of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act 
(42 U.S.C. 6322); 
‘‘(ii) for the conduct of clean energy 
programs in the State; and 
‘‘(iii) to carry out activities to reduce 
the amount of electricity bills for house-
holds in the State below 300 percent of the 
poverty line (as defined in section 673 of 
the Community Services Block Grant Act 
(42 U.S.C. 9902)). 
‘‘(B) ACTION BY STATES.—A State that 
receives funds under this paragraph shall main-
tain such records and evidence of compliance as 
the Secretary may require. 
‘‘(4) GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA.— 
‘‘(A) BUY
AMERICAN
COMPLIANCE.—The 
funds made available under the program estab-
lished under this subsection shall not be used 
for a project unless the project achieves compli-
ance with all applicable requirements of chapter 
83 of title 41, United States Code (formerly 
known as the ‘Buy American Act’). 
‘‘(B) DAVIS-BACON COMPLIANCE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—All laborers and 
mechanics employed on projects funded di-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00065
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
rectly, or assisted in whole or in part, by 
this section shall be paid wages at rates 
not less than those prevailing on projects 
of a character similar in the locality as de-
termined by the Secretary of Labor in ac-
cordance with 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’). 
‘‘(ii) AUTHORITY.—With respect to 
the labor standards specified in this sub-
paragraph, the Secretary of Labor shall 
have the authority and functions set forth 
in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 
1950 (64 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. App.) and 
section 3145 of title 40, United States 
Code. 
‘‘(C) ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES AND CRI-
TERIA.—The Secretary may issue such addi-
tional guidelines and criteria for the program 
under this subsection as the Secretary deter-
mines to be appropriate. 
‘‘(k) STATE PROGRAMS.— 
‘‘(1) SAVINGS PROVISION.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00066
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), nothing in this section affects the 
authority of a State or a political subdivision of 
a State to adopt or enforce any law or regula-
tion relating to— 
‘‘(i) clean or renewable energy; or 
‘‘(ii) the regulation of any retail elec-
tricity supplier. 
‘‘(B) FEDERAL LAW.—No law or regula-
tion of a State or a political subdivision of a 
State may relieve a retail electricity supplier 
from the obligation to comply with an applica-
ble requirement of this section. 
‘‘(2) COORDINATION.—The Secretary, in con-
sultation with States that have clean and renewable 
energy programs in effect, shall facilitate, to the 
maximum extent practicable, coordination between 
the Federal clean energy program under this section 
and the relevant State clean and renewable energy 
programs. 
‘‘(l) INFORMATION COLLECTION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may require 
any retail electricity supplier, generator, or any 
other entity that the Secretary determines appro-
priate to submit to the Secretary any information 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00067
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
the Secretary determines to be appropriate to carry 
out this section. 
‘‘(2) FAILURE
TO
SUBMIT; FALSE
OR
MIS-
LEADING INFORMATION.—An entity required to sub-
mit information pursuant to paragraph (1) that fails 
to submit the information, or submits false or mis-
leading information, shall be in violation of this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(m) REPORT ON CLEAN ENERGY RESOURCES THAT 
DO NOT GENERATE ELECTRIC ENERGY.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date of enactment of this section, the Sec-
retary shall submit to Congress a report examining 
mechanisms to supplement the standard under this 
section by addressing clean energy resources that do 
not generate electric energy but that may substan-
tially reduce overall energy emissions, including en-
ergy efficiency, demand response, flexible load, bene-
ficial electrification, microgrids, biomass converted 
to thermal energy, geothermal energy collected using 
heat pumps, thermal energy delivered through dis-
trict heating systems, and waste heat used as indus-
trial process heat. 
‘‘(2) POTENTIAL
INTEGRATION.—The report 
under paragraph (1) shall examine the benefits and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00068
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
challenges of integrating the additional clean energy 
resources into the standard established by this sec-
tion, including— 
‘‘(A) the extent to which such an integra-
tion would achieve the purposes of this section; 
‘‘(B) the manner in which a baseline de-
scribing the use of the resources could be devel-
oped that would ensure that only incremental 
action that increased the use of the resources 
received credit; and 
‘‘(C) the challenges of crediting the re-
sources, alone or in combination with other re-
sources, in a comparable manner between orga-
nized markets and vertically integrated markets 
to incentivize sufficient deployment of those re-
sources to support efficient integration into the 
standard. 
‘‘(3) COMPLEMENTARY POLICIES.—The report 
under paragraph (1) shall examine the benefits and 
challenges of using complementary policies or stand-
ards, other than the standard established under this 
section, to provide effective incentives for using the 
additional clean energy resources. 
‘‘(4) 
LEGISLATIVE
RECOMMENDATIONS.—As 
part of the report under paragraph (1), the Sec-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
retary shall provide legislative recommendations for 
changes to the standard established under this sec-
tion or new complementary policies that would pro-
vide effective incentives for using the additional 
clean energy resources. 
‘‘(n) PERIODIC REVIEW AND ADJUSTMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) NATIONAL
ACADEMY
OF
SCIENCES
RE-
VIEW.—The Secretary shall enter into an agreement 
with the National Academy of Sciences under which 
the Academy shall, not later than July 1, 2028, and 
every 10 years thereafter, submit to Congress and 
the Secretary a comprehensive evaluation of all as-
pects of the standard established under this section, 
including— 
‘‘(A) an evaluation of the effectiveness of 
the standard in decreasing the aggregate net 
carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in the elec-
tric sector, including— 
‘‘(i) a comparison of— 
‘‘(I) the actual carbon dioxide 
equivalent emissions associated with 
the electric sector for the preceding 
calendar year; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
‘‘(II)(aa) for the initial review, 
900,000,000 metric tons of carbon di-
oxide equivalent; 
‘‘(bb) for the review conducted 
with respect to calendar year 2038, 
600,000,000 metric tons of carbon di-
oxide equivalent; or 
‘‘(cc) if the Academy determines 
that an emissions value described in 
item (aa) or (bb) is inappropriate 
after 
taking 
into 
consideration 
changes in electric energy consump-
tion, and in emissions relating to en-
ergy use outside of the electric sector, 
such emissions as the Academy deter-
mines to be appropriate for the appli-
cable review year; and 
‘‘(ii) an evaluation of the methods by 
which the quantity of Federal clean energy 
credits is determined, including— 
‘‘(I) alternative methods of quan-
tifying credits for clean energy re-
sources eligible to receive Federal 
clean energy credits under this section 
that may be more effective, such as— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
‘‘(aa) issuing credits based 
on the difference between the 
carbon intensity of a generator 
and the marginal emissions rate 
in a given hour and balancing 
area; and 
‘‘(bb) adjusting the innova-
tion multipliers; and 
‘‘(II) potential methods of cred-
iting other clean energy resources not 
already addressed in the report under 
subsection (m); 
‘‘(B) the impact of the standard on the re-
liability, resilience, security, and safety of elec-
tricity generation, transmission, and distribu-
tion; 
‘‘(C) the impact of the standard on the 
function of regulated and deregulated electricity 
markets; 
‘‘(D) the net benefits or costs of the stand-
ard to the United States and the States, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(i) the effects on electricity demand 
and prices; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
‘‘(ii) the economic development bene-
fits of investment; 
‘‘(iii) lifecycle environmental and safe-
ty costs and benefits; 
‘‘(iv) the impacts on public health and 
health care costs; and 
‘‘(v) avoided costs relating to environ-
mental damages and adaptation invest-
ments that otherwise would have been re-
quired; 
‘‘(E) the impact of the standard on the 
emissions of behind-the-meter and off-grid elec-
tricity generation; 
‘‘(F) recommendations regarding potential 
changes to the standard, such as— 
‘‘(i) to regulations and procedures for 
implementing the standard; 
‘‘(ii) to the structure and specific de-
sign elements of the standard, such as— 
‘‘(I) if the comparison of emis-
sions under paragraph (1)(A)(i) re-
veals that actual emissions for the 
electric sector are greater than the re-
quired emissions under paragraph 
(1)(A)(i)(II), changes to the values of 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00073
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
the growth rates, the applicable car-
bon intensity, and alternative compli-
ance payment to eliminate the gap be-
tween actual and required emissions; 
‘‘(II) the quantification of Fed-
eral clean energy credits; and 
‘‘(III) the value of and eligibility 
for the innovation multiplier; and 
‘‘(iii) to the structure and administra-
tion of the Federal clean energy credit 
trading program; and 
‘‘(G) recommendations regarding potential 
changes to related public policies or creation of 
new complementary policies. 
‘‘(2) RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONGRESS.—Not 
later than January 1, 2029, and not less frequently 
than once every 10 years thereafter, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Nat-
ural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce of the House of Representa-
tives a report including recommendations for modi-
fications and improvements to the standard estab-
lished under this section, including an explanation of 
the inconsistencies, if any, between— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00074
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
‘‘(A) the recommendations of the Sec-
retary; and 
‘‘(B) the recommendations included in the 
evaluation of the National Academy of Sciences 
under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) CONGRESSIONAL ACTION.—Not later than 
January 1, 2030, and not less frequently than once 
every 10 years thereafter, Congress shall enact legis-
lation that amends this section or establishes new 
policies based on the recommendations submitted by 
the Secretary under paragraph (2). 
‘‘(4) ADJUSTMENTS
UPON
FAILURE
OF
CON-
GRESSIONAL ACTION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If Congress fails to 
enact legislation under paragraph (3) by an ap-
plicable deadline, the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) shall, in any case in which the 
comparison of emissions under paragraph 
(1)(A)(i) reveals that actual emissions for 
the electric sector are greater than the re-
quired 
emissions 
under 
paragraph 
(1)(A)(i)(II), make such compensatory ad-
justments to the standard established 
under this section as the Secretary con-
siders to be necessary, based on, and con-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00075
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
sistent with, the findings and recommenda-
tions of the National Academy of Sciences 
under paragraph (1)(F)(ii)(I), to eliminate 
the gap between actual and required emis-
sions by not later than 3 years after the 
date of the applicable deadline by— 
‘‘(I) increasing the fast growth 
rate; 
‘‘(II) increasing the slow growth 
rate; 
‘‘(III) 
increasing 
the 
small 
growth rate; 
‘‘(IV) decreasing the applicable 
carbon intensity; 
‘‘(V) increasing the alternative 
compliance payment under subsection 
(d)(1)(C); or 
‘‘(VI) taking a combination of ac-
tions described in subclauses (I) 
through (V); and 
‘‘(ii) if the evaluation of the crediting 
system under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) de-
scribes a more-effective method of issuing 
Federal clean energy credits to clean en-
ergy resources, may make other modifica-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00076
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
tions and improvements to the standard 
based on, and consistent with, the rec-
ommendations under paragraph (1)(F)(ii) 
that would have the effect of decreasing 
economy-wide emissions. 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENT.—In making the com-
pensatory adjustments under subparagraph 
(A)(i), the Secretary shall ensure that retail 
electricity suppliers that have exceeded the pro-
portionate share of the reductions of the retail 
electricity suppliers required under paragraph 
(1)(A)(i)(II) shall not bear significant addi-
tional costs under this paragraph. 
‘‘(o) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall pro-
mulgate regulations to implement this section.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of con-
tents of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 
(16 U.S.C. prec. 2601) is amended by adding at the end 
of the items relating to title VI the following: 
‘‘609. Rural and remote communities electrification grants. 
‘‘610. Federal clean energy standard.’’. 
SEC. 3. CLEAN ENERGY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DEM-
ONSTRATION, AND DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Energy 
shall establish a cross-cutting national program within the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00077
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
Department of Energy for the research, development, 
demonstration, and deployment of clean energy tech-
nologies and portfolios for the purpose of meeting the re-
quirements established under section 610 of the Public 
Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (as added by sec-
tion 2(a)). 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In establishing the program 
under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall— 
(1) identify and coordinate, across all relevant 
program offices throughout the Department of En-
ergy, key areas of existing and future research with 
respect to a portfolio of technologies and approaches; 
(2) with respect to dispatchable low-emission 
technologies and dispatchable zero-emission tech-
nologies (as defined in sections 610(b) of the Public 
Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (as added by 
section 2(a))— 
(A) prioritize programs that would accel-
erate the research, development, demonstration, 
and deployment of technologies by— 
(i) identifying specific applications of 
those technologies; 
(ii) cataloguing existing Department 
of Energy programs and research to ad-
vance the specific applications; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00078
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
(iii) establishing a center within the 
Department of Energy to coordinate re-
search priorities and demonstration pro-
grams for the specific applications; 
(B) adopt long-term cost, performance, 
and deployment targets for the specific applica-
tions identified under subparagraph (A)(i), in-
cluding a goal of conducting not fewer than 5 
technology demonstrations in the United States 
by December 31, 2030; 
(C) identify opportunities to work with 
States and the private sector for technology 
demonstration; and 
(D) identify barriers to the demonstration 
and deployment of those technologies; 
(3) identify approaches to expedite deployment 
of clean energy technologies by evaluating and avoid-
ing or minimizing potential impacts to natural com-
munities, ecological resources, and high-quality 
working land; and 
(4) recommend to Congress any additional 
funding needs or policy changes necessary to imple-
ment the program. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00079
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
(c) FUNDING.—Subject to the availability of appro-
priations, the Secretary of Energy may use amounts avail-
able to the Secretary to carry out this section. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:18 May 15, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00080
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
\\ALPHA3\E\BILLS\H2597.IH
H2597
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS