[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 888 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 888
To promote Federal-State partnerships for developing regional energy
strategies and plans to mitigate risks in changing energy systems, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 26, 2015
Mr. Schatz (for himself and Mr. Heinrich) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To promote Federal-State partnerships for developing regional energy
strategies and plans to mitigate risks in changing energy systems, 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 ``Promoting Regional Energy
Partnerships for Advancing Resilient Energy Systems Act'' or the
``PREPARE Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) energy systems in the United States are in a period of
significant change;
(2) aging infrastructure, new technologies, increasing
complexity, and growing threats are posing new challenges to
energy systems and their resilience;
(3) the interconnected nature of energy systems means
regional energy strategies and plans will be more effective at
preparing for challenges and mitigating risks;
(4) States have distinct needs and unique energy,
environmental, and economic goals and will play a critical role
in developing and implementing regional energy strategies and
plans;
(5) the views and participation of a broad range of
stakeholders in the development and implementation of regional
energy strategies and plans is needed for success; and
(6) the Federal Government, in the role of a long-term
strategic energy partner, can effectively--
(A) establish strategic alliances with States;
(B) convene stakeholders;
(C) facilitate the process of developing regional
energy strategies and plans; and
(D) provide technical assistance and support in
implementation.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Cooperative agreement.--The term ``cooperative
agreement'' has the meaning given the term in sections 6302 and
6305 of title 31, United States Code.
(2) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means--
(A) the Secretary of Energy, acting through the
Assistant Secretary of the Office of Electricity
Delivery and Energy Reliability in consultation with
the Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, the Assistant Secretary of Fossil
Energy, and the Director of the Office of Nuclear
Energy, Science, and Technology Programs; and
(B) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through
the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals
Management in consultation with the Director of the
Bureau of Land Management, the Director of the Bureau
of Ocean Energy Management, the Assistant Secretary for
Indian Affairs, and the Assistant Secretary for Fish
and Wildlife and Parks.
(3) State.--The term ``State'' means--
(A) a State;
(B) the District of Columbia;
(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
(D) any other territory or possession of the United
States.
SEC. 4. REGIONAL ENERGY PARTNERSHIPS.
(a) In General.--The Secretaries shall provide assistance in
accordance with this section for the purpose of developing energy
strategies and plans that help harmonize and promote national,
regional, and State energy goals, including goals for advancing
resilient energy systems to mitigate risks and prepare for emerging
energy challenges.
(b) Technical Assistance.--The Secretaries may provide such
technical assistance to States, political subdivisions of States,
substate regional organizations (including organizations that cross
State boundaries), multistate regional organizations, Indian tribes,
and nonprofit organizations as the Secretaries determine appropriate to
promote--
(1) the development and improvement of regional energy
strategies, where appropriate, and plans that sustain and
promote energy system modernization across the United States;
(2) investment in energy infrastructure, technological
capacity, innovation, and workforce development to keep pace
with the changing energy ecosystem;
(3) structural transformation of the financial, regulatory,
legal, and institutional systems that govern energy planning,
production, and delivery within States and regions; and
(4) public-private partnerships for the implementation of
regional energy strategies and plans.
(c) Cooperative Agreements.--
(1) In general.--The Secretaries may enter into cooperative
agreements with one or more States and Indian tribes, on a
regional basis, to develop and implement strategies and plans
to address the energy challenges of States, Indian tribes, and
regions.
(2) Requirements.--A cooperative agreement entered into
under this subsection shall include provisions covering or
providing--
(A) the purpose and goals of the cooperative
agreement, such as advancing energy efficiency, clean
energy, fuel and supply diversity, energy system
resiliency, economic development, or other goals to
make measurable, significant progress toward specified
metrics and objectives that are agreed to by the States
or Indian tribes and the Secretaries;
(B) the roles and responsibilities of the States or
Indian tribes and the Secretaries for various functions
of the cooperative agreement, including outreach,
communication, resources, and capabilities;
(C) a comprehensive framework for the development
of energy strategies and plans for States, Indian
tribes, or regions;
(D) timeframes with associated metrics and
objectives;
(E) a governance structure to resolve conflicts and
facilitate decisionmaking consistent with underlying
authorities; and
(F) other provisions determined necessary by the
Secretaries, in consultation with the States or Indian
tribes, to achieve the purposes described in paragraph
(1).
(d) Staff.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
the entering into a cooperative agreement under subsection (c),
the Secretaries shall, as appropriate, assign or employ
individuals who have expertise in the technical and regulatory
issues relating to the cooperative agreement, including
particular expertise in (as applicable)--
(A) energy systems integration;
(B) renewable energy and energy efficiency;
(C) innovative financing mechanisms;
(D) utility regulatory policy;
(E) modeling and analysis;
(F) facilitation and arbitration;
(G) energy assurance and emergency preparedness;
and
(H) cyber and physical security of energy systems.
(2) Duties.--Each individual assigned to carry out a
cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) report to a location in the applicable State,
Indian tribe, or region not later than 90 days after
the date of assignment;
(B) be responsible for issues and technical
assistance relating to the cooperative agreement;
(C) participate as part of the team of personnel
working on developing and implementing the applicable
regional energy strategy and plan; and
(D) build capacity within the State, Indian tribe,
or region to continue to implement the goals of this
Act after the expiration of the cooperative agreement.
(e) Comprehensive Framework.--Under a cooperative agreement, a
comprehensive framework shall be developed that identifies
opportunities and actions across various energy sectors and cross-
cutting issue areas, including--
(1) end-use efficiency;
(2) energy supply, including electric generation and fuels;
(3) energy storage and delivery;
(4) transportation;
(5) technical integration, including standards and
interdependencies;
(6) institutional structures;
(7) regulatory policies;
(8) financial incentives; and
(9) market mechanisms.
(f) Awards.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Application group.--The term ``application
group'' means a group of States or Indian tribes that
have--
(i) entered into a cooperative agreement,
on a regional basis, with the Secretaries under
subsection (c); and
(ii) submitted an application for an award
under paragraph (2)(A).
(B) Partner state.--The term ``partner State''
means a State or Indian tribe that is part of an
application group.
(2) Applications.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), an
application group may apply to the Secretaries for
awards under this subsection.
(B) Individual states.--An individual State or
Indian tribe that has entered into a cooperative
agreement with the Secretaries under subsection (c) may
apply to the Secretaries for an award under this
subsection if the State or Indian tribe demonstrates to
the Secretaries the uniqueness of the energy challenges
facing the State or Indian tribe.
(3) Base amount.--Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretaries
shall provide 6 awards under this subsection, with a base
amount of $20,000,000 for each award.
(4) Bonus amount for application groups.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Secretaries shall increase the amount of an award
provided under this subsection to an application group
for a successful application under paragraph (2)(A) by
the quotient obtained by dividing--
(i) the product obtained by multiplying--
(I) the number of partner States in
the application group; and
(II) $100,000,000; by
(ii) the total number of partner States of
all successful applications under this
subsection.
(B) Maximum amount.--The amount of a bonus
determined under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed an
amount that represents $5,000,000 for each partner
State that is a member of the relevant application
group.
(5) Limitation.--A State or Indian tribe shall not be part
of more than 1 award under this subsection.
(6) Selection criteria.--In selecting applications for
awards under this subsection, the Secretaries shall consider--
(A) existing commitments from States or Indian
tribes, such as memoranda of understanding;
(B) for States that are part of the contiguous 48
States, the number of contiguous States involved that
cover a region;
(C) the diversity of the regions represented by all
applications;
(D) the amount of cost-share or in-kind
contributions from States or Indian tribes;
(E) the scope and focus of regional and State
programs and strategies, with an emphasis on energy
system resiliency and grid modernization, efficiency,
and clean energy;
(F) a management and oversight plan to ensure that
objectives are met;
(G) an outreach plan for the inclusion of
stakeholders in the process for developing and
implementing State or regional energy strategies and
plans;
(H) the inclusion of tribal entities;
(I) plans to fund and sustain activities identified
in regional energy strategies and plans; and
(J) the clarity of roles and responsibilities of
each State and the Secretaries.
(7) Use of awards.--
(A) In general.--Awards provided under this
subsection shall be used to achieve the purpose of this
section, including by--
(i) conducting technical analyses, resource
studies, and energy system baselines;
(ii) convening and providing education to
stakeholders on emerging energy issues;
(iii) building decision support and
planning tools; and
(iv) improving communication between and
participation of stakeholders.
(B) Limitation.--Awards provided under this
subsection shall not be used for--
(i) capitalization of green banks or loan
guarantees; or
(ii) building facilities or funding capital
projects.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this Act $250,000,000, to remain available until expended.
(b) Allocation.--Of the amount authorized to be appropriated under
subsection (a)--
(1) $120,000,000 shall be used for the base amount of
awards under section 4(f)(3);
(2) $100,000,000 shall be used for the bonus amount of
awards under section 4(f)(4); and
(3) $30,000,000 shall be for the administration of this
Act, including--
(A) the assignment of staff under section 4(d); and
(B) if the Secretaries determine appropriate, the
sharing of best practices from regional partnerships by
parties to cooperative agreements entered into under
this Act.
(c) State Energy Offices.--Funds provided to a State under this Act
shall be provided to the office within the State that is responsible
for developing the State energy plan for the State under part D of
title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321 et
seq.).
(d) Maintenance of Funding.--The funding provided to States under
this Act shall supplement (and not supplant) funding provided under
part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42
U.S.C. 6321 et seq.).
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