To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reauthorize the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, and for other purposes.
Bill: H.R.425 | Sponsor: Rep. Stanton, Greg (D-AZ)
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and revises the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. Under the program, the Department of Energy provides grants to local governments, states, and Indian tribes for energy efficiency and conservation projects and programs. This bill expands the allowable uses of grant funds to include the deployment of energy distribution technologies that significantly expand access to alternative fuels.

To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to 
reauthorize the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, 
                        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. ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Purpose.--Section 542(b)(1) of the Energy Independence and 
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17152(b)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting a semicolon;
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the semicolon and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) diversifies energy supplies, including by 
                facilitating and promoting the use of alternative 
                fuels;''.
    (b) Use of Funds.--Section 544(9) of the Energy Independence and 
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17154(9)) is amended to read as 
follows:
            ``(9) deployment of energy distribution technologies that 
        significantly increase energy efficiency or expand access to 
        alternative fuels, including--
                    ``(A) distributed resources;
                    ``(B) district heating and cooling systems; and
                    ``(C) infrastructure for delivering alternative 
                fuels;''.
    (c) Competitive Grants.--Section 546(c)(2) of the Energy 
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17156(c)(2)) is 
amended by inserting ``, including projects to expand the use of 
alternative fuels'' before the period at the end.
    (d) Funding.--Section 548(a) of the Energy Independence and 
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17158(a)) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) Grants.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
        the Secretary to carry out the program $3,500,000,000 for each 
        of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
            ``(2) Administrative costs.--The Secretary may use for 
        administrative expenses of the program not more than 1 percent 
        of the amounts made available under paragraph (1) in each of 
        fiscal years 2022 through 2026.''.
    (e) Technical Amendments.--Section 543 of the Energy Independence 
and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17153) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c), by striking ``subsection (a)(2)'' 
        and inserting ``subsection (a)(3)''; and
            (2) in subsection (d), by striking ``subsection (a)(3)'' 
        and inserting ``subsection (a)(4)''.
                                 <all>