection. In selecting applications for awards under this subsection, the Secretaries shall consider— existing commitments from States or Indian tribes, such as memoranda of understanding; for States that are part of the contiguous 48 States, the number of contiguous States involved that cover a region; the diversity of the regions represented by all applications; the amount of cost-share or in-kind contributions from States or Indian tribes; the scope and focus of regional and State programs and strategies, with an emphasis on energy system resiliency and grid modernization, efficiency, and clean energy; a management and oversight plan to ensure that objectives are met; an outreach plan for the inclusion of stakeholders in the process for developing and implementing State or regional energy strategies and plans; the inclusion of tribal entities; plans to fund and sustain activities identified in regional energy strategies and plans; and the clarity of roles and responsibilities of each State and the Secretaries. Awards provided under this subsection shall be used to achieve the purpose of this section, including by— conducting technical analyses, resource studies, and energy system baselines; convening and providing education to stakeholders on emerging energy issues; building decision support and planning tools; and improving communication between and participation of stakeholders. Awards provided under this subsection shall not be used for— capitalization of green banks or loan guarantees; or building facilities or funding capital projects.