§16191 Energy efficiency

Summary

The Secretary must run programs to research, develop, test, and help sell energy-saving technologies. The work must aim to make cars, buildings, and industry use less energy; cut U.S. demand for energy (especially foreign oil); lower energy costs and help the economy; improve U.S. energy security; and reduce pollution from energy use. The programs cover vehicle technologies (like hybrid and electric systems, plug-in hybrids, better engines, lighter and more aerodynamic designs, whole-vehicle design, and advanced drivetrains), whole-building approaches for new and retrofitted buildings (including on-site renewable power), better industrial processes, advanced controls for electric motors, and appliances and building systems for cold climates (including combined heat and power and more renewables). Congress authorized money for these programs: $783,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $865,000,000 for 2008, and $952,000,000 for 2009. From those totals, $50,000,000 per year is set aside for a specified activity for 2007–2009, $7,000,000 per year is set aside for another activity for 2007–2009, $200,000,000 (2007), $270,000,000 (2008), and $310,000,000 (2009) are for the vehicle work, and $2,000,000 is set aside for each of 2007 and 2008 for motor-control work. An additional $50,000,000 per year is authorized for 2010–2013 for the first specified activity. None of the money can be used to make or carry out energy-efficiency regulations, to fund the weatherization program under the Energy Conservation and Production Act, to fund State energy conservation plans under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, or to fund Federal energy management measures under the National Energy Conservation Policy Act.