Final Stimulus Language - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy'

For an additional amount for `Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy', $16,800,000,000: Provided, That

• $3,200,000,000 shall be available for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants for implementation of programs authorized under subtitle E of title V of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17151 et seq.), of which $2,800,000,000 is available through the formula in subtitle E: Provided further,
• That the Secretary may use the most recent and accurate population data available to satisfy the requirements of section 543(b) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007:
• Provided further, That the remaining $400,000,000 shall be awarded on a competitive basis:
• Provided further, That $5,000,000,000 shall be for the Weatherization Assistance Program under part A of title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6861 et seq.):
• Provided further, That $3,100,000,000 shall be for the State Energy Program authorized under part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321):
• Provided further, That $2,000,000,000 shall be available for grants for the manufacturing of advanced batteries and components and the Secretary shall provide facility funding awards under this section to manufacturers of advanced battery systems and vehicle batteries that are produced in the United States, including :

advanced lithium ion batteries,

hybrid electrical systems,

component manufacturers,

and software designers:

• Provided further, That notwithstanding section 3304 of title 5, United States Code, and without regard to the provisions of sections 3309 through 3318 of such title 5, the Secretary of Energy, upon a determination that there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for particular positions, may from within the funds provided, recruit and directly appoint highly qualified individuals into the competitive service:
• Provided further, That such authority shall not apply to positions in the Excepted Service or the Senior Executive Service: Provided further, That any action authorized herein shall be consistent with the merit principles of section 2301 of such title 5, and the Department shall comply with the public notice requirements of section 3327 of such title 5.
  

Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability

For an additional amount for `Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability,' $4,500,000,000:

• Provided, That funds shall be available for expenses necessary for electricity delivery and energy reliability activities to modernize the electric grid, to include

demand responsive equipment,

enhance security and reliability of the energy infrastructure,

energy storage research, development, demonstration and deployment,

and facilitate recovery from disruptions to the energy supply,

and for implementation of programs authorized under title XIII of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17381 et seq.):

• Provided further, That $100,000,000 shall be available for worker training activities: Provided further, That notwithstanding section 3304 of title 5, United States Code, and without regard to the provisions of sections 3309 through 3318 of such title 5, the Secretary of Energy, upon a determination that there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for particular positions, may from within the funds provided, recruit and directly appoint highly qualified individuals into the competitive service:
• Provided further, That such authority shall not apply to positions in the Excepted Service or the Senior Executive Service:
• Provided further, That any action authorized herein shall be consistent with the merit principles of section 2301 of such title 5, and the Department shall comply with the public notice requirements of section 3327 of such title 5:
• Provided further, That for the purpose of facilitating the development of regional transmission plans, the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability within the Department of Energy is provided $80,000,000 within the available funds to conduct a resource assessment and an analysis of future demand and transmission requirements after consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission:
• Provided further, That the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability in coordination with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will provide technical assistance to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the regional reliability entities, the States, and other transmission owners and operators for the formation of interconnection-based transmission plans for the Eastern and Western Interconnections and ERCOT:
• Provided further, That such assistance may include modeling support to regions and States for the development of coordinated State electricity policies, programs, laws, and regulations:
• Provided further, That $10,000,000 is provided to implement section 1305 of Public Law 110-140:
• Provided further, That the Secretary of Energy may use or transfer amounts provided under this heading to carry out new authority for transmission improvements, if such authority is enacted in any subsequent Act, consistent with existing fiscal management practices and procedures.

Source: Library of Congress Archives @ Thomas .gov