Bill > S1275

This bill, titled the Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act, establishes a Financing Energy Efficient Manufacturing Program within the Department of Energy to provide financial assistance to manufacturing and industrial facilities. The program aims to encourage the widespread adoption of energy efficiency and onsite renewable energy technologies by offering financial products and programs with favorable terms to reduce upfront costs for businesses. This includes providing credit support, credit enhancement, and secondary market access to those offering financing for energy efficiency measures, onsite clean and renewable energy systems, smart grid systems, and alternative vehicle fleets. The bill defines a "covered program" as one that finances energy efficiency retrofits, onsite clean and renewable energy, smart grid, and alternative vehicle fleet projects for industrial businesses, and designates the Secretary of Energy as the administrator. States can apply for grants from the Secretary to establish or expand these covered programs, with applications evaluated based on their likelihood of success, potential for increased investment and energy savings, and cooperation with lenders and financiers. The bill also mandates that laborers and mechanics employed on funded projects be paid prevailing wages as determined by the Secretary of Labor, a requirement commonly known as Davis-Bacon compliance. States receiving grants must submit reports on program performance and data collected, which the Department of Energy will incorporate into its databases. Finally, the bill authorizes $250,000,000 to carry out its provisions, with funds to be provided to State energy offices responsible for developing State energy plans.