[BLDG-SIM] HR6203

[Jason Glazer]

The USA subscribers might be interested in a bill passed by 
voice vote in the House last week. HR 6203 would provides a 
"ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING GRANT PROGRAM" which can include 
"Grants ... for up to 50 percent of design and energy 
modeling costs, not to exceed $50,000 per building."  The 
text of the bill is below. It still needs to get approved 
by the Senate and the President and I have no idea if that 
is likely or unlikely.

Jason

-------------------------------------


SEC. 10. ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING GRANT PROGRAM.

      (a) Energy Efficient Building Pilot Grant Program-

            (1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 6 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
establish a pilot program to award grants to businesses and 
organizations for new construction of energy efficient 
buildings, or major renovations of buildings that will 
result in energy efficient buildings, to demonstrate 
innovative energy efficiency technologies, especially those 
sponsored by the Department.

            (2) AWARDS- The Secretary shall award grants 
under this subsection competitively to those applicants 
whose proposals--

                  (A) best demonstrate--

                        (i) likelihood to meet or exceed 
the standards referred to in subsection (b)(2);

                        (ii) likelihood to maximize cost-
effective energy efficiency opportunities; and

                        (iii) advanced energy efficiency 
technologies; and

                  (B) maximize the leverage of private 
investment for costs related to increasing the energy 
efficiency of the building.

            (3) CONSIDERATION- The Secretary shall give due 
consideration to proposals for buildings that are likely to 
serve low and moderate income populations.

            (4) AMOUNT OF GRANTS- Grants under this 
subsection shall be for up to 50 percent of design and 
energy modeling costs, not to exceed $50,000 per building. 
No single grantee may be eligible for more than 3 grants 
per year under this program.

            (5) GRANT PAYMENTS-

                  (A) INITIAL PAYMENT- The Secretary shall 
pay 50 percent of the total amount of the grant to grant 
recipients upon selection.

                  (B) REMAINDER OF PAYMENT- The Secretary 
shall pay the remaining 50 percent of the grant only after 
independent certification, by a professional engineer or 
other qualified professional, that operational buildings 
are energy efficient buildings as defined in subsection 
(b).

                  (C) FAILURE TO COMPLY- The Secretary 
shall not provide the remainder of the payment unless the 
building is certified within 6 months after operation of 
the completed building to meet the requirements described 
in subparagraph (B), or in the case of major renovations 
the building is certified within 6 months of the completion 
of the renovations.

            (6) REPORT TO CONGRESS- Not later than 3 years 
after awarding the first grant under this subsection, the 
Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report containing--

                  (A) the total number and dollar amount of 
grants awarded under this subsection; and

                  (B) an estimate of aggregate cost and 
energy savings enabled by the pilot program under this 
subsection.

            (7) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES- Administrative 
expenses for the program under this subsection shall not 
exceed 10 percent of appropriated funds.

      (b) Definition of Energy Efficient Building- For 
purposes of this section the term `energy efficient 
building' means a building that--

            (1) achieves a reduction in energy consumption 
of--

                  (A) at least 30 percent for new 
construction, compared to the energy standards set by the 
2004 International Energy Conservation Code (in the case of 
residential buildings) or ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004; or

                  (B) at least 20 percent for major 
renovations, compared to energy consumption before 
renovations are begun;

            (2) is constructed or renovated in accordance 
with the most current, appropriate, and applicable 
voluntary consensus standards, as determined by the 
Secretary, such as those listed in the assessment under 
section 914(b), or revised or developed under section 
914(c), of the Energy Policy Act of 2005; and

            (3) after construction or renovation--

                  (A) uses heating, ventilating, and air 
conditioning systems that perform at no less than Energy 
Star standards; or

                  (B) if Energy Star standards are not 
applicable, uses Federal Energy Management Program 
recommended heating, ventilating, and air conditioning 
products.

      (c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for carrying 
out this section--

            (1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and

            (2) such sums as may be necessary for each of 
the fiscal years 2009 through 2011.
=========================================================
Jason Glazer, P.E.  jglazer AT gard DOT com  847 698 5686
GARD Analytics - http://www.gard.com/
1028 Busse Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068
Building Energy Simulation and Analysis
Admin of BLDG-SIM list for building simulation users




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