Investing in State Energy Act of 2022
Bill: S.5009 | Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne (D-NH)
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
Investing in State Energy Act of 2022
This bill revises requirements concerning the distribution of funds under the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and the State Energy Program (SEP) to state agencies and local partners that implement energy initiatives. Under WAP, the Department of Energy (DOE) reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. Under SEP, DOE supports state energy conservation plans and energy security.
This bill requires DOE, upon receiving state or area plans under WAP or SEP, to distribute funds to the recipients of the funding as quickly as practicable.
Within 60 days of Congress making the funds available for WAP and SEP, DOE must (1) provide application guidance for financial assistance, and (2) publish the allocation of financial assistance to be provided to states under the programs.

To require certain information and financial assistance under the State 
    energy program and the Weatherization Assistance Program to be 
distributed without undue delay to support State and local high-impact 
   energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives, 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 ``Investing in State Energy Act of 
2022''.

SEC. 2. TIMING FOR DISTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL 
              ASSISTANCE UNDER THE WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 
              AND THE STATE ENERGY PROGRAM.

    (a) Timing for Distribution of Certain Information and Financial 
Assistance Under the Weatherization Assistance Program.--Section 417 of 
the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6867) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (d), by striking the subsection 
        designation and all that follows through ``Payments'' and 
        inserting the following:
    ``(d) Method and Timing of Payments.--
            ``(1) In general.--Payments''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Timing.--On receipt of a plan adopted pursuant to 
        section 415(b), the Secretary shall distribute funds to the 
        State, Indian Tribe, or other direct recipient to which the 
        plan applies as quickly as practicable.
    ``(e) Distribution of Information.--Not later than 60 days after 
the date on which funds have been made available to provide assistance 
under this part, the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) release application guidance to States, Indian 
        Tribes, and other direct recipients of assistance under this 
        part; and
            ``(2) publish the allocation of assistance to be provided 
        to States, Indian Tribes, and other direct recipients of 
        assistance under this part in accordance with the applicable 
        distribution formula for the fiscal year.''.
    (b) Timing for Distribution of Certain Information and Financial 
Assistance Under the State Energy Program.--Section 363 of the Energy 
Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6323) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
    ``(f) Distribution of Information.--Not later than 60 days after 
the date on which funds have been made available to provide financial 
assistance under this section, the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) release application guidance for financial assistance 
        for energy conservation plans under this section; and
            ``(2) publish the allocation of assistance to be provided 
        to States under this section in accordance with the applicable 
        distribution formula for the fiscal year, including pursuant to 
        subsection (b).
    ``(g) Timing of Payments.--On receipt of a State energy 
conservation plan submitted under section 362, the Secretary shall 
distribute funds to a State as quickly as practicable.''.
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