Bill Summary
The proposed legislation amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reauthorize and enhance the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. Key changes include:
1. **Diversification of Energy Supplies**: The bill expands the program's purpose to actively promote the use of alternative fuels, thereby diversifying energy sources.
2. **Expanded Use of Funds**: It broadens the allowable uses of grant funds to include the deployment of technologies that improve energy efficiency and facilitate access to alternative fuels, such as distributed energy resources and district heating and cooling systems.
3. **Competitive Grants**: The bill specifies that projects aimed at increasing the use of alternative fuels will be eligible for competitive grants, encouraging innovation in this area.
4. **Increased Funding**: It authorizes $3.5 billion for each fiscal year from 2026 to 2030 to support the program, with a provision allowing up to 1% of this funding to be used for administrative costs.
5. **Technical Clarifications**: The bill includes minor technical amendments for clarity in the existing legislative text.
Overall, this legislation aims to strengthen federal support for energy efficiency initiatives and the transition to alternative fuels, addressing both energy security and environmental sustainability.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the proposed amendments to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 could affect people:
1. **Increased Availability of Alternative Fuels**: By promoting the use of alternative fuels, the legislation can lead to a broader range of energy options for consumers. This could reduce reliance on fossil fuels, potentially lowering energy costs and providing more environmentally friendly choices. For individuals, this means having access to cleaner energy sources for their vehicles and home heating, which could improve air quality and contribute to a healthier environment.
2. **Job Creation in Energy Efficiency Sector**: The authorization of significant funding ($3.5 billion annually from 2026 to 2030) for energy efficiency and conservation projects may lead to job creation in various sectors. Workers may find new employment opportunities in areas such as renewable energy technology, infrastructure development for alternative fuels, and energy efficiency consulting. This could provide economic benefits to communities, especially those looking for new job opportunities in a transitioning energy landscape.
3. **Enhanced Energy Infrastructure**: The focus on deploying energy distribution technologies, such as district heating and cooling systems and infrastructure for alternative fuels, can lead to improved energy access and reliability. For households, this could mean more efficient heating and cooling systems that lower utility bills. It could also help underserved communities gain better access to energy resources, potentially reducing energy poverty and increasing overall quality of life.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4308 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4308
To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to
reauthorize the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 10, 2025
Mr. Stanton (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Veasey, and Mr. Van
Drew) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to
reauthorize the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Purpose.--Section 542(b)(1) of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17152(b)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the semicolon and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) diversifies energy supplies, including by
facilitating and promoting the use of alternative
fuels;''.
(b) Use of Funds.--Section 544(9) of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17154(9)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(9) deployment of energy distribution technologies that
significantly increase energy efficiency or expand access to
alternative fuels, including--
``(A) distributed resources;
``(B) district heating and cooling systems; and
``(C) infrastructure for delivering alternative
fuels;''.
(c) Competitive Grants.--Section 546(c)(2) of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17156(c)(2)) is
amended by inserting ``, including projects to expand the use of
alternative fuels'' before the period at the end.
(d) Funding.--Section 548(a) of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17158(a)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) Grants.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary to carry out the program $3,500,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
``(2) Administrative costs.--The Secretary may use for
administrative expenses of the program not more than 1 percent
of the amounts made available under paragraph (1) in each of
fiscal years 2026 through 2030.''.
(e) Technical Amendments.--Section 543 of the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17153) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c), by striking ``subsection (a)(2)''
and inserting ``subsection (a)(3)''; and
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``subsection (a)(3)''
and inserting ``subsection (a)(4)''.
<all>