§18793 Energy auditor training grant program

Summary

Creates a competitive grant program under the State Energy Program for training people to do energy audits of homes and commercial buildings. "Covered certification" means specific third-party energy-auditor credentials (for example, ASHRAE Building Energy Assessment Professional; Association of Energy Engineers Certified Energy Auditor; Building Performance Institute Home Energy Professional Energy Auditor; RESNET Home Energy Rater; or other Department-recognized or Secretary‑deemed equivalent certifications). "Eligible State" means a State that shows it needs help training energy auditors and meets any extra criteria the Secretary sets. States must apply with a training plan that says what the curriculum is, which covered certification trainees will earn, the expected cost per trainee, how trainees will be connected to jobs, and any other required details. The Secretary decides grant amounts taking State population into account, but no grant can be more than $2,000,000 per State. Grant money may pay training and certification costs (by the State or a State‑approved trainer) and, up to 10% of funds, trainee wages during training. The Secretary must consult the Secretary of Labor and has $40,000,000 authorized for fiscal years 2022 through 2026.