To establish a program of demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy efficiency technologies and systems for buildings, and for other purposes.

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.

Summary: Energy Efficient Buildings Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) establish a pilot program to award grants to businesses and organizations for new construction or major renovations of energy efficient buildings that will result in innovative energy efficiency technologies, especially those sponsored by the Department of Energy. And (2) give due consideration to proposals for buildings that are likely to serve low and moderate income populations. Defines energy efficient building as one that after construction or renovation: (1) uses heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems that perform at no less than Energy Star standards. Or (2) if Energy Star standards are not applicable, uses Federal Energy Management Program recommended heating, ventilating, and air conditioning products.