[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10377-10378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4610]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Seattle Regional Support Office; Updating State and Local 
Government Building Energy Codes for Developmental States

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of competitive financial assistance.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy Seattle Regional Support Office 
(SRSO), on behalf of the Office of Building Technologies, announces its 
intention to issue a competitive solicitation and make financial 
assistance awards to States and territories that are developing, 
implementing, and/or enforcing building energy code compliance 
programs. This action is subject to the DOE Financial Assistance Rules 
(10 CFR part 600).

ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the solicitation once it is issued on or 
after January 30, 1995, write to the Department of Energy's Seattle 
Regional Support Office, 800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3950, Seattle, WA 
98104, Attn: Ms. Carol A. Curtis, Grants//Contracts Specialist. Only 
written requests for this solicitation will be honored. For 
convenience, requests for the solicitation may be faxed to Ms. Curtis 
at (206) 553-2200. Please reference solicitation DE-PS51-95R020543.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOE Office of Building Technologies, in 
conjunction with the DOE Office of Technical and Financial Assistance 
and through the DOE Regional Support Offices, will award and provide 
funding for the grants to the states and serve as administrators for 
the Federal Government. The SRSO will be the lead Regional Support 
Office.
    This solicitation is intended to support actions to develop and 
improve residential and commercial building energy codes. These actions 
will additionally enhance the energy efficiency of residential and 
commercial building stock in the United States as well as provide 
environmental benefits. Actions implemented under this solicitation 
address Action No. 10 of the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) which is 
designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the year 2000. Action 
No. 10 builds on Section 101 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) 
to further address use and enforcement of building energy codes. Under 
Section 101 of EPAct, States are required to upgrade their commercial 
building codes to meet or exceed ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1--1989 and to 
consider whether to update their residential codes to meet or exceed 
the 1992 Model [[Page 10378]] Energy Code (MEC). The Department of 
Energy is required to provide technical assistance and incentive 
funding to States to respond to the legislative requirements.
    This solicitation specifically targets States that are deemed 
``developmental'' in that they have conceived a code compliance program 
but little or no action has been taken, because financial assistance is 
needed to supplement existing staff or hire a FTE to begin action on 
the program. Approximately twenty awards, totaling roughly $500,000, to 
be specifically utilized for funding full-time equivalents (FTE), will 
be granted to states whose programs are in the ``developmental'' stage. 
For DOE funds to be awarded, it is required that a state provide a 
minimum of 25% cost-sharing match for the total project cost. A state 
that is deemed developmental shall not be eligible for progressive 
program funding under a separate solicitation. Exemplary state programs 
will not be considered for funding through this solicitation, and State 
officials who consider their program to be exemplary should call 1-800-
270-CODE for additional information on how to obtain funding for their 
program.
    All 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the 
United States are eligible. More than one State or State organization 
can be involved on a proposal, as long as the lead State agency or 
organization and lead grant management responsibilities are clearly 
defined. Support may come from one or more code-related organizations 
or trade associations in the affected local area, and shall be in the 
form of cost-sharing or other significant participation, which 
demonstrates a substantial interest in the proposed project.
    This solicitation will be issued on or about January 30, 1995, and 
will contain detailed information on funding, cost-sharing 
requirements, eligibility, application preparation, and evaluation. 
Responses to the solicitation will be due in March 1995, and award 
announcements will be made in May 1995. All responsible sources are 
encouraged to submit an application.

    Issued in Seattle, Washington: February 14, 1995.
Julie A. Riel,
Contracting Officer.
[FR Doc. 95-4610 Filed 2-23-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P