I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4251 
To promote the use of resilient energy systems to rebuild infrastructure 
following disasters. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 3, 2017 
Mr. SERRANO (for himself, Miss GONZA´LEZ-COLO´N of Puerto Rico, Ms. 
VELA´ZQUEZ, Mr. GUTIE´RREZ, Ms. WILSON of Florida, Mr. ESPAILLAT, 
Mr. SOTO, and Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic-
tion of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To promote the use of resilient energy systems to rebuild 
infrastructure following disasters. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Rebuilding Resilient 
Energy Systems Act of 2017’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:07 Nov 05, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4251.IH
H4251
srobinson on DSKBC5CHB2PROD with BILLS
(1) EFFICIENT.—The term ‘‘efficient’’ means, 
with respect to a technology, product, material, 
equipment, or practice, the use of the technology, 
product, material, equipment, or practice in a man-
ner that results in reduced energy consumption or 
energy costs for the same level of service or a higher 
level of service. 
(2) RESILIENT.—The term ‘‘resilient’’ means, 
with respect to a system or a component of a sys-
tem, the ability of the system or component to adapt 
to a changing condition and withstand and rapidly 
recover from a disruption. 
SEC. 3. USE OF RESILIENT ENERGY SYSTEMS TO REBUILD 
FOLLOWING DISASTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, any amounts awarded under sections 403, 
404, 406, 408, and 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b, 
5170c, 5172, 5174, 5189f) may be used to build, repair, 
restore, reconstruct, or replace an energy system or build-
ing as a result of a major disaster or emergency des-
ignated by the President under the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5121 et seq.) during calendar year 2017 in a manner 
that— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:07 Nov 05, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4251.IH
H4251
srobinson on DSKBC5CHB2PROD with BILLS
(1) is more resilient; 
(2) is more efficient; 
(3) provides continuous flow of power to facili-
ties critical to public health, safety, and welfare; 
(4) maximizes the use of clean energy resources 
and energy storage technologies; and 
(5) promotes lower energy bills to the extent 
feasible. 
(b) RULE
OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in sub-
section (a) creates eligibility for assistance for any energy 
provider that is not otherwise eligible for assistance under 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency As-
sistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). 
(c) COORDINATION WITH PRIVATE ENTITIES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency shall des-
ignate a representative of the Agency to coordinate 
with one or more private entities that are interested 
in donating energy system technologies and services 
to rebuild in accordance with subsection (a) fol-
lowing a major disaster or emergency. 
(2) COORDINATION AMONG AGENCIES.—In car-
rying out paragraph (1), the Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency is encour-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:07 Nov 05, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4251.IH
H4251
srobinson on DSKBC5CHB2PROD with BILLS
aged to coordinate with the Secretary of Energy and 
the Secretary of Homeland Security. 
(d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, each National 
Laboratory (as defined in section 2 of the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801)), in coordina-
tion with the programs of the Department of Energy 
that provide assistance to States and industry, shall 
make technical assistance available to Federal, 
State, and local agencies and private entities that 
are interested in— 
(A) developing plans or providing guidance 
on the design of a resilient and efficient energy 
system or building; and 
(B) building, repairing, restoring, recon-
structing, or replacing an energy system or 
building in accordance with subsection (a) fol-
lowing a major disaster or emergency. 
(2) CONSULTATION
AMONG
AGENCIES.—The 
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency is encouraged to consult with the Sec-
retary of Defense regarding the experience of the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:07 Nov 05, 2017
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4251.IH
H4251
srobinson on DSKBC5CHB2PROD with BILLS