§16493 National Priority Project Designation

Summary

A special honor called the National Priority Project will be created and shown by a medal that says "National Priority Project." The President will pick medal design and will, each year, name organizations recommended by the Secretary that have helped renewable energy and North American energy independence and that the Secretary has certified. The President may hold ceremonies. Winners can use the designation in ads. One award will be given in each of four groups: wind/biomass, solar photovoltaic/fuel cell, energy-efficient buildings with renewables, and First-In-Class projects. Projects must meet size and other rules to be certified. Wind, biomass, or building projects must add at least 30 megawatts. Solar photovoltaic or fuel cell projects must add at least 3 megawatts. Building projects must also meet third-party green building standards, use whole-building energy design, get at least 50% of energy from renewables, meet Energy Star rules, and include at least 5,000,000 square feet inside. A new building can qualify if it is a clear First-In-Class or creates a new way to use renewables. The Secretary must publish an application notice and rules in the Federal Register within 120 days after August 8, 2005 and every year after. Applicants must describe their project and how they meet the rules. The Secretary must certify projects within 60 days after the application period and each year, assign staff to help certified projects, point to Department programs and labs that can help, and make sure federal technology and knowledge is shared to speed commercialization. Money needed to run the program is authorized for fiscal years 2006 through 2010.