Bill
Bill > S893
summary
Introduced
03/26/2015
03/26/2015
In Committee
03/26/2015
03/26/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017
01/03/2017
Introduced Session
114th Congress
Bill Summary
EPIC Act of 2015 Energy Productivity Innovation Challenge Act of 2015 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a voluntary electric and thermal energy productivity challenge grant program for providing support to states for: advancing industrial energy efficiency, waste heat recovery, combined heat and power, and waste heat-to-power utilization; advancing energy efficiency construction and retrofits for commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, and residential buildings; expanding residential policies and programs designed to implement best practice policies and tools for residential retrofit programs that reduce administrative and delivery costs for energy efficiency projects, encourage streamlining and automation to support contractor engagement, and implement systems that encourage private investment and market innovation; establishing or expanding incentives in the electric utility sector to enhance demand response and energy efficiency; and promoting state activities involving both facilities and vehicle fleets than can be a model for other action to promote energy efficiency. DOE must: (1) provide subsequent grants for activities to assist energy policy innovation in the states and to promote the goal of doubling electric and thermal energy productivity by January 1, 2030, and (2) invite Indian tribes to participate in the productivity challenge grant program. As an offset to the cost of this bill, the bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reduce the authorized amount of appropriations for FY2016-FY2017 for the Zero Net Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative.
AI Summary
This bill, the Energy Productivity Innovation Challenge Act of 2015 (EPIC Act), directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a voluntary grant program to help states and Indian tribes improve their energy productivity, which is defined as the gross state or tribal product per unit of energy consumed. The program aims to double electric and thermal energy productivity by January 1, 2030, by supporting initiatives such as advancing industrial energy efficiency, waste heat recovery, combined heat and power (CHP) systems (which generate electricity and useful heat simultaneously), and waste heat-to-power technologies. It also encourages energy efficiency in commercial and residential buildings through construction and retrofits, and promotes residential retrofit programs that reduce costs and encourage private investment. Additionally, the bill incentivizes electric utilities to improve demand response (how consumers adjust their electricity usage) and energy efficiency, and supports states in creating model programs for facilities and vehicle fleets. The bill authorizes $100 million for fiscal years 2016 and 2017, with funds allocated for initial and subsequent grants to states, grants to Indian tribes, and administrative costs. As a cost offset, it reduces previously authorized funding for the Zero Net Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. (on 04/30/2015)
Official Document
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