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[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 10378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4608]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Seattle Regional Support Office; Updating State and Local 
Government Building Energy Codes for Progressive States

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of competitive financial assistance.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy Seattle Regional Support Office 
(SRSO), on behalf of the Office of Building Technologies, announces its 
intention to issue a competitive solicitation and make financial 
assistance awards to States and territories that are developing, 
implementing, and/or enforcing building energy code compliance 
programs. This action is subject to the DOE Financial Assistance Rules 
(10 CFR part 600).

ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the solicitation once it is issued on or 
after January 30, 1995, write to the Department of Energy's Seattle 
Regional Support Office, 800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3950, Seattle, WA 
98104, Attn: Ms. Carol A. Curtis, Grants/Contracts Specialist. Only 
written requests for this solicitation will be honored. For 
convenience, requests for the solicitation may be faxed to Ms. Curtis 
at (206) 553-2200. Please reference solicitation DE-PS51-95R020534.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOE Office of Building Technologies, in 
conjunction with the DOE Office of Technical and Financial Assistance 
and through the DOE Regional Support Offices, will award and provide 
funding for the grants to the states and serve as administrators for 
the Federal Government. The SRSO will be the lead Regional Support 
Office.
    This solicitation is intended to support actions to upgrade, 
implement, enforce, and update residential and commercial building 
energy codes. These actions will additionally enhance the energy 
efficiency of residential and commercial building stock in the United 
States as well as provide environmental benefits. Actions implemented 
under this solicitation address Action No. 10 of the Climate Change 
Action Plan (CCAP) which is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 
in the year 2000. Action No. 10 builds on Section 101 of the Energy 
Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) to further address use and enforcement of 
building energy codes. Under Section 101 of EPAct, States are required 
to upgrade their commercial building codes to meet or exceed ASHRAE/IES 
Standard 90.1-1989 and to consider whether to update their residential 
codes to meet or exceed the 1992 Model Energy Code (MEC). The 
Department of Energy is required to provide technical assistance and 
incentive funding to States to respond to the legislative requirements.
    This solicitation specifically targets States that are deemed 
``progressive'' in that they have begun a code compliance program but 
need additional support to expand or enhance this program in order to 
equal or exceed both the 1992 MEC and ASHRAE/IES standard 90.1-1989. 
The DOE anticipates awarding between 10-20 incentive grants totaling 
approximately $4.6 million to states whose programs are considered to 
be in the ``progressive'' stage. For DOE funds to be awarded, it is 
required that a state provide a minimum of 25% cost-sharing match for 
the total project cost. A state that is deemed progressive shall not be 
eligible for developmental program funding under a separate 
solicitation. Exemplary state programs will not be considered for 
funding through this solicitation, and State officials who consider 
their program to be exemplary should call 1-800-270-CODE for additional 
information on how to obtain funding for their program.
    All 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the 
United States are eligible. More than one State or State organization 
can be involved on a proposal, as long as the lead State agency or 
organization and lead grant management responsibilities are clearly 
defined. Support can come from one or more code-related organizations 
or trade associations in the affected local area, and shall be in the 
form of cost-sharing or other significant participation, which 
demonstrates a substantial interest in the proposed project.
    This solicitation will be issued on or about January 30, 1995, and 
will contain detailed information on funding, cost-sharing 
requirements, eligibility, application preparation, and evaluation. 
Responses to the solicitation will be due in March 1995, and awards 
announcements are anticipated to be made in May 1995. All responsible 
sources are encouraged to submit an application.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington on February 14, 1995.
Julie A. Riel,
Contracting Officer.
[FR Doc. 95-4608 Filed 2-23-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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