Smart energy and water efficiency pilot program

Source Credit

(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Eligible entity
The term "eligible entity" means—
(A) a utility;
(B) a municipality;
(C) a water district;
(D) an Indian Tribe or Alaska Native village; and
(E) any other authority that provides water, wastewater, or water reuse services.
(2) Smart energy and water efficiency pilot program
The term "smart energy and water efficiency pilot program" or "pilot program" means the pilot program established under subsection (b).
(b) Smart energy and water efficiency pilot program
(1) In general
The Secretary shall establish and carry out a smart energy and water efficiency pilot program in accordance with this section.
(2) Purpose
The purpose of the smart energy and water efficiency pilot program is to award grants to eligible entities to demonstrate unique, advanced, or innovative technology-based solutions that will—
(A) improve the net energy balance of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems;
(B) improve the net energy balance of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems to help communities across the United States make measurable progress in conserving water, saving energy, and reducing costs;
(C) support the implementation of innovative and unique processes and the installation of established advanced automated systems that provide real-time data on energy and water; and
(D) improve energy-water conservation and quality and predictive maintenance through technologies that utilize internet connected technologies, including sensors, intelligent gateways, and security embedded in hardware.
(3) Project selection
(A) In general
The Secretary shall make competitive, merit-reviewed grants under the pilot program to not less than 3, but not more than 5, eligible entities.
(B) Selection criteria
In selecting an eligible entity to receive a grant under the pilot program, the Secretary shall consider—
(i) energy and cost savings;
(ii) the uniqueness, commercial viability, and reliability of the technology to be used;
(iii) the degree to which the project integrates next-generation sensors software, analytics, and management tools;
(iv) the anticipated cost-effectiveness of the pilot project through measurable energy savings, water savings or reuse, and infrastructure costs averted;
(v) whether the technology can be deployed in a variety of geographic regions and the degree to which the technology can be implemented in a wide range of applications ranging in scale from small towns to large cities, including Tribal communities;
(vi) whether the technology has been successfully deployed elsewhere;
(vii) whether the technology was sourced from a manufacturer based in the United States; and
(viii) whether the project will be completed in 5 years or less.
(C) Applications
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), an eligible entity seeking a grant under the pilot program shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be necessary.
(ii) Contents
An application under clause (i) shall, at a minimum, include—
(I) a description of the project;
(II) a description of the technology to be used in the project;
(III) the anticipated results, including energy and water savings, of the project;
(IV) a comprehensive budget for the project;
(V) the names of the project lead organization and any partners;
(VI) the number of users to be served by the project;
(VII) a description of the ways in which the proposal would meet performance measures established by the Secretary; and
(VIII) any other information that the Secretary determines to be necessary to complete the review and selection of a grant recipient.
(4) Administration
(A) In general
Not later than 1 year after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall select grant recipients under this section.
(B) Evaluations
(i) Annual evaluations
The Secretary shall annually carry out an evaluation of each project for which a grant is provided under this section that meets performance measures and benchmarks developed by the Secretary, consistent with the purposes of this section.
(ii) Requirements
Consistent with the performance measures and benchmarks developed under clause (i), in carrying out an evaluation under that clause, the Secretary shall—
(I) evaluate the progress and impact of the project; and
(II) assess the degree to which the project is meeting the goals of the pilot program.
(C) Technical and policy assistance
On the request of a grant recipient, the Secretary shall provide technical and policy assistance.
(D) Best practices
The Secretary shall make available to the public through the Internet and other means the Secretary considers to be appropriate—
(i) a copy of each evaluation carried out under subparagraph (B); and
(ii) a description of any best practices identified by the Secretary as a result of those evaluations.
(E) Report to Congress
The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of each evaluation carried out under subparagraph (B).
(c) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $15,000,000, to remain available until expended.

History

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §918, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title I, §1014(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2451.)