TASK DEFINITION: In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``United States Commission on 
Rebuilding America for the 21st Century Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) In 1808, Albert Gallatin, while serving as President 
        Thomas Jefferson's Secretary of the Treasury, reported to 
        Congress on the infrastructure investments needed by the young 
        Nation.
            (2) Gallatin's plan built on President George Washington's 
        vision of connecting the interior settlements of the Nation 
        with the markets and ports of the East Coast through a network 
        of roads and canals, and provided a roadmap for infrastructure 
        development in the 19th century.
            (3) In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt convened a 
        conference of State and territorial governors, members of his 
        Cabinet and Congress, professional organizations, private 
        citizens, and government agencies to plan for the United States 
        conservation and infrastructure needs in the 20th century.
            (4) The resulting plan laid the groundwork for many of the 
        critical investments initiated by President Franklin D. 
        Roosevelt to jumpstart the Nation's recovery from the Great 
        Depression.
            (5) Today, as in 1808 and 1908, the United States is faced 
        with significant economic, environmental, and demographic 
        challenges.
            (6) To stave off the worst effects of global warming, the 
        United States will need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 
        significantly.
            (7) The Nation's population is projected to increase to 420 
        million by 2050, which is nearly a 50 percent increase from the 
        Nation's population size in 2000.
            (8) By 2050, more than 70 percent of the Nation's 
        population growth and economic growth is expected to take place 
        in extended networks of metropolitan regions linked by 
        environmental systems, transportation networks, economies, and 
        culture.
            (9) The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue 
        Study Commission recently calculated that maintaining the 
        Nation's existing transportation system over the next 50 years 
        will require $225 billion annually. The latest transportation 
        authorization, SAFETEA-LU, provided only $244 billion total for 
        the 5 years ending with fiscal year 2009.
            (10) The American Society of Civil Engineers has given the 
        Nation's public infrastructure, consisting of water, sewer, and 
        transportation systems, a grade of D-minus, estimating that it 
        will cost $1.6 trillion over the next 5 years merely to repair 
        the Nation's existing infrastructure.
            (11) The Nation's decaying water infrastructure and a lack 
        of available funding to maintain and upgrade the Nation's 
        wastewater infrastructure pose a serious threat to water 
        quality. More than 72,000 miles of municipal water and sewer 
        pipe are more than 80 years old, threatening the health, 
        environment, and economy of communities large and small.
            (12) Population growth and associated development will 
        place the Nation's water resources under increasing stress, 
        including increased pollutant loads, increased potential for 
        flooding, diminished drinking water supplies, loss of aquatic 
        habitat, and stream scouring and erosion. Global warming will 
        exacerbate existing water challenges and make other changes to 
        the natural hydrology, including more extreme storm events, 
        more frequent droughts, higher air and water temperatures, 
        changes in timing of stream flows, and sea level rise. New 
        technologies and a comprehensive strategy will be needed to 
        overcome these challenges and ensure a safe, adequate, 
        reliable, and sustainable water supply.
            (13) The Environmental Protection Agency, the Congressional 
        Budget Office, and other stakeholders have identified a funding 
        gap of between $300 billion and $400 billion over the next 20 
        years for the restoration and replacement of wastewater 
        infrastructure, and an additional $250 billion over the next 30 
        years will be needed to replace worn-out drinking water pipes 
        and associated structures.
            (14) From 1999 to 2009, the Nation's electricity demand 
        rose by nearly 20 percent while transmission capacity grew by 
        only 3.5 percent. To accommodate increased demand, and to 
        accommodate increased electrical supply from renewable sources 
        by 2050, electrical transmission infrastructure requires 
        significant investment.
            (15) The Nation's rural economy is dependant on 
        transportation and communications networks to grow and compete 
        in an increasingly globalized market.
            (16) Significant under-investment in public lands 
        infrastructure jeopardizes the tremendous conservation, 
        environmental, and mixed use benefits that these lands provide 
        the public.
            (17) Much of the Nation's infrastructure was built in the 
        last half of the 20th century and will reach its capacity 
        limits early in the 21st century. Unless new capacity is 
        created in roads, rails, airports, seaports, and other systems, 
        the Nation's economic potential will be artificially limited.
            (18) Since 1980, the number of miles people in the United 
        States drive has grown 3 times faster than the Nation's 
        population. Residents of walkable cities, however, drive 26 
        percent fewer miles per day than those living in the most 
        sprawling areas.
            (19) By 2050, 89 million new or replaced homes as well as 
        190 billion square feet of new offices, stores, and other 
        nonresidential buildings will be constructed.
            (20) By 2050, smart growth building policies could reduce 
        total transportation-related CO&lt;INF&gt;2&lt;/INF&gt; emissions by 7 to 
        10 percent.
            (21) Development of a bold national plan to overcome these 
        challenges by 2050 will allow the United States to respond in 
        the most economically and environmentally sustainable way.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.

    There is established a commission to be known as the ``United 
States Commission on Rebuilding America for the 21st Century'' (in this 
Act referred to as the ``Commission'').

SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.

    (a) Appointment of Members.--The Commission shall be composed of 17 
members as follows:
            (1) Two members, including the chairman of the Commission, 
        to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
            (2) Two members to be appointed by the majority leader of 
        the Senate.
            (3) Three members to be appointed jointly by the minority 
        leader of the House of Representatives and the minority leader 
        of the Senate.
            (4) One member to be appointed by the Administrator of the 
        Environmental Protection Agency.
            (5) One member to be appointed by the Secretary of 
        Transportation.
            (6) One member to be appointed by the Secretary of Housing 
        and Urban Development.
            (7) One member to be appointed by the Secretary of the 
        Interior.
            (8) One member to be appointed by the Secretary of Energy.
            (9) One member to be appointed by the President of the 
        Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the National 
        Association of Counties, in consultation with the other members 
        of the Board.
            (10) One member to be appointed by the Chair of the 
        National Governors Association.
            (11) One member to be appointed by the Executive Director 
        of the National Conference of State Legislatures, in 
        consultation with the members of the Conference's executive 
        committee.
            (12) One member to be appointed by the President of the 
        Board of Directors of the National Association of Regional 
        Councils, in consultation with the other members of the Board.
            (13) One member to be appointed by the President of the 
        United States Conference of Mayors, in consultation with the 
        members of the Conference's executive board.
    (b) Dates of Appointments.--The initial member appointed to the 
Commission shall be the Chairman, as designated by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives under subsection (a)(1). The remainder of the 
members of the Commission shall be appointed in the 30-day period 
beginning on the 30th day following the date of the appointment of the 
Chairman.
    (c) Qualifications.--
            (1) In general.--Each member of the Commission shall be 
        knowledgeable in--
                    (A) the fields of transportation finance, highway 
                and transit programs, and transportation policy;
                    (B) the fields of land use and housing policy, 
                including community planning and design;
                    (C) the fields of water supply, water 
                infrastructure, and water conservation policy; or
                    (D) the fields of energy supply, energy 
                infrastructure, and energy conservation policy.
            (2) Eligibility of certain representatives.--The members of 
        the Commission--
                    (A) may include representatives of State and local 
                governments, public transportation authorities, and 
                other appropriate governmental units; but
                    (B) may not include any member of the House of 
                Representatives, the Senate, or the President's 
                Cabinet.
    (d) Terms.--The members of the Commission shall be appointed for 
the life of the Commission.
    (e) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled 
promptly and in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
    (f) Meetings.--
            (1) Initial meeting.--Not later than 60 days after the last 
        day of the appointment period described in section 4(b), the 
        Commission shall hold the initial meeting of the Commission.
            (2) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
        chairman of the Commission or a majority of its members.
            (3) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission 
        shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may 
        hold hearings.
    (g) Pay.--Members of the Commission shall serve without pay.
    (h) Travel Expenses.--Each member of the Commission shall receive 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 
of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 5. DUTIES.

    (a) Review of Published Materials.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall review published 
        materials on the Nation's transportation, water, energy, public 
        lands, and housing infrastructure and, based on the review, 
        assess the challenges of meeting the Nation's infrastructure 
        needs in the 21st century.
            (2) Report to congress.--Not later than 120 days after the 
        last day of the appointment period described in section 4(b), 
        the Commission shall submit to Congress a report on the review 
        and assessment conducted under paragraph (1) and make the 
        report available to the public.
    (b) Public Hearings.--In order to facilitate a national dialogue on 
the Nation's infrastructure needs, the Commission shall hold public 
hearings in at least 50 congressional districts representing a cross-
section of the geographical regions of the United States, and consult 
with other interested persons, before submitting a final report under 
subsection (c)
    (c) Final Report.--
            (1) National vision of infrastructure investments.--Not 
        later than one year after the last day of the appointment 
        period described in section 4(b), the Commission shall prepare 
        and submit to Congress a report that--
                    (A) documents the challenges of meeting the 
                Nation's transportation, water, energy, public lands, 
                and housing infrastructure needs in the 21st century; 
                and
                    (B) articulates a national vision of infrastructure 
                investments to overcome the challenges.
            (2) Specific recommendations.--The report to be submitted 
        under paragraph (1) shall contain specific recommendations on 
        appropriate policies and investments, including integration of 
        existing programs, to provide the people of the United States 
        with--
                    (A) improved transportation mobility, choice, and 
                access to economic opportunities;
                    (B) streamlined investment processes to facilitate 
                State and local transportation investments;
                    (C) improved community health outcomes and social 
                equity;
                    (D) improved water conservation, quality, and 
                quantity;
                    (E) an efficient, vibrant, and flexible electric 
                grid that delivers clean, safe, and affordable energy;
                    (F) reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; and
                    (G) improved public lands infrastructure sufficient 
                to accommodate the growth in users without degrading 
                the environmental and conservation values of the public 
                lands.
            (3) Model principles.--The report to be submitted under 
        paragraph (1) shall contain a set of model principles to ensure 
        that future investments in the Nation's transportation, water, 
        energy, public lands, and housing infrastructure incorporate 
        the findings and recommendations contained in the report.

SEC. 6. POWERS.

    (a) Hearings and Sessions.--For the purpose of carrying out this 
Act, the Commission may hold such hearings, meet and act at such times 
and places, take such testimony, administer such oaths, and receive 
such evidence as the Commission considers appropriate.
    (b) Other Evidence.--The Commission shall gather evidence through 
such means as the Commission considers appropriate, including--
            (1) by soliciting comments through Federal Register 
        notices; and
            (2) by receiving testimony at public hearings conducted by 
        members of the Commission, at the direction of the chairman of 
        the Commission, subject to appropriate rules governing the 
        receiving of evidence.
    (c) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly 
from any department or agency of the United States information (other 
than information required by any law to be kept confidential by such 
department or agency) necessary for the Commission to carry out its 
duties under this Act. Upon request of the Commission, the head of that 
department or agency shall furnish such nonconfidential information to 
the Commission.
    (d) Contracts.--The Commission may enter into contracts with other 
entities in carrying out the duties of the Commission.
    (e) Gifts, Bequests, and Devises.--To the extent or in the amounts 
provided in advance in appropriations Acts, the Commission may accept, 
use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or 
property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or 
facilitating the work of the Commission. Gifts, bequests, or devises of 
money and proceeds from sales of other property received as gifts, 
bequests, or devises shall be deposited in the Treasury and shall be 
available for disbursement upon order of the Chairperson.
    (f) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the 
same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and 
agencies of the United States.
    (g) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the 
Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the 
Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support 
services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities 
under this Act.

SEC. 7. STAFF.

    (a) Staff.--The Commission may appoint and fix the pay of such 
personnel as the Commission considers appropriate.
    (b) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon request of the Commission, the 
head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable 
basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency to the 
Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under 
this Act.
    (c) Experts and Consultants.--The Commission may procure temporary 
and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United 
States Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily 
equivalent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay for GS-15 of the 
General Schedule.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act 
$2,500,000.

SEC. 9. TERMINATION.

    The Commission shall terminate on the 180th day following the date 
of transmittal of the final report required under section 5(c). All 
records and papers of the Commission shall thereupon be delivered to 
the Administrator of General Services for deposit in the National 
Archives.

SOLUTION: United States Commission on Rebuilding America for the 21st Century Act - Establishes the United States Commission on Rebuilding America for the 21st Century to review published materials on the nation's transportation, water, energy, public lands, and housing infrastructure and assess the challenges of meeting the nation's infrastructure needs in the 21st century.

Directs the Commission to submit to Congress a report that: (1) documents those challenges and articulates a national vision of infrastructure investments to overcome them; (2) contains specific recommendations on policies and investments to provide for streamlined state and local transportation investment processes, an electric grid that delivers clean, safe, and affordable energy, reductions in greenhouse has emissions, and improved transportation mobility, community health outcomes, water conservation, and public lands infrastructure accommodating user growth without degrading the environment; and (3) contains a set of model principles to ensure that future investments in the nation's infrastructure incorporate the report's findings and recommendations.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD.

    (a) In General.--Title VI of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies 
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:

``SEC. 610. FEDERAL RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD.

    ``(a) Renewable Energy Requirement.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each electric utility that sells 
        electricity to electric consumers shall obtain a percentage of 
        the base amount of electricity it sells to electric consumers 
        in any calendar year from new renewable energy or existing 
        renewable energy. The percentage obtained in a calendar year 
        shall not be less than the amount specified in the following 
        table:

 
 
 
``Calendar year:                    Minimum annual percentage:
  2010............................  1
  2011............................  2
  2012............................  4
  2013............................  6
  2014............................  8
  2015............................  10
  2016............................  12
  2017............................  14
  2018............................  16
  2019............................  18
  2020............................  20
  2021............................  21
  2022............................  22
  2023............................  23
  2024............................  24
  2025............................  25.

            ``(2) Means of compliance.--An electric utility shall meet 
        the requirements of paragraph (1) by--
                    ``(A) submitting to the Secretary renewable energy 
                credits issued under subsection (b);
                    ``(B) making alternative compliance payments to the 
                Secretary at the rate of 2 cents per kilowatt hour (as 
                adjusted for inflation under subsection (g)); or
                    ``(C) a combination of activities described in 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B).
    ``(b) Renewable Energy Credit Trading Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than July 1, 2009, the 
        Secretary shall establish a renewable energy credit trading 
        program under which electric utilities shall submit to the 
        Secretary renewable energy credits to certify the compliance of 
        the electric utilities with respect to obligations under 
        subsection (a)(1).
            ``(2) Administration.--As part of the program, the 
        Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) issue tradeable renewable energy credits to 
                generators of electric energy from new renewable 
                energy;
                    ``(B) issue nontradeable renewable energy credits 
                to generators of electric energy from existing 
                renewable energy;
                    ``(C) issue renewable energy credits to electric 
                utilities associated with State renewable portfolio 
                standard compliance mechanisms pursuant to subsection 
                (h);
                    ``(D) ensure that a kilowatt hour, including the 
                associated renewable energy credit, shall be used only 
                once for purposes of compliance with this Act;
                    ``(E) allow double credits for generation from 
                facilities on Indian land, and triple credits for 
                generation from small renewable distributed generators 
                (meaning those no larger than 1 megawatt); and
                    ``(F) ensure that, with respect to a purchaser 
                that, as of the date of enactment of this section, has 
                a purchase agreement from a renewable energy facility 
                placed in service before that date, the credit 
                associated with the generation of renewable energy 
                under the contract is issued to the purchaser of the 
                electric energy.
            ``(3) Duration.--A credit described in subparagraph (A) or 
        (B) of paragraph (2) may only be used for compliance with this 
        section during the 3-year period beginning on the date of 
        issuance of the credit.
            ``(4) Transfers.--An electric utility that holds credits in 
        excess of the quantity of credits needed to comply with 
        subsection (a) may transfer the credits to another electric 
        utility in the same utility holding company system.
            ``(5) Delegation of market function.--The Secretary may 
        delegate to an appropriate market-making entity the 
        administration of a national tradeable renewable energy credit 
        market for purposes of creating a transparent national market 
        for the sale or trade of renewable energy credits.
    ``(c) Enforcement.--
            ``(1) Civil penalties.--Any electric utility that fails to 
        meet the compliance requirements of subsection (a) shall be 
        subject to a civil penalty.
            ``(2) Amount of penalty.--The amount of the civil penalty 
        shall be determined by multiplying the number of kilowatt-hours 
        of electric energy sold to electric consumers in violation of 
        subsection (a) by the greater of 2 cents (adjusted for 
        inflation under subsection (g)) or 200 percent of the average 
        market value of renewable energy credits during the year in 
        which the violation occurred.
            ``(3) Mitigation or waiver.--The Secretary may mitigate or 
        waive a civil penalty under this subsection if the electric 
        utility was unable to comply with subsection (a) for reasons 
        outside of the reasonable control of the utility. The Secretary 
        shall reduce the amount of any penalty determined under 
        paragraph (2) by an amount paid by the electric utility to a 
        State for failure to comply with the requirement of a State 
        renewable energy program if the State requirement is greater 
        than the applicable requirement of subsection (a).
            ``(4) Procedure for assessing penalty.--The Secretary shall 
        assess a civil penalty under this subsection in accordance with 
        the procedures prescribed by section 333(d) of the Energy 
        Policy and Conservation Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 6303).
    ``(d) State Renewable Energy Account Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish, not later 
        than December 31, 2008, a State renewable energy account 
        program.
            ``(2) Deposits.--All money collected by the Secretary from 
        alternative compliance payments and the assessment of civil 
        penalties under this section shall be deposited into the 
        renewable energy account established pursuant to this 
        subsection. The State renewable energy account shall be held by 
        the Secretary and shall not be transferred to the Treasury 
        Department.
            ``(3) Use.--Proceeds deposited in the State renewable 
        energy account shall be used by the Secretary, subject to 
        appropriations, for a program to provide grants to the State 
        agency responsible for developing State energy conservation 
        plans under section 362 of the Energy Policy and Conservation 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 6322) for the purposes of promoting renewable 
        energy production, including programs that promote technologies 
        that reduce the use of electricity at customer sites such as 
        solar water heating.
            ``(4) Administration.--The Secretary may issue guidelines 
        and criteria for grants awarded under this subsection. State 
        energy offices receiving grants under this section shall 
        maintain such records and evidence of compliance as the 
        Secretary may require.
            ``(5) Preference.--In allocating funds under this program, 
        the Secretary shall give preference--
                    ``(A) to States in regions which have a 
                disproportionately small share of economically 
                sustainable renewable energy generation capacity; and
                    ``(B) to State programs to stimulate or enhance 
                innovative renewable energy technologies.
    ``(e) Rules.--The Secretary shall issue rules implementing this 
section not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
section.
    ``(f) Exemptions.--This section shall not apply in any calendar 
year to an electric utility--
            ``(1) that sold less than 4,000,000 megawatt-hours of 
        electric energy to electric consumers during the preceding 
        calendar year; or
            ``(2) in Hawaii.
    ``(g) Inflation Adjustment.--Not later than December 31 of each 
year beginning in 2008, the Secretary shall adjust for inflation the 
price of a renewable energy credit under subsection (b)(2) and the 
amount of the civil penalty per kilowatt-hour under subsection (c)(2).
    ``(h) State Programs.--
            ``(1) In general.--Nothing in this section diminishes any 
        authority of a State or political subdivision of a State to 
        adopt or enforce any law or regulation respecting renewable 
        energy, but, except as provided in subsection (c)(3), no such 
        law or regulation shall relieve any person of any requirement 
        otherwise applicable under this section. The Secretary, in 
        consultation with States having such renewable energy programs, 
        shall, to the maximum extent practicable, facilitate 
        coordination between the Federal program and State programs.
            ``(2) Regulations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation 
                with States, shall promulgate regulations to ensure 
                that an electric utility subject to the requirements of 
                this section that is also subject to a State renewable 
                energy standard receives renewable energy credits in 
                relation to equivalent quantities of renewable energy 
                associated with compliance mechanisms, other than the 
                generation or purchase of renewable energy by the 
                electric utility, including the acquisition of 
                certificates or credits and the payment of taxes, fees, 
                surcharges, or other financial compliance mechanisms by 
                the electric utility or a customer of the electric 
                utility, directly associated with the generation or 
                purchase of renewable energy.
                    ``(B) Prohibition on double counting.--The 
                regulations promulgated under this paragraph shall 
                ensure that a kilowatt hour associated with a renewable 
                energy credit issued pursuant to this subsection shall 
                not be used for compliance with this section more than 
                once.
    ``(i) Recovery of Costs.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall issue and enforce 
        such regulations as are necessary to ensure that an electric 
        utility recovers all prudently incurred costs associated with 
        compliance with this section.
            ``(2) Applicable law.--A regulation under paragraph (1) 
        shall be enforceable in accordance with the provisions of law 
        applicable to enforcement of regulations under the Federal 
        Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.).
    ``(j) Wind Energy Development Study.--The Secretary, in 
consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies, shall 
conduct, and submit to Congress a report describing the results of, a 
study on methods to increase transmission line capacity for wind energy 
development.
    ``(k) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Base amount of electricity.--The term `base amount of 
        electricity' means the total amount of electricity sold by an 
        electric utility to electric consumers in a calendar year, 
        excluding municipal waste and electricity generated by a 
        hydroelectric facility (including a pumped storage facility, 
        but excluding incremental hydropower).
            ``(2) Distributed generation facility.--The term 
        `distributed generation facility' means a facility at a 
        customer site.
            ``(3) Existing renewable energy.--The term `existing 
        renewable energy' means, except as provided in paragraph 
        (7)(B), electric energy generated at a facility (including a 
        distributed generation facility) placed in service prior to 
        January 1, 2001, from solar, wind, or geothermal energy, ocean 
        energy, biomass (as defined in section 203(a) of the Energy 
        Policy Act of 2005), or landfill gas.
            ``(4) Geothermal energy.--The term `geothermal energy' 
        means energy derived from a geothermal deposit (within the 
        meaning of section 613(e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
        1986).
            ``(5) Incremental geothermal production.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `incremental geothermal 
                production' means for any year the excess of--
                            ``(i) the total kilowatt hours of 
                        electricity produced from a facility (including 
                        a distributed generation facility) using 
                        geothermal energy; over
                            ``(ii) the average annual kilowatt hours 
                        produced at such facility for 5 of the previous 
                        7 calendar years before the date of enactment 
                        of this section after eliminating the highest 
                        and the lowest kilowatt hour production years 
                        in such 7-year period.
                    ``(B) Special rule.--A facility described in 
                subparagraph (A) that was placed in service at least 7 
                years before the date of enactment of this section 
                shall, commencing with the year in which such date of 
                enactment occurs, reduce the amount calculated under 
                subparagraph (A)(ii) each year, on a cumulative basis, 
                by the average percentage decrease in the annual 
                kilowatt hour production for the 7-year period 
                described in subparagraph (A)(ii) with such cumulative 
                sum not to exceed 30 percent.
            ``(6) Incremental hydropower.--The term `incremental 
        hydropower' means additional energy generated as a result of 
        efficiency improvements or capacity additions made on or after 
        January 1, 2001, or the effective date of an existing 
        applicable State renewable portfolio standard program at a 
        hydroelectric facility that was placed in service before that 
        date. The term does not include additional energy generated as 
        a result of operational changes not directly associated with 
        efficiency improvements or capacity additions. Efficiency 
        improvements and capacity additions shall be measured on the 
        basis of the same water flow information used to determine a 
        historic average annual generation baseline for the 
        hydroelectric facility and certified by the Secretary or the 
        Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
            ``(7) New renewable energy.--The term `new renewable 
        energy' means--
                    ``(A) electric energy generated at a facility 
                (including a distributed generation facility) placed in 
                service on or after January 1, 2001, from--
                            ``(i) solar, wind, or geothermal energy or 
                        ocean energy;
                            ``(ii) biomass (as defined in section 
                        203(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
                        U.S.C. 15852(b));
                            ``(iii) landfill gas; or
                            ``(iv) incremental hydropower; and
                    ``(B) for electric energy generated at a facility 
                (including a distributed generation facility) placed in 
                service prior to the date of enactment of this 
                section--
                            ``(i) the additional energy above the 
                        average generation in the 3 years preceding the 
                        date of enactment of this section at the 
                        facility from--
                                    ``(I) solar or wind energy or ocean 
                                energy;
                                    ``(II) biomass (as defined in 
                                section 203(b) of the Energy Policy Act 
                                of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15852(b));
                                    ``(III) landfill gas; or
                                    ``(IV) incremental hydropower.
                            ``(ii) incremental geothermal production.
            ``(8) Ocean energy.--The term `ocean energy' includes 
        current, wave, tidal, and thermal energy.
    ``(l) Sunset.--This section expires on December 31, 2040.''.
    (b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The table of contents 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:

``Sec. 610. Federal renewable portfolio standard.''.

SOLUTION: Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to set forth a federal renewable energy portfolio standard applicable to calendar years 2010 to 2025.

Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish: (1) a renewable energy credit trading program under which electric utilities shall submit to the Secretary renewable energy credits to certify their compliance with such standard; and (2) a state renewable energy account program for grants to state agencies to promote renewable energy production (including programs that promote technologies that reduce the use of electricity at customer sites such as solar water heating).



Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue and enforce regulations to ensure that an electric utility recovers all prudently incurred costs associated with compliance with this Act.

Instructs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on methods to increase transmission line capacity for wind energy development.

PROBLEM: TITLE I--SILVER ALERT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``National Silver Alert Act of 
2011''.

SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this title:
            (1) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States, 
        the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
        United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the 
        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
            (2) Missing senior.--The term ``missing senior'' refers to 
        any individual who--
                    (A) is reported to, or identified by, a law 
                enforcement agency as a missing person; and
                    (B) meets the requirements to be designated as a 
                missing senior, as determined by the State in which the 
                individual is reported or identified as a missing 
                person.

SEC. 103. SILVER ALERT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK.

    The Attorney General shall, subject to the availability of 
appropriations under section 107, establish a national Silver Alert 
communications network within the Department of Justice to provide 
assistance to regional and local search efforts for missing seniors 
through the initiation, facilitation, and promotion of local elements 
of the network (known as Silver Alert plans) in coordination with 
States, units of local government, law enforcement agencies, and other 
concerned entities with expertise in providing services to seniors.

SEC. 104. SILVER ALERT COORDINATOR.

    (a) National Coordinator Within Department of Justice.--The 
Attorney General shall designate an individual of the Department of 
Justice to act as the national coordinator of the Silver Alert 
communications network. The individual so designated shall be known as 
the Silver Alert Coordinator of the Department of Justice (referred to 
in this title as the ``Coordinator'').
    (b) Duties of the Coordinator.--In acting as the national 
coordinator of the Silver Alert communications network, the Coordinator 
shall--
            (1) work with States to encourage the development of 
        additional Silver Alert plans in the network;
            (2) establish voluntary guidelines for States to use in 
        developing Silver Alert plans that will promote compatible and 
        integrated Silver Alert plans throughout the United States, 
        including--
                    (A) a list of the resources necessary to establish 
                a Silver Alert plan;
                    (B) criteria for evaluating whether a situation 
                warrants issuing a Silver Alert, taking into 
                consideration the need for the use of such Alerts to be 
                limited in scope because the effectiveness of the 
                Silver Alert communications network may be affected by 
                overuse, including criteria to determine--
                            (i) whether the mental capacity of a senior 
                        who is missing, and the circumstances of his or 
                        her disappearance, warrant the issuance a 
                        Silver Alert; and
                            (ii) whether the individual who reports 
                        that a senior is missing is an appropriate and 
                        credible source on which to base the issuance 
                        of a Silver Alert;
                    (C) a description of the appropriate uses of the 
                Silver Alert name to readily identify the nature of 
                search efforts for missing seniors; and
                    (D) recommendations on how to protect the privacy, 
                dignity, independence, and autonomy of any missing 
                senior who may be the subject of a Silver Alert;
            (3) develop proposed protocols for efforts to recover 
        missing seniors and to reduce the number of seniors who are 
        reported missing, including protocols for procedures that are 
        needed from the time of initial notification of a law 
        enforcement agency that the senior is missing through the time 
        of the return of the senior to family, guardian, or domicile, 
        as appropriate, including--
                    (A) public safety communications protocol;
                    (B) case management protocol;
                    (C) command center operations;
                    (D) reunification protocol; and
                    (E) incident review, evaluation, debriefing, and 
                public information procedures;
            (4) work with States to ensure appropriate regional 
        coordination of various elements of the network;
            (5) establish an advisory group to assist States, units of 
        local government, law enforcement agencies, and other entities 
        involved in the Silver Alert communications network with 
        initiating, facilitating, and promoting Silver Alert plans, 
        which shall include--
                    (A) to the maximum extent practicable, 
                representation from the various geographic regions of 
                the United States; and
                    (B) members who are--
                            (i) representatives of senior citizen 
                        advocacy groups, law enforcement agencies, and 
                        public safety communications;
                            (ii) broadcasters, first responders, 
                        dispatchers, and radio station personnel; and
                            (iii) representatives of any other 
                        individuals or organizations that the 
                        Coordinator determines are necessary to the 
                        success of the Silver Alert communications 
                        network; and
            (6) act as the nationwide point of contact for--
                    (A) the development of the network; and
                    (B) regional coordination of alerts for missing 
                seniors through the network.
    (c) Coordination.--
            (1) Coordination with other agencies.--The Coordinator 
        shall coordinate and consult with the Secretary of 
        Transportation, the Federal Communications Commission, the 
        Assistant Secretary for Aging of the Department of Health and 
        Human Services, the head of the Missing Alzheimer's Disease 
        Patient Alert Program, and other appropriate offices of the 
        Department of Justice in carrying out activities under this 
        title.
            (2) State and local coordination.--The Coordinator shall 
        consult with local broadcasters and State and local law 
        enforcement agencies in establishing minimum standards under 
        section 105 and in carrying out other activities under this 
        title, as appropriate.
    (d) Annual Reports.--Not later than one year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Coordinator shall 
submit to Congress a report on the activities of the Coordinator and 
the effectiveness and status of the Silver Alert plans of each State 
that has established or is in the process of establishing such a plan. 
Each such report shall include--
            (1) a list of States that have established Silver Alert 
        plans;
            (2) a list of States that are in the process of 
        establishing Silver Alert plans;
            (3) for each State that has established such a plan, to the 
        extent the data is available--
                    (A) the number of Silver Alerts issued;
                    (B) the number of individuals located successfully;
                    (C) the average period of time between the issuance 
                of a Silver Alert and the location of the individual 
                for whom such Alert was issued;
                    (D) the State agency or authority issuing Silver 
                Alerts, and the process by which Silver Alerts are 
                disseminated;
                    (E) the cost of establishing and operating such a 
                plan;
                    (F) the criteria used by the State to determine 
                whether to issue a Silver Alert; and
                    (G) the extent to which missing individuals for 
                whom Silver Alerts were issued crossed State lines;
            (4) actions States have taken to protect the privacy and 
        dignity of the individuals for whom Silver Alerts are issued;
            (5) ways that States have facilitated and improved 
        communication about missing individuals between families, 
        caregivers, law enforcement officials, and other authorities; 
        and
            (6) any other information the Coordinator determines to be 
        appropriate.

SEC. 105. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR ISSUANCE AND DISSEMINATION OF ALERTS 
              THROUGH SILVER ALERT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK.

    (a) Establishment of Minimum Standards.--Subject to subsection (b), 
the Coordinator shall establish minimum standards for--
            (1) the issuance of alerts through the Silver Alert 
        communications network; and
            (2) the extent of the dissemination of alerts issued 
        through the network.
    (b) Limitations.--
            (1) Voluntary participation.--The minimum standards 
        established under subsection (a) of this section, and any other 
        guidelines and programs established under section 104, shall be 
        adoptable on a voluntary basis only.
            (2) Dissemination of information.--The minimum standards 
        shall, to the maximum extent practicable (as determined by the 
        Coordinator in consultation with State and local law 
        enforcement agencies), provide that appropriate information 
        relating to the special needs of a missing senior (including 
        health care needs) are disseminated to the appropriate law 
        enforcement, public health, and other public officials.
            (3) Geographic areas.--The minimum standards shall, to the 
        maximum extent practicable (as determined by the Coordinator in 
        consultation with State and local law enforcement agencies), 
        provide that the dissemination of an alert through the Silver 
        Alert communications network be limited to the geographic areas 
        which the missing senior could reasonably reach, considering 
        the missing senior's circumstances and physical and mental 
        condition, the modes of transportation available to the missing 
        senior, and the circumstances of the disappearance.
            (4) Age requirements.--The minimum standards shall not 
        include any specific age requirement for an individual to be 
        classified as a missing senior for purposes of the Silver Alert 
        communication network. Age requirements for determinations of 
        whether an individual is a missing senior shall be determined 
        by each State, and may vary from State to State.
            (5) Privacy and civil liberties protections.--The minimum 
        standards shall--
                    (A) ensure that alerts issued through the Silver 
                Alert communications network comply with all applicable 
                Federal, State, and local privacy laws and regulations; 
                and
                    (B) include standards that specifically provide for 
                the protection of the civil liberties and sensitive 
                medical information of missing seniors.
            (6) State and local voluntary coordination.--In carrying 
        out the activities under subsection (a), the Coordinator may 
        not interfere with the current system of voluntary coordination 
        between local broadcasters and State and local law enforcement 
        agencies for purposes of the Silver Alert communications 
        network.

SEC. 106. TRAINING AND OTHER RESOURCES.

    (a) Training and Educational Programs.--The Coordinator shall make 
available to States, units of local government, law enforcement 
agencies, and other concerned entities that are involved in initiating, 
facilitating, or promoting Silver Alert plans, including broadcasters, 
first responders, dispatchers, public safety communications personnel, 
and radio station personnel--
            (1) training and educational programs related to the Silver 
        Alert communication network and the capabilities, limitations, 
        and anticipated behaviors of missing seniors, which shall be 
        updated regularly to encourage the use of new tools, 
        technologies, and resources in Silver Alert plans; and
            (2) informational materials, including brochures, videos, 
        posters, and Web sites to support and supplement such training 
        and educational programs.
    (b) Coordination.--The Coordinator shall coordinate--
            (1) with the Assistant Secretary for Aging of the 
        Department of Health and Human Services in developing the 
        training and educational programs and materials under 
        subsection (a); and
            (2) with the head of the Missing Alzheimer's Disease 
        Patient Alert Program within the Department of Justice, to 
        determine if any existing material with respect to training 
        programs or educational materials developed or used as part of 
        such Patient Alert Program are appropriate and may be used for 
        the programs under subsection (a).

SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SILVER ALERT 
              COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of 
Justice such sums as may be necessary to carry out the Silver Alert 
communications network as authorized under this title.

SEC. 108. GRANT PROGRAM FOR SUPPORT OF SILVER ALERT PLANS.

    (a) Grant Program.--Subject to the availability of appropriations 
to carry out this section, the Attorney General shall carry out a 
program to provide grants to States for the development and enhancement 
of programs and activities for the support of Silver Alert plans and 
the Silver Alert communications network.
    (b) Activities.--Activities funded by grants under the program 
under subsection (a) may include--
            (1) the development and implementation of education and 
        training programs, and associated materials, relating to Silver 
        Alert plans;
            (2) the development and implementation of law enforcement 
        programs, and associated equipment, relating to Silver Alert 
        plans;
            (3) the development and implementation of new technologies 
        to improve Silver Alert communications; and
            (4) such other activities as the Attorney General considers 
        appropriate for supporting the Silver Alert communications 
        network.
    (c) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of any activities 
funded by a grant under the program under subsection (a) may not exceed 
50 percent.
    (d) Distribution of Grants on Geographic Basis.--The Attorney 
General shall, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure the 
distribution of grants under the program under subsection (a) on an 
equitable basis throughout the various regions of the United States.
    (e) Administration.--The Attorney General shall prescribe 
requirements, including application requirements, for grants under the 
program under subsection (a).
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
        Department of Justice $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 
        2012 through 2014 to carry out this section and, in addition, 
        $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2012 through 2014 to 
        carry out subsection (b)(3).
            (2) Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of 
        appropriations in paragraph (1) shall remain available until 
        expended.

                TITLE II--KRISTEN'S ACT REAUTHORIZATION

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as ``Kristen's Act Reauthorization of 
2011''.

SEC. 202. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Every year thousands of adults become missing due to 
        advanced age, diminished mental capacity, or foul play. Often 
        there is no information regarding the whereabouts of these 
        adults and many of them are never reunited with their families.
            (2) Missing adults are at great risk of both physical harm 
        and sexual exploitation.
            (3) In most cases, families and local law enforcement 
        officials have neither the resources nor the expertise to 
        undertake appropriate search efforts for a missing adult.
            (4) The search for a missing adult requires cooperation and 
        coordination among Federal, State, and local law enforcement 
        agencies and assistance from distant communities where the 
        adult may be located.
            (5) Federal assistance is urgently needed to help with 
        coordination among such agencies.

SEC. 203. GRANTS FOR THE ASSISTANCE OF ORGANIZATIONS TO FIND MISSING 
              ADULTS.

    (a) Grants.--
            (1) Grant program.--Subject to the availability of 
        appropriations to carry out this section, the Attorney General 
        shall make competitive grants to public agencies or nonprofit 
        private organizations, or combinations thereof, to--
                    (A) maintain a national resource center and 
                information clearinghouse for missing and unidentified 
                adults;
                    (B) maintain a national, interconnected database 
                for the purpose of tracking missing adults who are 
                determined by law enforcement to be endangered due to 
                age, diminished mental capacity, or the circumstances 
                of disappearance, when foul play is suspected or 
                circumstances are unknown;
                    (C) coordinate public and private programs that 
                locate or recover missing adults or reunite missing 
                adults with their families;
                    (D) provide assistance and training to law 
                enforcement agencies, State and local governments, 
                elements of the criminal justice system, nonprofit 
                organizations, and individuals in the prevention, 
                investigation, prosecution, and treatment of cases 
                involving missing adults;
                    (E) provide assistance to families in locating and 
                recovering missing adults; and
                    (F) assist in public notification and victim 
                advocacy related to missing adults.
            (2) Applications.--The Attorney General shall periodically 
        solicit applications for grants under this section by 
        publishing a request for applications in the Federal Register 
        and by posting such a request on the Web site of the Department 
        of Justice.
    (b) Other Duties.--The Attorney General shall--
            (1) coordinate programs relating to missing adults that are 
        funded by the Federal Government; and
            (2) encourage coordination between State and local law 
        enforcement and public agencies and nonprofit private 
        organizations receiving a grant pursuant to subsection (a).

SEC. 204. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title 
$4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2014.

SOLUTION:
National Silver Alert Act of 2011 - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) establish a national Silver Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assist regional and local search efforts for missing seniors; (2) assign a DOJ officer to serve as the Silver Alert Coordinator to coordinate the network with states; and (3) award grants to states for support of Silver Alert plans and the network. Defines "missing senior" as any individual who is reported as missing to or by a law enforcement agency and who meets state requirements for designation as a missing senior.

Directs the Coordinator to: (1) establish minimum standards for the issuance and dissemination of alerts issued through the network; and (2) make available to states, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and other concerned entities network training and information.

Kristen's Act Reauthorization of 2011 - Directs the Attorney General to make competitive grants to public agencies and/or nonprofit private organizations to: (1) maintain a national resource center and database for tracking missing adults; and (2) provide assistance and to law enforcement agencies, families, and victim advocates in locating and recovering missing adults.