§8258a Demonstration of new technology

Summary

By January 1, 1994, the Secretary, working with the General Services Administration (GSA), must set up a demonstration program to install energy-saving technologies in federally owned buildings or federally assisted housing when doing so will help the technology become commercially viable. If two technologies are equal, give priority to the one that already has or is getting federal financial support. Projects are picked for funding based on cost-effectiveness, technical feasibility and reliability, low current use in the federal sector, projected agency and federal market needs over 5 to 10 years, energy savings, and other environmental benefits like lower greenhouse gases and less indoor air pollution. Federal agencies may send one-year proposals that describe the project, the data to be gathered, the agency’s needs, a promise to adopt at least 10% of those needs if the project proves reliable and cost-effective, schedules, and a plan to share results. Any project in a GSA-controlled building must be carried out by GSA. If a project will cost more than $1,600,000, funding cannot be made unless the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate approve it. The Secretary must also study how federal buying power can speed up development of energy-efficient products, working with utilities, manufacturers, and nonprofits, and report to Congress no later than two years after October 24, 1992. Up to $5,000,000 is authorized for each of the fiscal years 1993, 1994, and 1995.