Renewable Energy for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Act

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a renewable energy grant program for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands of the United States, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Renewable Energy for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Act 2. Renewable energy grant program (a) Establishment Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a renewable energy program (in this section referred to as the program (b) Applications To be eligible for a grant under the program, a covered entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (c) Grant uses (1) In general A covered entity receiving a grant under the program may use grant funds for a project, in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands of the United States— (A) to develop or construct a renewable energy system; (B) to carry out an activity to increase energy efficiency; (C) to develop or construct an energy storage system or device for— (i) a system developed or constructed under subparagraph (A); or (ii) an activity carried out under subparagraph (B); (D) to develop or construct— (i) a smart grid; or (ii) a microgrid; or (E) to train residents of Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands of the United States to develop, construct, maintain, or operate a renewable energy system. (2) Limitation A covered entity receiving a grant under the program may not use grant funds to develop or construct a facility that generates electricity using energy derived from— (A) fossil fuels; or (B) nuclear power. (d) Technical assistance The Secretary of Energy shall ensure that Department of Energy national laboratories offer to provide technical assistance to each covered entity carrying out a project assisted with a grant under the program. (e) Report Not later than two years after the establishment of the program, and on an annual basis thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing— (1) an estimate of the amount of funds disbursed under the program; (2) an estimate of the energy conservation achieved as a result of the program; (3) a description of challenges encountered in implementing projects described in subsection (c)(1); and (4) recommendations as to additional legislative measures to increase the use of renewable energy in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands of the United States, as appropriate. (f) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. 3. GAO study and report (a) In general (1) Study and report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall— (A) conduct a study regarding renewable energy and energy efficiency in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands of the United States; and (B) submit to Congress a report containing— (i) the findings of the study; and (ii) related recommendations. (2) Components The study conducted under paragraph (1) shall consider, in relation to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands of the United States, the potential— (A) to modify existing electric power systems to use renewable energy sources; (B) to expand the use of microgrids; and (C) to improve energy resiliency. (b) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $1,500,000 to carry out this section. 4. Definitions In this Act, the following definitions apply: (1) Covered entity The term covered entity (2) Department of Energy national laboratories The term Department of Energy national laboratories National Laboratory 42 U.S.C. 15801 (3) Microgrid The term microgrid (A) that serves the local community with a power generation and distribution system; and (B) that has the ability— (i) to disconnect from a traditional electric grid; and (ii) to operate autonomously when disconnected. (4) Renewable energy; renewable energy system The terms renewable energy renewable energy system 7 U.S.C. 8101 (5) Smart grid The term smart grid (A) detect and react to local changes in usage; (B) improve system operating efficiency; and (C) reduce spending costs.

Summary: Renewable Energy for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Act This bill addresses renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Specifically, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish a grant program under which USDA may award grants for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency activities, energy storage, smart grids, or microgrids. In addition, USDA may award grants to train residents of Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands to develop, construct, maintain, or operate renewable energy systems. The Department of Energy must ensure that its national laboratories offer to provide technical assistance to grant recipients. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on renewable energy and energy efficiency in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.