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nancing, and design of energy efficient public build-
ings by units of local government. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For the 
purposes of this section, there are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary of Energy $30,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2006 through 2010. Not more than 10 per-
cent of appropriated funds shall be used for administra-
tion. 
SEC. 126. LOW INCOME COMMUNITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY 
PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) GRANTS.—The Secretary of Energy is authorized 
to make grants to units of local government, private, non- 
profit community development organizations, and Indian 
tribe economic development entities to improve energy effi-
ciency; identify and develop alternative, renewable, and 
distributed energy supplies; and increase energy conserva-
tion in low income rural and urban communities. 
(b) PURPOSE OF GRANTS.—The Secretary may make 
grants on a competitive basis for— 
(1) investments that develop alternative, renew-
able, and distributed energy supplies; 
(2) energy efficiency projects and energy con-
servation programs;
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(3) studies and other activities that improve en-
ergy efficiency in low income rural and urban com-
munities; 
(4) planning and development assistance for in-
creasing the energy efficiency of buildings and facili-
ties; and 
(5) technical and financial assistance to local 
government and private entities on developing new 
renewable and distributed sources of power or com-
bined heat and power generation. 
(c) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section, the 
term ‘‘Indian tribe’’ means any Indian tribe, band, nation, 
or other organized group or community, including any 
Alaskan Native village or regional or village corporation 
as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), that is 
recognized as eligible for the special programs and services 
provided by the United States to Indians because of their 
status as Indians. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For the 
purposes of this section there are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary of Energy $20,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2006 through 2008.
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Subtitle C—Energy Efficient 
Products 
SEC. 131. ENERGY STAR PROGRAM. 
(a) AMENDMENT.—The Energy Policy and Conserva-
tion Act (42 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
the following after section 324: 
‘‘SEC. 324A. ENERGY STAR PROGRAM. 
‘‘There is established at the Department of Energy 
and the Environmental Protection Agency a voluntary 
program to identify and promote energy-efficient products 
and buildings in order to reduce energy consumption, im-
prove energy security, and reduce pollution through vol-
untary labeling of or other forms of communication about 
products and buildings that meet the highest energy effi-
ciency standards. Responsibilities under the program shall 
be divided between the Department of Energy and the En-
vironmental Protection Agency consistent with the terms 
of agreements between the 2 agencies. The Administrator 
and the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) promote Energy Star compliant tech-
nologies as the preferred technologies in the market-
place for achieving energy efficiency and to reduce 
pollution;
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‘‘(2) work to enhance public awareness of the 
Energy Star label, including special outreach to 
small businesses; 
‘‘(3) preserve the integrity of the Energy Star 
label; 
‘‘(4) solicit comments from interested parties 
prior to establishing or revising an Energy Star 
product category, specification, or criterion (or effec-
tive dates for any of the foregoing); 
‘‘(5) upon adoption of a new or revised product 
category, specification, or criterion, provide reason-
able notice to interested parties of any changes (in-
cluding effective dates) in product categories, speci-
fications, or criteria along with an explanation of 
such changes and, where appropriate, responses to 
comments submitted by interested parties; and 
‘‘(6) provide appropriate lead time (which shall 
be 9 months, unless the Agency or Department de-
termines otherwise) prior to the effective date for a 
new or a significant revision to a product category, 
specification, or criterion, taking into account the 
timing requirements of the manufacturing, product 
marketing, and distribution process for the specific 
product addressed.’’.
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(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENT.—The table 
of contents of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
324 the following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 324A. Energy Star program.’’. 
SEC. 132. HVAC MAINTENANCE CONSUMER EDUCATION 
PROGRAM. 
Section 337 of the Energy Policy and Conservation 
Act (42 U.S.C. 6307) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(c) HVAC MAINTENANCE.—For the purpose of en-
suring that installed air conditioning and heating systems 
operate at their maximum rated efficiency levels, the Sec-
retary shall, not later than 180 days after the date of en-
actment of this subsection, carry out a program to educate 
homeowners and small business owners concerning the en-
ergy savings resulting from properly conducted mainte-
nance of air conditioning, heating, and ventilating sys-
tems. The Secretary shall carry out the program in a cost- 
shared manner in cooperation with the Administrator of 
the Environmental Protection Agency and such other enti-
ties as the Secretary considers appropriate, including in-
dustry trade associations, industry members, and energy 
efficiency organizations. 
‘‘(d) SMALL BUSINESS EDUCATION
AND ASSIST-
ANCE.—The Administrator of the Small Business Admin-