Sec. 33304. Technical assistance and grant program
585 words·~3 min read·
/bill/116/hr/2741/ih/section-33304A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary shall establish a technical assistance and grant program (referred to in this section as the program )— to disseminate information and provide technical assistance directly to eligible entities so the eligible entities can identify, evaluate, plan, and design distributed energy systems; and to make grants to eligible entities so that the eligible entities may contract to obtain technical assistance to identify, evaluate, plan, and design distributed energy systems. The technical assistance described in paragraph
(1)shall include assistance with one or more of the following activities relating to distributed energy systems: Identification of opportunities to use distributed energy systems. Assessment of technical and economic characteristics. Utility interconnection. Permitting and siting issues. Business planning and financial analysis. Engineering design. The information disseminated under paragraph (1)(A) shall include— information relating to the topics described in paragraph (2), including case studies of successful examples; computer software and databases for assessment, design, and operation and maintenance of distributed energy systems; and public databases that track the operation and deployment of existing and planned distributed energy systems. Any nonprofit or for-profit entity shall be eligible to receive technical assistance and grants under the program. An eligible entity desiring technical assistance or grants under the program shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. The Secretary shall seek applications for technical assistance and grants under the program— on a competitive basis; and on a periodic basis, but not less frequently than once every 12 months. In selecting eligible entities for technical assistance and grants under the program, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities with projects that have the greatest potential for— facilitating the use of renewable energy resources; strengthening the reliability and resiliency of energy infrastructure to the impact of extreme weather events, power grid failures, and interruptions in supply of fossil fuels; improving the feasibility of microgrids or islanding, particularly in rural areas, including high energy cost rural areas; minimizing environmental impact, including regulated air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions; and maximizing local job creation. On application by an eligible entity, the Secretary may award grants to the eligible entity to provide funds to cover not more than— 100 percent of the costs of the initial assessment to identify opportunities; 75 percent of the cost of feasibility studies to assess the potential for the implementation; 60 percent of the cost of guidance on overcoming barriers to implementation, including financial, contracting, siting, and permitting issues; and 45 percent of the cost of detailed engineering. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall adopt rules and procedures for carrying out the program. Not later than 120 days after the date of issuance of the rules and procedures for the program, the Secretary shall issue grants under this part. The Secretary shall submit to Congress and make available to the public— not less frequently than once every 2 years, a report describing the performance of the program under this section, including a synthesis and analysis of the information provided in the reports submitted to the Secretary under section 33303(d); and on termination of the program under this section, an assessment of the success of, and education provided by, the measures carried out by eligible entities during the term of the program. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2020 through 2024, to remain available until expended.