§13313 Renewable Energy Advancement Awards

Summary

The Secretary must give Renewable Energy Advancement Awards for developments that help apply seven kinds of renewable energy—biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, photovoltaic, solar thermal, ocean thermal, and wind—to homes, utilities, or industry. Awards usually include cash, but if no funds are available the Secretary will give honorary (non‑cash) awards. Starting in fiscal year 1994 and then once a year for 10 years, the Secretary, with an advisory committee, will pick winners using criteria about how much a project increases renewable energy use, its overall impact (for example helping many people or cutting costs), its inventiveness, export potential, and its environmental soundness. Only U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or non‑Federal organizations set up under U.S. or state law, can receive awards. Congress authorized $50,000 for each of fiscal years 1994, 1995, and 1996 for the program.