TREES Act of 2021

To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program to facilitate tree planting that reduces residential energy consumption, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Trees for Residential Energy and Economic Savings Act of 2021 TREES Act of 2021 2. Tree planting grant program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered project The term covered project (2) Eligible cost The term eligible cost (A) the cost of carrying out the project, including— (i) planning and design activities; (ii) establishing nurseries to supply trees; (iii) purchasing trees; and (iv) preparing sites and planting trees; (B) the cost of maintaining and monitoring trees planted under the project for a period of not more than 3 years; (C) the cost of training activities; and (D) any other cost determined appropriate by the Secretary. (3) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (A) a State government entity; (B) a local government entity; (C) an Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 (D) a nonprofit organization; and (E) a retail power provider. (4) Energy burden The term energy burden (5) Local government entity The term local government entity (6) Nonprofit organization The term nonprofit organization section 501(c)(3) (7) Program The term Program (8) Retail power provider The term retail power provider (9) Secretary The term Secretary (b) Establishment Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to facilitate covered projects in accordance with this section. (c) Consultation In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service. (d) Applications To receive a grant under the Program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including, with respect to the proposed covered project, a description of— (1) how the covered project will reduce residential energy consumption and the expected reduction in residential energy consumption; (2) the total eligible costs of the covered project and other sources of funding for the covered project; (3) the anticipated community engagement in the covered project; and (4) the tree species to be planted under the covered project and the suitability of those species to the local environment. (e) Priority In awarding grants under the Program, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that propose covered projects that— (1) provide the largest potential reduction in residential energy consumption for households with a high energy burden; (2) provide maximum amounts of— (A) shade during periods when residences are exposed to the most sun intensity; and (B) wind protection during periods when residences are exposed to the most wind intensity; (3) are located in a neighborhood with a low percentage of tree canopy cover; (4) are located in a neighborhood with a high percentage of senior citizens or children; (5) are located in an area where the average annual income is below the regional median; (6) will collaboratively engage community members that will be affected by the tree planting; and (7) will employ local residents as a substantial percentage of the workforce of the covered project, with a focus on local residents who are unemployed or underemployed. (f) Tree planting goals Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, award grants under the Program in a manner that facilitates the planting of at least 300,000 trees each year. (g) Federal share The Federal share of the cost of a covered project carried out using a grant awarded under the Program shall be 90 percent. (h) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the Program $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

Summary: Trees for Residential Energy and Economic Savings Act of 2021 or the TREES Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a grant program for states, local governments, Indian tribes, and other entities to facilitate tree planting projects that reduce residential energy consumption. Under the program, DOE must award grants to facilitate the planting of at least 300,000 trees annually in residential neighborhoods.