[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4872 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4872
To require the Secretary of Energy to provide rebates for the
installation of zero-emission technologies in single-family homes and
multifamily buildings, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 30, 2021
Ms. Castor of Florida (for herself, Mr. Tonko, Ms. Barragan, Mr.
McEachin, Mr. Levin of California, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Ms. Brownley,
Ms. Bonamici, Ms. DeGette, and Mr. Huffman) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Energy to provide rebates for the
installation of zero-emission technologies in single-family homes and
multifamily buildings, and for other purposes.
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 ``Zero-Emission Homes Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. ZERO-EMISSION HOME PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Certified contractor.--The term ``certified
contractor'' means a contractor with an industry-recognized
certification reflecting training, education, or other
technical expertise relating to qualified electrification
projects for residential buildings, as identified by the
Secretary.
(2) Contractor company.--The term ``contractor company''
means a company--
(A) the business of which is to provide services--
(i) to residential building owners; and
(ii) for which a rebate may be provided
pursuant to the Program; and
(B) that holds the licenses and insurance required
by the State in which the company provides services.
(3) Electric load or service center upgrade.--The term
``electric load or service center upgrade'' means an
improvement to a circuit breaker panel that enables the
installation and use of--
(A) a QEP described in any of subclauses (II)
through (IV) of paragraph (10)(A)(i); or
(B) if determined to be appropriate by the
Secretary, a QEP described in any of subclauses (I)
through (III) of paragraph (10)(A)(ii).
(4) Heat pump.--The term ``heat pump'' means a heat pump
used for water heating, space heating, or space cooling that--
(A) relies solely on electricity for its source of
power; and
(B) is air-sourced, geothermal- or ground-sourced,
or water-sourced.
(5) Home.--The term ``home'' means each of--
(A) a building with not more than 1 dwelling unit,
an individual condominium unit, or a manufactured
housing unit, that--
(i) is located in a State; and
(ii)(I) is the primary residence of--
(aa) the owner of that building,
condominium unit, or manufactured
housing unit, as applicable; or
(bb) a renter; or
(II) is a new-construction single-family
residential home; and
(B) a unit of a multifamily building that--
(i) is owned by an individual who is not
the owner of the multifamily building;
(ii) is located in a State; and
(iii) is the primary residence of--
(I) the owner of that unit; or
(II) a renter.
(6) HVAC.--The term ``HVAC'' means heating, ventilation,
and air conditioning.
(7) Low- or moderate-income.--The term ``low- or moderate-
income'', with respect to a household, means a household--
(A) with an annual income that is less than 80
percent of the annual median income of the area in
which the household is located; or
(B) that is low-income (as defined in section 412
of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42
U.S.C. 6862)).
(8) Multifamily building.--The term ``multifamily
building'' means any building--
(A) with 2 or more dwelling units that--
(i) are built on top of one another or
side-by-side; and
(ii) may share common facilities; and
(B) that is not a home.
(9) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the Zero-Emission
Home Program established under subsection (b).
(10) Qualified electrification project; qep.--
(A) In general.--The terms ``qualified
electrification project'' and ``QEP'' mean a project
that, as applicable--
(i) installs, or enables the installation
and use of, in a home or multifamily building--
(I) an electric load or service
center upgrade;
(II) an electric heat pump;
(III) an induction or noninduction
electric stove, cooktop, range, or oven
that has received an Energy Star
Emerging Technology Award (or meets a
more stringent standard, as determined
by the Secretary, if the Secretary
determines a more stringent standard to
be appropriate); or
(IV) an electric heat pump clothes
dryer that is Energy Star Most
Efficient certified (or meets a more
stringent standard, as determined by
the Secretary, if the Secretary
determines a more stringent standard to
be appropriate); or
(ii) if determined to be appropriate by the
Secretary, installs, or enables the
installation and use of, in a home or
multifamily building described in subparagraph
(B)--
(I) a solar photovoltaic system,
including any electrical equipment,
wiring, or other components necessary
for the installation and use of the
solar photovoltaic system, including a
battery storage system;
(II) electric vehicle charging
infrastructure or electric vehicle
support equipment necessary to recharge
an electric vehicle on-site; or
(III) electrical rewiring, power
sharing plugs, or other installation
tasks directly related to and necessary
for the safe and effective functioning
of a QEP in a home or multifamily
building.
(B) Home or multifamily building described.--A home
or multifamily building referred to in subparagraph
(A)(ii) is a home or multifamily building that is
certified, or the household of the homeowner of which
is certified, as applicable, as low- or moderate-income
pursuant to the procedures established under subsection
(d)(1).
(C) Exclusions.--The terms ``qualified
electrification project'' and ``QEP'' do not include
any project with respect to which the appliance,
system, equipment, infrastructure, component, or other
item described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph
(A) is not certified under the Energy Star program
established by section 324A of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6294a) if, as of the date
on which the project is carried out, the item is of a
category for which a certification is provided under
that program.
(11) Qualified provider.--The term ``qualified provider''
means an electric utility, Tribal-owned entity or Tribally
Designated Housing Entity (TDHE), or commercial, nonprofit, or
government entity, including a retailer and a contractor
company, that provides services for which a rebate may be
provided pursuant to the Program for 1 or more portfolios that
consist of 1 or more qualified electrification projects.
(12) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
(13) Solar photovoltaic system.--The term ``solar
photovoltaic system'' means a system--
(A) placed on-site at a home or multifamily
building, or as part of the community of the home or
multifamily building; and
(B) that generates electricity from the sun
specifically for the home, multifamily building, or
community.
(14) Tribal community.--The term ``Tribal community'' means
a Tribal tract or Tribal block group.
(15) Underserved community.--The term ``underserved
community'' means a community located in a census tract that is
identified by the Secretary as--
(A) a low- or moderate-income community; or
(B) a community of racial or ethnic minority
concentration.
(16) Zero-emission home rebate.--The term ``zero-emission
home rebate'' means a rebate provided in accordance with
subsection (c).
(b) Establishment of Program.--The Secretary shall establish a
program, to be known as the ``Zero-Emission Home Program'', to provide
zero-emission home rebates in accordance with subsection (c).
(c) Zero-Emission Home Rebates for Qualified Electrification
Projects.--
(1) Zero-emission home rebates.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), in
carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall provide
to homeowners and owners of multifamily buildings zero-
emission home rebates, in accordance with this
subsection, for qualified electrification projects
carried out at, or relating to, the homes or
multifamily buildings, as applicable.
(B) Requirement.--The provision of a zero-emission
home rebate under this paragraph shall be subject to
the availability of appropriations for that purpose.
(2) Amount of rebate.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subsection
(d)(2)(A)(i), a zero-emission home rebate under
paragraph (1) shall be equal to--
(i) in the case of a qualified
electrification project described in subsection
(a)(10)(A)(i)(II) that installs a heat pump
used for water heating, not more than $1,250;
(ii) in the case of a qualified
electrification project described in subsection
(a)(10)(A)(i)(II) that installs a heat pump
HVAC system--
(I) not more than $3,000 if the
heat pump HVAC system has a heating
capacity of not less than 27,500 Btu
per hour; and
(II) not more than $1,500 if the
heat pump HVAC system has a heating
capacity of less than 27,500 Btu per
hour;
(iii) in the case of a qualified
electrification project described in subclause
(III) or (IV) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i), not
more than $600;
(iv) in the case of a qualified
electrification project described in subsection
(a)(10)(A)(i)(I) that installs an electric load
or service center panel that enables the
installation and use of any upgrade, appliance,
system, equipment, infrastructure, component,
or other item installed pursuant to any other
qualified electrification project, not more
than $3,000; and
(v) in the case of any other qualified
electrification project, including a qualified
electrification project described in any of
subclauses (I) through (III) of subsection
(a)(10)(A)(ii), for which the Secretary
provides a zero-emission home rebate, not more
than an amount determined by the Secretary for
that qualified electrification project, subject
to subparagraph (B).
(B) Limitations on amount of rebate.--
(i) Maximum total amount.--Subject to
subsection (d)(2)(A)(ii), the maximum total
amount that may be awarded as zero-emission
home rebates under this subsection shall be
$10,000 with respect to each home for which a
zero-emission home rebate is provided.
(ii) Costs.--
(I) In general.--Subject to
subsection (d)(2)(A)(iii), the amount
of a zero-emission home rebate provided
to a homeowner under this subsection
shall not exceed 50 percent of the
total cost of the applicable qualified
electrification project.
(II) Labor costs.--Subject to
subsection (d)(2)(A)(iii), not more
than 50 percent of the labor costs
associated with a qualified
electrification project may be included
in the 50 percent of total costs for
which a zero-emission home rebate is
provided under this subsection, as
described in subclause (I), subject to
the condition that labor costs account
for not more than 50 percent of the
amount of the zero-emission home
rebate.
(3) Limitations on qeps.--
(A) Contractors.--A zero-emission home rebate may
be provided for a qualified electrification project
carried out by a contractor only if that contractor is
a certified contractor.
(B) Heat pump hvac systems.--A zero-emission home
rebate may be provided for a qualified electrification
project that installs or enables the installation of a
heat pump HVAC system only if the heat pump HVAC
system--
(i) replaces--
(I) a nonelectric HVAC system; or
(II) an electric resistance HVAC
system; or
(ii) is part of new construction, as
determined by the Secretary.
(C) Heat pumps for water heating.--A zero-emission
home rebate may be provided for a qualified
electrification project that installs or enables the
installation of a heat pump used for water heating only
if the heat pump--
(i) replaces--
(I) a nonelectric heat pump water
heater;
(II) a nonelectric water heater; or
(III) an electric resistance water
heater; or
(ii) is part of new construction, as
determined by the Secretary.
(D) Electric stoves, cooktops, ranges, and ovens.--
A zero-emission home rebate may be provided for a
qualified electrification project described in
subsection (a)(10)(A)(i)(III) only if the applicable
electric stove, cooktop, range, or oven--
(i) replaces a nonelectric stove, cooktop,
range, or oven; or
(ii) is part of new construction, as
determined by the Secretary.
(E) Electric heat pump clothes dryers.--A zero-
emission home rebate may be provided for a qualified
electrification project described in subsection
(a)(10)(A)(i)(IV) only if the applicable electric heat
pump clothes dryer--
(i) replaces a nonelectric clothes dryer;
or
(ii) is part of new construction.
(4) Additional incentives for contractors and qualified
providers.--
(A) General incentive.--
(i) In general.--With respect to each
qualified electrification project described in
clause (ii), the Secretary shall provide a
payment of $100 to the certified contractor or
qualified provider carrying out the qualified
electrification project.
(ii) Qualified electrification project
described.--A qualified electrification project
referred to in clause (i) is a qualified
electrification project--
(I) that is carried out at a home
or multifamily building;
(II) for which a rebate is provided
under this subsection; and
(III) with respect to which the
certified contractor or qualified
provider is not eligible for a higher
payment under any of subparagraphs (B)
through (D).
(B) Incentive for qeps in certain communities and
households.--
(i) In general.--With respect to each
qualified electrification project described in
clause (ii), the Secretary shall provide a
payment of $200 to the certified contractor or
qualified provider carrying out the qualified
electrification project.
(ii) Qualified electrification project
described.--A qualified electrification project
referred to in clause (i) is a qualified
electrification project--
(I) that is carried out at a home
or multifamily building that--
(aa) is located in an
underserved community or a
Tribal community; or
(bb) is certified, or the
household of the homeowner of
which is certified, as
applicable, as low- or
moderate-income pursuant to the
procedures established under
subsection (d)(1);
(II) for which a rebate is provided
under this subsection; and
(III) with respect to which the
certified contractor or qualified
provider is not eligible for a higher
payment under subparagraph (C) or (D).
(C) Incentive for certain labor practices.--
(i) In general.--With respect to each
qualified electrification project described in
clause (ii), the Secretary shall provide a
payment of $250 to the certified contractor or
qualified provider carrying out the qualified
electrification project.
(ii) Qualified electrification project
described.--A qualified electrification project
referred to in clause (i) is a qualified
electrification project--
(I) that is carried out--
(aa) at a home or
multifamily building; and
(bb) by a certified
contractor or qualified
provider that allows for the
use of collective bargaining
agreements;
(II) for which a rebate is provided
under this subsection; and
(III) with respect to which--
(aa) all laborers and
mechanics employed on the
qualified electrification
project are paid wages at rates
not less than those prevailing
on projects of a character
similar in the locality, as
determined by the Secretary of
Labor in accordance with
subchapter IV of chapter 31 of
part A of subtitle II of title
40, United States Code
(commonly referred to as the
``Davis-Bacon Act''); and
(bb) the certified
contractor or qualified
provider is not eligible for a
higher payment under
subparagraph (D).
(D) Maximum incentive.--
(i) In general.--With respect to each
qualified electrification project described in
clause (ii), the Secretary shall provide a
payment of $500 to the certified contractor or
qualified provider carrying out the qualified
electrification project.
(ii) Qualified electrification project
described.--A qualified electrification project
referred to in clause (i) is a qualified
electrification project--
(I) that is carried out--
(aa) at a home or
multifamily building that--
(AA) is located in
an underserved
community or a Tribal
community; or
(BB) is certified,
or the household of the
homeowner of which is
certified, as
applicable, as low- or
moderate-income
pursuant to the
procedures established
under subsection
(d)(1); and
(bb) by a certified
contractor or qualified
provider that allows for the
use of collective bargaining
agreements;
(II) for which a rebate is provided
under this subsection; and
(III) with respect to which all
laborers and mechanics employed on the
qualified electrification project are
paid wages at rates not less than those
prevailing on projects of a character
similar in the locality, as determined
by the Secretary of Labor in accordance
with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of
part A of subtitle II of title 40,
United States Code (commonly referred
to as the ``Davis-Bacon Act'').
(E) Clarification.--An amount provided to a
contractor or qualified provider under any of
subparagraphs (A) through (D) shall be in addition to
the amount of any zero-emission home rebate received by
the contractor or qualified provider.
(5) Claim.--
(A) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2)(B), a
homeowner, a certified contractor, or a qualified
provider may claim a separate zero-emission home rebate
under this subsection for each qualified
electrification project carried out at a home.
(B) Transfer.--The Secretary shall establish and
publish procedures pursuant to which a homeowner or
owner of a multifamily building may transfer the right
to claim a rebate under this subsection to the
certified contractor or qualified provider carrying out
the applicable qualified electrification project.
(6) Multifamily buildings.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
owner of a multifamily building may combine the amounts
of zero-emission home rebates for each dwelling unit in
the multifamily building into a single rebate, subject
to--
(i) the condition that the applicable
qualified electrification projects benefit each
dwelling unit with respect to which the rebate
is claimed; and
(ii) any maximum per-dwelling unit rate
established by the Secretary.
(B) Costs.--
(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii),
the amount of a rebate under subparagraph (A)
shall not exceed 50 percent of the total cost,
including labor costs, of the applicable
qualified electrification projects.
(ii) Low- or moderate-income buildings.--In
the case of a multifamily building that is
certified by the Secretary as low- or moderate-
income in accordance with subsection (d)(1)(B),
the amount of a rebate under subparagraph (A)
shall not exceed 100 percent of the total cost
of the applicable qualified electrification
projects.
(C) Procedures.--The Secretary shall establish and
publish procedures--
(i) pursuant to which the owner of a
multifamily building may combine rebate amounts
in accordance with this subsection; and
(ii) for the enforcement of any limitations
under this subsection.
(7) Process.--
(A) Rebate process.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
develop and publish a rebate processing system that
results in immediate price relief for consumers who
purchase and have installed qualified electrification
projects, in accordance with this section.
(B) Qualified electrification project list.--
(i) In general.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall publish a list of qualified
electrification projects for which a zero-
emission home rebate may be provided under this
subsection that includes, at a minimum, the
qualified electrification projects described in
subsection (a)(10)(A).
(ii) Updates.--Not less frequently than
once every 3 years, the Secretary shall publish
an updated list of qualified electrification
projects for which a zero-emission home rebate
may be provided under this subsection.
(d) Special Provisions for Low- and Moderate-Income Households and
Multifamily Buildings.--
(1) Certifications.--The Secretary shall establish
procedures for certifying as low- or moderate-income each of--
(A) the household of a homeowner; and
(B) a multifamily building.
(2) Maximum amounts.--
(A) In general.--With respect to a qualified
electrification project carried out at a location
described in subparagraph (B)--
(i) a zero-emission home rebate shall be
equal to--
(I) in the case of a qualified
electrification project described in
subsection (c)(2)(A)(i), not more than
$1,750;
(II) in the case of a qualified
electrification project described in
subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii)--
(aa) not more than $6,000
if the applicable heat pump
HVAC system has a heating
capacity of not less than
27,500 Btu per hour; and
(bb) not more than $3,000
if the applicable heat pump
HVAC system has a heating
capacity of less than 27,500
Btu per hour;
(III) in the case of a qualified
electrification project described in
subsection (c)(2)(A)(iii), not more
than $840;
(IV) in the case of a qualified
electrification project described in
subsection (c)(2)(A)(iv), not more than
$4,000; and
(V) in the case of a qualified
electrification project described in
subsection (c)(2)(A)(v), not more than
an amount determined by the Secretary
for that qualified electrification
project, subject to clause (ii);
(ii) the maximum total amount of zero-
emission home rebates that may be awarded with
respect to each home of a homeowner shall be
$14,000; and
(iii) the amount of a zero-emission home
rebate may be used to cover not more than 100
percent of the costs, including labor costs, of
the applicable qualified electrification
project.
(B) Location described.--A location referred to in
subparagraph (A) is--
(i) a home--
(I) with respect to which the
household of the homeowner is certified
as low- or moderate-income pursuant to
the procedures established under
paragraph (1)(A); or
(II) that is located in a Tribal
community; or
(ii) a multifamily building--
(I) that--
(aa) is certified as low-
or moderate-income pursuant to
the procedures established
under paragraph (1)(B); or
(bb) is located in a Tribal
community; and
(II) with respect to which more
than more than \1/2\ of the dwelling
units in the multifamily building--
(aa) are occupied by
households the annual household
incomes of which do not exceed
80 percent of the median annual
household income for the area
in which the multifamily
building is located; and
(bb) have average monthly
rental prices that are equal
to, or less than, an amount
that is equal to 30 percent of
the average monthly household
income for the area in which
the multifamily building is
located.
(C) Requirement.--The Secretary may provide a
rebate to the owner of a multifamily building in an
amount described in subparagraph (A) only if the owner
agrees in writing to provide commensurate benefits to
the renters in that multifamily building.
(e) Education and Outreach.--Of the total amount appropriated by
subsection (g)(1), the Secretary may use not more than $5,000,000 for
community and consumer education and outreach related to the Program.
(f) Administration.--The Secretary shall use not more than 1
percent of the amounts appropriated by subsection (g)(1)--
(1) to administer this section; and
(2) to provide administrative and technical support to
certified contractors, qualified providers, States, and Indian
Tribes.
(g) Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--In addition to amounts otherwise made
available, there are appropriated to the Secretary for the 10-
year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, out
of any amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such
sums as are necessary to carry out this section, including to
provide rebates under this section with respect to homes and
multifamily buildings at which qualified electrification
projects are carried out during that 10-year period.
(2) Allocation for low- or moderate-income households.--
(A) In general.--Of the amounts appropriated by
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall reserve 50 percent
for--
(i) rebates relating to qualified
electrification projects carried out for low-
or moderate-income households; and
(ii) any necessary administrative or
technical support for those qualified
electrification projects.
(B) Availability of reserved amounts.--Amounts
reserved under subparagraph (A) shall remain available
until expended in accordance with that subparagraph.
(3) Allocation for tribal communities.--
(A) In general.--Of the amounts appropriated by
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall reserve 11 percent
for--
(i) rebates relating to qualified
electrification projects carried out in Tribal
communities; and
(ii) any necessary administrative or
technical support for those qualified
electrification projects.
(B) Availability of reserved amounts.--Amounts
reserved under subparagraph (A) shall remain available
until expended in accordance with that subparagraph.
(4) Use of reserved amounts for certain qeps.--With respect
to a qualified electrification project carried out for a low-
or moderate-income household that is located in a Tribal
community, the Secretary may--
(A) use amounts reserved under paragraph (2) or (3)
for any rebate or necessary administrative or technical
support for that qualified electrification project; and
(B)(i) if the Secretary uses amounts reserved under
paragraph (2) as described in subparagraph (A),
consider a corresponding amount reserved under
paragraph (3) to be unreserved and eligible for use for
any purpose authorized under this section; or
(ii) if the Secretary uses amounts reserved under
paragraph (3) as described in subparagraph (A),
consider a corresponding amount reserved under
paragraph (2) to be unreserved and eligible for use for
any purpose authorized under this section.
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