On Wednesday, April 20^th the Senate passed, by an overwhelmingly supportive 85-12 vote, S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act. S. 2012 is the Senate’s version of comprehensive energy legislation and includes four primary titles – Efficiency, Infrastructure, Supply and Accountability. The Efficiency title, Title I, contains provisions covering five main areas – buildings, appliances, manufacturing, vehicles and housing.  The next step in the legislative process involves reconciling S. 2012 with its House-approved counterpart, H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, in a conference committee to address any differences to produce a single comprehensive energy bill that can be passed and enacted into law.

Title I – Energy Efficiency

The following provisions were included under the Efficiency title of the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015.

Subtitle A - Buildings

Section 1001 – Greater energy efficiency in building codes

Amends Section 303 of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (ECPA) to add certain definitions, including one that explicitly states the International Energy Conservation Code’s role in the code development process. Amends Section 304 of ECPA to require that the Secretary of Energy encourage and support the adoption of building energy codes by States, local governments, or Indian tribes that meet or exceed model building energy codes. The amendment also improves compliance measures with building codes by establishing a better certification system and establishing a concrete standard for full compliance achievement. Amends Section 307 of ECPA to require that the Secretary of Energy support the updating of model building energy codes. The amended language requires the Secretary to account for the modernizing energy infrastructure in buildings such as efficiency gains enabled by appliance standards, renewables, or SmartGrid technologies when developing code targets.

Section 1002 – Budget-neutral demonstration program for energy and water conservation improvements at multi-family residential units

Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct a pilot project that demonstrates the use of budget-neutral, performance-based agreements for energy or water conservation improvements in residential units of multifamily buildings. Each program agreement will include a pay-for-success provision contingent on documented utility savings and will strive for the greatest feasible geographic diversity to include all types of regional environments.

Section 1003 – Coordination of energy retrofitting assistance for schools

Directs the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) to coordinate and disseminate information on existing Federal programs that may be used to help initiate, develop, and finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofitting projects for schools. It also establishes collaboration across federal departments and between local, state, and federal bodies to streamline communication about the resources and technical assistance available for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and retrofitting projects.

Section 1004 – Energy efficiency retrofit pilot program

Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a pilot program to award grants for the purpose of retrofitting nonprofit buildings with energy-efficiency improvements. Grants will be awarded on performance-based criteria such as energy savings achieved and cost effectiveness of the improvement. 

Section 1005 – Utility energy service contracts

Amends Section 546 of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA) to extend the maximum potential contract period of utility energy service contracts from 10 to 25 years. The amendment also mandates that energy service contracts under any Federal agency must include requirements for measurement, verification, and performance assurance.

Section 1006 – Use of energy and water efficiency measures in Federal buildings

Amends contracting authority and reporting in NECPA to encourage Federal agencies to enter into energy savings performance contracts and utility energy service contracts to implement energy and water conservation measures at Federal buildings. The provision allows Federal agencies to sell or transfer energy savings and apply the proceeds of such transactions to fund a contract. Also specifies that the term ‘federal building’ does not include a dam, reservoir, or hydropower facility owned or operated by a Federal agency.

Section 1007 – Building training and assessment centers

Directs the Secretary of Energy to provide grants to institutions of higher education and Tribal Colleges or Universities to establish building training and assessment centers. The centers will identify opportunities for optimizing energy efficiency and environmental performance in buildings; promote the application of emerging technologies; train engineers, architects, building scientists, and other officials in energy-efficient design and operation; assist universities in training building technicians; and promote research and development for the use of alternative energy sources and distributed generation in campus buildings.

Section 1008 – Career skills training

Directs the Secretary of Energy to provide grants to eligible non-profit entities for up to half the cost of career skills training programs that lead to students receiving industry-related certification to install energy efficient building technologies.

Section 1009 – Energy-efficient and energy-saving information technologies

Amends Section 543 of NECPA by adding a section that directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to collaborate with each Federal agency to develop an implementation strategy for the maintenance, purchase, and use of energy-efficient and energy-saving information technologies. The implementation strategy includes best-practices and measurement and verification techniques.

Section 1010 – Availability of funds for design updates

Amends Section 3307 of Title 40 of the U.S. Code to allow the Administrator of General Services to use appropriated funds to update the design of a building for which the design has been substantially completed, but on which construction has not begun, to meet applicable Federal building energy efficiency standards. Funds used cannot exceed 125 percent of the estimated energy or cost savings updates as determined by a life cycle cost analysis.

Section 1011 – Energy efficient data centers

Amends Section 453 of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 to update the Voluntary National Information Program. Requires the development of a metric for data center energy efficiency, and the Secretary of Energy and Director of OMB to maintain a data center energy practitioner program and open data initiative for Federal data center energy usage. The open data initiative will aim to make data accessible in a way that encourages data center innovation, optimization, and consolidation. Additionally, the Secretary of Energy is required to make efforts to harmonize global specifications and metrics for data center energy and water efficiency with the help of key stakeholders. A report must also be submitted by the Secretary in which analyses and evaluations are conducted concerning the impact of information technologies and cloud computing on the public and private sectors and the impact of cloud platforms, mobile devices, social media, and big data on data center energy usage.

Section 1012 – Weatherization Assistance Program

Amends Section 422 of ECPA to reauthorize the Weatherization Assistance Program. Amends Section 414 of ECPA to require the Secretary of Energy to provide competitive grants for eligible multi-state housing and energy nonprofit organizations with accredited contractors to conduct housing energy retrofits for low-income persons. The provision not only aims to expand the number of low-income, single-family and multi-family homes that receive energy retrofits, but it also endeavors to promote innovation and new models for retrofitting low-income homes.

Section 1013 – Reauthorization of State Energy Program

Amends Section 365(f) of Energy Policy Conservation Act (EPCA) to reauthorize the State Energy Program, which is a program run by the Department of Energy that provides funding and technical assistance to state and territory energy offices to help them advance their clean energy economy while contributing to national energy goals.

Section 1014 – Smart building acceleration

Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish the ‘Federal Smart Building Program’ to demonstrate the costs and benefits of implementing smart building technology. The program evaluates which advanced building technologies are the most cost effective, show the most promise for increasing building energy savings, increase service performance to building occupants, reduce environmental impacts, and establish cybersecurity. The provision also directs the Secretary, along with major private sector property owners, to develop smart building accelerators to demonstrate innovative policies for accelerating the transition to smart buildings as part of the Better Building Challenge.

Section 1015 – Repeal of fossil phase-out

Amends Section 305(a)(3) of ECPA to remove the requirement to phase out fossil fuel use in Federal buildings by 2030.

Section 1016 – Federal building energy efficiency performance standards

Amends Section 303 of ECPA to include major renovations. Amends Section 305(a)(3) of ECPA to require the Secretary of Energy to establish revised Federal building energy efficiency performance standards. Revised standards require that new Federal buildings or alterations to Federal buildings meet or exceed the most recent versions of the IECC or ASHRAE standards or the local/state standards if more stringent. Along with implementing other sustainable design technologies, water conservation technologies will also be applied and no less than 30 percent of the hot water demand for each new Federal building or renovated building shall be met through the installation of solar hot water heaters, if life cycle cost effective.

Section 1017 – Codification of Executive Order

Directs the head of each Federal agency to reduce their building energy intensity by 2.5 percent per year for fiscal years 2016 through 2025.

Section 1018 – Certification for green buildings

Amends Section 305 of ECPA to direct the Secretary of Energy to determine which certification systems for green commercial and residential buildings are the most likely to encourage a comprehensive and environmentally sound approach to the certification of green buildings. Performance measures shall be used in lieu of prescriptive measures whenever possible to allow for flexibility and environmental and health criteria based on risk assessment methodology shall be evaluated when determining a certification system. The Secretary of Energy is also required to conduct periodic review of Federal building energy standards every five years to ensure that energy efficiency technologies are kept reasonably updated.

Section 1019 – High performance green federal buildings

Amends Section 436(h) of EISA 2007 to require the Federal Director to identify and provide to the Secretary of Energy a list of certification systems most likely to encourage a comprehensive and environmentally sound approach to certification of green buildings. Any developer or administrator of a rating or certification system can be included in the review. The provision also adds that for all credits addressing grown, harvested, or mined materials, the system does not discriminate against the use of domestic products that have obtained certifications of responsible sourcing.

Section 1020 – Evaluation of potentially duplicative green building programs within Department of Energy

To require the evaluation of potentially duplicative green building programs within the Department of Energy. This would require the submittal of a report to Congress which outlines the purpose, annual expenditures, intended market and number of assigned employees for applicable programs and services. DOE is also required to submit a report that includes any recommendations for programs or services that should be eliminated or consolidated. 

Section 1021 – Study and report of energy savings benefits of operational efficiency programs and services

To require the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study and issue a report that quantifies the energy savings benefits of operational efficiency programs and services for commercial, institutional, industrial, and government entities. The report is required to include potential methodologies or protocols for utilities, utility regulators and Federal agencies to evaluate, measure and verify energy savings from operational efficiency programs and services.

Section 1022 – Use of Federal disaster relief and emergency assistance for energy-efficient products and structures

Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to allow a recipient of assistance relating to a major disaster or emergency to use the assistance to replace or repair a damaged product or structure with an energy-efficient product or energy-efficient structure. The section also outlines the requirements that must be met in order to use assistance funds in this manner.

Section 1023 - WaterSense

Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to create the WaterSense program. This program would be a voluntary program within the Environmental Protection Agency that is meant to identify and promote water-efficient products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes and services. These entities will sensibly reduce water use, reduce the strain on public water systems and wastewater systems, conserve energy, and preserve water resources for future generations. It also identifies the types of categories that will be included for consideration under this program. The section would also create a WaterSense label to identify water-efficient entities and enhance public awareness of the WaterSense label through outreach and education. There are further stipulations regarding the preservation of the integrity of the WaterSense label and transparency on the impact of WaterSense labeled products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes and services.

Subtitle B - Appliances

Section 1101 – Extended product system rebate program

Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a rebate program to encourage the replacement of energy inefficient electric motors with qualified extended product systems, or product systems that include an electric motor, an electronic control, and technology that reduces the input energy required to operate the system by no less than 5 percent.

Section 1102 – Energy efficient transformer rebate program

Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a rebate program to encourage the replacement of energy inefficient transformers with transformers that meet or exceed the applicable energy conservation standards listed in the respective Code of Federal Regulations.

Section 1103 – Standards for certain furnaces

Amends Section 325(f)(4) of EPCA to add a process to determine if a nationwide requirement for a condensing furnace efficiency standard is technically feasible and economically justified. The advisor group conducting evaluations is organized by the Secretary of Energy and includes a diverse group of interested stakeholders, manufacturers, distributors, home builders, energy efficiency advocates, natural gas and electric utilities, and others to ensure a broad range of opinions and perspectives in determining if a nationwide standard is practical. The group is to analyze current market trends regarding the transition of sales from non-condensing to condensing furnaces, the projected net loss in the industry of the value of equipment manufactured after the adoption of a standard, the projected consumer payback period and life cycle cost savings with the adoption of a standard, and a determination of whether the standard is economically justified.

Section 1104 – Third-party certification under Energy Star program

Amends Section 324A of EPCA by directing the Administrator to revise the certification requirements for Energy Star program partners that have complied with all program requirements for at least 18 months. An exemption from third-party certification will terminate if the program partner is found to have violated program requirements with at least two separate models for two years or more.

Section 1105 – Energy conservation standards for commercial refrigeration equipment

Postpones the implementation of new DOE energy efficiency standards for specific types of commercial refrigerators that conflict with new regulations from EPA that phase out the use of certain refrigerants. The implementation would be delayed until January 1, 2020 to allow affected manufacturers time to redesign their refrigerators to meet requirements from both agencies.

Section 1106 – Voluntary verification programs for air conditioning, furnace, boiler, heat pump, and water heater products

As it relates to the verification of compliance with energy conservation standards and Energy Star specifications, the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall rely on testing conducted by voluntary verification programs that meet eligible criteria.

Section 1107 – Application of energy conservation standards to certain external power supplies

This section would update the definition of an external power supply from the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to exclude a power supply circuit, driver or device that is designed exclusively to power LEDs and OLEDs.

Subtitle C - Manufacturing

Section 1201 – Manufacturing energy efficiency

Amends Section 452 of EISA 2007 to add the ‘Future of Industry Program’ and ‘Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative.’ These programs will streamline Federal manufacturing efforts by directing Industrial Assessment Centers to coordinate with other Federal manufacturing programs, National Laboratories, and energy service and technology providers, and directing DOE’s Office of EERE to provide onsite technical assessments to manufacturers seeking efficiency opportunities. Through these programs the Department of Energy aims to reform its industrial efficiency programs, accelerate the deployment of technologies and practices that will increase industrial productivity, increase manufacturing efficiency, stimulate domestic economic growth, and strengthen partnerships between Federal and State government agencies and the private and academic sectors.

Section 1202 – Leveraging existing Federal agency programs to assist small and medium manufacturers

Directs the Secretary of Energy to expand the scope of technologies covered by the Industrial Assessment Centers of the Department to include smart manufacturing technologies and practices and equip the Centers’ Directors with the tools and training to provide technical assistance in smart manufacturing to manufacturers, including energy efficiency improvements, waste minimization, pollution prevention, and productivity improvement.

Section 1203 – Leveraging smart manufacturing infrastructure at National Laboratories

Directs the Secretary of Energy to study and then implement ways for small and medium manufacturers to access the high-performance computing facilities at National Laboratories.

Subtitle D - Vehicles

Section 1301 – Short title

Gives the subtitle a name, the Vehicle Innovation Act of 2015.

Section 1302 - Objectives

Outlines the objectives of the subtitle to be: establish a consolidated authority for the vehicle technology program at DOE; develop U.S. technologies that improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and reduce vehicle reliance on petroleum-based fuels; support domestic research and development of advanced vehicles, engines, and components; enable vehicles to move larger volumes of goods and more passengers with less energy and emissions; develop cost-effective advanced technologies for wide-scale utilization; allow for greater consumer choice of vehicle technologies and fuels; shorten technology development and integration cycles in the vehicle industry; ensure proper diversity and balance of Federal investment in vehicle technologies; strengthen partnerships between Federal and State governmental agencies and the private and academic sectors.

Section 1303 – Coordination and non-duplication

The Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the activities included within this subtitle do not duplicate existing programs within DOE or other agencies and departments.

Section 1304 – Authorization of appropriations

Authorizes the following amounts to carry out the objectives of this subtitle:

For FY 2016: $313,567,000

For FY 2017: $326,109,000

For FY 2018: $339,154,000

For FY 2019: $352,720,000

For FY 2020: $366,829,000

Section 1305 - Reporting

Requires DOE to submit to Congress two reports. The first, which must be submitted with 18 months of the enactment of this bill and annually thereafter, must include details on the technologies developed under the activities of this subtitle, which ones were successfully adopted for commercial applications and if any products relying on those technologies are being manufactured within the U.S. The second report, which must be submitted at the end of each fiscal year, must include a description of the activities undertaken in the previous year, active industry participants, the statues of public-private partnerships, progress of the program in meeting goals and timelines, and a strategic plan for funding of activities across agencies.

Part I – Vehicle Research and Development

Section 1306 - Program

Authorizes a program of basic and applied research, development, engineering, demonstration and commercial application activities for materials, technologies, and processes that could reduce petroleum use in passenger and commercial vehicles. Identified areas of interest include electrification of vehicle systems, batteries, waste heat recovery, hydrogen vehicle technologies, aerodynamics, and use of recycled materials, among many others.

Section 1307 - Manufacturing

DOE is directed to carry out a research, development, engineering, demonstration, and commercial application program of advanced vehicle manufacturing technologies and practices. These innovative processes include areas such as increasing production rate and decreasing cost of batteries and fuel cells, reducing waste streams and energy intensity of manufacturing processes, improving the recyclability of batteries, and improve calendar life and cycle life of advanced batteries, among others.

Part II – Medium- and Heavy-duty Commercial and Transit Vehicles

Section 1308 - Program

DOE, in partnership with relevant research and development programs in other Federal agencies and a range of appropriate industry stakeholders shall carry out a program of cooperative research, development, demonstration and commercial application activities on advanced technologies for medium- to heavy-duty commercial, vocational, recreational and transit vehicles. Areas include: energy efficiency, onboard storage technologies for compressed or liquid natural gas, waste heat recovery and conversion, friction and wear reduction, recharging infrastructure, advanced materials, hydrogen vehicle technologies, and drivetrain optimization, among others.

Section 1309 – Class 8 truck and trailer systems demonstration

DOE shall conduct a competitive grant program to demonstrate the integration of multiple advanced technologies on Class 8 truck and trailer platforms, including a combination of technologies listed in the previous section. The section also describes who can participate in the grant program.

Section 1310 – Technology testing and metrics

DOE shall develop standard testing procedures and technologies for evaluation the performance of advanced heavy vehicle technologies and shall evaluate heavy vehicle performance using work performance-based metrics other than those based on miles per gallon. Allows for DOE to construct heavy duty truck and bus testing facilities.

Section 1311 – Non-road systems pilot program

DOE shall undertake a pilot program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial applications of technologies to improve total machine or system efficiency for non-road mobile equipment including agricultural, construction, air, and seaport equipment.

Part III - Administration

Section 1312 – Repeal of existing authorities

Repeals Sections 706, 711, 712 and 933 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Also amends Section 911 of that bill.

Subtitle E – Short Title

Section 1401 – Short title

Gives this title of the Energy Policy Modernization Act the short title of the “Portman-Shaheen Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2016.”

Subtitle F – Housing

Section 1501 – Definitions

Defines the following terms for the purpose of this subtitle: covered loan, homeowner and mortgagee.

Section 1502 – Enhanced energy efficiency underwriting criteria

Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop and issue guidelines for the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to implement enhanced loan eligibility requirements, for use when testing the ability of a loan applicant to repay a covered loan, that account for the expected energy cost savings for a loan applicant at a subject property. The section goes on to further outline using energy cost savings as an offset, the types of energy costs to be considered, the completion of an energy efficiency report and the pricing of loans. It also identified prohibited actions. The enhanced loan eligibility requirements required under this section must be implemented by FHA within 3 years of enactment (and before December 31, 2019).

Section 1503 – Enhanced energy efficiency underwriting valuation guidelines

The Secretary of HUD, in consultation with several identified groups, shall issue guidelines for the FHA to determine the maximum permitted loan amount based on the value of the property for all covered loans made on properties with an energy efficiency report that meets the requirements of the previous section. It also outlines that energy savings will be calculated by finding the difference in estimated energy costs between the property in question and the average energy costs of comparable properties. The section also addresses issues of duration, present value and the consideration of energy efficient features. Also included is the authority to impose limitations and conditions to protect against the under/overvaluation of energy cost savings or duplicative counting of energy efficient features. The guidelines required under this section must be implemented by FHA within 3 years of enactment (and before December 31, 2019).

Section 1504 – Monitoring

Not later than 1 year after the enhanced underwriting valuation requirements of this subtitle are implemented, FHA is required to make available, on an annual basis, a public report including the number of covered loans of the FHA for which there was an energy efficiency report used in the appraisal process, the default rates and rates of foreclosure, and the risk premium, if any, FHA has priced into the covered loans.

Section 1505 - Rulemaking

This section states that HUD is not authorized to require any homeowner or other party to provide energy efficiency reports, energy efficiency labels or other disclosures to FHA or to a mortgagee. It also outlines the creation of an advisory group, made up of individuals representing the interests of: mortgage lenders, appraisers, energy raters, energy efficiency organizations, real estate agents, home builders, consumer advocates, state energy officials and any others determined by HUD. The purpose of this advisory group is to assist HUD in the development and implementation of the provisions outlined in this subtitle.

Section 1506 – Additional study

Not later than 18 months after the enactment of this Act, HUD shall reconvene the advisory group to advise HUD on the implementation of these underwriting criteria. The advisory group shall provide recommendations on any revisions or additions. HUD will forward any legislative recommendations from the advisory group to Congress.

Title IV – Accountability

Subtitle B – Energy-Water Nexus

Section 4101 – Nexus of energy and water for sustainability

Directs DOE and the Department of the Interior (DOI) to establish an Interagency Coordination Committee to identify all relevant energy-water nexus activities across the federal government; enhance the coordination of research and development activities among agencies; gather and disseminate data to enable better practices; explore relevant public-private collaboration; issue a report on the feasibility of establishing an energy-water center of excellence at the National Laboratories, and develop a research and development plan for energy-water nexus related programs. It also directs DOE and DOI to establish the Nexus of Energy and Water Sustainability (NEWS) office to provide leadership and administrative support functions for the Interagency Coordination Committee.

Section 4102: Smart energy and water efficiency pilot program

Amends title IX of EPACT 2005 to establish a Smart Energy and Water Efficiency Pilot Program at DOE to provide grants to eligible utilities, municipalities, water districts as well as Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages. Will award grants who demonstrate solutions that will increase energy efficiency of water, wastewater and reuse systems and establish advanced systems to provide real-time consumption data, among others.