SUBCHAPTER IV—ENERGY SAVINGS IN GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
Part A—Energy Savings Performance Contracting
§17131. Training Federal contracting officers to negotiate energy efficiency contracts
(a) Program
The Secretary shall create and administer in the Federal Energy Management Program a training program to educate Federal contract negotiation and contract management personnel so that the contract officers are prepared to—
(1) negotiate energy savings performance contracts;
(2) conclude effective and timely contracts for energy efficiency services with all companies offering energy efficiency services; and
(3) review Federal contracts for all products and services for the potential energy efficiency opportunities and implications of the contracts.
(b) Schedule
Not later than 1 year after December 19, 2007, the Secretary shall plan, staff, announce, and begin training under the Federal Energy Management Program.
(c) Personnel to be trained
Personnel appropriate to receive training under the Federal Energy Management Program shall be selected by and sent for the training from—
(1) the Department of Defense;
(2) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(3) the Department;
(4) the General Services Administration;
(5) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;
(6) the United States Postal Service; and
(7) all other Federal agencies and departments that enter contracts for buildings, building services, electricity and electricity services, natural gas and natural gas services, heating and air conditioning services, building fuel purchases, and other types of procurement or service contracts determined by the Secretary, in carrying out the Federal Energy Management Program, to offer the potential for energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions if negotiated with taking into account those goals.
(d) Trainers
Training under the Federal Energy Management Program may be conducted by—
(1) attorneys or contract officers with experience in negotiating and managing contracts described in subsection (c)(7) from any agency, except that the Secretary shall reimburse the related salaries and expenses of the attorneys or contract officers from amounts made available for carrying out this section to the extent the attorneys or contract officers are not employees of the Department; and
(2) private experts hired by the Secretary for the purposes of this section, except that the Secretary may not hire experts who are simultaneously employed by any company under contract to provide energy efficiency services to the Federal Government.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $750,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
(
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of
Part B—Energy Efficiency in Federal Agencies
§17141. Prohibition on incandescent lamps by Coast Guard
(a) Prohibition
Except as provided by subsection (b), on and after January 1, 2009, a general service incandescent lamp shall not be purchased or installed in a Coast Guard facility by or on behalf of the Coast Guard.
(b) Exception
A general service incandescent lamp may be purchased, installed, and used in a Coast Guard facility whenever the application of a general service incandescent lamp is—
(1) necessary due to purpose or design, including medical, security, and industrial applications;
(2) reasonable due to the architectural or historical value of a light fixture installed before January 1, 2009; or
(3) the Commandant of the Coast Guard determines that operational requirements necessitate the use of a general service incandescent lamp.
(c) Limitation
In this section, the term "facility" does not include a vessel or aircraft of the Coast Guard.
(
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of
§17142. Procurement and acquisition of alternative fuels
No Federal agency shall enter into a contract for procurement of an alternative or synthetic fuel, including a fuel produced from nonconventional petroleum sources, for any mobility-related use, other than for research or testing, unless the contract specifies that the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and combustion of the fuel supplied under the contract must, on an ongoing basis, be less than or equal to such emissions from the equivalent conventional fuel produced from conventional petroleum sources.
(
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of
Waiver Authority for Alternative Fuel Procurement Requirement
"(a)
"(b)
§17143. Government efficiency status reports
(a) In general
Each Federal agency subject to any of the requirements of this title 1 or the amendments made by this title 1 shall compile and submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget an annual Government efficiency status report on—
(1) compliance by the agency with each of the requirements of this title 1 and the amendments made by this title; 1
(2) the status of the implementation by the agency of initiatives to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases; and
(3) savings to the taxpayers of the United States resulting from mandated improvements under this title 1 and the amendments made by this title.1
(b) Submission
The report shall be submitted—
(1) to the Director at such time as the Director requires;
(2) in electronic, not paper, format; and
(3) consistent with related reporting requirements.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This title, referred to in subsec. (a), is title V of
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of
1 See References in Text note below.
§17144. OMB Government efficiency reports and scorecards
(a) Reports
Not later than April 1 of each year, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall submit an annual Government efficiency report to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, which shall contain—
(1) a summary of the information reported by agencies under
(2) an evaluation of the overall progress of the Federal Government toward achieving the goals of this title 1 and the amendments made by this title; 1 and
(3) recommendations for additional actions necessary to meet the goals of this title 1 and the amendments made by this title.1
(b) Scorecards
The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall include in any annual energy scorecard the Director is otherwise required to submit a description of the compliance of each agency with the requirements of this title 1 and the amendments made by this title.1
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This title, referred to in text, is title V of
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2019. Committee on Oversight and Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Accountability of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2023.
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of
1 See References in Text note below.
Part C—Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants
§17151. Definitions
In this part:
(1) Eligible entity
The term "eligible entity" means—
(A) a State;
(B) an eligible unit of local government; and
(C) an Indian tribe.
(2) Eligible unit of local government
The term "eligible unit of local government" means—
(A) an eligible unit of local government-alternative 1; and
(B) an eligible unit of local government-alternative 2.
(3)(A) Eligible unit of local government-alternative 1
The term "eligible unit of local government-alternative 1" means—
(i) a city with a population—
(I) of at least 35,000; or
(II) that causes the city to be 1 of the 10 highest-populated cities of the State in which the city is located; and
(ii) a county with a population—
(I) of at least 200,000; or
(II) that causes the county to be 1 of the 10 highest-populated counties of the State in which the county is located.
(B) Eligible unit of local government-alternative 2
The term "eligible unit of local government-alternative 2" means—
(i) a city with a population of at least 50,000; or
(ii) a county with a population of at least 200,000.
(4) Indian tribe
The term "Indian tribe" has the meaning given the term in
(5) Program
The term "program" means the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program established under
(6) State
The term "State" means—
(A) a State;
(B) the District of Columbia;
(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
(D) any other territory or possession of the United States.
(
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of
§17152. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the "Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program", under which the Secretary shall provide grants to eligible entities in accordance with this part.
(b) Purpose
The purpose of the program shall be to assist eligible entities in implementing strategies—
(1) to reduce fossil fuel emissions created as a result of activities within the jurisdictions of eligible entities in a manner that—
(A) is environmentally sustainable; and
(B) to the maximum extent practicable, maximizes benefits for local and regional communities;
(2) to reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities; and
(3) to improve energy efficiency in—
(A) the transportation sector;
(B) the building sector; and
(C) other appropriate sectors.
(
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of
§17153. Allocation of funds
(a) In general
Of amounts made available to provide grants under this part for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate—
(1) 34 percent to eligible units of local government—alternative 1, in accordance with subsection (b);
(2) 34 percent to eligible units of local government—alternative 2, in accordance with subsection (b);
(3) 28 percent to States in accordance with subsection (c);
(4) 2 percent to Indian tribes in accordance with subsection (d); and
(5) 2 percent for competitive grants under
(b) Eligible units of local government
Of amounts available for distribution to eligible units of local government under subsection (a)(1) or (2), the Secretary shall provide grants to eligible units of local government under this section based on a formula established by the Secretary according to—
(1) the populations served by the eligible units of local government, according to the latest available decennial census; and
(2) the daytime populations of the eligible units of local government and other similar factors (such as square footage of commercial, office, and industrial space), as determined by the Secretary.
(c) States
Of amounts available for distribution to States under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall provide—
(1) not less than 1.25 percent to each State; and
(2) the remainder among the States, based on a formula to be established by the Secretary that takes into account—
(A) the population of each State; and
(B) any other criteria that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(d) Indian tribes
Of amounts available for distribution to Indian tribes under subsection (a)(3), the Secretary shall establish a formula for allocation of the amounts to Indian tribes, taking into account any factors that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(e) Publication of allocation formulas
Not later than 90 days before the beginning of each fiscal year for which grants are provided under this part, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the formulas for allocation established under this section.
(f) State and local advisory committee
The Secretary shall establish a State and local advisory committee to advise the Secretary regarding administration, implementation, and evaluation of the program.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2009—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2) to (5).
Subsec. (b).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of
§17154. Use of funds
An eligible entity may use a grant received under this part to carry out activities to achieve the purposes of the program, including—
(1) development and implementation of an energy efficiency and conservation strategy under
(2) retaining technical consultant services to assist the eligible entity in the development of such a strategy, including—
(A) formulation of energy efficiency, energy conservation, and energy usage goals;
(B) identification of strategies to achieve those goals—
(i) through efforts to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption; and
(ii) by encouraging behavioral changes among the population served by the eligible entity;
(C) development of methods to measure progress in achieving the goals;
(D) development and publication of annual reports to the population served by the eligible entity describing—
(i) the strategies and goals; and
(ii) the progress made in achieving the strategies and goals during the preceding calendar year; and
(E) other services to assist in the implementation of the energy efficiency and conservation strategy;
(3) conducting residential and commercial building energy audits;
(4) establishment of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements;
(5) the provision of grants to nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies for the purpose of performing energy efficiency retrofits;
(6) development and implementation of energy efficiency and conservation programs for buildings and facilities within the jurisdiction of the eligible entity, including—
(A) design and operation of the programs;
(B) identifying the most effective methods for achieving maximum participation and efficiency rates;
(C) public education;
(D) measurement and verification protocols; and
(E) identification of energy efficient technologies;
(7) development and implementation of programs to conserve energy used in transportation, including—
(A) use of flex time by employers;
(B) satellite work centers;
(C) development and promotion of zoning guidelines or requirements that promote energy efficient development;
(D) development of infrastructure, such as bike lanes and pathways and pedestrian walkways;
(E) synchronization of traffic signals; and
(F) other measures that increase energy efficiency and decrease energy consumption;
(8) development and implementation of building codes and inspection services to promote building energy efficiency;
(9) application and implementation of energy distribution technologies that significantly increase energy efficiency, including—
(A) distributed resources; and
(B) district heating and cooling systems;
(10) activities to increase participation and efficiency rates for material conservation programs, including source reduction, recycling, and recycled content procurement programs that lead to increases in energy efficiency;
(11) the purchase and implementation of technologies to reduce, capture, and, to the maximum extent practicable, use methane and other greenhouse gases generated by landfills or similar sources;
(12) replacement of traffic signals and street lighting with energy efficient lighting technologies, including—
(A) light emitting diodes; and
(B) any other technology of equal or greater energy efficiency;
(13) development, implementation, and installation on or in any government building of the eligible entity of onsite renewable energy technology that generates electricity from renewable resources, including—
(A) solar energy;
(B) wind energy;
(C) fuel cells; and
(D) biomass;
(14) programs for financing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and zero-emission transportation (and associated infrastructure), capital investments, projects, and programs, which may include loan programs and performance contracting programs, for leveraging of additional public and private sector funds, and programs that allow rebates, grants, or other incentives for the purchase and installation of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and zero-emission transportation (and associated infrastructure) measures; and
(15) any other appropriate activity, as determined by the Secretary, in consultation with—
(A) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;
(B) the Secretary of Transportation; and
(C) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2021—Pars. (14), (15).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of
Wage Rate Requirements
For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of
§17155. Requirements for eligible entities
(a) Construction requirement
(1) In general
To be eligible to receive a grant under the program, each eligible applicant shall submit to the Secretary a written assurance that all laborers and mechanics employed by any contractor or subcontractor of the eligible entity during any construction, alteration, or repair activity funded, in whole or in part, by the grant shall be paid wages at rates not less than the prevailing wages for similar construction activities in the locality, as determined by the Secretary of Labor, in accordance with
(2) Secretary of Labor
With respect to the labor standards referred to in paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor shall have the authority and functions described in—
(A) Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (
(B)
(b) Eligible units of local government and Indian tribes
(1) Proposed strategy
(A) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date on which an eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe receives a grant under this part, the eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe shall submit to the Secretary a proposed energy efficiency and conservation strategy in accordance with this paragraph.
(B) Inclusions
The proposed strategy under subparagraph (A) shall include—
(i) a description of the goals of the eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe, in accordance with the purposes of this part, for increased energy efficiency and conservation in the jurisdiction of the eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe; and
(ii) a plan for the use of the grant to assist the eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe in achieving those goals, in accordance with
(C) Requirements for eligible units of local government
In developing the strategy under subparagraph (A), an eligible unit of local government shall—
(i) take into account any plans for the use of funds by adjacent eligible units of local governments that receive grants under the program; and
(ii) coordinate and share information with the State in which the eligible unit of local government is located regarding activities carried out using the grant to maximize the energy efficiency and conservation benefits under this part.
(2) Approval by Secretary
(A) In general
The Secretary shall approve or disapprove a proposed strategy under paragraph (1) by not later than 120 days after the date of submission of the proposed strategy.
(B) Disapproval
If the Secretary disapproves a proposed strategy under subparagraph (A)—
(i) the Secretary shall provide to the eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe the reasons for the disapproval; and
(ii) the eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe may revise and resubmit the proposed strategy as many times as necessary until the Secretary approves a proposed strategy.
(C) Requirement
The Secretary shall not provide to an eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe any grant under the program until a proposed strategy of the eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe is approved by the Secretary under this paragraph.
(3) Limitations on use of funds
Of amounts provided to an eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe under the program, an eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe may use—
(A) for administrative expenses, excluding the cost of meeting the reporting requirements of this part, an amount equal to the greater of—
(i) 10 percent; and 2
(ii) $75,000;
(B) for the establishment of revolving loan funds, an amount equal to the greater of—
(i) 20 percent; and 2
(ii) $250,000; and
(C) for the provision of subgrants to nongovernmental organizations for the purpose of assisting in the implementation of the energy efficiency and conservation strategy of the eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe, an amount equal to the greater of—
(i) 20 percent; and 2
(ii) $250,000.
(4) Annual report
Not later than 2 years after the date on which funds are initially provided to an eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe under the program, and annually thereafter, the eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe shall submit to the Secretary a report describing—
(A) the status of development and implementation of the energy efficiency and conservation strategy of the eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe; and
(B) as practicable, an assessment of energy efficiency gains within the jurisdiction of the eligible unit of local government or Indian tribe.
(c) States
(1) Distribution of funds
(A) In general
A State that receives a grant under the program shall use not less than 60 percent of the amount received to provide subgrants to units of local government in the State that are not eligible units of local government.
(B) Deadline
The State shall provide the subgrants required under subparagraph (A) by not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary approves a proposed energy efficiency and conservation strategy of the State under paragraph (3).
(2) Revision of conservation plan; proposed strategy
Not later than 120 days after December 19, 2007, each State shall—
(A) modify the State energy conservation plan of the State under
(B) submit to the Secretary a proposed energy efficiency and conservation strategy that—
(i) establishes a process for providing subgrants as required under paragraph (1); and
(ii) includes a plan of the State for the use of funds received under the program to assist the State in achieving the goals established under subparagraph (A), in accordance with
(3) Approval by Secretary
(A) In general
The Secretary shall approve or disapprove a proposed strategy under paragraph (2)(B) by not later than 120 days after the date of submission of the proposed strategy.
(B) Disapproval
If the Secretary disapproves a proposed strategy under subparagraph (A)—
(i) the Secretary shall provide to the State the reasons for the disapproval; and
(ii) the State may revise and resubmit the proposed strategy as many times as necessary until the Secretary approves a proposed strategy.
(C) Requirement
The Secretary shall not provide to a State any grant under the program until a proposed strategy of the State is approved by the Secretary under this paragraph.
(4) Limitations on use of funds
A State may use not more than 10 percent of amounts provided under the program for administrative expenses.
(5) Annual reports
Each State that receives a grant under the program shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that describes—
(A) the status of development and implementation of the energy efficiency and conservation strategy of the State during the preceding calendar year;
(B) the status of the subgrant program of the State under paragraph (1);
(C) the energy efficiency gains achieved through the energy efficiency and conservation strategy of the State during the preceding calendar year; and
(D) specific energy efficiency and conservation goals of the State for subsequent calendar years.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A), is set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of
1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be "or".
§17156. Competitive grants
(a) In general
Of the total amount made available for each fiscal year to carry out this part, the Secretary shall use not less than 2 percent to provide grants under this section, on a competitive basis, to—
(1) units of local government (including Indian tribes) that are not eligible entities; and
(2) consortia of units of local government described in paragraph (1).
(b) Applications
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a unit of local government or consortia shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a plan of the unit of local government to carry out an activity described in
(c) Priority
In providing grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to units of local government—
(1) located in States with populations of less than 2,000,000; or
(2) that plan to carry out projects that would result in significant energy efficiency improvements or reductions in fossil fuel use.
(
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of
§17157. Review and evaluation
(a) In general
The Secretary may review and evaluate the performance of any eligible entity that receives a grant under the program, including by conducting an audit, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(b) Withholding of funds
The Secretary may withhold from an eligible entity any portion of a grant to be provided to the eligible entity under the program if the Secretary determines that the eligible entity has failed to achieve compliance with—
(1) any applicable guideline or regulation of the Secretary relating to the program, including the misuse or misappropriation of funds provided under the program; or
(2) the energy efficiency and conservation strategy of the eligible entity.
(
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of
§17158. Funding
(a) Authorization of appropriations
(1) Grants
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the provision of grants under the program $2,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
(2) Administrative costs
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for administrative expenses of the program—
(A) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009;
(B) $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011; and
(C) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
(b) Maintenance of funding
The funding provided under this section shall supplement (and not supplant) other Federal funding provided under—
(1) a State energy conservation plan established under part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (
(2) the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons established under part A of title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is
The Energy Conservation and Production Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is
Amendments
2009—Subsec. (a)(1).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of