[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 19 (Tuesday, February 2, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 3193. Mr. BOOKER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 2953 proposed by Ms. Murkowski to the bill S. 2012, to 
provide for the modernization of the energy policy of the United 
States, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       At the end of subtitle G of title IV, add the following:

     SEC. 46__. COMMUNITY AND SHARED SOLAR PROJECTS PRIZE.

       Section 1008 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
     16396) (as amended by section 4601) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(h) Community and Shared Solar Projects Prize 
     Competition.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--
       ``(A) Community solar.--In this subsection:
       ``(i) In general.--The term `community solar' means a 
     jointly owned or third-party owned shared solar photovoltaic 
     system that allocates electricity to multiple businesses or 
     households.
       ``(ii) Exclusions.--The term `community solar' does not 
     include--

       ``(I) a financing mechanism in which a security holder has 
     only an economic interest and does not use the energy; or
       ``(II) a collective purchasing program in which community 
     members buy separate photovoltaic systems collectively.

       ``(B) Eligible applicant.--The term `eligible applicant' 
     means--
       ``(i) a utility;
       ``(ii) a private business;
       ``(iii) a nonprofit organization; or
       ``(iv) a municipality.
       ``(2) Authority.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this subsection, as part of the program carried 
     out under this section, the Secretary shall establish and 
     award to eligible applicants competitive technology financial 
     awards or relevant cash prizes for community solar project 
     designs.
       ``(3) Requirements.--
       ``(A) In general.--In awarding prizes under paragraph (2), 
     the Secretary shall select innovative community solar project 
     designs that--
       ``(i) increase access to solar energy;
       ``(ii) reduce upfront costs for participants;
       ``(iii) provide the greatest return on investment;
       ``(iv) can be replicated in other communities;
       ``(v) improve economies of scale;
       ``(vi) create local jobs; and
       ``(vii) provide local benefits through energy 
     diversification.
       ``(B) Consideration.--In awarding prizes under paragraph 
     (2), the Secretary shall select innovative community solar 
     project designs that consider low- and moderate-income 
     populations in the requirements described in subparagraph 
     (A).
       ``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection 
     such sums as are necessary.''.
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