TREES Act of 2021
Bill: S.1782 | Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. (D-NJ)
Policy area: Energy

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.

To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program to 
 facilitate tree planting that reduces residential energy consumption, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Trees for Residential Energy and 
Economic Savings Act of 2021'' or the ``TREES Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. TREE PLANTING GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Covered project.--The term ``covered project'' means a 
        tree planting project that reduces residential energy 
        consumption.
            (2) Eligible cost.--The term ``eligible cost'' means, with 
        respect to a covered project--
                    (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'' means--
                    (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'' means the 
        percentage of household income spent on residential energy 
        bills.
            (5) Local government entity.--The term ``local government 
        entity'' means any municipal government or county government 
        entity with jurisdiction over local land use decisions.
            (6) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit 
        organization'' means an organization described in section 
        501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from 
        taxation under section 501(a) of that Code.
            (7) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the program 
        established under subsection (b).
            (8) Retail power provider.--The term ``retail power 
        provider'' means any entity authorized under State or Federal 
        law to generate, distribute, or provide retail electricity, 
        natural gas, or fuel oil service.
            (9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.
    (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.
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