§6372c State Plans

Summary

The state energy agency must send a proposed state plan to the federal Secretary within 90 days after the energy guidelines take effect, or later if the Secretary allows for a good reason. The plan must show results of early energy audits and estimates of savings from changing how local government and public care buildings are run; recommend types of technical help and estimate the costs; describe how to find people qualified to give that help; explain how programs will be coordinated inside the state and with other state energy efforts; set out fair rules for dividing funds among eligible applicants based on need and priorities (for different building types and competing proposals, using factors like cost, energy use, and expected savings); include steps to make sure grants are spent under the approved plan and rules; and include policies to make sure federal money adds to, not replaces, state or local funds. The Secretary must approve or reject each plan within 60 days after receiving it. If a plan meets the requirements it will be approved. If a plan was sent within the 90-day deadline and the Secretary does not reject it within 60 days, it is considered approved. A state agency may send a new or changed plan later if the Secretary agrees.