Sec. 5. Grant program for State regulatory authorities
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/bill/119/hr/7729/ih/section-5A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary may award grants to State regulatory authorities to support the development, implementation, and oversight by such State regulatory authorities of frameworks under which covered electric utilities may recover a portion of verified cost savings attributable to a covered utility action as an incentive (in this section referred to as the grant program ).
Amounts awarded under the grant program may only be used to conduct the following activities: The development of a framework referred to in subsection (a), or revision of an existing such framework, such that the framework is consistent with the guidance developed under section 4 , including the following: The development, including the design or modeling, of methodologies consistent with the methodologies set forth under such guidance. The development of data systems or other tools necessary for the development of the framework.
The issuance or revision of regulations necessary for the development of the framework. The engagement with stakeholders with respect to the development of the framework. The implementation or oversight of a framework consistent with such guidance. No amounts awarded under the grant program may be used to pay a covered electric utility. As a condition of receiving amounts under the grant program, a State regulatory authority shall agree to submit to the Secretary, on an annual basis for the duration of the period in which such State regulatory authority expends such amounts, a report describing the activities carried out using such amounts.
If a grant recipient fails to submit a report required under paragraph (1), such recipient shall be ineligible for additional awards under this section until the report is submitted. In carrying out the grant program, the Secretary shall— provide to grant recipients technical assistance in support of activities conducted using amounts awarded under the grant program; and maintain a publicly accessible registry of the activities so conducted. Not later than two years after the date of enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter for the duration of the grant program, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing— a summary of the activities conducted using amounts awarded under the grant program; an assessment of the effectiveness of any framework implemented using such amounts; and an identification of any barrier to the development, implementation, or oversight of a framework consistent with the guidance developed under section 4 and recommendations for addressing such barrier, as applicable.
Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available to the Secretary to carry out the grant program— not more than 70 percent may be awarded for the conduct of activities under subsection (b)(1) ; not less than 30 percent may be awarded for the conduct of activities under subsection (b)(2) ; and not more than five percent may be obligated or expended for Federal administrative expenses.