PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

When a State Governor asks, the Secretary must, if staff and money are available, give information and technical help. That help can include model laws and rules, help writing the reports required under section 6322, and help making, changing, or carrying out a State energy conservation plan. The Secretary may also give federal money to a State to develop or carry out a plan, but only for plans the Secretary has approved. The Secretary will consider the State’s economy, climate, geography, how many people the plan will affect, how much energy it will save, and whether the plan fits the law. A State can get more time to submit a plan if it will likely make real progress. A plan cannot be turned down without notice and a chance to respond. States that get federal money must keep records showing how the money was used, total costs, and other funding sources so audits can be done by the Secretary or the Comptroller General. The State must promise the federal money will add to, not replace, State or local funds. Starting in fiscal year 1994, the Secretary may give up to $1,000,000 to a State for a revolving fund for energy upgrades to government buildings if the State shows commitment by adopting certain building energy codes, having a financing program, and securing non‑federal funding at least three times the federal amount.

Title 42, §6323

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

(a)Information, technical assistance, and assistance in preparation of reports and development, implementation, or modification of energy conservation plan

Upon request of the Governor of any State, the Secretary shall provide, subject to the availability of personnel and funds, information and technical assistance, including model State laws and proposed regulations relating to energy conservation, and other assistance in— (1)

(2)the development, implementation, or modification of an energy conservation plan of such State submitted under section 6322(b) or (e) of this title.

(b)Financial assistance to assist State in development, implementation, or modification of energy conservation plan; submission of plan to and approval of Secretary; considerations governing approval; amount of assistance

(1)The Secretary may grant Federal financial assistance pursuant to this section for the purpose of assisting such State in the development of any such energy conservation plan or in the implementation or modification of a State energy conservation plan or part thereof which has been submitted to and approved by the Secretary pursuant to this part.

(2)In determining whether to approve a State energy conservation plan submitted under section 6322(b) or (e) of this title, the Secretary—

(A)shall take into account the impact of local economic, climatic, geographic, and other unique conditions and requirements of such State on the opportunity to conserve and to improve efficiency in the use of energy in such State; and

(B)may extend the period of time during which a State energy conservation feasibility report or State energy conservation plan may be submitted if the Secretary determines that participation by the State submitting such report or plan is likely to result in significant progress toward achieving the purposes of this chapter.

No such plan shall be disapproved without notice and an opportunity to present views.

(3)In determining the amount of Federal financial assistance to be provided to any State under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider—

(A)the contribution to energy conservation which can reasonably be expected,

(B)the number of people affected by such plan, and

(C)the consistency of such plan with the purposes of this chapter, and such other factors as the Secretary deems appropriate.

(c)Records

Each recipient of Federal financial assistance under subsection (b) shall keep such records as the Secretary shall require, including records which fully disclose the amount and disposition by each recipient of the proceeds of such assistance, the total cost of the plan, program, projects, measures, or systems for which such assistance was given or used, the source and amount of funds for such plan, program, projects, measures, or systems not supplied by the Secretary, and such other records as the Secretary determines necessary to facilitate an effective audit and performance evaluation. The Secretary and Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, shall have access for the purpose of audit and examination, at reasonable times and under reasonable conditions, to any pertinent books, documents, papers, and records of any recipient of Federal assistance under this part.

(d)Assistance as supplementing and not supplanting State and local funds

Each State receiving Federal financial assistance pursuant to this section shall provide reasonable assurance to the Secretary that it has established policies and procedures designed to assure that Federal financial assistance under this part and under part E of this subchapter will be used to supplement, and not to supplant, State and local funds, and to the extent practicable, to increase the amount of such funds that otherwise would be available, in the absence of such Federal financial assistance, for those programs set forth in the State energy conservation plan approved pursuant to subsection (b).

(e)State buildings energy efficiency improvements incentive fund

If the Secretary determines that a State has demonstrated a commitment to improving the energy efficiency of buildings within such State, the Secretary may, beginning in fiscal year 1994, provide up to $1,000,000 to such State for deposit into a revolving fund established by such State for the purpose of financing energy efficiency improvements in State and local government buildings. In making such determination the Secretary shall consider whether—

(1)such State, or a majority of the units of local government with jurisdiction over building energy codes within such State, has adopted codes for energy efficiency in new buildings that are at least as stringent as American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers Standard 90.1–1989 (with respect to commercial buildings) and Council of American Building Officials Model Energy Code, 1992 (with respect to residential buildings);

(2)such State has established a program, including a revolving fund, to finance energy efficiency improvement projects in State and local government facilities and buildings; and

(3)such State has obtained funding from non-Federal sources, including but not limited to, oil overcharge funds, State or local government appropriations, or utility contributions (including rebates) equal to or greater than three times the amount provided by the Secretary under this subsection for deposit into such revolving fund.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B), (3)(C), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 94–163, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 871, known as the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 6201 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

2021—Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 117–58 redesignated subsec. (f) as (e) and struck out former subsec. (e) which related to energy emergency planning program as prerequisite to assistance. 1992—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 102–486 added subsec. (f). 1990—Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 101–440 added subsecs. (d) and (e). 1978—Pub. L. 95–619 substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”, meaning Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration, wherever appearing. 1976—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 94–385, § 432(b), inserted provision requiring notice and opportunity to present views prior to disapproval of plans. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–385, § 432(c), inserted references to plan, measures, or systems wherever appearing and required that examinations be at reasonable times and under reasonable conditions.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Wage Rate RequirementsFor provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for

Construction

, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of this title.

§6323 Federal Assistance to States