SCALE Act

To require the Secretary of Energy to establish programs for carbon dioxide capture, transport, utilization, and storage, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Storing CO2 and Lowering Emissions Act SCALE Act (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Findings. TITLE I—Utilization of carbon oxides Sec. 101. Carbon utilization program. TITLE II—Transportation of captured carbon Sec. 201. Carbon capture technology program. Sec. 202. Carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure finance and innovation. TITLE III—Geologic storage of captured carbon Sec. 301. Carbon storage validation and testing. Sec. 302. Secure geologic storage permitting. 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) the industrial sector is integral to the economy of the United States— (A) providing millions of jobs and essential products; and (B) demonstrating global leadership in manufacturing and innovation; (2) carbon capture and storage technologies are necessary for reducing hard-to-abate emissions from the industrial sector, which emits nearly 25 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States; (3) carbon removal and storage technologies, including direct air capture, must be deployed at large-scale in the coming decades to remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere; (4) large-scale deployment of carbon capture, removal, utilization, transport, and storage— (A) is critical for achieving mid-century climate goals; and (B) will drive regional economic development, technological innovation, and high-wage employment; (5) carbon capture, removal, and utilization technologies require a backbone system of shared carbon dioxide transport and storage infrastructure to enable large-scale deployment, realize economies of scale, and create an interconnected carbon management market; (6) carbon dioxide transport infrastructure and permanent geological storage are proven and safe technologies with existing Federal and State regulatory frameworks; (7) carbon dioxide transport and storage infrastructure share similar barriers to deployment previously faced by other types of critical national infrastructure, such as high capital costs and chicken-and-egg challenges, that require Federal and State support, in combination with private investment, to be overcome; and (8) each State should take into consideration, with respect to new carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure— (A) qualifying the infrastructure as pollution control devices under applicable laws (including regulations) of the State; and (B) establishing a waiver of ad valorem and property taxes for the infrastructure for a period of not less than 10 years. I Utilization of carbon oxides 101. Carbon utilization program Section 969A of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16298a (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) to develop or obtain, in coordination with other applicable Federal agencies and standard-setting organizations, standards and certifications, as appropriate, to facilitate the commercialization of the products and technologies described in paragraph (2); ; (2) in subsection (b)— (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) Grant program (A) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Storing CO2 and Lowering Emissions Act (B) Eligible entities To be eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph, an entity shall be— (i) a State; (ii) a unit of local government; or (iii) a public utility or agency. (C) Applications Eligible entities desiring a grant under this paragraph shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (D) Use of funds An eligible entity shall use a grant received under this paragraph to procure and use commercial or industrial products that— (i) use or are derived from anthropogenic carbon oxides; and (ii) demonstrate significant net reductions in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to incumbent technologies, processes, and products. ; and (C) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking paragraph (1) this subsection (3) in subsection (d), by striking paragraphs (1) through (5) and inserting the following: (1) $64,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; (2) $65,250,000 for fiscal year 2022; (3) $66,562,500 for fiscal year 2023; (4) $67,940,625 for fiscal year 2024; and (5) $69,387,656 for fiscal year 2025. . II Transportation of captured carbon 201. Carbon capture technology program Section 962 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16292 (1) in subsection (b)(2)— (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking and (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking program. program for carbon capture technologies; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (E) a front-end engineering and design program for carbon dioxide transport infrastructure necessary to enable deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies. ; and (2) in subsection (d)(1)— (A) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking and (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (E) for activities under the front-end engineering and design program described in subsection (b)(2)(E), $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2025. . 202. Carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure finance and innovation (a) In general Title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16181 J Carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure finance and innovation 999A. Definitions In this subtitle: (1) CIFIA program The term CIFIA program (2) Common carrier The term common carrier (A) publishes a publicly available tariff containing the just and reasonable rates, terms, and conditions of nondiscriminatory service; and (B) holds itself out to provide transportation services to the public for a fee. (3) Contingent commitment The term contingent commitment (A) contingent on those funds being made available in law at a future date; and (B) not an obligation of the Federal Government. (4) Eligible project costs The term eligible project costs (A) the cost of— (i) development-phase activities, including planning, feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting, environmental review, permitting, preliminary engineering and design work, and other preconstruction activities; (ii) construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, replacement, and acquisition of real property (including land relating to the project and improvements to land), environmental mitigation, construction contingencies, and acquisition and installation of equipment (including labor); and (iii) capitalized interest necessary to meet market requirements, reasonably required reserve funds, capital issuance expenses, and other carrying costs during construction; and (B) transaction costs associated with financing the project, including— (i) the cost of legal counsel and technical consultants; and (ii) any subsidy amount paid in accordance with section 999B(c)(3)(B)(ii) or section 999C(b)(6)(B)(ii). (5) Federal credit instrument The term Federal credit instrument (6) Lender The term lender 15 U.S.C. 77a (A) a qualified retirement plan (as defined in section 4974(c) (B) a governmental plan (as defined in section 414(d) (7) Letter of interest The term letter of interest (A) describes the project and the location, purpose, and cost of the project; (B) outlines the proposed financial plan, including the requested credit and grant assistance and the proposed obligor; (C) provides a status of environmental review; and (D) provides information regarding satisfaction of other eligibility requirements of the CIFIA program. (8) Loan guarantee The term loan guarantee (9) Master credit agreement The term master credit agreement (A) is for the purpose of extending credit assistance for— (i) a project of high priority under section 999B(c)(3)(A); or (ii) a project covered under section 999B(c)(3)(B); (B) does not provide for a current obligation of Federal funds; and (C) would— (i) make a contingent commitment of a Federal credit instrument or grant at a future date, subject to— (I) the availability of future funds being made available to carry out the CIFIA program; and (II) the satisfaction of all conditions for the provision of credit assistance under the CIFIA program, including section 999C(b); (ii) establish the maximum amounts and general terms and conditions of the Federal credit instruments or grants; (iii) identify the 1 or more revenue sources that will secure the repayment of the Federal credit instruments; (iv) provide for the obligation of funds for the Federal credit instruments or grants after all requirements have been met for the projects subject to the agreement, including— (I) compliance with all applicable requirements specified under the CIFIA program, including sections 999B(d) and 999C(b)(1); and (II) the availability of funds to carry out the CIFIA program; and (v) require that contingent commitments shall result in a financial close and obligation of credit or grant assistance by not later than 4 years after the date of entry into the agreement or release of the commitment, as applicable, unless otherwise extended by the Secretary. (10) Obligor The term obligor (11) Produced in the United States The term produced in the United States (12) Project The term project (13) Project obligation The term project obligation (14) Secured loan The term secured loan (15) Subsidy amount The term subsidy amount (A) calculated on a net present value basis; and (B) excluding administrative costs and any incidental effects on governmental receipts or outlays in accordance with the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 ( 2 U.S.C. 661 (16) Substantial completion The term substantial completion (A) on which the project commences transportation of carbon dioxide; or (B) of a comparable event to the event described in subparagraph (A), as determined by the Secretary and specified in the project credit agreement. 999B. Determination of eligibility and project selection (a) Establishment of program The Secretary shall establish and carry out a carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure finance and innovation program, under which the Secretary shall provide for eligible projects in accordance with this subtitle— (1) a Federal credit instrument under section 999C; (2) a grant under section 999D; or (3) both a Federal credit instrument and a grant. (b) Eligibility (1) In general A project shall be eligible to receive a Federal credit instrument or a grant under the CIFIA program if— (A) the entity proposing to carry out the project submits a letter of interest prior to submission of an application under paragraph (3) for the project; and (B) the project meets the criteria described in this subsection. (2) Creditworthiness (A) In general Each project and obligor that receives a Federal credit instrument or a grant under the CIFIA program shall be creditworthy, such that there exists a reasonable prospect of repayment of the principal and interest on the Federal credit instrument, as determined by the Secretary under subparagraph (B). (B) Reasonable prospect of repayment The Secretary shall base a determination of whether there is a reasonable prospect of repayment under subparagraph (A) on a comprehensive evaluation of whether the obligor has a reasonable prospect of repaying the Federal credit instrument for the eligible project, including evaluation of— (i) the strength of the contractual terms of an eligible project (if available for the applicable market segment); (ii) the forecast of noncontractual cash flows supported by market projections from reputable sources, as determined by the Secretary, and cash sweeps or other structural enhancements; (iii) the projected financial strength of the obligor— (I) at the time of loan close; and (II) throughout the loan term, including after the project is completed; (iv) the financial strength of the investors and strategic partners of the obligor, if applicable; and (v) other financial metrics and analyses that are relied on by the private lending community and nationally recognized credit rating agencies, as determined appropriate by the Secretary. (3) Applications To be eligible for assistance under the CIFIA program, an obligor shall submit to the Secretary a project application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (4) Eligible project costs A project under the CIFIA program shall have eligible project costs that are reasonably anticipated to equal or exceed $100,000,000. (5) Revenue sources The applicable Federal credit instrument shall be repayable, in whole or in part, from— (A) user fees; (B) payments owing to the obligor under a public-private partnership; or (C) other revenue sources that also secure or fund the project obligations. (6) Obligor will be identified later A State, local government, agency, or instrumentality of a State or local government, or a public authority, may submit to the Secretary an application under paragraph (3), under which a private party to a public-private partnership will be— (A) the obligor; and (B) identified at a later date through completion of a procurement and selection of the private party. (7) Beneficial effects The Secretary shall determine that financial assistance for each project under the CIFIA program will— (A) attract public or private investment for the project; (B) enable the project to proceed at an earlier date than the project would otherwise be able to proceed or reduce the lifecycle costs (including debt service costs) of the project; or (C) enable the transportation of carbon dioxide captured from anthropogenic sources or ambient air. (8) Project readiness To be eligible for assistance under the CIFIA program, the applicant shall demonstrate a reasonable expectation that the contracting process for construction of the project can commence by not later than 90 days after the date on which a Federal credit instrument or grant is obligated for the project under the CIFIA program. (c) Selection among eligible projects (1) Establishment of application process The Secretary shall establish an application process under which projects that are eligible to receive assistance under subsection (b) may— (A) receive credit assistance on terms acceptable to the Secretary, if adequate funds are available (including any funds provided on behalf of an eligible project under paragraph (3)(B)(ii)) to cover the subsidy amount associated with the Federal credit instrument; and (B) receive grants under section 999D if— (i) adequate funds are available to cover the amount of the grant; and (ii) the Secretary determines that the project is eligible under subsection (b) of that section. (2) Priority In selecting projects to receive credit assistance under subsection (b), the Secretary shall give priority to projects that— (A) are large-capacity, common carrier infrastructure; (B) have demonstrated demand for use of the infrastructure by associated projects that capture carbon dioxide from anthropogenic sources or ambient air; (C) enable geographical diversity in associated projects that capture carbon dioxide from anthropogenic sources or ambient air, with the goal of enabling projects in all major carbon dioxide-emitting regions of the United States; and (D) are sited within, or adjacent to, existing pipeline or other linear infrastructure corridors, in a manner that minimizes environmental disturbance and other siting concerns. (3) Master credit agreements (A) Priority projects The Secretary may enter into a master credit agreement for a project that the Secretary determines— (i) will likely be eligible for credit assistance under subsection (b), on obtaining— (I) additional commitments from associated carbon capture projects to use the project; or (II) all necessary permits and approvals; and (ii) is a project of high priority, as determined in accordance with the criteria described in paragraph (2). (B) Adequate funding not available If the Secretary fully obligates funding to eligible projects for a fiscal year and adequate funding is not available to fund a Federal credit instrument, a project sponsor (including a unit of State or local government) of an eligible project may elect— (i) (I) to enter into a master credit agreement in lieu of the Federal credit instrument; and (II) to wait to execute a Federal credit instrument until the fiscal year for which additional funds are available to receive credit assistance; or (ii) if the lack of adequate funding is solely with respect to amounts available for the subsidy amount, to pay the subsidy amount to fund the Federal credit instrument. (d) Federal requirements (1) In general Nothing in this subtitle supersedes the applicability of any other requirement under Federal law (including regulations). (2) NEPA Federal credit assistance may only be provided under this subtitle for a project that has received an environmental categorical exclusion, a finding of no significant impact, or a record of decision under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 (e) Use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), no Federal credit instrument or grant provided under the CIFIA program shall be made available for a project unless all iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in the project are produced in the United States. (2) Exceptions Paragraph (1) shall not apply in any case or category of cases with respect to which the Secretary determines that— (A) the application would be inconsistent with the public interest; (B) iron, steel, or a relevant manufactured good is not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantity, or of a satisfactory quality; or (C) the inclusion of iron, steel, or a manufactured good produced in the United States will increase the cost of the overall project by more than 25 percent. (3) Waivers If the Secretary receives a request for a waiver under this subsection, the Secretary shall— (A) make available to the public a copy of the request, together with any information available to the Secretary concerning the request— (i) on an informal basis; and (ii) by electronic means, including on the official public website of the Department; (B) allow for informal public comment relating to the request for not fewer than 15 days before making a determination with respect to the request; and (C) approve or disapprove the request by not later than the date that is 120 days after the date of receipt of the request. (4) Applicability This subsection shall be applied in accordance with any applicable obligations of the United States under international agreements. (f) Prevailing rate of wage (1) In general The Secretary shall ensure that each laborer and mechanic employed by a contractor or subcontractor for a project financed, in whole or in part, by a Federal credit instrument or grant provided under the CIFIA program shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on the same type of work on similar construction projects in the applicable locality, as determined by the Secretary of Labor under subchapter IV of chapter 31 of part A of subtitle II of title 40, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Davis-Bacon Act (2) Authority of Secretary of Labor With respect to the labor standards described in paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor shall have the authority and functions described in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. App.) and section 3145 of title 40, United States Code. (g) Application processing procedures (1) Notice of complete application Not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of an application under this section, the Secretary shall provide to the applicant a written notice describing whether— (A) the application is complete; or (B) additional information or materials are needed to complete the application. (2) Approval or denial of application Not later than 60 days after the date of issuance of a written notice under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide to the applicant a written notice informing the applicant whether the Secretary has approved or disapproved the application. (h) Development-Phase activities Any Federal credit instrument provided under the CIFIA program may be used to finance up to 100 percent of the cost of development-phase activities, as described in section 999A(4)(A). 999C. Secured loans (a) Agreements (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may enter into agreements with 1 or more obligors to make secured loans, the proceeds of which shall be used— (A) to finance eligible project costs of any project selected under section 999B; (B) to refinance interim construction financing of eligible project costs of any project selected under section 999B; or (C) to refinance long-term project obligations or Federal credit instruments, if the refinancing provides additional funding capacity for the completion, enhancement, or expansion of any project that— (i) is selected under section 999B; or (ii) otherwise meets the requirements of that section. (2) Risk assessment Before entering into an agreement under this subsection, the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall determine an appropriate credit subsidy amount for each secured loan, taking into account all relevant factors, including the creditworthiness factors under section 999B(b)(2). (b) Terms and limitations (1) In general A secured loan under this section with respect to a project shall be on such terms and conditions and contain such covenants, representations, warranties, and requirements (including requirements for audits) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (2) Maximum amount The amount of a secured loan under this section shall not exceed an amount equal to 80 percent of the reasonably anticipated eligible project costs. (3) Payment A secured loan under this section shall be payable, in whole or in part, from— (A) user fees; (B) payments owing to the obligor under a public-private partnership; or (C) other revenue sources that also secure or fund the project obligations. (4) Interest rate (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the interest rate on a secured loan under this section shall be not less than the yield on United States Treasury securities of a similar maturity to the maturity of the secured loan on the date of execution of the loan agreement. (B) Limited buydowns (i) In general Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary may lower the interest rate of a secured loan under this section if the interest rate has increased between the period— (I) beginning on, as applicable— (aa) the date on which an application acceptable to the Secretary is submitted for the applicable project; or (bb) the date on which the Secretary entered into a master credit agreement for the applicable project; and (II) ending on the date on which the Secretary executes the Federal credit instrument for the applicable project. (ii) Limitation The interest rate of a secured loan may not be lowered pursuant to clause (i) by more than the lower of— (I) 1 1/2 (II) an amount equal to the amount of the increase in the interest rate described in that clause. (5) Maturity date The final maturity date of the secured loan shall be the earlier of— (A) the date that is 35 years after the date of substantial completion of the project; and (B) if the useful life of the capital asset being financed is of a lesser period, the date that is the end of the useful life of the asset. (6) Nonsubordination (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the secured loan shall not be subordinated to the claims of any holder of project obligations in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency, or liquidation of the obligor. (B) Preexisting indenture (i) In general The Secretary shall waive the requirement under subparagraph (A) for a public agency borrower that is financing ongoing capital programs and has outstanding senior bonds under a preexisting indenture, if— (I) the secured loan is rated in the A category or higher; and (II) the secured loan is secured and payable from pledged revenues not affected by project performance, such as a tax-backed revenue pledge or a system-backed pledge of project revenues. (ii) Limitation If the Secretary waives the nonsubordination requirement under this subparagraph— (I) the maximum credit subsidy amount to be paid by the Federal Government shall be not more than 10 percent of the principal amount of the secured loan; and (II) the obligor shall be responsible for paying the remainder of the subsidy amount, if any. (7) Fees The Secretary may collect a fee on or after the date of the financial close of a Federal credit instrument under this section in an amount equal to not more than $1,000,000 to cover all or a portion of the costs to the Federal Government of providing the Federal credit instrument. (8) Maximum Federal involvement The total Federal assistance provided for a project under the CIFIA program, including any grant provided under section 999D, shall not exceed an amount equal to 80 percent of the eligible project costs. (c) Repayment (1) Schedule The Secretary shall establish a repayment schedule for each secured loan under this section based on— (A) the projected cash flow from project revenues and other repayment sources; and (B) the useful life of the project. (2) Commencement Scheduled loan repayments of principal or interest on a secured loan under this section shall commence not later than 5 years after the date of substantial completion of the project. (3) Deferred payments (A) In general If, at any time after the date of substantial completion of a project, the project is unable to generate sufficient revenues in excess of reasonable and necessary operating expenses to pay the scheduled loan repayments of principal and interest on the secured loan, the Secretary may, subject to subparagraph (C), allow the obligor to add unpaid principal and interest to the outstanding balance of the secured loan. (B) Interest Any payment deferred under subparagraph (A) shall— (i) continue to accrue interest in accordance with subsection (b)(4) until fully repaid; and (ii) be scheduled to be amortized over the remaining term of the loan. (C) Criteria (i) In general Any payment deferral under subparagraph (A) shall be contingent on the project meeting criteria established by the Secretary. (ii) Repayment standards The criteria established pursuant to clause (i) shall include standards for the reasonable prospect of repayment. (4) Prepayment (A) Use of excess revenues Any excess revenues that remain after satisfying scheduled debt service requirements on the project obligations and secured loan and all deposit requirements under the terms of any trust agreement, bond resolution, or similar agreement securing project obligations may be applied annually to prepay the secured loan, without penalty. (B) Use of proceeds of refinancing A secured loan may be prepaid at any time without penalty from the proceeds of refinancing from non-Federal funding sources. (d) Sale of secured loans (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), as soon as practicable after substantial completion of a project and after notifying the obligor, the Secretary may sell to another entity or reoffer into the capital markets a secured loan for the project if the Secretary determines that the sale or reoffering can be made on favorable terms. (2) Consent of obligor In making a sale or reoffering under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not change any original term or condition of the secured loan without the written consent of the obligor. (e) Loan guarantees (1) In general The Secretary may provide a loan guarantee to a lender in lieu of making a secured loan under this section if the Secretary determines that the budgetary cost of the loan guarantee is substantially the same as, or less than, that of a secured loan. (2) Terms The terms of a loan guarantee under paragraph (1) shall be consistent with the terms required under this section for a secured loan, except that the rate on the guaranteed loan and any prepayment features shall be negotiated between the obligor and the lender, with the consent of the Secretary. 999D. Future growth grants (a) Establishment The Secretary may provide grants to pay a portion of the cost differential, with respect to any projected future increase in demand for carbon dioxide transportation by an infrastructure project described in subsection (b), between— (1) the cost of constructing the infrastructure asset with the capacity to transport an increased flow rate of carbon dioxide, as made practicable under the project; and (2) the cost of constructing the infrastructure asset with the capacity to transport carbon dioxide at the flow rate initially required, based on commitments for the use of the asset. (b) Eligibility To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall— (1) be eligible to receive credit assistance under the CIFIA program; (2) carry out, or propose to carry out, a project for large-capacity, common carrier infrastructure with a probable future increase in demand for carbon dioxide transportation; and (3) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (c) Use of funds A grant provided under this section may be used only to pay the costs of any additional flow rate capacity of a carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure asset that the project sponsor demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary can reasonably be expected to be used during the 20-year period beginning on the date of substantial completion of the project described in subsection (b)(2). (d) Maximum amount The amount of a grant provided under this section may not exceed an amount equal to 80 percent of the cost of the additional capacity described in subsection (a). 999E. Program administration (a) Requirement The Secretary shall establish a uniform system to service the Federal credit instruments provided under the CIFIA program. (b) Fees The Secretary may collect fees on or after the date of the financial close of a Federal credit instrument provided under the CIFIA program, contingent on authority being provided in appropriations Acts, at a level that is sufficient to cover— (1) the costs of services of expert firms retained pursuant to subsection (d); and (2) all or a portion of the costs to the Federal Government of servicing the Federal credit instruments. (c) Servicer (1) In general The Secretary may appoint a financial entity to assist the Secretary in servicing the Federal credit instruments. (2) Duties A servicer appointed under paragraph (1) shall act as the agent for the Secretary. (3) Fee A servicer appointed under paragraph (1) shall receive a servicing fee, subject to approval by the Secretary. (d) Assistance from expert firms The Secretary may retain the services of expert firms, including counsel, in the field of municipal and project finance to assist in the underwriting and servicing of Federal credit instruments. (e) Expedited processing The Secretary shall implement procedures and measures to economize the time and cost involved in obtaining approval and the issuance of credit assistance under the CIFIA program. 999F. State and local permits The provision of credit assistance under the CIFIA program with respect to a project shall not— (1) relieve any recipient of the assistance of any project obligation to obtain any required State or local permit or approval with respect to the project; (2) limit the right of any unit of State or local government to approve or regulate any rate of return on private equity invested in the project; or (3) otherwise supersede any State or local law (including any regulation) applicable to the construction or operation of the project. 999G. Regulations The Secretary may promulgate such regulations as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to carry out the CIFIA program. 999H. Funding (a) Funding (1) In general There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subtitle, to remain available until expended— (A) $600,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023; and (B) $300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2026. (2) Spending and borrowing authority Spending and borrowing authority for a fiscal year to enter into Federal credit instruments shall be promptly apportioned to the Secretary on a fiscal-year basis. (3) Reestimates If the subsidy amount of a Federal credit instrument is reestimated, the cost increase or decrease of the reestimate shall be borne by, or benefit, the general fund of the Treasury, consistent with section 504(f) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 ( 2 U.S.C. 661c(f) (4) Administrative costs Of the amounts made available to carry out the CIFIA program, the Secretary may use not more than $9,000,000 (as indexed for United States dollar inflation from the date of enactment of the Storing CO2 and Lowering Emissions Act (b) Contract authority (1) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, execution of a term sheet by the Secretary of a Federal credit instrument that uses amounts made available under the CIFIA program shall impose on the United States a contractual obligation to fund the Federal credit investment. (2) Availability Amounts made available to carry out the CIFIA program for a fiscal year shall be available for obligation on October 1 of the fiscal year. . (b) Technical amendments The table of contents for the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( Public Law 109–58 (1) in the item relating to section 917, by striking Efficiency (2) by striking the items relating to subtitle J of title IX (relating to ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resources) and inserting the following: Subtitle J—Carbon dioxide transportation infrastructure finance and innovation Sec. 999A. Definitions. Sec. 999B. Determination of eligibility and project selection. Sec. 999C. Secured loans. Sec. 999D. Future growth grants. Sec. 999E. Program administration. Sec. 999F. State and local permits. Sec. 999G. Regulations. Sec. 999H. Funding. ; and (3) by striking the item relating to section 969B and inserting the following: Sec. 969B. High efficiency turbines. . III Geologic storage of captured carbon 301. Carbon storage validation and testing Section 963 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16293 (1) in subsection (a)(1)(B), by striking over a 10-year period (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking and demonstration demonstration, and commercialization (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (G), by striking and (ii) in subparagraph (H), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: (I) evaluating the quantity, location, and timing of geologic carbon storage deployment that may be needed, and developing strategies and resources to enable the deployment. ; (3) by redesignating subsections (e) through (g) as subsections (f) through (h), respectively; (4) by inserting after subsection (d) the following: (e) Large-Scale carbon storage commercialization program (1) In general The Secretary shall establish a commercialization program under which the Secretary shall provide funding for the development of new or expanded commercial large-scale carbon sequestration projects and associated carbon dioxide transport infrastructure, including funding for the feasibility, site characterization, permitting, and construction stages of project development. (2) Applications; selection (A) In general To be eligible to enter into an agreement with the Secretary for funding under paragraph (1), an entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (B) Application process The Secretary shall establish an application process that, to the maximum extent practicable— (i) is open to projects at any stage of development described in paragraph (1); and (ii) facilitates expeditious development of projects described in that paragraph. (C) Project selection In selecting projects for funding under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to— (i) projects with substantial carbon dioxide storage capacity; or (ii) projects that will store carbon dioxide from multiple carbon capture facilities. ; (5) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated), in paragraph (1), by inserting with respect to the research, development, demonstration program components described in subsections (b) through (d) give preference (6) in subsection (h) (as so redesignated)— (A) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and indenting appropriately; (C) by inserting before subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated) the following: (1) for activities under the research, development, demonstration program components described in subsections (b) through (d)— ; and (D) by adding at the end the following: (2) for activities under the commercialization program component described in subsection (e), to remain available until expended, $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026. . 302. Secure geologic storage permitting (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Administrator The term Administrator (2) Class VI well The term Class VI well (b) Geologic sequestration permitting For the permitting of Class VI wells by the Administrator for the injection of carbon dioxide for the purpose of geologic sequestration in accordance with the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300f Federal Requirements Under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program for Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 (c) State permitting program grants (1) Establishment The Administrator shall award grants to States that, pursuant to section 1422 of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300h–1 (2) Use of funds A State that receives a grant under paragraph (1) shall use the amounts received under the grant to defray the expenses of the State related to the establishment and operation of a State underground injection control program described in paragraph (1). (3) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, $50,000,000.

Summary: Storing CO2 And Lowering Emissions Act or the SCALE Act This bill establishes programs within the Department of Energy that provide financial support and incentives to develop infrastructure for carbon dioxide capture, transport, utilization, and storage.