SB2039 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 02925 HLH 12939 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB2039

Introduced 2/20/2009, by Sen. Heather Steans

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Illinois Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Act. Provides that the Green Governments Coordinating Council shall be the State governmental body responsible for applying for and distributing any and all energy efficiency and conservation grant money pursuant to the federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Sets forth the duties of the Green Governments Coordinating Council with respect to those grant moneys. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Act.

Section 5. Definitions.

"GGCC" means the Green Governments Coordinating Council created pursuant to the Green Governments Illinois Act.

"Eligible unit of local government" means a unit of local government as defined by the federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act of 2007, H.R.6.

"Secretary" means the United States Secretary of Energy.

Section 10. Findings. Pursuant to the federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, H.R.6, Title V, Subtitle E (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants) (hereinafter "H.R.6"), which became law on December 19, 2007, the State and various units of local government are eligible to apply for and receive grants of money to promote energy efficiency and conservation under the "Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program". Of the federal funds allocated, the law provides that 68% of the overall appropriated funds shall go directly to the eligible units of local government who apply, and 28% of the funds shall go directly to the eligible states that apply for the grants.

Section 15. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Act.

(a) The GGCC shall be the State governmental body responsible for applying for and distributing any and all energy efficiency and conservation grant money for which the State is eligible in Illinois under the H.R.6 federal block grant program.

(b) The GGCC shall assist any eligible unit of local government within the State that seeks assistance in applying for grant money appropriated under H.R.6 for the purpose of promoting energy efficiency in those areas of local government.

(c) The GGCC shall compile and make publicly available a list of all units of local government within the State that are excluded under the H.R.6 definition of "eligible unit of local government".

(d) The GGCC shall apply for any grants that the State is eligible to receive under H.R.6 and shall distribute the grant money that is received under H.R.6 to the appropriate State agencies and State programs. Not less than 60% of this money shall be used to provide subgrants to units of local government in the State that are not eligible units of local government as defined by H.R.6. These subgrants shall be provided no later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary approves a proposed energy efficiency and conservation strategy for Illinois.

(e) The GGCC, as a group, shall make itself available to the Secretary to comprise all or a part of the State and local advisory committee to be established pursuant to H.R.6, and shall make its best efforts to advise the Secretary regarding the administration, implementation, and evaluation of programs financed by the federal block grants distributed pursuant to H.R.6 in Illinois.

(f) As soon as practical after the effective date of this Act, the GGCC shall:

(1) Facilitate the modification of the State energy conservation plan under Section 362 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6322) to establish additional goals for increased energy efficiency and conservation, in accordance with H.R.6; and

(2) With the cooperation of all relevant State agencies, submit to the Secretary a proposed energy efficiency and conservation strategy that establishes a process for providing subgrants and includes a State plan for the use of remaining funds.

(g) Any grant money received under this Act shall be used to achieve the purposes of the program outlined in H.R.6, including, but not limited to:

(1) development and implementation of an energy efficiency and conservation strategy;

(2) retaining technical consultant services to assist the eligible entity in the development of the strategy;

(3) consulting residential and commercial building energy audits;

(4) establishment of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements;

(5) development and implementation of programs to conserve energy used in transportation;

(6) development and implementation of building codes and inspection services to promote building energy efficiency.

(h) No grant money received by GGCC or the receipt of which was in any way facilitated by the GGCC shall be used in a manner contrary to H.R.6.

(i) The GGCC shall make publicly available status reports at least once per biennium describing the status of the development and implementation of the energy efficiency and conservation strategy of the State during the year and including the State's specific energy efficiency and conservation goals for subsequent years.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.