42 U.S.C. § 17282: Renewable energy deployment

Summary

The Secretary must give grants to build commercial renewable energy projects. The Secretary must set rules for awarding those grants within 180 days after December 19, 2007. Anyone who gets a grant must apply as the Secretary requires and promise that construction workers will be paid the local prevailing wages as set by the Secretary of Labor under sections 3141–3144, 3146, and 3147 of title 40, with the Labor Department keeping the authority in Reorganization Plan No. 14 of 1950 (5 U.S.C. App.) and section 3145 of title 40. Grant recipients must pay at least 50 percent of the project cost. Money may be appropriated as needed to carry out the program. Key terms (short): Alaska small hydroelectric power — small, dam-free Alaska projects up to 15 megawatts using a lake tap or screened run-of-river. Eligible applicant — governments, utilities, cooperatives, Indian tribes, and Regional Corporations. Ocean energy — current, wave, and tidal energy (not thermal). Renewable energy project — commercial electricity from solar, wind, geothermal, ocean, biomass, landfill gas, or Alaska small hydro.

Title 42, §17282

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Definitions

In this section: (1) Alaska small hydroelectric power

(2)Eligible applicant

The term “eligible applicant” means any—

(A)governmental entity;

(B)private utility;

(C)public utility;

(D)municipal utility;

(E)cooperative utility;

(F)Indian tribes; and

(G)Regional Corporation (as defined in section 1602 of title 43).

(3)Ocean energy

(A)Inclusions

The term “ocean energy” includes current, wave, and tidal energy.

(B)Exclusion

The term “ocean energy” excludes thermal energy.

(4)Renewable energy project

The term “renewable energy project” means a project—

(A)for the commercial generation of electricity; and

(B)that generates electricity from—

(i)solar, wind, or geothermal energy or ocean energy;

(ii)biomass (as defined in section 15852(b) of this title);

(iii)landfill gas; or

(iv)Alaska small hydroelectric power.

(b)Renewable energy construction grants

(1)In general

The Secretary shall use amounts appropriated under this section to make grants for use in carrying out renewable energy projects.

(2)Criteria

Not later than 180 days after December 19, 2007, the Secretary shall set forth criteria for use in awarding grants under this section.

(3)Application

To receive a grant from the Secretary under paragraph (1), an eligible applicant shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a written assurance that—

(A)all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors during construction, alteration, or repair that is financed, in whole or in part, by a grant under this section shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar construction in the locality, as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with section 3141–3144, 3146, and 3147 of title 40; and

(B)the Secretary of Labor shall, with respect to the labor standards described in this paragraph, have the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (5 U.S.C. App.) and section 3145 of title 40.

(4)Non-Federal share

Each eligible applicant that receives a grant under this subsection shall contribute to the total cost of the renewable energy project constructed by the eligible applicant an amount not less than 50 percent of the total cost of the project.

(c)Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Fund such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(B), is set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as a note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress.

§17282 Renewable Energy Deployment