I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 706 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 15, 2011 Mr. Engel (for himself and Mr. Bartlett) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Appropriations, 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 direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a pilot program to award grants and loan guarantees to hospitals to carry out projects for the purpose of reducing energy costs and increasing resilience to improve security.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Hospital Energy Independence Act.

2.

Energy Conservation Grant and Loan Guarantee Pilot Program

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary of Energy shall establish a pilot program to award grants and loan guarantees to hospitals to carry out energy conservation projects for the purpose of— (1)significantly improving the energy efficiency of such hospitals; and (2)encouraging onsite power generation and energy storage, capable of operating independent of the grid, and providing sufficient onsite emergency backup power for essential hospital functions. (b)

Number of hospitals

The Secretary shall award grants and loan guarantees under the pilot program to no more than 6 hospitals during the period described in subsection (f). (c)

Applications

A hospital seeking a grant or loan guarantee under the pilot program shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. (d)

Considerations

In selecting a hospital to award a grant or loan guarantee to under the pilot program, the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications from such hospitals that can demonstrate that they are able to commence an energy conservation project more promptly. (e)

Report

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of the pilot program. Such report shall include information that would allow for Congress to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program and to advance best practices. (f)

Definitions

In this section: (1)The terms hospital has the meaning given such term in section 391 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6371), and also includes academic facilities that specialize in scientific research, provide patient care, and serve as health and medical education centers. (2)The term energy conservation project has the meaning given such term in section 391 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6371). (g)

Recission; source of funding

Of the unobligated balances of the discretionary appropriations made available by division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111–5), there are rescinded and made available $90,000,000 to carry out the pilot program, which shall be committed during fiscal years 2011 and 2012.