Bill > S888

This bill, known as the PREPARE Act (Promoting Regional Energy Partnerships for Advancing Resilient Energy Systems Act), aims to strengthen energy systems by fostering collaboration between federal and state entities. It directs the Secretaries of Energy and the Interior to provide technical assistance to governmental bodies, Indian tribes, and various organizations to help them develop energy strategies that align with national, regional, and state energy goals. The bill establishes a framework for "cooperative agreements" where the federal government partners with states and Indian tribes to address unique energy challenges, focusing on areas like energy efficiency, clean energy, supply diversity, and system resilience. It also includes an awards program to incentivize these partnerships, with specific funding allocated for base awards and bonus amounts for regional groups, and sets aside funds for administrative purposes and sharing best practices. The legislation emphasizes that federal funding is intended to supplement, not replace, existing state energy programs.