Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007/Title IV/Subtitle A

by United States Congress

Subtitle A—Residential Building Efficiency

SEC. 411. REAUTHORIZATION OF WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

(a) In General—

Section 422 of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6872) is amended by striking `appropriated $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $600,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, and $700,000,000 for fiscal year 2008' and inserting `appropriated—

`(1) $750,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;

`(2) $900,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;

`(3) $1,050,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;

`(4) $1,200,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and

`(5) $1,400,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.'.

(b) Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers Grants-

(1) IN GENERAL—

The Secretary may make funding available to local weatherization agencies from amounts authorized under the amendment made by subsection (a) to expand the weatherization assistance program for residential buildings to include materials, benefits, and renewable and domestic energy technologies not covered by the program (as of the date of enactment of this Act), if the State weatherization grantee certifies that the applicant has the capacity to carry out the proposed activities and that the grantee will include the project in the financial oversight of the grantee of the weatherization assistance program.

(2) PRIORITY—

In selecting grant recipients under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to—

(A) the expected effectiveness and benefits of the proposed project to low- and moderate-income energy consumers;

(B) the potential for replication of successful results;

(C) the impact on the health and safety and energy costs of consumers served; and

(D) the extent of partnerships with other public and private entities that contribute to the resources and implementation of the program, including financial partnerships.

(3) FUNDING-

(A) IN GENERAL—

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amount of funds used for projects described in paragraph (1) may equal up to 2 percent of the amount of funds made available for any fiscal year under section 422 of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6872).

(B) EXCEPTION—

No funds may be used for sustainable energy resources for consumers grants for a fiscal year under this subsection if the amount of funds made available for the fiscal year to carry out the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons established under part A of title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6861 et seq.) is less than $275,000,000.

(c) Definition of State—

Section 412 of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6862) is amended by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the following:

`(8) STATE- The term `State' means—

`(A) a State;

`(B) the District of Columbia;

`(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and

`(D) any other territory or possession of the United States.'.

SEC. 412. STUDY OF RENEWABLE ENERGY REBATE PROGRAMS.

(a) In General—

Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct, and submit to Congress a report on, a study regarding the rebate programs established under sections 124 and 206(c) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15821, 15853).

(b) Components—

In conducting the study, the Secretary shall—

(1) develop a plan for how the rebate programs would be carried out if the programs were funded; and

(2) determine the minimum amount of funding the program would need to receive in order to accomplish the goals of the programs.

SEC. 413. ENERGY CODE IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO MANUFACTURED HOUSING.

(a) Establishment of Standards-

(1) IN GENERAL—

Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall by regulation establish standards for energy efficiency in manufactured housing.

(2) NOTICE, COMMENT, AND CONSULTATION—

Standards described in paragraph (1) shall be established after—

(A) notice and an opportunity for comment by manufacturers of manufactured housing and other interested parties; and

(B) consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, who may seek further counsel from the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee.

(b) Requirements-

(1) INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE—

The energy conservation standards established under this section shall be based on the most recent version of the International Energy Conservation Code (including supplements), except in cases in which the Secretary finds that the code is not cost-effective, or a more stringent standard would be more cost-effective, based on the impact of the code on the purchase price of manufactured housing and on total life-cycle construction and operating costs.

(2) CONSIDERATIONS—

The energy conservation standards established under this section may—

(A) take into consideration the design and factory construction techniques of manufactured homes;

(B) be based on the climate zones established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development rather than the climate zones under the International Energy Conservation Code; and

(C) provide for alternative practices that result in net estimated energy consumption equal to or less than the specified standards.

(3) UPDATING—

The energy conservation standards established under this section shall be updated not later than—

(A) 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act; and

(B) 1 year after any revision to the International Energy Conservation Code.

(c) Enforcement—

Any manufacturer of manufactured housing that violates a provision of the regulations under subsection (a) is liable to the United States for a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding 1 percent of the manufacturer's retail list price of the manufactured housing.