[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4447 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 404
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4447
[Report No. 116-504, Part I]
To establish an energy storage and microgrid grant and technical
assistance program.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 20, 2019
Mr. O'Halleran (for himself, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Lamb, and Mr. Norman)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology, 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
September 15, 2020
Additional sponsors: Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mrs. Brooks of Indiana, Mr.
Welch, Mr. Cole, Ms. Spanberger, and Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire
September 15, 2020
Reported from the Committee on Energy and Commerce with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
September 15, 2020
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology discharged; committed to
the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered
to be printed
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on
September 20, 2019]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish an energy storage and microgrid grant and technical
assistance program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding Access to Sustainable
Energy Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a rural electric cooperative; or
(B) a nonprofit organization working with at least
6 rural electric cooperatives.
(2) Energy storage.--The term ``energy storage'' means the
use of equipment or facilities relating to the electric grid
that are capable of absorbing and converting energy, as
applicable, storing the energy for a period of time, and
dispatching the energy, that--
(A) use mechanical, electrochemical, biochemical,
or thermal processes, to convert and store energy that
was generated at an earlier time for use at a later
time;
(B) use mechanical, electrochemical, biochemical,
or thermal processes to convert and store energy
generated from mechanical processes that would
otherwise be wasted for delivery at a later time; or
(C) convert and store energy in an electric,
thermal, or gaseous state for direct use for heating or
cooling at a later time in a manner that avoids the
need to use electricity or other fuel sources at that
later time, as is offered by grid-enabled water
heaters.
(3) Island.--The term ``island mode'' means a mode in which
a distributed generator or energy storage device continues to
power a location in the absence of electric power from the
primary source.
(4) Microgrid.--The term ``microgrid'' means an
interconnected system of loads and distributed energy
resources, including generators and energy storage devices,
within clearly defined electrical boundaries that--
(A) acts as a single controllable entity with
respect to the electric grid; and
(B) can connect to, and disconnect from, the
electric grid to operate in both grid-connected mode
and island mode.
(5) Renewable energy source.--The term ``renewable energy
source'' has the meaning given the term in section 609(a) of
the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C.
918c(a)).
(6) Rural electric cooperative.--The term ``rural electric
cooperative'' means an electric cooperative (as defined in
section 3 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 796)) that sells
electric energy to persons in rural areas.
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
SEC. 3. ENERGY STORAGE AND MICROGRID ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program under
which the Secretary shall--
(1) provide grants to eligible entities under subsection
(c);
(2) provide technical assistance to eligible entities under
subsection (d); and
(3) disseminate information to eligible entities on--
(A) the activities described in subsections (c)(1)
and (d); and
(B) potential and existing energy storage and
microgrid projects.
(b) Cooperative Agreement.--The Secretary may enter into a
cooperative agreement with an eligible entity to carry out subsection
(a).
(c) Grants.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants to
eligible entities for identifying, evaluating, designing, and
demonstrating energy storage and microgrid projects that
utilize energy from renewable energy sources.
(2) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
paragraph (1), 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.
(3) Use of grant.--An eligible entity that receives a grant
under paragraph (1)--
(A) shall use the grant--
(i) to conduct feasibility studies to
assess the potential for implementation or
improvement of energy storage or microgrid
projects;
(ii) to analyze and implement strategies to
overcome barriers to energy storage or
microgrid project implementation, including
financial, contracting, siting, and permitting
barriers;
(iii) to conduct detailed engineering of
energy storage or microgrid projects;
(iv) to perform a cost-benefit analysis
with respect to an energy storage or microgrid
project;
(v) to plan for both the short- and long-
term inclusion of energy storage or microgrid
projects into the future development plans of
the eligible entity; or
(vi) to purchase and install necessary
equipment, materials, and supplies for
demonstration of emerging technologies; and
(B) may use the grant to obtain technical
assistance from experts in carrying out the activities
described in subparagraph (A).
(4) Condition.--As a condition of receiving a grant under
paragraph (1), an eligible entity shall--
(A) implement a public awareness campaign, in
coordination with the Secretary, about the project
implemented under the grant in the community in which
the eligible entity is located;
(B) submit to the Secretary, and make available to
the public, a report that describes--
(i) any energy cost savings and
environmental benefits achieved under the
project; and
(ii) the results of the project, including
quantitative assessments to the extent
practicable, associated with each activity
described in paragraph (3)(A); and
(C) create and disseminate tools and resources that
will benefit other rural electric cooperatives, which
may include cost calculators, guidebooks, handbooks,
templates, and training courses.
(5) Cost-share.--Activities under this subsection shall be
subject to the cost-sharing requirements of section 988 of the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352).
(d) Technical Assistance.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out the program established
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide eligible
entities with technical assistance relating to--
(A) identifying opportunities for energy storage
and microgrid projects;
(B) understanding the technical and economic
characteristics of energy storage or microgrid
projects;
(C) understanding financing alternatives;
(D) permitting and siting issues;
(E) obtaining case studies of similar and
successful energy storage or microgrid projects;
(F) reviewing and obtaining computer software for
assessment, design, and operation and maintenance of
energy storage or microgrid systems; and
(G) understanding and utilizing the reliability and
resiliency benefits of energy storage and microgrid
projects.
(2) External contracts.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Secretary may enter into contracts with third-party experts,
including engineering, finance, and insurance experts, to
provide technical assistance to eligible entities relating to
the activities described in such paragraph, or other relevant
activities, as determined by the Secretary.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this Act $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.
(b) Administrative Costs.--Not more than 5 percent of the amount
appropriated under subsection (a) for each fiscal year shall be used
for administrative expenses.
Union Calendar No. 404
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4447
[Report No. 116-504, Part I]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish an energy storage and microgrid grant and technical
assistance program.
_______________________________________________________________________
September 15, 2020
Reported from the Committee on Energy and Commerce with an amendment
September 15, 2020
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology discharged; committed to
the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered
to be printed