I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3424 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 15, 2011 Mr. Holt (for himself, Mr. Andrews, and Mr. Sires) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To establish a program under which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall provide grants to eligible State consortia to establish and carry out municipal sustainability certification programs, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Sustainable States Act of 2011.
2.
Findings
Congress finds that— (1)local government leadership is critical in crafting and implementing effective, long-term solutions to regionally distinct challenges, such as— (A)energy demand and supply; (B)water resource management; (C)waste production and management; (D)pollution; (E)environmental stewardship and conservation; and (F)economic competitiveness, growth, and development; (2)State-specific municipal sustainability certification programs provide a framework for constructive competition among the municipalities of a State that accelerates the development and demonstration of effective local solutions to those challenges; and (3)public-private partnerships are successful means of sustaining the operation of municipal sustainability certification programs which, as evidenced by the successful program in the State of New Jersey— (A)reduce municipal costs; (B)create jobs; (C)drive local economic growth; and (D)yield environmental benefits.
3.
Definitions
In this Act: (1)
Administrator
The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. (2)
Municipal sustainability certification program
The term municipal sustainability certification program means a program established and carried out by a sustainable State consortium that— (A)determines a set of State-specific benchmarks for use in evaluating sustainability; and (B)certifies a municipality as sustainable based on documented achievement of those benchmarks. (3)
Sustainable State consortium
The term sustainable State consortium means a partnership consisting of local governments, a State, 1 or more public universities, and any other municipal organizations, businesses, or nonprofit organizations selected by the consortium that is formed to establish a municipal sustainability certification program. (4)
Top performer
The term top performer means a municipality that— (A)has successfully completed a municipal sustainability certification program; and (B)is recognized by the Administrator for outstanding leadership in municipal sustainability.
4.
Grants for municipal sustainability certification programs
(a)
Establishment
(1)
In general
There is established a program under which the Administrator shall provide grants to sustainable State consortia for use in establishing and carrying out municipal sustainability certification programs. (2)
Flexible guidelines for award selection
The Administrator shall establish flexible guidelines that reflect regional differences for use by sustainable State consortia in establishing State-specific municipal sustainability certification programs. (3)
Grants
(A)
In general
The Administrator shall provide grants under this paragraph to sustainable State consortia for use in establishing and carrying out municipal sustainability certification programs. (B)
Eligibility
Not more than 1 sustainable State consortium per State may apply for and receive a grant under this section. (C)
Number and term of grants
The Administrator shall provide not more than 20 grants under this section, each of which shall have a term of 3 years. (D)
Limitation on amounts
A grant provided under this section shall not exceed $600,000 during the term of the grant. (E)
Geographical distribution of grant funds
The Administrator shall provide grants under this section in a manner that results in, to the maximum extent practicable, a geographical balance of funds provided, as determined by the Administrator. (4)
Data and reports
The Administrator shall annually— (A)collect and compile data from sustainable State consortia with respect to municipal actions undertaken to obtain municipal sustainability certification; and (B)submit to Congress a concise report that describes, for the year covered by the report, municipal actions undertaken to obtain municipal sustainability certification. (5)
State and local needs
The Administrator shall encourage sustainable State consortia— (A)to establish certification standards beyond the guidelines established by the Administrator; (B)to otherwise adapt the administration of the program established under this section to meet regional or local needs; and (C)to plan for public-private partnership agreements that will sustain the operation of the certification program of a State beyond the term of the grant. (b)
Administration
(1)
Fees
The Administrator shall not charge fees for certification, training, use of program tools, or any other participation in the program established under this section. (2)
Web site
The Administrator shall establish a Web site that allows for interactive dialogue and collaboration among community leaders and citizens engaged in municipal sustainability certification. (c)
Funding
(1)
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2014. (2)
Other funding
A sustainable State consortium or other entity that receives a grant under this section may seek additional foundation, nonprofit, private-sector, and other sources of funding to support additional program elements and municipal incentives that are in addition to the minimum requirements for a grant under this section.
5.
Project grants for top performers
(a)
Establishment
(1)
In general
There is established a program under which the Administrator shall award project grants to municipalities certified by sustainable State consortia to extend the leadership of the municipalities in meeting sustainability challenges. (2)
Accounting for regional differences
To the maximum extent practicable, the Administrator shall take regional differences into account when selecting top performers under this section. (3)
Grants
(A)
In general
The Administrator shall select top performers from among the municipalities that have achieved certification by sustainable State consortia to compete for individual project grants. (B)
Eligibility
Not more than 2 top performers from any State may receive a grant under this section per fiscal year. (C)
Number of grants
The Administrator shall provide not more than 20 grants under this section. (D)
Limitation on amounts
A grant provided under this section shall not exceed $100,000 in the aggregate. (b)
Funding
(1)
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2014. (2)
Other funding
A top performer municipality that receives a grant under this section may seek additional foundation, nonprofit, private-sector, and other sources of funding to support a project under this section.