View all text of Part A [§ 16191 - § 16198]
§ 16197. Advanced Energy Technology Transfer Centers
(a) GrantsNot later than 18 months after May 8, 2008, the Secretary shall make grants to nonprofit institutions, State and local governments, cooperative extension services, or institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof), to establish a geographically dispersed network of Advanced Energy Technology Transfer Centers, to be located in areas the Secretary determines have the greatest need of the services of such Centers. In making awards under this section, the Secretary shall—
(1) give priority to applicants already operating or partnered with an outreach program capable of transferring knowledge and information about advanced energy efficiency methods and technologies;
(2) ensure that, to the extent practicable, the program enables the transfer of knowledge and information—
(A) about a variety of technologies; and
(B) in a variety of geographic areas;
(3) give preference to applicants that would significantly expand on or fill a gap in existing programs in a geographical region; and
(4) consider the special needs and opportunities for increased energy efficiency for manufactured and site-built housing, including construction, renovation, and retrofit.
(b) ActivitiesEach Center shall 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 to other individuals and organizations with an interest in efficient energy use. Funds awarded under this section may be used for the following activities:
(1) Developing and distributing informational materials on technologies that could use energy more efficiently.
(2) Carrying out demonstrations of advanced energy methods and technologies.
(3) Developing and conducting seminars, workshops, long-distance learning sessions, and other activities to aid in the dissemination of knowledge and information on technologies that could use energy more efficiently.
(4) Providing or coordinating onsite energy evaluations, including instruction on the commissioning of building heating and cooling systems, for a wide range of energy end-users.
(5) Examining the energy efficiency needs of energy end-users to develop recommended research projects for the Department.
(6) Hiring experts in energy efficient technologies to carry out activities described in paragraphs (1) through (5).
(c) ApplicationA person seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form and containing such information as the Secretary may require. The Secretary may award a grant under this section to an entity already in existence if the entity is otherwise eligible under this section. The application shall include, at a minimum—
(1) a description of the applicant’s outreach program, and the geographic region it would serve, and of why the program would be capable of transferring knowledge and information about advanced energy technologies that increase efficiency of energy use;
(2) a description of the activities the applicant would carry out, of the technologies that would be transferred, and of any other organizations that will help facilitate a regional approach to carrying out those activities;
(3) a description of how the proposed activities would be appropriate to the specific energy needs of the geographic region to be served;
(4) an estimate of the number and types of energy end-users expected to be reached through such activities; and
(5) a description of how the applicant will assess the success of the program.
(d) Selection criteriaThe Secretary shall award grants under this section on the basis of the following criteria, at a minimum:
(1) The ability of the applicant to carry out the proposed activities.
(2) The extent to which the applicant will coordinate the activities of the Center with other entities as appropriate, such as State and local governments, utilities, institutions of higher education, and National Laboratories.
(3) The appropriateness of the applicant’s outreach program for carrying out the program described in this section.
(4) The likelihood that proposed activities could be expanded or used as a model for other areas.
(e) Cost-sharing
(f) Duration
(1) Initial grant period
(2) Initial evaluation
(3) Additional extension
(4) Limitation
(g) Prohibition
(h) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section:
(1) Advanced energy methods and technologies
(2) Center
(3) Distributed generation
(4) Cooperative Extension
(5) Land-grant colleges and universitiesThe term “land-grant colleges and universities” means—
(A) 1862 Institutions (as defined in section 7601 of title 7);
(B) 1890 Institutions (as defined in section 7601 of title 7); and
(C) 1994 Institutions (as defined in section 7601 of title 7).
(i) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 917, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 863; Pub. L. 110–229, title VI, § 601, May 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 850.)