Energy Circuit Rider Program

Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is amended by inserting after section 378 (7 U.S.C. 2008m) the following:

379.

Energy Circuit Rider Program

(a)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means— (A)a State; (B)an Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)); (C)a nonprofit organization; (D)a cooperative extension service; (E)an institution of higher education; and (F)a regional planning commission or other public entity serving 2 or more rural areas. (2)

Energy Circuit Rider

The term Energy Circuit Rider means an individual who is trained to provide and support, on a professional basis, assistance (including technical assistance) and informed decisionmaking in the planning, financing, and implementation of energy efficiency or clean energy projects, including with respect to 1 or more of the following: (A)Energy planning. (B)Energy audits. (C)Applicable Federal funding opportunities and tax incentives. (D)Applicable State, local, and utility-based incentives, including, as appropriate, coordinating with the State energy office in that State. (E)Project financing. (F)Grant writing. (G)Community-based capacity building. (3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Rural Development. (b)

Establishment

The Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the Energy Circuit Rider Program, under which the Secretary shall provide to eligible entities grants for the hiring, training, and retention by eligible entities of 1 or more Energy Circuit Riders. (c)

Grants

(1)

In general

To be eligible to receive a grant under the Energy Circuit Rider Program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2)

Term

The term of a grant provided under the Energy Circuit Rider Program shall be more than 3, but not more than 6, years, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to achieve the purposes of this section. (3)

Federal share

The Federal share of the cost of carrying out activities under the grant shall be not more than 75 percent. (4)

Priority

In providing grants under the Energy Circuit Rider Program, the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity the application under paragraph (1) of which is recommended by the director of the relevant State rural development office. (d)

Energy Circuit Rider assistance

An Energy Circuit Rider employed by an eligible entity using a grant provided under this section— (1)shall offer assistance and support described in subsection (a)(2) to not fewer than 2 rural areas served by, or in the vicinity of, the eligible entity; and (2)may provide technical assistance to the eligible entity in applying for— (A)loans under section 6407(c) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107a(c)); and (B)financial assistance under the Rural Energy for America Program established under section 9007 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 8107). (e)

Information sharing

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall facilitate the sharing among Energy Circuit Riders of information relating to best practices. (2)

Information from other agencies

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Chief of Engineers, and the heads of such other Federal departments and agencies as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, shall make available to Energy Circuit Riders information relating to other Federal incentives available to eligible entities for energy efficiency and clean energy projects. (f)

Reports to Congress

Not less frequently than annually, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the accomplishments of the Energy Circuit Rider Program, including with respect to— (1)energy savings; (2)monetary savings to communities; and (3)reductions in carbon emissions. (g)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.