zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to provide additional energy conservation standards applicable to grid-enabled water heaters for use as part of an electric thermal storage or demand response program (a program that enables customers to reduce or shift their power use during peak demand periods).

Requires annual reports from: (1) manufacturers of such water heaters regarding the quantity of the products shipped each year, and (2) utilities and other demand response and thermal storage program operators regarding the quantity of products activated for their programs.

Requires the Secretary of Energy to publish analyses of data collected from such reports and to establish procedures to prevent product diversion if sales of the products exceed by at least 15% the quantity activated for use in the demand response and thermal storage programs annually.

Maintains the standards and publication procedures established by this Act until the Secretary determines that: (1) such water heaters do not require a separate efficiency requirement, or (2) procedures to prevent product diversion for non-program purposes would not be adequate to prevent such product diversion.

Requires the Secretary to consider the impact of EPCA electric water heater standards on thermal storage and demand response programs, including on energy savings, electric bills, peak load reduction, electric reliability, integration of renewable resources, and the environment.

Directs the Secretary to require the water heaters be equipped with communication capability to enable the grid-enabled water heaters to participate in ancillary services programs if the technology is available, practical, and cost-effective.

Makes it unlawful for any person to:

 activate an activation lock for a grid-enabled water heater with knowledge that it is not used as part of such program, distribute an activation key for such a water heater with knowledge that it will be used to activate a heater that is not used as part of the program, enable such water heater to operate at its designed specification and capabilities with knowledge that it is not used as part of the program, or knowingly remove or render illegible the label of a such water heater.

Date: 2015-01-27
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Department of Energy (DOE), acting through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, to act as the lead federal agency for coordinating and disseminating information on existing federal programs and assistance that may be used to help initiate, develop, and finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofitting projects for schools.

DOE must:

 carry out a review of existing programs and financing mechanisms available in or from appropriate federal agencies with jurisdiction over energy financing and facilitation that are currently used or may be used for such purposes; establish a federal cross-departmental collaborative coordination, education, and outreach effort to streamline communication and promote available federal opportunities and assistance for such projects that enables states, local educational agencies, and schools to use existing federal opportunities more effectively and to form partnerships with appropriate entities to support project initiation; provide technical assistance for states, local educational agencies, and schools to help develop and finance projects that meet specified requirements; develop and maintain a single online resource website with contact information for relevant technical assistance and support staff in the Office for states, local educational agencies, and schools to effectively access and use federal opportunities and assistance to develop such projects; and establish a process for recognition of schools that have successfully implemented such projects and are willing to serve as resources for other local educational agencies and schools to assist initiation of similar efforts.

Date: 2015-02-12
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
This bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a pilot program to award matching grants for nonprofit organizations to retrofit their buildings with energy-efficiency improvements.

This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to decrease the amount of appropriations authorized in FY2015 for the Zero Net Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative.

Date: 2015-02-26
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Weatherization Enhancement and Local Energy Efficiency Investment and Accountability Act 

This bill amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to reauthorize the Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income persons through FY2020.

The Department of Energy (DOE) must make competitive grants to qualified tax-exempt charitable organizations for energy efficiency retrofit of low-income homes. The grants may be used for single-family and multifamily housing.

Contractors carrying out weatherization with funds under the bill must be selected through a competitive bidding process and be accredited as specified by this bill. In order to receive a grant, organizations must use a crew chief who is certified or accredited as required by this bill.

Beginning on October 1, 2016, DOE must ensure that: (1) each retrofit for which weatherization assistance is provided meets minimum efficiency and quality of work standards, (2) at least 10% of the dwelling units are randomly inspected by an accredited third party to ensure compliance with the standards, and (3) the standards meet or exceed the current industry standards for home performance work.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act is amended to reauthorize the program for state energy conservation plans through FY2020.

Date: 2015-03-11
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Utility Energy Service Contracts Improvement Act of 2015 

 This bill amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to make explicit that utility energy service contracts (UESCs) may have a contract period of up to 25 years. UESCs are contracts that allow utilities to provide federal agencies with energy and water efficiency improvements and demand reduction services.

UESC conditions must include requirements for measurement, verification, and performance assurances or guarantees of the savings.

Date: 2015-03-12
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2015 or the BTU Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include 30% of qualified biomass fuel property expenditures made in taxable years beginning before 2021 in the residential energy efficient property tax credit. Defines "qualified biomass fuel property expenditure" as an expenditure for property which uses the burning of biomass fuel (a plant-derived fuel available on a renewable or recurring basis) to heat a dwelling used as a residence, or to heat water for use in such dwelling, and which has a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75%.

Allows: (1) a 15% energy tax credit until 2021 for investment in open-loop biomass heating property, and (2) a 30% credit for boilers or furnaces that operate at thermal output efficiencies of at least 80% and provide thermal energy.

Date: 2015-03-12
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Taxation
This bill provides directions to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for determining the budgetary effects of energy savings performance contracts and utility energy service contracts.

Under an energy savings performance contract, a private party agrees to fund energy-efficient upgrades for a federal facility, and the federal agency agrees to pay the private party from reductions in the agency's energy costs. Under a utility energy service contract, the services and equipment are provided by a utility.

In scoring legislation that modifies the authority to enter into the contracts or the scope, terms, or use of the contracts, CBO must: (1) record all budgetary effects during the first year in which the authority or modification becomes effective, (2) calculate the cost and savings on a net present value basis by adding market risk over the useful life of the services or product to the discount rate required by the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, and (3) classify the effects to be changes in spending subject to the availability of appropriations.

CBO currently scores the authority to enter into the contracts as a form of mandatory spending rather than discretionary spending that is subject to the appropriations process.

Date: 2015-03-17
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Energy Savings Through Public-Private Partnerships Act of 2015



This bill amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to revise requirements for energy savings performance and utility energy service contracts (performance contracts). (These contracts allow federal agencies to work with private contractors on energy efficiency upgrades to federal facilities.)

Each federal facility energy manager must provide an explanation regarding life cycle cost-effective measures that have not been implemented as part of the web-based compliance certification system. (Life cycle costs are the total cost of owning, operating, and maintaining a building over its useful life.)

The Department of Energy must report to the President and Congress on each agency's performance contracts, including their investment value and their energy savings.

The energy conservation measures that may be contained in performance contracts are expanded by including those involving energy consuming devices and required support structures.

Agencies may not limit recognition of operation and maintenance savings associated with energy systems that were modernized or replaced with energy conservation measures and water conservation measures (e.g. lower energy and water bills due to energy efficiency and conservation measures).

Agencies may sell or transfer energy savings and apply the proceeds to fund a performance contract.

The energy savings that may be contained in performance contracts are expanded to include: (1) the use, sale, or transfer of energy incentives, rebates, or credits (including renewable energy credits) from governments or utilities; and (2) any revenue generated from a reduction in energy or water use, more efficient waste recycling, or additional energy generated from more efficient equipment.

Date: 2015-03-25
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
All-Of-The-Above Federal Building Energy Conservation Act of 2015 

 Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to extend energy performance requirements for federal buildings in FY2016-FY2017 (from a 33% reduction from 2003 energy consumption level for FY2016 to a 36% reduction for FY2017).

Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to review the results of the implementation of such requirements by December 31, 2017 (currently, December 31, 2014) and, based on such review, report to Congress on the feasibility of requiring each agency to apply energy conservation measures to, and improve the design for the construction of, agency buildings to achieve a reduction in energy consumption.

Requires designated facility energy managers to consider using a system to manage energy use at their facilities in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization standard numbered 50001 and entitled "Energy Management Systems."

Establishes exemptions from energy and water evaluation requirements.

 Amends the Energy Conservation and Production Act to revise the definition of "federal building" to include buildings altered by federal agencies, and to define "major renovation," for purposes of such Act. Requires DOE to establish revised federal building energy efficiency performance standards after the approval of revisions of ASHRAE Standard 90.1 or the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) to meet or exceed such revisions, including requiring, unless new or renovated federal buildings are demonstrated not to be life-cycle cost effective: (1) such buildings to be designed to achieve energy consumption levels that are at least 30% below the levels established in the ASHRAE Standard or the IECC, and (2) no less than 30% of the hot water demand for each new building or building undergoing a major renovation to be met through the installation and use of solar hot water heaters.

Requires DOE to review federal building energy standards once every five years and upgrade to the standards to include all new energy efficiency and renewable energy measures that are technologically feasible and economically justified if DOE determines that significant energy savings would result.

Date: 2015-03-26
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a voluntary loan program to provide support to a state, territory, and tribal organization (eligible entity) in establishing or expanding programs that provide financing to residential property owners or tenants (recipient households) for energy efficiency upgrades of residential buildings.

DOE must establish favorable terms for a loan provided to an eligible entity. An eligible entity shall use a loan to establish or expand one or more financing programs that: (1) enable recipient households to undertake residential energy efficiency upgrades, (2) may require an outlay of capital by recipient households, and (3) incorporate a consumer-friendly repayment approach.

To offset the cost of this bill, the bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to decrease the authorization of appropriations for the Zero Net Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative for FY2016-FY2018.

Date: 2015-03-26
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Smart Energy and Water Efficiency Act of 2015

This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish and carry out a smart energy and water efficiency pilot program to award grants to utilities, municipalities, water districts, and other water authorities for demonstrating novel and innovative technology-based solutions that will:

 increase the energy efficiency of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems; improve those systems to help communities make significant progress in conserving water, saving energy, and reducing costs; and support the implementation of innovative processes and the installation of advanced automated systems that provide real-time data on energy and water. DOE must annually evaluate each grant project and make best practices identified in the evaluations available to the public.

Date: 2015-03-26
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Requires the heads of specified federal agencies, assisted by their chief information officers, to submit in FY2015-FY2019 to the Office of E-Government and Information Technology of the Office of Management and Budget: (1) a comprehensive asset inventory of the data centers owned, operated, or maintained by or on behalf of such agencies; and (2) an updated consolidation plan for such data centers. Requires the Inspector General of each specified agency to issue a public report evaluating the completeness of agency inventories.

Requires the Office of E-Government and Information Technology to: (1) establish the deadline each year for agencies to submit information required by this Act; (2) develop and publish a goal for the total amount of planned cost savings through the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative during a five-year period and report on the actual savings achieved through the Initiative; and (3) report to Congress on data center cost savings. Directs the Government Accountability Office to publish an annual report on agency asset inventory and consolidation plans and agency implementation of such plans.

Requires agencies that are required to implement a data center consolidation plan and migrate to cloud computing to do so in a manner consistent with federal guidelines on cloud computing security, including applicable provisions in the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program of the General Services Administration and guidance published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Authorizes the Director of National Intelligence to waive requirements of this Act for any element of the intelligence community.

Repeals this Act effective on October 1, 2019.

Date: 2015-04-20
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Government operations and politics
This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to prohibit the Department of Energy (DOE) from prescribing a final rule amending the efficiency standards for residential non-weatherized gas furnaces or mobile home furnaces until each of the following has occurred:

 DOE convenes a representative advisory group of interested stakeholders, the advisory group completes an analysis of a nationwide requirement of a condensing furnace efficiency standard, the advisory group determines whether that standard is technically feasible and economically justified, and the determination is published in the Federal Register. If the advisory group determines that the standard is not technically feasible and economically justified, DOE must establish amended standards through the negotiated rulemaking procedure provided for under the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990.

Date: 2015-04-21
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Energy Star Program Integrity Act 

This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to revise the Energy Star program to prohibit a disclosure relating to participation of a product in the program from creating a warranty or giving rise to private claims or rights of action relating to disqualification of the product from Energy Star if: (1) the product has been certified by a certification body recognized by the program, (2) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved corrective measures, and (3) the responsible party has fully complied with all such measures.

The bill may not be construed to require the EPA to modify any procedure or take any other action.

Date: 2015-04-22
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Requires the Department of Energy (DOE), assisted by its chief information officer, to submit each year, beginning in FY2015 through FY2019, to the Office of E-Government and Information Technology of the Office of Management and Budget: (1) a comprehensive asset inventory of the data centers owned, operated, or maintained by or on behalf of DOE; and (2) an updated consolidation plan for such data centers. Requires the DOE Inspector General to issue a public report evaluating the completeness of the DOE asset inventory.

Requires the Office of E-Government and Information Technology to: (1) establish the deadline, on an annual basis, for agencies to submit information required by this Act; (2) develop and publish a goal for the total amount of planned cost savings through the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative during a five-year period and report on the actual savings achieved through the Initiative; and (3) report to Congress on DOE data center cost savings. Directs the Government Accountability Office to publish an annual report on DOE asset inventory and consolidation plans and DOE's implementation of such plans.

Requires DOE to migrate to cloud computing in a manner consistent with federal guidelines on cloud computing security, including applicable provisions in the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program of the General Services Administration and guidance published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Authorizes the Director of National Intelligence to waive requirements of this Act for any element of the intelligence community.

Repeals this Act effective on October 1, 2019.

Date: 2015-04-22
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Smart Building Acceleration Act

Directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to: (1) conduct a survey of privately owned smart buildings throughout the nation, select at least one building each from an appropriate range of building sizes and types, and evaluate the costs and benefits of such buildings using the guidelines of the Federal Energy Management Program relating to whole-building evaluation, measurement, and verification; and (2) establish a program to establish one or more smart buildings under the jurisdiction of the General Services Administration and the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Veterans Affairs to demonstrate and evaluate the costs and benefits of smart buildings. Requires such evaluations to include an identification of which advanced building technologies are most cost-effective and show the most promise for increasing building energy savings, increasing service performance to building occupants, and reducing environmental impacts.

Defines a "smart building" to mean a building with an energy system that:

 is flexible and automated; has extensive operational monitoring and communication connectivity, allowing remote monitoring and analysis of all building functions; is integrated with the overall building operations for control of energy generation, consumption, and storage; and communicates with utilities and other third party commercial entities. Directs DOE: (1) as part of DOE's Better Building Challenge, to develop a smart building accelerator in consultation with major private sector property owners to demonstrate innovative policies and approaches that will accelerate the transition to smart buildings; and (2) to conduct research and development to address key barriers to the integration of advanced building technologies and to accelerate the transition to smart buildings.

Date: 2015-04-22
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to eliminate the Department of Energy's authority to: (1) amend energy efficiency standards for ceiling fan light kits, and (2) issue energy efficiency or energy use standards for electricity used by ceiling fans to circulate air in a room.

Date: 2015-04-22
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to study and report on: (1) the impact of state and local performance benchmarking and disclosure policies, and associated building efficiency policies, for commercial and multifamily buildings; (2) the impact of programs and systems in which utilities provide aggregated information regarding whole building energy consumption and usage information to owners of multitenant buildings; and (3) the best practice policy approaches studied in those impact analyses that have resulted in the greatest improvements in building energy efficiency.

DOE may give grants to: (1) utilities, utility regulators, and utility partners to implement programs to provide aggregated whole building energy consumption information to multitenant building owners; and (2) states and local governments to implement benchmarking and disclosure policies for commercial and multifamily buildings.

Date: 2015-04-22
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
This bill directs the General Services Administration and the Department of Energy to develop plans for meeting goals for deep energy retrofits in federal buildings by 2020, 2030, and 2040. A deep energy retrofit is a project carried out in a federal building that results in energy savings in that building of at least 35%, and preferably at least 50%, relative to a baseline rate of energy use.

Date: 2015-04-22
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Smart Grid Act of 2015

This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct the Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the Department of Commerce, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel, to establish the Smart Grid Interoperability Working Group.

The purpose of the Group is to:

 identify additional efforts the federal government can take to better promote the establishment and adoption of open standards that enhance connectivity and interoperability on the electric grid, study the market and policy barriers to deploying responsive appliances at scale, and develop a plan for establishing and promoting the widespread adoption of interoperability standards. The Smart Grid Regional Demonstration Initiative shall identify best practices for the implementation of the Fair Information Practice Principles (FIPPS) of the Federal Trade Commission for the collection, use, disclosure, and retention of individual customer information.

When selecting smart grid demonstration projects to receive assistance, DOE shall ensure: (1) geographical diversity, and (2) diversity among types of electricity markets and regulatory environments.

Additionally, DOE must make grants, on a competitive basis, for demonstration projects in any of seven designated program areas, including:

 transactive energy, innovation in valuation of new technology grid services and efficiency, rate design-distribution system, and rate design-consumer acceptance of time-based pricing. As a prerequisite for financial assistance, a participant in a smart grid demonstration project must provide information required by DOE, which shall become available through the smart grid information clearinghouse and for purposes of producing certain reports.

DOE must also establish a working group composed of representatives of each project selected to receive assistance within a program area.

Date: 2015-05-06
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Local Energy Supply and Resiliency Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish certain programs to support distributed energy systems, which are energy sources and systems that: (1) produce electric or thermal energy close to the point of use using renewable energy resources or waste thermal energy, (2) generate electricity using a combined heat and power system, (3) distribute electricity in microgrids, (4) store electric or thermal energy, or (5) distribute or transfer thermal energy to building heating and cooling systems through a district energy system. DOE must establish: (1) a loan program to provide funding for deploying distributed energy systems to states and other government entities, institutions of higher education, and electric utilities; and (2) a technical assistance and grant program to disseminate information and provide technical assistance to nonprofit and profit entities for identifying, evaluating, planning, and designing distributed energy systems.

Date: 2015-05-07
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a Financing Energy Efficient Manufacturing Program to provide grants to establish or expand programs to finance energy efficiency retrofit, onsite clean and renewable energy, smart grid systems, and alternative vehicle fleet projects for industrial businesses.

DOE must establish a process to identify financing opportunities for manufacturing and industrial business with asset portfolios across multiple states.

Grant recipients must give a higher priority to those programs that: (1) leverage private and nonfederal sources of funding, and (2) aim to expand the use of energy efficiency project financing using private sources of funding.

Grant recipients must also collect, share, and report on data resulting from programs carried out under this bill. DOE must incorporate the data into appropriate DOE databases, with provisions for the protection of confidential business data.

Date: 2015-05-11
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Federal Energy Savings Enhancement Act of 2015

This bill amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to authorize federal agencies to enter into energy savings performance contracts to reduce the costs of fuel supply, delivery, or transport for nonbuilding applications. Payments by agencies to entities that supply, deliver, or transport fuel under such contracts may not exceed the amounts the agencies would have paid entities without the contracts.

Date: 2015-05-11
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Energy Independence Investment Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to study and report on the effectiveness of the advanced fossil loan guarantee incentive program and other DOE incentive programs for advanced fossil energy. In carrying out the study, DOE must:

 solicit industry and stakeholder input; evaluate the effectiveness of the advanced fossil loan guarantee incentive program in advancing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology; review each incentive provided by federal agencies for CCS demonstration projects to determine the adequacy and effectiveness of the combined federal incentives in advancing CCS and advanced fossil energy technologies; assess whether combinations of existing incentive programs could be effective to advance CCS and advanced fossil energy technologies; and evaluate the impact of implementing the recommendations described in the January 2015 National Coal Council report entitled, "Fossil Forward: Revitalizing CCS, Bringing Scale and Speed to CCS Deployment," on the effectiveness of the advanced fossil loan guarantee program.

Date: 2015-05-12
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
This bill requires the Department of Energy to study and issue a report that quantifies the energy savings benefits of operational efficiency programs and services for commercial, institutional, industrial, and governmental entities, including federal agencies. Those programs and services use information and communications technologies to operate buildings and equipment in the optimum manner at the optimum times.

The report must recommend methodologies or protocols for utilities, utility regulators, and federal agencies to evaluate, measure, and verify energy savings from operational efficiency programs and services.

Date: 2015-05-14
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
E-Prize Competition Pilot Program Act of 2015 

This bill directs the Department of Energy to establish for a limited time: (1) a prize competition for the development and demonstration of technology that reduces by at least 25% the cost of electricity or space heat in high-cost regions; and (2) a Competition Board to award a maximum of 4 prizes of not more than $1 million each.

Funds for the awards shall be available from the Energy Technology Commercialization Fund.

The Competition Board must use prescribed criteria to evaluate competing technologies.

Date: 2015-05-14
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Carbon Fiber Recycling Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to study and report on the technology of recycled carbon fiber and the potential lifecycle energy savings and economic impact of recycled carbon fiber.

DOE must consult with the aviation and automotive industries and existing programs of DOE's Advanced Manufacturing Office to develop a carbon fiber recycling demonstration project.

Date: 2015-05-21
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Department of Defense Energy Security Act of 2015 

 This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to carry out research to improve military vehicle technology to increase combat vehicle fuel economy or reduce fuel consumption.

DOD shall:

 establish an online, centralized repository for all DOD operational energy-related research and development efforts; conduct a program to develop and support projects designed to foster secure and reliable energy sources for military installations, including incorporation of advanced energy metering, renewable energy, energy storage, and redundant power systems; and develop associated cost and benefit metrics. The DOD Alternative Fuel Vehicle Infrastructure Fund is established in the Treasury to support installing and operating alternative fuel dispensing stations for DOD's alternative fueled vehicles and other related infrastructure.

 DOD shall:

 report on the costs and benefits associated with requiring 25% of National Guard and Reserve facilities to have at least a 21-day on-site power storage capacity to assist civil authorities in case of man-made or natural disasters; and submit a plan for integrating energy storage, micro-grid technologies, and on-site power generation systems at military installations at risk of power interruptions due to geographic location, dependence on connections to the electric grid, or other factors.

Date: 2015-06-09
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to repeal the renewable fuel standard, which requires transportation fuel sold in the United States to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel.

The bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal a requirement that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency assess and report to Congress on the impact of the renewable fuel program on environmental issues, resource conservation issues, and the growth and use of cultivated invasive or noxious plants and their impact on the environment and agriculture.

The bill also nullifies certain regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations relating to the renewable fuel standard.

Date: 2015-06-16
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Environmental protection
Energy Efficient Government Technology Act 

This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to require each federal agency to coordinate with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Environmental Protection Agency to develop an implementation strategy for the maintenance, purchase, and use of energy-efficient and energy-saving information technologies. The OMB must establish performance goals for evaluating the efforts of federal agencies in improving the maintenance, purchase, and use of the technology. The Chief Information Officers Council must recommend best practices for attaining the performance goals.

DOE must:

 make available to the public an update to the Report to Congress on Server and Data Center Energy Efficiency published on August 2, 2007; carry out a data center energy practitioner program that leads to the certification of energy practitioners qualified to evaluate the energy usage and efficiency opportunities in federal data centers; carry out an open data initiative to make information about federal data center energy usage available and accessible in a manner that encourages data center innovation, optimization, and consolidation; participate in efforts to harmonize global specifications and metrics for data center energy efficiency; and facilitate in the development of an efficiency metric that measures the energy efficiency of a data center.

Date: 2015-07-07
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to allow a state development company to use the economic development objective of helping small businesses achieve savings through energy efficiency to qualify for loan assistance.

Date: 2015-07-14
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Commerce
This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to exclude from energy conservation standards for external power supplies any power supply circuit, driver, or device designed to power certain light-emitting diodes or to power ceiling fans using direct current motors. The Department of Energy may prescribe energy conservation standards for that equipment no earlier than one year after the date on which a test procedure has been prescribed by using its authority to improve the energy efficiency of electric motors and pumps and other industrial equipment.

Date: 2016-02-01
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Fort Knox Energy Security Act

This bill authorizes the Department of the Army, effective as of August 2, 2007, to provide by contract or otherwise for the production, treatment, management, and use of natural gas located under Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Such natural gas may only be used to support activities and operations at Fort Knox and may not be sold for use elsewhere.

The Army may take ownership of any gas production and treatment equipment and facilities and associated infrastructure from a contractor in accordance with the terms of a contract or other agreement.

The authority provided by this bill applies only to Fort Knox, Kentucky, and nothing in this bill authorizes the production, treatment, management, or use of natural gas resources underlying any other Department of Defense installation.

Date: 2016-02-09
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Federal Trade Commission to initiate a rulemaking to consider including a special noteprominently on any Energy Guide label for a product that contains Smart Grid technology.The note should include that:(1)the product features Smart Grid capability, and(2)the use and value of that feature depends upon the Smart Grid capability of the utility system and the utilization of that feature by the customer.

Date: 2016-06-15
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Storage Technology for Operational Readiness and Generating Energy Act or the S.T.O.R.A.G.E. Act

This bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to add energy storage systems to the list of strategies states should consider when developing energy plans and using its utility ratemaking authority.

States are encouraged to analyze whether energy storage systems benefit their efforts to promote energy conservation and the greater use of domestic energy.

To further encourage the development of programs relating to energy storage, the Department of Energy (DOE) must streamline and coordinate efforts among various existing programs conducting energy storage research at DOE to maximize efficiency of its funds and expand vital research.

Date: 2016-07-12
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Energy
Electrochromic Glass Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify that the use of electrochromic glass qualifies for the tax credit for investment in energy property. (Electrochromic glass is able to switch from clear to dark using a switch, sensor, timer, or similar controls.)

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Energy (Conservation)
Subject: Taxation
Homeowners Insurance Protection Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the National Commission on Catastrophe Preparation and Protection to advise the Secretary regarding estimated loss costs associated with contracts for reinsurance coverage. Authorizes the Secretary to make homeowners protection coverage available through contracts for reinsurance coverage. Restricts purchase of such coverage to eligible state programs. Prescribes criteria for state eligibility. Requires each contract for reinsurance coverage to provide insurance coverage against residential property losses to homes, including condominium and cooperative ownership, and the contents of apartment buildings. Cites covered perils. Prescribes a minimum level of retained losses and maximum federal liability. Authorizes any insurer who participates in an eligible state program to establish a Catastrophe Capital Reserve Fund to hold funds on the Secretary's behalf to offset reinsurance claims. Establishes the Consumer Hurricane, Earthquake, Loss Protection (HELP) Fund to: (1) make payments to covered purchasers under contracts for reinsurance coverage for eligible losses; and (2) pay for Commission operating costs and reinsurance program administrative expenses. Directs the Comptroller General to study the national flood insurance program and hurricane-related flooding.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to designate New Jersey Task Force 1 as part of the National Urban Search and Rescue System.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Policyholder Disaster Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow insurance companies (other than life insurance companies) to make tax deductible contributions to a tax-exempt policyholder disaster protection fund established by this Act for the payment of policyholders' claims arising from certain catastrophic events, such as windstorms, earthquakes, fires, or floods.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Hurricane Katrina Disaster Inquiry Commission Act of 2007 - Directs the President to establish an independent nonpartisan Commission within the executive branch to discover and assess the circumstances relating to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina on or between Friday, August 26, 2005, and Tuesday, August 30, 2005. Directs the Commission to: (1) chronicle the trajectory of Hurricane Katrina, including the timetable and locations of its path, and the responses made by the federal, state, and local governments; (2) estimate the loss of life, physical and structural damage, and displacement of residents; (3) recommend corrective actions; and (4) prepare a report to Congress, the President, and the public.

Date: 2007-01-05
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that no disaster relief funds are used for any type of crisis counseling, recreation, or self esteem building classes or instruction.

Date: 2007-01-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Small Business Disaster Loan Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), in determining whether a person is eligible for a loan under the SBA's disaster loan program with respect to a catastrophic incident, or in determining the amount of such loan, to consider the extent to which: (1) the loss or injury of the person is compensated for by insurance or otherwise; or (2) the person paid insurance proceeds to a recorded lienholder. Deems the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, and Rita as catastrophic incidents for purposes of this Act.

Date: 2007-01-18
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Commerce
Volunteer Emergency Responder Fair Mileage Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude from the gross income of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders reimbursements of automobile operating expenses incurred for the benefit of a volunteer fire department; and (2) allow such volunteers to deduct such automobile operating expenses using the higher business mileage rate instead of the standard rate.

Date: 2007-01-22
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Small Business Act to include as a HUBZone (historically underutilized business zone) any area in which the President has declared a major disaster as a result of the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. Amends the Small Business Competitive Demonstration Program Act of 1988 to make the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program (to test innovative small business procurement methods and procedures) inapplicable to any contract related to relief or reconstruction from Hurricanes Katrina or Rita.

Date: 2007-01-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Commerce
Sets forth a special rule for the tax treatment of amounts received by a taxpayer from the Louisiana Recovery Authority or the Mississippi Development Authority for the repair or reconstruction of such taxpayer's primary residence due to hurricane damage in 2005.

Date: 2007-01-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005 to repeal the prohibition against cancelling of certain disaster loans authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to assist local governments in providing essential services.

Date: 2007-01-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 to authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide funds to a state or local government to pay for utility costs resulting from the provision of temporary housing to evacuees from hurricanes of the 2005 season if such governmental entities have previously arranged to pay for those utilities on behalf of the evacuees for certain leases contracted by or prior to February 7, 2008 (currently February 7, 2006).

Date: 2007-01-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Disaster Recovery Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to pay an eligible disaster relief applicant 50% of the federal share of assistance for which the applicant is eligible under specified sections of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, within 60 days after the applicant files a claim for such assistance. Requires authorized reimbursement for clearing and removing debris to include reimbursement for clearing, removing, and disposing of debris from any emergency access road. Authorizes federal assistance for removing, clearing, and disposing of debris from private property.

Date: 2007-01-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) set forth criminal penalties for fraud in the provision of benefits or the procurement of property or services in connection with a major disaster or emergency declared under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974; and (2) increase criminal penalties for engaging in wire, radio, television, or mail fraud during and in relation to a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency. Directs the U. S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate or amend sentencing guidelines to provide for increased penalties for persons convicted of fraud or theft offenses in connection with a declared emergency or major disaster.

Date: 2007-02-06
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 to extend the authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide funds to state and local governments for utility costs resulting from the provision of temporary housing units to evacuees from Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes of the 2005 season where the state or local government has previously arranged to pay for such utilities on behalf of the evacuees, to cover the term of any leases for up to 24 months (currently, 12 months) contracted by or prior to February 7, 2006.

Date: 2007-02-06
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Improving Communications Interoperability Grant Program Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Director of the Office of Grants and Training, to establish the Improve Communications for Emergency Response Grant Program to make grants to states and regions for initiatives to improve interoperable emergency communications for first responders for domestic preparedness and the collective response to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, including initiatives to achieve solutions to statewide, regional, national, and international interoperability.

Date: 2007-02-06
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management