Clean Cities Act

To require the Secretary of Energy to carry out a Clean Cities Coalition Program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Clean Cities Act 2. Clean Cities Coalition Program (a) In general The Secretary shall carry out a program to be known as the Clean Cities Coalition Program. (b) Program elements In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1) establish criteria for designating local and regional Clean Cities Coalitions, including criteria that ensure that activities of Clean Cities Coalitions benefit all communities, including rural communities and environmental justice communities; (2) designate local and regional Clean Cities Coalitions that the Secretary determines meet the criteria established under paragraph (1); (3) ensure that there are active Clean Cities Coalitions working in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the territories; (4) make awards to each designated Clean Cities Coalition for administrative and program expenses of the coalition; (5) make competitive awards to designated Clean Cities Coalitions for projects and activities described in subsection (c); (6) make competitive awards to non-profit organizations to provide technical assistance, training, and organizational support to designated Clean Cities Coalitions; (7) provide opportunities for communication and sharing of best practices among designated Clean Cities Coalitions; and (8) maintain, and make available to the public, a centralized database of information included in the reports submitted under subsection (d). (c) Competitive awards (1) Projects and activities Projects and activities eligible for awards under subsection (b)(5) are projects and activities that reduce petroleum consumption, improve air quality, promote energy and economic security, and encourage deployment of a diverse, domestic supply of alternative fuels in the transportation sector by— (A) encouraging the purchase and use of alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuels, including by fleet managers; (B) expediting the establishment of local, regional, and national infrastructure to fuel alternative fuel vehicles; (C) advancing the use of other petroleum fuel reduction technologies and strategies; (D) conducting outreach and education activities to advance the use of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles; (E) providing training and technical assistance and tools to users that adopt petroleum fuel reduction technologies; or (F) collaborating with and training officials and first responders with responsibility for permitting and enforcing fire, building, and other safety codes related to the deployment and use of alternative fuels or alternative fuel vehicles. (2) Cost share The Federal share of the cost of a project or activity for which an award is made under subsection (b)(5) shall be not less than 80 percent. (d) Annual report Each designated Clean Cities Coalition shall submit an annual report to the Secretary on the activities and accomplishments of the coalition. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Alternative fuel The term alternative fuel (2) Alternative fuel vehicle The term alternative fuel vehicle (3) Community of color The term community of color (4) Environmental justice community The term environmental justice community (5) Indigenous community The term indigenous community (A) a federally recognized Indian Tribe; (B) a State-recognized Indian Tribe; (C) an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community or organization; and (D) any other community of indigenous people, including communities in other countries. (6) Low income The term low income (A) an amount equal to 80 percent of the median income of the area in which the household is located, as reported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and (B) 200 percent of the Federal poverty line. (7) Low-income community The term low-income community (8) Population of color The term population of color (A) Black; (B) African American; (C) Asian; (D) Pacific Islander; (E) another non-White race; (F) Hispanic; (G) Latino; or (H) linguistically isolated. (9) Secretary The term Secretary (f) Funding (1) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2031, to remain available until expended. (2) Allocations The Secretary shall allocate funds made available to carry out this section in each fiscal year as follows: (A) 35 percent of such funds shall be distributed as awards under subsection (b)(4). (B) 50 percent of such funds shall be distributed as competitive awards under subsection (b)(5), of which not less than 40 percent shall be used to support activities that directly benefit rural communities or environmental justice communities. (C) 5 percent of such funds shall be distributed as competitive awards under subsection (b)(6).

Summary: Clean Cities Act This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out a Clean Cities Coalition Program. Under the program, DOE must make awards to clean city coalitions or nonprofit organizations for projects and activities that reduce petroleum consumption, improve air quality, promote energy and economic security, and encourage deployment of a diverse, domestic supply of alternative fuels in the transportation sector. DOE must also ensure that there are active coalitions working in all states, the District of Columbia, and the territories. In addition, DOE must provide technical assistance and training to the coalitions, provide opportunities for communication and sharing of best practices among the coalitions, and maintain and publish a centralized database of information about the activities and accomplishments of the coalitions.