A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to establish an energy efficiency retrofit pilot program.

To require the Secretary of Energy to establish an energy efficiency retrofit pilot program. 1. Energy efficiency retrofit pilot program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Applicant The term applicant (2) Energy-efficiency improvement (A) In general The term energy-efficiency improvement (B) Inclusions The term energy-efficiency improvement (i) repairing, replacing, or installing— (I) a roof or lighting system, or component of a roof or lighting system; (II) a window; (III) a door, including a security door; or (IV) a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system or component of the system (including insulation and wiring and plumbing improvements needed to serve a more efficient system); (ii) a renewable energy generation or heating system, including a solar, photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, or biomass (including wood pellet) system or component of the system; and (iii) any other measure taken to modernize, renovate, or repair a nonprofit building to make the nonprofit building more energy efficient. (3) Nonprofit building (A) In general The term nonprofit building (B) Inclusions The term nonprofit building (i) a hospital; (ii) a youth center; (iii) a school; (iv) a social-welfare program facility; (v) a faith-based organization; and (vi) any other nonresidential and noncommercial structure. (4) Secretary The term Secretary (b) Establishment Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to award grants for the purpose of retrofitting nonprofit buildings with energy-efficiency improvements. (c) Grants (1) In general The Secretary may award grants under the program established under subsection (b). (2) Application The Secretary may award a grant under this section if an applicant submits to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may prescribe. (3) Criteria for grant In determining whether to award a grant under this section, the Secretary shall apply performance-based criteria, which shall give priority to applications based on— (A) the energy savings achieved; (B) the cost-effectiveness of the energy-efficiency improvement; (C) an effective plan for evaluation, measurement, and verification of energy savings; (D) the financial need of the applicant; and (E) the percentage of the matching contribution by the applicant. (4) Limitation on individual grant amount Each grant awarded under this section shall not exceed— (A) an amount equal to 50 percent of the energy-efficiency improvement; and (B) $200,000. (5) Cost sharing (A) In general A grant awarded under this section shall be subject to a minimum non-Federal cost-sharing requirement of 50 percent. (B) In-kind contributions The non-Federal share may be provided in the form of in-kind contributions of materials or services. (d) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020, to remain available until expended. (e) Offset Section 422(f) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17082(f) (1) in paragraph (3), by striking and (2) in paragraph (4), by striking through 2018. and 2014; (3) by adding at the end the following: (5) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2015; and (6) $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2018. .

Summary: This bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a pilot program to award matching grants for nonprofit organizations to retrofit their buildings with energy-efficiency improvements. This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to decrease the amount of appropriations authorized in FY2015 for the Zero Net Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative.