Federal RuleAug 21
62
DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-hr-5424119th CongressWALLET
Energizing Our Communities Act
Sponsored By: Representative Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a Community Economic Development Transmission Fund to pay local host communities for large electric transmission projects. The fund would use a portion of interest on certain Department of Energy loans and set rules for who gets paid and how the money can be spent.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants for communities hosting new power lines
If enacted, this would create a fund, run by the Energy Department, to pay communities that host certain federally backed transmission projects. Local governments and Tribes where the line is built would qualify for one payment per project, if they request it within 1 year of notice and certify eligible uses. The Energy Department would give notice during federal siting and permitting. Payments would be made within 18 months after construction starts and depend on available appropriations. A formula would aim to keep the fund solvent and include a minimum for small-population places. These payments would be on top of any federal payments in lieu of taxes.
How communities could use the money
If enacted, host communities would have to spend at least 20% on conservation, stewardship, or recreation, like habitat work, wetlands, or public access to land and water. They could use up to 80% for local needs, such as schools, roads, broadband, farm support, food processing, and job training for renewable energy work. Getting this money would not block separate community benefit agreements with project owners.
New interest set-aside on energy loans
If enacted, a portion of the interest charged and collected on certain new federal energy loans would go into the community fund. The Energy Department, with Treasury, would set the share; the bill does not give a fixed percent. This would apply to transmission loans under federal energy programs, Western Area Power Administration projects with a terminus in its territory, and other DOE loans for very high-capacity lines (about 999 megawatts or more). For borrowers, this could raise effective borrowing costs.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
IL • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov