S 433 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a renewable electricity standard, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

February 12, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. UDALL of New Mexico (for himself and Mr. UDALL of Colorado) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a renewable electricity standard, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY STANDARD.

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

‘SEC. 610. RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY STANDARD.

‘(a) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) BASE QUANTITY OF ELECTRICITY-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The term ‘base quantity of electricity’ means the total quantity of electric energy sold by a retail electric supplier, expressed in terms of kilowatt hours, to electric customers for purposes other than resale during the most recent calendar year for which information is available.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) EXCLUSIONS- The term ‘base quantity of electricity’ does not include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) electric energy that is not incremental hydropower generated by a hydroelectric facility; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) electricity generated through the incineration of municipal solid waste.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) BIOMASS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The term ‘biomass’ means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) cellulosic (plant fiber) organic materials from a plant that is planted for the purpose of being used to produce energy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) nonhazardous plant or algal matter that is derived from--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) an agricultural crop, crop byproduct, or residue resource; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) waste, such as landscape or right-of-way trimmings (but not including municipal solid waste, recyclable postconsumer waste paper, painted, treated, or pressurized wood, wood contaminated with plastic, or metals);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) animal waste or animal byproducts; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) landfill methane.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) NATIONAL FOREST LAND AND CERTAIN OTHER PUBLIC LAND- In the case of organic material removed from National Forest System land or from public land administered by the Secretary of the Interior, the term ‘biomass’ means only organic material from--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) ecological forest restoration;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) precommercial thinnings;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) brush;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) mill residues; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) slash.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN FEDERAL LAND- Notwithstanding subparagraph (B), the term ‘biomass’ does not include material or matter that would otherwise qualify as biomass if the material or matter is located on the following Federal land:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Federal land containing old growth forest or late successional forest unless the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture determines that the removal of organic material from the land--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) is appropriate for the applicable forest type; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) maximizes the retention of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘(aa) late-successional and large and old growth trees;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘(bb) late-successional and old growth forest structure; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘(cc) late-successional and old growth forest composition.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘(ii) Federal land on which the removal of vegetation is prohibited, including components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) Wilderness study areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) Inventoried roadless areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) Components of the National Landscape Conservation System.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(vi) National Monuments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) EXISTING FACILITY- The term ‘existing facility’ means a facility for the generation of electric energy from a renewable energy resource that is not an eligible facility.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) INCREMENTAL HYDROPOWER- The term ‘incremental hydropower’ means additional generation that is achieved from increased efficiency or additions of capacity made on or after--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the date of enactment of this section; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the effective date of an existing applicable State renewable portfolio standard program at a hydroelectric facility that was placed in service before that date.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) INDIAN LAND- The term ‘Indian land’ means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) any land within the limits of any Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) any land not within the limits of any Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria title to which was on the date of enactment of this section held by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the United States for the benefit of any Indian tribe or individual; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) any Indian tribe or individual subject to restriction by the United States against alienation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) any dependent Indian community; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) any land conveyed to any Alaska Native corporation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) INDIAN TRIBE- The term ‘Indian tribe’ means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaskan Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) RENEWABLE ENERGY- The term ‘renewable energy’ means electric energy generated by a renewable energy resource.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(8) RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCE- The term ‘renewable energy resource’ means solar, wind, ocean, tidal, geothermal energy, biomass, landfill gas, incremental hydropower, or hydrokinetic energy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(9) REPOWERING OR COFIRING INCREMENT- The term ‘repowering or cofiring increment’ means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the additional generation from a modification that is placed in service on or after the date of enactment of this section, to expand electricity production at a facility used to generate electric energy from a renewable energy resource;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the additional generation above the average generation during the 3-year period ending on the date of enactment of this section at a facility used to generate electric energy from a renewable energy resource or to cofire biomass that was placed in service before the date of enactment of this section; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) the portion of the electric generation from a facility placed in service on or after the date of enactment of this section, or a modification to a facility placed in service before the date of enactment of this section made on or after January 1, 2001, associated with cofiring biomass.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(10) RETAIL ELECTRIC SUPPLIER-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The term ‘retail electric supplier’ means a person that sells electric energy to electric consumers (other than consumers in Hawaii) that sold not less than 1,000,000 megawatt-hours of electric energy to electric consumers for purposes other than resale during the preceding calendar year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) INCLUSION- The term ‘retail electric supplier’ includes a person that sells electric energy to electric consumers that, in combination with the sales of any affiliate organized after the date of enactment of this section, sells not less than 1,000,000 megawatt hours of electric energy to consumers for purposes other than resale.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) SALES TO PARENT COMPANIES OR AFFILIATES- For purposes of this paragraph, sales by any person to a parent company or to other affiliates of the person shall not be treated as sales to electric consumers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in clause (ii), the term ‘retail electric supplier’ does not include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) the United States, a State, any political subdivision of a State, or any agency, authority, or instrumentality of the United States, State, or political subdivision; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) a rural electric cooperative.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) INCLUSION- The term ‘retail electric supplier’ includes an entity that is a political subdivision of a State, or an agency, authority, or instrumentality of the United States, a State, a political subdivision of a State, a rural electric cooperative that sells electric energy to electric consumers, or any other entity that sells electric energy to electric consumers that would not otherwise qualify as a retail electric supplier if the entity notifies the Secretary that the entity voluntarily agrees to participate in the Federal renewable electricity standard program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Compliance- For calendar year 2012 and each calendar year thereafter, each retail electric supplier shall meet the requirements of subsection (c) by submitting to the Secretary, not later than April 1 of the following calendar year, 1 or more of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) Federal renewable energy credits issued under subsection (e).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) Certification of the renewable energy generated and electricity savings pursuant to the funds associated with State compliance payments as specified in subsection (e)(4)(G).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) Alternative compliance payments pursuant to subsection (h).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Required Annual Percentage- For each of calendar years 2012 through 2039, the required annual percentage of the base quantity of electricity of a retail electric supplier that shall be generated from renewable energy resources, or otherwise credited towards the percentage requirement pursuant to subsection (d), shall be the applicable percentage specified in the following table:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘Calendar YearsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2012CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

--6.0CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2013CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

--6.0CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2014CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

--8.5CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2015CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

--8.5CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2016CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

--11.0CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2017CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

--11.0CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2018CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

--14.0CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2019CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

--14.0CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2020CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

--17.5CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2021CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

--17.5CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2022CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

--21.0CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2023CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

--21.0CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2024CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

--23.0CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

2025 and thereafter through 2039CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

--25.0.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘(d) Renewable Energy Credits-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- A retail electric supplier may satisfy the requirements of subsection (b)(1) through the submission of Federal renewable energy credits--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) issued to the retail electric supplier under subsection (e);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) obtained by purchase or exchange under subsection (f); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) borrowed under subsection (g).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) FEDERAL RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDITS- A Federal renewable energy credit may be counted toward compliance with subsection (b)(1) only once.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Issuance of Federal Renewable Energy Credits-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish by rule a program--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) to verify and issue Federal renewable energy credits to generators of renewable energy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) to track the sale, exchange, and retirement of the credits; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) to enforce the requirements of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) EXISTING NON-FEDERAL TRACKING SYSTEMS- To the maximum extent practicable, in establishing the program, the Secretary shall rely on existing and emerging State or regional tracking systems that issue and track non-Federal renewable energy credits.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) APPLICATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- An entity that generates electric energy through the use of a renewable energy resource may apply to the Secretary for the issuance of renewable energy credits.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) ELIGIBILITY- To be eligible for the issuance of the credits, the applicant shall demonstrate to the Secretary that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the electric energy will be transmitted onto the grid; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) in the case of a generation offset, the electric energy offset would have otherwise been consumed onsite.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) CONTENTS- The application shall indicate--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the type of renewable energy resource that is used to produce the electricity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the location at which the electric energy will be produced; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) any other information the Secretary determines appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) QUANTITY OF FEDERAL RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDITS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the Secretary shall issue to a generator of electric energy 1 Federal renewable energy credit for each kilowatt hour of electric energy generated by the use of a renewable energy resource at an eligible facility.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) INCREMENTAL HYDROPOWER-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) IN GENERAL- For purpose of compliance with this section, Federal renewable energy credits for incremental hydropower shall be based on the increase in average annual generation resulting from the efficiency improvements or capacity additions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) WATER FLOW INFORMATION- The incremental generation shall be calculated using the same water flow information that is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) used to determine a historic average annual generation baseline for the hydroelectric facility; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) certified by the Secretary or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) OPERATIONAL CHANGES- The calculation of the Federal renewable energy credits for incremental hydropower shall not be based on any operational changes at the hydroelectric facility that is not directly associated with the efficiency improvements or capacity additions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) INDIAN LAND-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall issue 2 renewable energy credits for each kilowatt hour of electric energy generated and supplied to the grid in a calendar year through the use of a renewable energy resource at an eligible facility located on Indian land.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) BIOMASS- For purposes of this paragraph, renewable energy generated by biomass cofired with other fuels is eligible for 2 credits only if the biomass was grown on the land.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) ON-SITE ELIGIBLE FACILITIES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) IN GENERAL- In the case of electric energy generated by a renewable energy resource at an on-site eligible facility that is not larger than 1 megawatt in capacity and is used to offset all or part of the requirements of a customer for electric energy, the Secretary shall issue 3 renewable energy credits to the customer for each kilowatt hour generated.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) INDIAN LAND- In the case of an on-site eligible facility on Indian land, the Secretary shall issue not more than 3 credits per kilowatt hour.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) COMBINATION OF RENEWABLE AND NONRENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES- If both a renewable energy resource and a nonrenewable energy resource are used to generate the electric energy, the Secretary shall issue the Federal renewable energy credits based on the proportion of the renewable energy resources used.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) RETAIL ELECTRIC SUPPLIERS- If a generator has sold electric energy generated through the use of a renewable energy resource to a retail electric supplier under a contract for power from an existing facility and the contract has not determined ownership of the Federal renewable energy credits associated with the generation, the Secretary shall issue the Federal renewable energy credits to the retail electric supplier for the duration of the contract.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(G) COMPLIANCE WITH STATE RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD PROGRAMS- Payments made by a retail electricity supplier, directly or indirectly, to a State for compliance with a State renewable portfolio standard program, or for an alternative compliance mechanism, shall be valued at 1 credit per kilowatt hour for the purpose of subsection (b)(2) based on the quantity of electric energy generation from renewable resources that results from the payments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Renewable Energy Credit Trading-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- A Federal renewable energy credit may be sold, transferred, or exchanged by the entity to whom the credit is issued or by any other entity that acquires the Federal renewable energy credit, other than renewable energy credits from existing facilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) CARRYOVER- A Federal renewable energy credit for any year that is not submitted to satisfy the minimum renewable generation requirement of subsection (c) for that year may be carried forward for use pursuant to subsection (b)(1) within the next 3 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) DELEGATION- The Secretary may delegate to an appropriate market-making entity the administration of a national tradeable renewable energy credit market for purposes of creating a transparent national market for the sale or trade of renewable energy credits.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Renewable Energy Credit Borrowing-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than December 31, 2014, a retail electric supplier that has reason to believe the retail electric supplier will not be able to fully comply with subsection (b) may--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) submit a plan to the Secretary demonstrating that the retail electric supplier will earn sufficient Federal renewable energy credits within the next 3 calendar years that, when taken into account, will enable the retail electric supplier to meet the requirements of subsection (b) for calendar year 2014 and the subsequent calendar years involved; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) on the approval of the plan by the Secretary, apply Federal renewable energy credits that the plan demonstrates will be earned within the next 3 calendar years to meet the requirements of subsection (b) for each calendar year involved.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) REPAYMENT- The retail electric supplier shall repay all of the borrowed Federal renewable energy credits by submitting an equivalent number of Federal renewable energy credits, in addition to the credits otherwise required under subsection (b), by calendar year 2022 or any earlier deadlines specified in the approved plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) Alternative Compliance Payments- As a means of compliance under subsection (b)(4), the Secretary shall accept payment equal to the lesser of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) 200 percent of the average market value of Federal renewable energy credits and Federal energy efficiency credits for the applicable compliance period; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) 3 cents per kilowatt hour (as adjusted on January 1 of each year following calendar year 2006 based on the implicit price deflator for the gross national product).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Information Collection- The Secretary may collect the information necessary to verify and audit--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1)(A) the annual renewable energy generation of any retail electric supplier; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Federal renewable energy credits submitted by a retail electric supplier pursuant to subsection (b)(1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) the validity of Federal renewable energy credits submitted for compliance by a retail electric supplier to the Secretary; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) the quantity of electricity sales of all retail electric suppliers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(j) Environmental Savings Clause- Incremental hydropower shall be subject to all applicable environmental laws and licensing and regulatory requirements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(k) State Programs-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Nothing in this section diminishes any authority of a State or political subdivision of a State--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) to adopt or enforce any law (including regulations) respecting renewable energy, including programs that exceed the required quantity of renewable energy under this section; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) to regulate the acquisition and disposition of Federal renewable energy credits by retail electric suppliers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION- No law or regulation referred to in paragraph (1)(A) shall relieve any person of any requirement otherwise applicable under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) COORDINATION WITH STATE PROGRAM- The Secretary, in consultation with States that have in effect renewable energy programs, shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) preserve the integrity of the State programs, including programs that exceed the required quantity of renewable energy under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) facilitate coordination between the Federal program and State programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) EXISTING RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS- In the regulations establishing the program under this section, the Secretary shall incorporate common elements of existing renewable energy programs, including State programs, to ensure administrative ease, market transparency and effective enforcement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) MINIMIZATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS AND COSTS- In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall work with the States to minimize administrative burdens and costs to retail electric suppliers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(l) Recovery of Costs- An electric utility that has sales of electric energy that are subject to rate regulation (including any utility with rates that are regulated by the Commission and any State regulated electric utility) shall not be denied the opportunity to recover the full amount of the prudently incurred incremental cost of renewable energy obtained to comply with the requirements of subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(m) Program Review-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the Academy shall conduct a comprehensive evaluation of all aspects of the program established under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) EVALUATION- The study shall include an evaluation of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the effectiveness of the program in increasing the market penetration and lowering the cost of the eligible renewable energy technologies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the opportunities for any additional technologies and sources of renewable energy emerging since the date of enactment of this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) the impact on the regional diversity and reliability of supply sources, including the power quality benefits of distributed generation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) the regional resource development relative to renewable potential and reasons for any investment in renewable resources; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) the net cost/benefit of the renewable electricity standard to the national and State economies, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) retail power costs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the economic development benefits of investment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) avoided costs related to environmental and congestion mitigation investments that would otherwise have been required;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) the impact on natural gas demand and price; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) the effectiveness of green marketing programs at reducing the cost of renewable resources.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) REPORT- Not later than January 1, 2018, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report describing the results of the evaluation and any recommendations for modifications and improvements to the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(n) State Renewable Energy Account-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- There is established in the Treasury a State renewable energy account.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) DEPOSITS- All money collected by the Secretary from the alternative compliance payments under subsection (h) shall be deposited into the State renewable energy account established under paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) GRANTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Proceeds deposited in the State renewable energy account shall be used by the Secretary, subject to annual appropriations, for a program to provide grants--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) to the State agency responsible for administering a fund to promote renewable energy generation for customers of the State or an alternative agency designated by the State; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) if no agency described in clause (i), to the State agency developing State energy conservation plans under section 362 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6322).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) USE- The grants shall be used for the purpose of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) promoting renewable energy production; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) providing energy assistance and weatherization services to low-income consumers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) CRITERIA- The Secretary may issue guidelines and criteria for grants awarded under this paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) STATE-APPROVED FUNDING MECHANISMS- At least 75 percent of the funds provided to each State for each fiscal year shall be used to promote renewable energy production through grants, production incentives, or other State-approved funding mechanisms.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) ALLOCATION- The funds shall be allocated to the States on the basis of retail electric sales subject to the renewable electricity standard under this section or through voluntary participation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) RECORDS- State agencies receiving grants under this paragraph shall maintain such records and evidence of compliance as the Secretary may require.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents Amendment- The table of contents of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. prec. 2601) is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title VI the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘Sec. 609. Rural and remote communities electrification grants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘Sec. 610. Renewable electricity standard.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink