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Managing America: Energy

TheWeekInCongress.com (TM)

Week Ending March 16, 2006

H.R.85 To provide for the establishment of centers to encourage demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies.

Advanced Energy technology Transfer Centers will be established at which information about a variety of technologies would be available.

The Centers would be established through a series of grants from the Department of Energy to non-profit institutions, State and local governments, cooperative extension services and institutions of higher education. The Centers would be dispersed to areas the Secretary of Energy deems need them.

The program is aimed at transferring knowledge and information about a variety of technologies in a variety of geographical areas. Preference is also given to applicants that would significantly expand on or fill a gap in existing programs in a geographical region. The plans must consider the special needs and opportunities for increased energy efficiency for manufactured and site-built housing, including construction, renovation and retrofit.

The Centers will operate a program to encourage demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies through education and outreach to building and industrial professionals and other individuals and organizations with an interest in energy efficiency.

Grant funds may be used to develop and distribute information on technologies that could use energy efficiently, to carry out demonstrations of advanced energy methods and technologies, for developing and conducting seminars, workshops, long-distance learning sessions and other activities to aid in disseminating the knowledge and information, providing on sight energy evaluations, examine the energy efficiency of energy end-users to determine future research projects. The funds may also be used to hire energy efficient to carry out the above activities. Rants will be for five years or more. Funds may not be used to build buildings. Applicants already operating or partnered with an outreach program capable of transferring knowledge and information about advanced energy efficiency methods and technologies would be favored.

This bill is the result of rising energy prices and the political situation surrounding oil

resources. A study proved that buildings use more energy than any other sector in the US at 30% of primary energy used. Buildings also use 70% of electricity. Technologies are developing and this bill aims to improve in their development and distribute the information to consumers and contractors.

Sponsor:  Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL-13^th)

Vote: Passed House 395 to 1 March 13, 2007 (RC 136)

Cost to the taxpayers: “CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 85 would not significantly affect the federal budget. We expect that any change in the amount of grants awarded under the bill or the agency's costs to administer them would not exceed $500,000 annually”

Earmark Certification:   “H.R. 85 does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of Rule XXI.”

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