Smart Energy and Water Efficiency Act of 2015

To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to provide for a smart energy and water efficiency pilot program. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Smart Energy and Water Efficiency Act of 2015 2. Smart energy and water efficiency pilot program Subtitle A of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16191 et seq. 918. Smart energy and water efficiency pilot program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (A) a utility; (B) a municipality; (C) a water district; and (D) any other authority that provides water, wastewater, or water reuse services. (2) Smart energy and water efficiency pilot program The term smart energy and water efficiency pilot program pilot program (b) Smart energy and water efficiency pilot program (1) In general The Secretary shall establish and carry out a smart energy and water efficiency pilot program in accordance with this section. (2) Purpose The purpose of the smart energy and water efficiency pilot program is to award grants to eligible entities to demonstrate novel and innovative technology-based solutions that will— (A) increase the energy efficiency of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems; (B) improve energy efficiency of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems to help communities across the United States make significant progress in conserving water, saving energy, and reducing costs; and (C) support the implementation of innovative processes and the installation of advanced automated systems that provide real-time data on energy and water. (3) Project selection (A) In general The Secretary shall make competitive, merit-reviewed grants under the pilot program to not less than 3, but not more than 5, eligible entities. (B) Selection Criteria In selecting an eligible entity to receive a grant under the pilot program, the Secretary shall consider— (i) energy and cost savings; (ii) the novelty of the technology to be used; (iii) the degree to which the project integrates next-generation sensors, software, analytics, and management tools; (iv) the anticipated cost-effectiveness of the pilot project in terms of energy efficiency savings, water savings or reuse, and infrastructure costs averted; (v) whether the technology can be deployed in a variety of geographic regions and the degree to which the technology can be implemented on a smaller or larger scale; and (vi) whether the project will be completed in 5 years or less. (C) Applications (i) In General Subject to clause (ii), an eligible entity seeking a grant under the pilot program shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be necessary. (ii) Contents An application under clause (i) shall, at a minimum, include— (I) a description of the project; (II) a description of the technology to be used in the project; (III) the anticipated results, including energy and water savings, of the project; (IV) a comprehensive budget for the project; (V) the names of the project lead organization and any partners; (VI) the number of users to be served by the project; and (VII) any other information that the Secretary determines to be necessary to complete the review and selection of a grant recipient. (4) Administration (A) In general Not later than 300 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall select grant recipients under this section. (B) Evaluations The Secretary shall annually carry out an evaluation of each project for which a grant is provided under this section that— (i) evaluates the progress and impact of the project; and (ii) assesses the degree to which the project is meeting the goals of the pilot program. (C) Technical and policy assistance On the request of a grant recipient, the Secretary shall provide technical and policy assistance. (D) Best practices The Secretary shall make available to the public— (i) a copy of each evaluation carried out under subparagraph (B); and (ii) a description of any best practices identified by the Secretary as a result of those evaluations. (E) Report to Congress The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of each evaluation carried out under subparagraph (B). (c) Funding (1) In general The Secretary shall use not less than $7,500,000 of amounts made available to the Secretary to carry out this section. (2) Prioritization In funding activities under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize funding in the following manner: (A) Any unobligated amounts made available to the Secretary to carry out the activities of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office. (B) Any unobligated amounts (other than those described in subparagraph (A)) made available to the Secretary. .

Summary: Smart Energy and Water Efficiency Act of 2015 This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish and carry out a smart energy and water efficiency pilot program to award grants to utilities, municipalities, water districts, and other water authorities for demonstrating novel and innovative technology-based solutions that will: increase the energy efficiency of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems; improve those systems to help communities make significant progress in conserving water, saving energy, and reducing costs; and support the implementation of innovative processes and the installation of advanced automated systems that provide real-time data on energy and water. DOE must annually evaluate each grant project and make best practices identified in the evaluations available to the public.