Part F—Energy Conservation Program for Buildings Owned by Units of Local Government and Public Care Institutions

Editorial Notes

Codification

This part was, in the original, designated part H and has been changed to part F for purposes of codification.

§6372. Definitions

For purposes of this part—

(1) The terms "hospital", "State", "school", "Governor", "State energy agency", "energy conservation measure", "energy conservation maintenance and operating procedure", "preliminary energy audit", "technical assistance costs", "energy audit" and "Secretary" have the meanings provided in section 6371 of this title.

(2) The term "unit of local government" means the government of a county, municipality, or township, which is a unit of general purpose government below the State (determined on the basis of the same principles as are used by the Bureau of the Census for general statistical purposes) and the District of Columbia. Such term also means the recognized governing body of an Indian tribe (as defined in section 6862 of this title) which governing body performs substantial governmental functions.

(3) The term "building" has the meaning provided in section 6371 of this title except that for purposes of this part such term includes only buildings which are owned and primarily occupied by offices or agencies of a unit of local government or by a public care institution and does not include any building intended for seasonal use or any building utilized primarily by a school or hospital.

(4) The term "public care institution" means a public or nonprofit institution which owns—

(A) a facility for long term care, a rehabilitation facility, or a public health center, as described in section 300s–3 of this title, or

(B) a residential child care center.

(5) The term "public or nonprofit institution" means an institution owned and operated by—

(A) a State, a political subdivision of a State or an agency or instrumentality of either, or

(B) an organization exempt from income tax under section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of title 26.

(6) The term "technical assistance program costs" means the costs of carrying out a technical assistance program.

(7) The term "technical assistance" means assistance under rules, promulgated by the Secretary, to States, units of local government and public care institutions—

(A) to conduct specialized studies identifying and specifying energy savings and related cost savings that are likely to be realized as a result of (i) modification or maintenance and operating procedures in a building, (ii) the acquisition and installation of one or more specified energy conservation measures in such building or (iii) both, or

(B) the planning or administration of such specialized studies.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title III, §400A, as added Pub. L. 95–619, title III, §311(a), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3248; amended Pub. L. 99–514, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1986—Par. (5)(B). Pub. L. 99–514 substituted "Internal Revenue Code of 1986" for "Internal Revenue Code of 1954", which for purposes of codification was translated as "title 26" thus requiring no change in text.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Separability

For separability of provisions of title III of Pub. L. 95–619, see section 302(c) of Pub. L. 95–619, set out as a note under section 6371 of this title.

Congressional Statement of Findings and Purposes

Pub. L. 95–619, title III, §310, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3248, provided that:

"(a) Findings.—The Congress finds that—

"(1) the Nation's nonrenewable energy resources are being rapidly depleted;

"(2) buildings owned by units of local government and public care institutions are major consumers of energy, and such units and institutions have been especially burdened by rising energy prices and fuel shortages;

"(3) substantial energy conservation can be achieved in buildings owned by units of local government and public care institutions through the implementation of energy conservation maintenance and operating procedures; and

"(4) units of local government and public care institutions in many instances need financial assistance in order to conduct energy audits and to identify energy conservation maintenance and operating procedures and to evaluate the potential benefits of acquiring and installing energy conservation measures.

"(b) Purpose.—It is the purpose of this part [part 2 (§§310–312) of title III of Pub. L. 95–619, enacting sections 6371j and 6372 to 6372i of this title] to authorize grants to States and units of local government and public care institutions to assist them in conducting preliminary energy audits and energy audits in identifying and implementing energy conservation maintenance and operating procedures and in evaluating energy conservation measures to reduce the energy use and anticipated energy costs of buildings owned by units of local government and public care institutions."

Application of Sections 3141–3144, 3146, and 3147 of Title 40

For application of sections 3141–3144, 3146, and 3147 of title 40 to grants made by the Secretary under this part, see section 6371j of this title.

§6372a. Guidelines

(a) Energy audits

The Secretary shall, by rule, not later than sixty days after November 9, 1978—

(1) prescribe guidelines for the conduct of the preliminary energy audits for buildings owned by units of local government and public care institutions, including a description of the type, number and distribution of preliminary energy audits of such buildings that will provide a reasonably accurate evaluation of the energy conservation needs of all such buildings in each State, and

(2) prescribe guidelines for the conduct of energy audits.

(b) Implementation of technical assistance programs

The Secretary shall, by rule, not later than 90 days after November 9, 1978, prescribe guidelines for State plans for the implementation of technical assistance programs for buildings owned by units of local government and public care institutions. The guidelines shall include—

(1) a description of the factors to be considered in determining which technical assistance programs will be given priority in making grants pursuant to this part, including such factors as cost, energy consumption, energy savings, and energy conservation goals;

(2) a description of the suggested criteria to be used in establishing a State program to identify persons qualified to undertake technical assistance work; and

(3) a description of the types of energy conservation measures deemed appropriate for each region of the Nation.

(c) Revisions

Guidelines prescribed under this part may be revised from time to time after notice and opportunity for comment.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title III, §400B, as added Pub. L. 95–619, title III, §311(a), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3249.)

§6372b. Preliminary energy audits and energy audits

(a) Application by Governor

The Governor of any State may apply to the Secretary at such time as the Secretary may specify after promulgation of the guidelines under section 6372a(a) of this title for grants to conduct preliminary energy audits of buildings owned by units of local government and public care institutions in such State under this part.

(b) Grants for conduct of preliminary energy audits

Upon application under subsection (a), the Secretary may make grants to States to assist in conducting preliminary energy audits under this part for buildings owned by units of local government and public care institutions. Such audits shall be conducted in accordance with the guidelines prescribed under section 6372a(a)(1) of this title.

(c) Application by Governor, unit of local government or public care institution

The Governor of any State, unit of local government or public care institution may apply to the Secretary at such time as the Secretary may specify after promulgation of the guidelines under section 6372a(a) of this title for grants to conduct energy audits of buildings owned by units of local government and public care institutions in such State under this part.

(d) Grants for conduct of energy audits

Upon application under subsection (c) the Secretary may make grants to States, units of local government, and public care institutions for purposes of conducting energy audits of facilities under this part in accordance with the guidelines prescribed under section 6372a(a)(2) of this title.

(e) Audits conducted prior to grant of financial assistance

If a State, unit of local government, or public care institution, without the use of financial assistance under this section, conducts preliminary energy audits or energy audits which comply with the guidelines prescribed by the Secretary or which are approved by the Secretary, the funds allocated for purposes of this section shall be added to the funds available for technical assistance programs for such State, and shall be in addition to amounts otherwise available for such purpose.

(f) Restriction on use of funds

Amounts made available under this section (together with any other amounts made available from other Federal sources) may not be used to pay more than 50 percent of the costs of any preliminary energy audit or energy audit.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title III, §400C, as added Pub. L. 95–619, title III, §311(a), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3250.)

§6372c. State plans

(a) The Secretary shall invite the State energy agency of each State to submit, within 90 days after the effective date of the guidelines prescribed pursuant to section 6372a of this title, or such longer period as the Secretary may, for good cause, allow, a proposed State plan under this section for such State. Such plan shall include—

(1) the results of preliminary energy audits conducted in accordance with the guidelines prescribed pursuant to section 6372a(a)(1) of this title, and an estimate of the energy savings that may result from the modification of maintenance and operating procedures in buildings owned by units of local government and public care institutions;

(2) a recommendation as to the types of technical assistance programs considered appropriate for buildings owned by units of local government and public care institutions in such State, together with an estimate of the costs of carrying out such programs;

(3) a program for identifying persons qualified to carry out technical assistance programs;

(4) procedures for the coordination among technical assistance programs within any State and for coordination of programs authorized under this part with other State energy conservation programs,¹

(5) a description of the policies and procedures to be followed in the allocation of funds among eligible applicants for technical assistance within such State, including procedures to insure that funds will be allocated among eligible applicants on the basis of relative need and including recommendations as to how priorities should be established between buildings owned by units of local government and public care institutions, and among competing proposals taking into account such factors as cost, energy consumption, and energy savings;

(6) procedures to assure that all grants for technical assistance provided under this part are expended in compliance with the requirements of an approved State plan for such State and in compliance with the requirements of this part (including requirements contained in rules promulgated under this part); and

(7) policies and procedures designed to assure that financial assistance provided under this part in such State will be used to supplement, and not to supplant State, local, or other funds.

(b) Each State plan submitted under this section shall be reviewed and approved or disapproved by the Secretary not later than 60 days after receipt by the Secretary. If such plan meets the requirements of subsection (a), the Secretary shall approve the plan. If a State plan submitted within the 90 day period specified in subsection (a) has not been disapproved within the 60-day period following its receipt by the Secretary, such plan shall be treated as approved by the Secretary. A State energy agency may submit a new or amended plan at any time after the submission of the original plan if the agency obtains the consent of the Secretary.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title III, §400D, as added Pub. L. 95–619, title III, §311(a), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3251; amended Pub. L. 105–388, §5(a)(12), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3479.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1998—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 105–388 substituted semicolon for comma at end.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 105–388, which directed substitution of semicolon for comma at end, could not be executed because comma does not appear at end.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 105–388 substituted semicolon for comma at end.

¹ So in original. The comma probably should be a semicolon.

§6372d. Applications for grants for technical assistance

(a) Limitation on number of applications by units of local government and public care institutions; submittal to State energy agency

Applications of units of local government and public care institutions for grants for technical assistance under this part shall be made not more than once for any fiscal year. Such applications shall be submitted to the State energy agency and the State energy agency shall make a single submittal to the Secretary containing all applications which comply with the State plan.

(b) Required information

Applications for grants for technical assistance under this part shall contain or be accompanied by, such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, including the results of energy audits which comply with guidelines under this part. The annual submittal to the Secretary by the State energy agency under subsection (a) shall include a listing and description of technical assistance proposed to be funded under this part within the State during the fiscal year for which such application is made, and such information concerning expenditures as the Secretary may, by rule, require.

(c) Compliance required for approval; reasons for disapproval; resubmittal; amendment

The Secretary shall approve such applications submitted by a State energy agency as he determines to be in compliance with this section and the requirements of the applicable State plan approved under section 6372c of this title. The Secretary shall state the reasons for his disapproval in the case of any application which he disapproves. Any application not approved by the Secretary may be resubmitted by the applicant at any time in the same manner as the original application and the Secretary shall approve such resubmitted application as he determines to be in compliance with this section and the requirements of the State plan. Amendments of an application shall, except as the Secretary may otherwise provide be subject to approval in the same manner as the original application. All or any portions of an application under this section may be disapproved to the extent that funds are not available under this part.

(d) Suspension of further assistance for failure to comply

Whenever the Secretary after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing to any unit of local government or public care institution receiving assistance under this part, finds that there has been a failure to comply substantially with the provisions set forth in the application approved under this section, the Secretary shall notify the unit of local government or public care institution that further assistance will not be made available to such unit of local government or public care institution under this part until he is satisfied that there is no longer any failure to comply. Until he is so satisfied, no further assistance shall be made to such unit of local government or public care institution under this part.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title III, §400E, as added Pub. L. 95–619, title III, §311(a), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3252.)

§6372e. Grants for technical assistance

(a) Authorization of Secretary

The Secretary may make grants to States and to units of local government and public care institutions in payment of technical assistance program costs for buildings owned by units of local government and public care institutions the applications for which have been approved under section 6372d of this title.

(b) Restriction on use of funds

Amounts made available for purposes of this section (together with any amounts available for such purposes from other Federal sources) may not be used to pay more than 50 percent of technical assistance program costs.

(c) Allocation requirements

Grants made under this section in any State in any year shall be made in accordance with the requirements contained in section 6372g of this title.

(d) Prescription of rules limiting allocations to States for administrative expenses

The Secretary shall prescribe rules limiting the amount of funds allocated to a State which may be expended for administrative expenses by such State.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title III, §400F, as added Pub. L. 95–619, title III, §311(a), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3252.)

§6372f. Authorization of appropriations

(a) For the purpose of making grants to States to conduct preliminary energy audits and energy audits under this part there is authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $7,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978, and $7,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979, such funds to remain available until expended.

(b) For the purpose of making technical assistance grants under this part to States and to units of local government and public care institutions, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $17,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978, and $32,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979, such funds to remain available until expended.

(c) For the expenses of the Secretary in administering the provisions of this part, there are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year in the two consecutive fiscal year periods ending September 30, 1979, such funds to remain available until expended.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title III, §400G, as added Pub. L. 95–619, title III, §311(a), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3253.)

§6372g. Allocation of grants

(a) Grants made under this part shall be allocated among the States in accordance with a formula to be prescribed, by rule, by the Secretary, taking into account population and climate of each State, and such other factors as the Secretary may deem appropriate.

(b) The total amount allocated to any State under subsection (a) in any year shall not exceed 10 percent of the total amount allocated to all the States in such year under such subsection (a). Except for the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands, not less than 0.5 percent of such total allocation to all States for that year shall be allocated in such year for the total of grants in each State which has an approved State plan under this part.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title III, §400H, as added Pub. L. 95–619, title III, §311(a), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3253.)

§6372h. Administration; detailed description in annual report

(a) The Secretary may prescribe such rules as may be necessary in order to carry out the provisions of this part.

(b) The Secretary shall include in his annual report a detailed description of the actions taken under this part in the preceding fiscal year and the actions planned to be taken in the subsequent fiscal year. Such description shall show the allocations made (including the allocations made to each State) and include information on the technical assistance carried out with funds allocated, and an estimate of the energy savings, if any, achieved.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title III, §400I, as added Pub. L. 95–619, title III, §311(a), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3253; amended Pub. L. 96–470, title II, §203(a), Oct. 19, 1980, 94 Stat. 2242; Pub. L. 105–388, §5(a)(13), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3479.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1998—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–388 struck out comma after "Secretary shall".

1980—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96–470 substituted "include in his annual report a detailed description" for "within one year after November 9, 1978, and annually thereafter while funds are available under this part, submit to the Congress a detailed report" and "Such description" for "Such report".

§6372i. Records

Each recipient of assistance under this part shall keep such records, provide such reports, and furnish such access to books and records as the Secretary may by rule prescribe.

(Pub. L. 94–163, title III, §400J, as added Pub. L. 95–619, title III, §311(a), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3253.)