Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Lynn J. Cunningham
Information Research Specialist
Beth A. Roberts
Information Research Specialist
October 18, 2013
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R40913
CRS Report for Congress
Pr
epared for Members and Committees of Congress
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Summary
Energy is crucial to the operation of a modern industrial and services economy. Recently, there
have been growing concerns about the availability and cost of energy and about environmental
impacts of fossil energy use. Those concerns have rekindled interest in energy efficiency, energy
conservation, and the development and commercialization of renewable energy technologies.
Many of the existing energy efficiency and renewable energy programs have authorizations
tracing back to the 1970s. Many of the programs have been reauthorized and redesigned
repeatedly to meet changing economic factors. The programs apply broadly to sectors ranging
from industry to academia, and from state and local governments to rural communities.
Since 2005, Congress has enacted several major energy laws: the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-
140); the Energy Improvement and Extension Act (EIEA), enacted as Division B of the
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA; P.L. 110-343); and the American Reinvestment
and Recovery Act (ARRA; P.L. 111-5). Each of those laws established, expanded, or modified
energy efficiency and renewable energy research, development, demonstration, and deployment
(RDD&D) programs. The Department of Energy (DOE) operates the greatest number of
efficiency and renewable energy incentive programs. The Department of the Treasury and the
Department of Agriculture (USDA) operate several programs. A few programs can also be found
among the Departments of Interior (DOI), Labor (DOL), Housing and Urban Development
(HUD), Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
This report describes federal programs that provide grants, loans, loan guarantees, and other
direct or indirect incentives for energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy. For
each program, the report provides the administering agency, authorizing statute(s), annual
funding, and the program expiration date. The appendixes provide summary information in a
tabular format and also list recently expired programs.
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1
FY2013 Appropriations Uncertainty ......................................................................................... 2
I. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy ............................... 3
Renewable Energy ..................................................................................................................... 3
Biomass ............................................................................................................................... 3
1. Bioenergy Technologies Program (formerly the Biomass and Biorefinery
Systems R&D Program) ............................................................................................ 3
2. Regional Biomass Energy Grant Programs ............................................................... 4
Geothermal .......................................................................................................................... 4
3. Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP) ................................................................ 4
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells ..................................................................................................... 5
4. Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Technologies Program .......................................................... 5
Solar .................................................................................................................................... 6
5. Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP) ............................................................ 6
Water Power ........................................................................................................................ 7
6. Water Power Program (formerly Wind and Hydropower Technologies
Program) .................................................................................................................... 7
Wind Energy Program ......................................................................................................... 7
7. Wind Energy Program (formerly Wind and Hydropower Technologies
Program)Administered by: EERE .............................................................................. 7
Energy Efficiency ...................................................................................................................... 8
Buildings ............................................................................................................................. 8
8. Building Technologies Program ................................................................................ 8
9. Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) .............................................................. 9
Industrial ........................................................................................................................... 10
10. Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO, formerly the Industrial
Technologies Program - ITP) ................................................................................... 10
11. Inventions and Innovations Program..................................................................... 10
Vehicles ............................................................................................................................. 11
12. Vehicle Technologies Program .............................................................................. 11
Other Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs .................................................... 12
13. Conservation Research and Development Grants ................................................. 12
14. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Dissemination,
Outreach, Training, and Technical Analysis/Assistance Grant Program ................. 12
15. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technology Deployment,
Demonstration, and Commercialization Grant Program .......................................... 13
16. Renewable Energy Production Incentive (REPI) .................................................. 13
17. Renewable Energy Research and Development Program ..................................... 14
18. State Energy Program (SEP) ................................................................................. 15
19. Tribal Energy Program .......................................................................................... 15
Other DOE Offices/Cross-Cutting Programs .......................................................................... 16
20. Advanced Research Projects Energy Financial Assistance Program
(ARPA-E) ................................................................................................................. 16
21. Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Research, Development and
Analysis Grant Program (Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy
Reliability - OE) ....................................................................................................... 17
22. Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP).................................................... 18
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
23. Financial Assistance Program (Office of Science) ................................................ 18
24. Loan Guarantee Program (Office of the Chief Financial Officer) ........................ 19
25. Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)/Small Business
Technology Transfer Program (STTR) .................................................................... 20
II. U.S Department of the Treasury ................................................................................................ 20
Homeowner ............................................................................................................................. 20
1. Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit ............................................................... 20
2. Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit .............................................................. 21
Business ................................................................................................................................... 21
3. Business Energy Investment Tax Credit ................................................................. 21
4. Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction......................................... 22
5. Energy-Efficient New Homes Tax Credit for Home Builders ................................ 22
Industry .................................................................................................................................... 23
6. Energy Efficient Appliance Tax Credit for Manufacturers ..................................... 23
7. Qualifying Advanced Energy Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit (48C) .......... 23
8. Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit (PTC) .............................................. 24
9. Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion (Corporate) ......................... 25
10. Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion (Personal) .......................... 25
State, Local and Tribal Governments ...................................................................................... 25
11. Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs) .................................................. 25
Cross-Cutting ........................................................................................................................... 26
12. Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS) ..................................... 26
13. Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit .......................................................................... 27
III. Department of Agriculture ................................................................................................. 27
1. Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities Program ............................... 27
2. Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels ............................................................ 28
3. Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP; Sec. 9011) ......................................... 28
4. Biorefinery Assistance Program (Sec. 9003) .......................................................... 29
5. Community Wood Energy Program ........................................................................ 30
6. New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program ...................................... 31
7. Repowering Assistance Program (RAP) ................................................................. 31
8. Rural Energy For America Program (REAP) Grants and Loans ............................ 32
9. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE) ....................... 33
IV. Department of the Interior ........................................................................................................ 34
1. Energy and Mineral Development Program: Minerals and Mining on
Indian Lands ............................................................................................................ 34
2. Tribal Energy Development Capacity Grant Program ............................................ 34
V. Small Business Administration.................................................................................................. 35
1. 7(a) Loan Guarantees .............................................................................................. 35
2. 504 Loan Guarantees .............................................................................................. 35
VI. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ........................................................... 36
1. Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) ....................................................................... 36
VII. Department of Labor .............................................................................................................. 37
1. Program of Competitive Grants for Worker Training and Placement in High
Growth and Emerging Industry Sectors ................................................................... 37
VIII. Department of Veterans Affairs ............................................................................................. 38
1. Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) ....................................................................... 38
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Tables
Table A-1. Federal Incentives by Agency ...................................................................................... 39
Table A-2. Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit (26 USC §30B) ....................................................... 46
Table B-1. Index of Programs by Applicant Eligibility ................................................................. 47
Table B-2. Index of Programs by Technology Type ...................................................................... 48
Table D-1. Expired Federal Incentives by Agency ........................................................................ 54
Appendixes
Appendix A. Summary of Federal Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Incentives/Index of Programs ..................................................................................................... 39
Appendix B. Index of Programs by Applicant Eligibility and Technology Type .......................... 47
Appendix C. Expired Federal Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Incentive
Programs ..................................................................................................................................... 50
Appendix D. Summary of Expired Federal Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Incentives/Index of Programs ..................................................................................................... 54
Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 55
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Introduction
The United States has an abundance of natural resources. For much of the nation’s history, energy
was not a concern as commerce and industry needs could be met by domestic supplies. However,
industrialization and population growth, and the continuing development of a consumer-oriented
society, soon led to the necessity of obtaining foreign sources of energy to supplement the
demands of a growing economy.
Recognition of the implications of dependence on foreign sources of energy, coupled with
concerns over the volatility of prices driven by fluctuations in supply spurred by world events,
have led to efforts to increase U.S. energy independence and reduce domestic consumption. The
result has been the emergence of a number of programs focused on energy efficiency and
conservation of domestic resources and on research programs that target the development of
renewable sources of energy. Many of these programs have roots going back almost 40 years and
have been redesigned many times over that period.
Many of the current programs have been reauthorized and redesigned periodically to meet
changing economic conditions and national interests. The programs apply broadly to sectors
ranging from industry to academia, and from state and local governments to rural communities.
Each program has been designed to meet current needs as well as future anticipated challenges.
Since 2005, Congress has enacted several major energy laws: the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-
140); the Energy Improvement and Extension Act (EIEA), enacted as Division B of the
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA; P.L. 110-343); and the American Reinvestment
and Recovery Act (ARRA; P.L. 111-5). Each of those laws established, expanded, or modified
energy efficiency and renewable energy research, development, demonstration, and deployment
(RDD&D) programs. The Department of Energy (DOE) operates the greatest number of
efficiency and renewable energy incentive programs. The Department of the Treasury and the
Department of Agriculture (USDA) operate several programs. A few programs can also be found
among the Departments of Interior (DOI), Labor (DOL), Housing and Urban Development
(HUD), Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
This report outlines current federal programs and provisions providing grants, loans, loan
guarantees, and other direct or indirect incentives for energy efficiency, energy conservation, and
renewable energy RDD&D. The programs are grouped by administering agency with information
links to applicable federal agency websites. Incentives are summarized and indexed in the
appendixes.
Most program descriptions were compiled from authorizing statutes, the U.S. Code, and
Administration budget request documents. Other program descriptions and some funding
information were compiled from The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
(DSIRE), the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and the Energy Star website. Most
budgetary figures were compiled from executive agency budget justifications and congressional
committee reports. For more information on agriculture-related grant programs, please see CRS
Report R41985, Renewable Energy Programs and the Farm Bill: Status and Issues, by Randy
Schnepf. For more information on programs supporting the development and deployment of
alternatives to conventional fuels and engines in transportation, please also see CRS Report
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
R42566, Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Technology Incentives: A Summary of Federal
Programs, by Lynn J. Cunningham et al.
FY2013 Appropriations Uncertainty
The final amount of FY2013 Energy and Water Development appropriations for DOE energy
technologies has not yet been established.1 These appropriations were considered in the context of
the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA; P.L. 112-25), which established discretionary spending
limits for FY2012-FY2021.
On September 28, 2012, President Obama signed into law the Continuing Appropriations
Resolution, 2013 (P.L. 112-175). For Energy and Water Development programs, the act continued
appropriations through March 27, 2013, at 0.612% above the FY2012-enacted levels. Pursuant to
the BCA, as amended,2 President Obama ordered that the joint committee sequester be
implemented on March 1, 2013.
On March 26, 2013, the President signed the FY2013 Defense and Military Construction/VA, Full
Year Continuing Resolution (P.L. 113-6). The act funded Energy and Water Development
accounts for DOE energy technologies at the FY2012 enacted level for the remainder of FY2013,
subject to the BCA sequestration requirements.
The sequester will ultimately be applied at the program, project, and activity (PPA) level within
each account. Because the sequester was implemented at the time that a temporary continuing
resolution was in force, the reductions were calculated on an annualized basis and will be
apportioned throughout the remainder of the fiscal year. Although full-year FY2013 funding has
been enacted, the effect of these reductions on the funding amounts that will ultimately be
available for energy technology programs at either the account or PPA level remain unclear until
further guidance is provided by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on how agencies
should apply these reductions.
In addition, the House-passed FY2014 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill (H.R.
2609, Title V) proposes to rescind $157 million of unobligated prior-year balances from within
the DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy account.3
1 For more details, see CRS Report R42498, Energy and Water Development: FY2013 Appropriations, coordinated by
Carl E. Behrens.
2 The American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA, P.L. 112-240), enacted on January 2, 2013, made a number of significant
changes to the procedures in the BCA that apply during FY2013.
3 H.Rept. 113-135, p. 87.
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
I. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy
Biomass
1. Bioenergy Technologies Program (formerly the Biomass and Biorefinery
Systems R&D Program)
• Administered by: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
• Authorization: Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of
1974 (P.L. 93-577); Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA; P.L.
94-163); Energy Conservation and Production Act of 1976 (ECPA; P.L. 94-385);
Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91); Energy Tax Act
(P.L. 95-618); National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978 (NECPA; P.L.
95-619); Powerplants and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-620); Energy
Security Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-294); National Appliance Energy Conservation Act
of 1987 (P.L. 100-12); Federal Energy Management Improvement Act of 1988
(P.L. 100-615); Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology
Competitiveness Act of 1989 (P.L. 101-218); Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
(P.L. 101-549); Solar, Wind, Waste, and Geothermal Power Production Incentives
Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-575); Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L. 102-486);
Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 (Title III of Agricultural Risk
Protection Act of 2000; P.L. 106-224); Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 (P.L. 107-171); Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-148);
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140); The Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-234); American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $89.8 million for FY2006; $196.3 million for FY2007; $195.6
million for FY2008; $214 million for FY2009; an additional $777 million in
FY2009 from ARRA; $220 million for FY2010; $180 million for FY2011; $195
million for FY2012; $200.5 million for FY2013; and $282 million requested for
FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program works with industrial partners, national laboratories,
universities, and other stakeholders to develop the technologies and systems
needed to cost-effectively transform the nation’s renewable and abundant
domestic biomass resources into clean, affordable, and sustainable biofuels,
bioproducts, and biopower. In recent years, the program has been primarily
geared toward development and deployment of ethanol from non-food
feedstocks, but is now expanding its scope to additional alternative fuels, such as
bio-butanol, green gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel.
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• Qualified applicant: Colleges and universities; profit organizations
• Qualified technologies: Biomass
• For more information: See CRS Report R42566, Alternative Fuel and Advanced
Vehicle Technology Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs, by Lynn J.
Cunningham et al.; DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Program overview; DOE’s
Bioenergy Technologies Office – Financial Opportunities online resource; and
program number 81.087 at the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
website
2. Regional Biomass Energy Grant Programs
• Administered by: Bioenergy Technologies Office, EERE
• Authorization: Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91);
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for FY1987 (P.L. 99-500)
• Annual funding: $395,000 for FY2007; an estimated $75,131 for FY2008; an
estimated $25,705 for FY2009; an estimated $4.8 million for FY2010; $0 for
FY2011; $0 for FY2012; $0 for FY2013; data for FY2014 is currently
unavailable
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program provides assistance to increase America’s use of fuels,
chemicals, materials, and power made from domestic biomass on a sustainable
basis. Assistance may be used to develop and transfer any of several biomass
energy technologies to the scientific and industrial communities. For regional
programs, such technologies will be appropriate for the needs and resources of
particular regions of the United States.
• Qualified applicants: State and local governments; colleges and universities;
profit organizations; nonprofit organizations
• Qualified technologies: Biomass
• For more information: See program number 81.079 at the CFDA website
Geothermal
3. Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP)
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Geothermal Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration
Act (P.L. 93-410); Department of Energy Organization Act (P.L. 95-91); Energy
Tax Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-618); Energy Security Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-294);
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of
1989 (P.L. 101-218); Solar, Wind, Waste, and Geothermal Power Production
Incentives Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-575); Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L.
102-486); Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140); American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
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• Annual funding: $68.2 million for FY2006; $5 million for FY2007; $19.3 million
for FY2008; $43.3 million for FY2009; an additional $393 million appropriated
in FY2009 from ARRA; $44 million for FY2010; $37 million for FY2011; $37
million for FY2012; $38.1 million for FY2013; and $60 million requested for
FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program partners the federal government with industry,
academia, and research facilities to further the development of geothermal energy
technologies. Competitive solicitations issued as Funding Opportunity
Announcements (FOAs) are the principal mechanism used by the GTP to
contract for cost-shared research, development, and demonstration projects.
• Qualified applicants: Profit organizations; colleges and universities
• Qualified technology: Geothermal
• For more information: See EERE’s Geothermal Technologies Program website;
and program number 81.087 at the CFDA website
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
4. Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Technologies Program
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-275); Federal
Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-577);
Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA; P.L. 94-163); Electric and
Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development and Demonstration Act (P.L. 94-413);
Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91); Automotive
Propulsion Research and Development Act of 1978 (Title III of Department of
Energy Act of 1978-Civilian Applications; P.L. 95-238); Methane Transportation
Research, Development and Demonstration Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-512); Energy
Security Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-294); Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988 (P.L.
100-494); Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and
Demonstration Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-566); Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT;
P.L. 102-486); Hydrogen Future Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-271); Energy Policy Act
of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy Independence and Security Act of
2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140); American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $153.4 million for FY2006; $190 million for FY2007; $206.2
million for FY2008; $164.6 million for FY2009; an additional $43 million
appropriated in FY2009 from ARRA; $174 million for FY2010; $95.8 million for
FY2011; $101.3 million for FY2012; $104.3 million for FY2013; and $100
million requested for FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program partners with industry, academia, and national
laboratories and works in close coordination with Vehicle Technologies and other
programs at DOE to: overcome technical barriers through R&D of hydrogen
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production, delivery, and storage technologies; overcome technical barriers to
fuel cell technologies for transportation, distributed stationary power, and
portable power applications; address safety issues and facilitate the development
of model codes and standards; validate and demonstrate hydrogen and fuel cells
in real-world conditions; and educate key stakeholders whose acceptance of these
technologies will determine their success in the marketplace.
• Qualified applicants: Federal government; national laboratories; colleges and
universities; and profit organizations
• Qualified technologies: Hydrogen and fuel cells
• For more information: See EERE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies
website; and program number 81.087 at the CFDA website
Solar
5. Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP)
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA; P.L. 94-
163); Energy Conservation and Production Act of 1976 (ECPA; P.L. 94-385);
Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91); Solar Photovoltaic
Energy Research, Development and Demonstration Act of 1984 (P.L. 95-590);
National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978 (NECPA; P.L. 95-619); Energy
Security Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-294); Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 (P.L. 101-218); Solar, Wind, Waste,
and Geothermal Power Production Incentives Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-575); Solar,
Wind, Waste, and Geothermal Power Production Incentives Technical
Amendments Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-46); Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L.
102-486); Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140); American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $81.8 million for FY2006; $157 million for FY2007; $166.3
million for FY2008; $172.4 million for FY2009; an additional $116 million
appropriated in FY2009 from ARRA; $247 million for FY2010; $259.6 million
for FY2011; $284.7 million for FY2012; $290.7 million for FY2013; and $356
million requested for FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: SETP partners with industry, national laboratories, and universities
to develop and bring reliable and affordable solar energy technologies to the
marketplace. This program finances R&D in four major subprograms:
Photovoltaics (PV); Concentrating Solar Power (CSP); Systems Integration for
Solar Technologies; and Market Transformation for Solar Technologies.
• Qualified applicants: Industry; national laboratories; colleges and universities
• Qualified technology: Solar
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• For more information: See EERE’s Solar Energy Technologies Program website;
and program number 81.087 at the CFDA website
Water Power
6. Water Power Program (formerly Wind and Hydropower Technologies
Program)
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA; P.L. 94-
163); Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act
of 1989 (P.L. 101-218); Solar, Wind, Waste, and Geothermal Power Production
Incentives Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-575); Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L.
102-486); Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140); American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $495,000 for FY2006; $0 for FY2007; $9.7 million for FY2008;
$39.1 million for FY2009; an additional $31.7 million appropriated in FY2009
from ARRA; $50 million for FY2010; $29.2 million for FY2011; $58.1 million
for FY2012; $59.1 million for FY2013; and $55 million requested for FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program partners with the national laboratories, industry,
universities, and other federal agencies to promote the development and
deployment of technologies capable of generating environmentally sustainable
and cost-effective electricity from the nation’s water resources (both conventional
and marine and hydrokinetic technologies).
• Qualified applicants: Federal, state, local, and tribal governments; national
laboratories; industry; small businesses; colleges and universities
• Qualified technologies: Hydroelectric; hydrokinetic energy; wave energy; tidal
energy; ocean thermal energy conversion
• For more information: See EERE’s Water Power Program; or program number
81.087 at the CFDA website
Wind Energy Program
7. Wind Energy Program (formerly Wind and Hydropower Technologies
Program)Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA; P.L. 94-
163); Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act
of 1989 (P.L. 101-218); Solar, Wind, Waste, and Geothermal Power Production
Incentives Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-575); Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L.
102-486); Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140); American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
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• Annual funding: $38.3 million for FY2006; $48.7 million for FY2007; $49
million for FY2008; $54.4 million for FY2009; an additional $106.9 million
appropriated in FY2009 from ARRA; $80 million for FY2010; $78.8 million for
FY2011; $91.8 million for FY2012; $93.8 million for FY2013; and $144 million
requested for FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program partners with federal, state, and other stakeholder
groups to conduct research and development activities through competitively
selected, cost-shared research and development projects with industry to improve
the performance, lower the costs, and accelerate the deployment of wind energy
technologies.
• Qualified applicants: Federal, state, local, and tribal governments; national
laboratories; industry; small businesses; colleges and universities
• Qualified technologies: Wind
• For more information: See EERE’s Wind Energy Program website; and program
number 81.087 at the CFDA website
Energy Efficiency
Buildings
8. Building Technologies Program
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA; P.L. 94-
163); Energy Conservation and Production Act of 1976 (ECPA; P.L. 94-385);
Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91); Energy Tax Act of
1978 (P.L. 95-618); National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978 (NECPA;
P.L. 95-619); Power Plant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-620);
Energy Security Act (P.L. 96-294); National Appliance Energy Supply Act of
1987 (P.L. 100-12); National Appliance Energy Conservation Amendments of
1988 (P.L. 100-357); Federal Energy Management Improvement Act of 1988
(P.L. 100-615); Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L. 102-486); Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140); American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $68.2 million for FY2006; $103 million for FY2007; $107.4
million for FY2008; $138.1 million for FY2009; an additional $319.2 million
appropriated in FY2009 from ARRA; $222 million for FY2010; $207.3 million
for FY2011; $214.7 million for FY2012; $220.5 million for FY2013; and $300
million requested for FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: In partnership with the private sector, state and local governments,
national laboratories, and universities, the Building Technologies Program works
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to improve the efficiency of buildings and the equipment, components, and
systems within them. The program supports research and development (R&D)
activities and provides tools, guidelines, training, and access to technical and
financial resources.
• Qualified applicants: State and local governments; universities; national
laboratories
• Qualified technologies: Energy-efficient innovations for building envelopes,
equipment, lighting, daylighting, and windows; passive solar; photovoltaics; fuel
cells; advanced sensors and controls; and combined heating, cooling, and power
systems
• For more information: See EERE’s Building Technologies Program website
9. Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Energy Supply and Production Act of 1976 (ECPA; P.L. 94-385);
National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978 (NECPA; P.L. 95-619); Energy
Security Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-294); Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L.
102-486 ); Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140); American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $227.2 million for FY2008; $450 million for FY2009; an
additional $5 billion appropriated in FY2009 from ARRA; $270 million for
FY2010; $171 million for FY2011; $68 million for FY2012; $68.4 million for
FY2013; and $184 million requested for FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program reduces energy costs for low-income households by
increasing the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and
safety. DOE provides funding and technical guidance to states, which manage the
day-to-day details of the program. Low-income families receive services from a
network of more than 900 local weatherization service providers who install
energy efficiency measures in the homes of qualifying homeowners free of
charge.
• Qualified applicants: State and tribal governments, including U.S. territories
• Qualified technologies: Weatherization technologies include a wide range of
energy efficiency measures for retrofitting homes and apartment buildings.
Weatherization service providers choose the best package of efficiency measures
for each home based on an energy audit of the home. Typical measures may
include installing insulation, sealing ducts, tuning and repairing heating and
cooling systems and if indicated, replacement of the same; mitigating air
infiltration; and reducing electric base load consumption.
• For more information: See EERE’s Weatherization Assistance Program website;
and program number 81.042 at the CFDA website
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Industrial
10. Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO, formerly the Industrial Technologies
Program - ITP)
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA; P.L. 94-
163); Energy Conservation and Production Act of 1976 (ECPA; P.L. 94-385);
Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91); National Energy
Conservation Policy Act of 1978 (NECPA; P.L. 95-619); Powerplant and
Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-620); Energy Security Act of 1980 (P.L.
96-294); Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness
Act of 1989 (P.L. 101-218); Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L. 102-486);
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140); American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $55.9 million for FY2006; $55.8 million for FY2007; $63.2
million for FY2008; $88.2 million for FY2009; an additional $261.5 million
appropriated in FY2009 from ARRA; $96 million for FY2010; $105.9 million for
FY2011; $112.7 for FY2012; $116.3 million for FY2013; and $365 million
requested for FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: AMO works with industry to improve industrial energy efficiency
and environmental performance while increasing productivity by: conducting
R&D on new energy efficient technologies; supporting commercialization of
emerging technologies; providing plants with access to proven technologies,
energy assessments, software tools, and other resources; and promoting energy
and carbon management in industry.
• Qualified applicants: Industrial organizations
• Qualified technologies: Crosscutting technologies that improve the efficiency of
technologies that are common to many industrial processes and can benefit
multiple industries. Crosscutting technology R&D areas include combustion;
distributed energy; energy intensity processes; fuel and feedstock liability;
industrial materials for the future; nanomanufacturing; and sensors and
automation.
• For more information: See EERE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office website
11. Inventions and Innovations Program
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Policy
Act (P.L. 93-577), Section 14; 42 USC 5913
• Annual funding: $2.8 million for FY2007; $145,000 for FY2008; $1.8 million for
FY2009; $3 million for FY2010; $0 for FY2011; $940,000 for FY2012; an
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estimated $914,000 for FY2013; the FY2014 budget request does not provide
details on this program
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program provides financial and technical assistance for
research and development of innovative, energy-saving ideas and inventions with
future commercial market potential. Inventions and Innovations support energy
efficiency and renewable energy technology development in focus areas that
align with Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs.
• Qualified applicants: Individuals; small businesses
• Qualified technologies: Specific energy efficiency and renewable energy
technologies not listed
• For more information: See program number 81.036 at the CFDA website. The
U.S. Department of Energy’s Inventions & Innovations website has been retired.
To access information on financial opportunities and current solicitations, visit
the Advanced Manufacturing Office’s (formerly the Industrial Technologies
Program’s) financial opportunities website.
Vehicles
12. Vehicle Technologies Program
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91);
Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L. 102-486); Energy Policy Act of 2005
(EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
(EISA; P.L. 110-140); American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $178.4 million for FY2006; $183.6 million for FY2007; $208.4
million for FY2008; $267.1 million for FY2009; an additional $2.8 billion
appropriated in FY2009 from ARRA; $311.4 million for FY2010; $293.2 million
for FY2011; $321 million for FY2012; $330.8 million for FY2013; and $575
million requested for FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: The Vehicle Technologies Program works with industry leaders to
develop and deploy advanced transportation technologies that could achieve
significant improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency and displace oil with other
fuels that ultimately can be domestically produced in a clean and cost-
competitive manner. Program activities include research, development,
demonstration, testing, technology validation, technology transfer, and education.
• Qualified applicants: Industry; colleges and universities; federal, state and local
governments; national laboratories
• Qualified technologies: Hybrid electric systems; biofuels or fuels technology;
advanced internal combustion engines; advanced propulsion materials
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• For more information: See EERE’s Vehicle Technology Program website; and
EERE’s Vehicle Technologies Program Factsheet
Other Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs
13. Conservation Research and Development Grants
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of
1974 (P.L. 93-577); Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-
91); Continuing Appropriations Act for FY1983 (P.L. 97-377); American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $87.5 million for FY2008; $203.7 million for FY2009; $1.96
billion for FY2010; $300 million for FY2011; $188.3 million for FY2012; an
estimated $75.1 million for FY2013; the FY2014 budget request does not provide
details on this program
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program provides project grants to conduct balanced, long-term
research efforts in buildings technologies, industrial technologies, vehicle
technologies, and hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
• Qualified applicant: State, local, and tribal governments; universities; profit
organizations; and private nonprofit institutions/organizations
• Qualified technologies: Hydrogen and fuel cells; energy efficient technologies;
advanced battery manufacturing
• For more information: See program number 81.086 at the CFDA website
14. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Dissemination,
Outreach, Training, and Technical Analysis/Assistance Grant Program
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-438); Department of
Energy Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91); Energy Policy Act of 1992
(EPACT; P.L. 102-486)
• Annual funding: $30 million for FY2007; $39.7 million for FY2008; $38 million
for FY2009; $80.4 million for FY2010; an estimated $15 million for FY2011;
$32.2 million for FY2012; an estimated $8.6 million for FY2013; the FY2014
budget request does not provide details on this program
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program provides financial assistance for information
dissemination, outreach, training and related technical analysis/assistance that
will (1) stimulate increased energy efficiency in transportation, buildings,
industry and the Federal sector and encourage increased use of renewable and
alternative energy; and (2) accelerate the adoption of new technologies to
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increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable and alternative energy
through the competitive solicitation of applications.
• Qualified applicants: State and local governments; Native American
organizations; individuals; universities; profit organizations; private nonprofit
organizations; public nonprofit organizations; and Alaskan Native corporations
• Qualified technologies: Specific energy efficiency and renewable energy
technologies not listed
• For more information: See program number 81.117 at the CFDA website
15. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technology Deployment,
Demonstration, and Commercialization Grant Program
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L. 102-486); Energy Policy
Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140); American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual Funding: $0 for FY2008; $21.8 million for FY2009; an estimated $7.2
million for FY2010. It is anticipated that all funds obligated under this program
in FY2010 will be Recovery Act funds. $1 million for FY2011; $0 for FY2012;
$0 for FY2013; the FY2014 budget request does not provide details on this
program
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program provides financial assistance for the technology
deployment, demonstration, and commercialization of energy efficiency and
renewable energy technologies. This includes biomass, building technologies,
federal energy management, geothermal technologies, projects involving
hydrogen, fuel cells and infrastructure technologies, industrial technologies, solar
energy technologies, vehicle technologies, weatherization and intergovernmental
technologies, and wind and hydropower technologies.
• Qualified applicants: State governments; profit organizations
• Qualified technologies: Biomass; geothermal; hydrogen and fuel cell
technologies; solar; hydropower
• For more information: See program number 81.129 at the CFDA website
16. Renewable Energy Production Incentive (REPI)
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L. 102-486), Title XII,
Section 1212; Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58), Title II,
Subtitle A, Section 202); 42 USC 13317
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• Annual funding: $4.95 million for FY2006; $4.95 million for FY2007; $4.95
million for FY2008; $5 million for FY2009; $0 for FY2010; $0 for FY2011; $0
for FY2012; $0 for FY2013; and $0 requested for FY2014
• Scheduled termination: End of FY2026
• Description: This program provides incentive payments for electricity generated
and sold by new qualifying renewable energy facilities. Qualifying systems are
eligible for annual incentive payments of 1.5¢ per kilowatt-hour in 1993 dollars
(indexed for inflation) for the first 10-year period of their operation, subject to
the availability of annual appropriations in each federal fiscal year of operation.
• Qualified applicants: State, local, and tribal governments; public utilities; not-for-
profit electrical cooperatives; Native American corporations
• Qualified technologies: Solar thermal electric; photovoltaics; landfill gas; wind;
biomass; geothermal electric; anaerobic digestion; tidal energy; wave energy;
ocean thermal
• For more information: See EERE’s Renewable Energy Production Incentive
Program website
17. Renewable Energy Research and Development Program
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91);
Department of Energy Act of 1978 - Civilian Applications (P.L. 95-238), Section
207; Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act
of 1989 (P.L. 101-218); Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58);
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 111-140); American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $520 million for FY2008; $472.8 million for FY2009; $2.3
billion for FY2010 from ARRA funds; $114.7 million for FY2011; $233.2
million for FY2012; an estimated $141.5 million for FY2013; the FY2014 budget
request does not provide details on this program. Breakdown of additional funds
appropriated from ARRA:
• Biomass—$800 million
• Geothermal—$400 million
• Hydrogen/Fuel Cell—$43.4 million
• Solar—$117.6 million
• Wind and Hydropower—$118 million
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program provides financial assistance to conduct balanced
research and development efforts in the following energy technologies: solar,
biomass, hydrogen, fuel cells and infrastructure, wind and hydropower,
hydrogen, and geothermal. Assistance may be used to develop and transfer
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renewable energy technologies to the scientific and industrial communities,
states, and local governments.
• Qualified applicants: State, local, and tribal governments; colleges and
universities; profit organizations; private nonprofit organizations
• Qualified technologies: Solar; biomass; hydrogen; fuel cells; wind; hydropower;
geothermal
• For more information: See program number 81.087 at the CFDA website
18. State Energy Program (SEP)
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA; P.L. 94-
163); Energy Supply and Production Act of 1976 (ECPA; P.L. 94-385); National
Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978 (NECPA; P.L. 95-619); State Energy
Efficiency Programs Improvement Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-440); Energy Policy
Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L. 102-486); Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act of
1998 (P.L. 105-388); Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58);
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140); American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $44.1 million for FY2008; $50 million for FY2009; an
additional $3.1 billion appropriated in FY2009 from ARRA; $50 million for
FY2010; $50 million for FY2011; $50 million for FY2012; $50.3 million for
FY2013; and $57 million requested for FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: SEP provides grants to states to design and carry out their own
renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.
• Qualified applicants: State and tribal governments, including U.S. territories
• Qualified technologies: Emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency
technologies
• For more information: See EERE’s State Energy Program website; and program
number 81.041 at the CFDA website
19. Tribal Energy Program
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA; P.L. 94-
163); Energy Conservation and Production Act of 1976 (ECPA; P.L. 94-385);
Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91); Energy Tax Act of
1978 (P.L. 95-618); National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978 (NECPA;
P.L. 95-619); Power Plant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-620);
Energy Security Act (P.L. 96-294); National Appliance Energy Supply Act of
1987 (P.L. 100-12); Federal Energy Management Improvement Act of 1988 (P.L.
100-615); Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L. 102-486 ); Energy Policy Act
of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy Independence and Security Act of
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2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140); American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $3.96 million for FY2006; $3.96 million for FY2007; $5.95
million for FY2008; $6 million for FY2009; $10 million for FY2010; $7 million
for FY2011; $10 million for FY2012; $10.1 for FY2013; and $7 million
requested for FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program promotes tribal energy sufficiency, economic growth,
and employment on tribal lands through the development of renewable energy
and energy efficiency technologies. The program provides financial assistance,
technical assistance, education and training to tribes for the evaluation and
development of renewable energy resources and energy efficiency measures.
• Qualified applicant: Tribal governments
• Qualified technologies: Energy efficient technologies: clothes washers;
refrigerators/freezers; water heaters; lighting; lighting controls/sensors; chillers;
furnaces; boilers; air conditioners; programmable thermostats; energy
management; systems/building controls; caulking/weather-stripping; duct/air
sealing; building insulation; windows; doors; siding; roofs; comprehensive
measures/whole building; and other energy efficiency improvements may be
eligible. Renewable energy technologies: passive solar space heat; solar water
heat; solar space heat; photovoltaics; wind; biomass; hydroelectric; geothermal
electric; geothermal heat pumps
• For more information: See EERE’s Tribal Energy Program
websitehttp://apps1.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/; and DSIRE’s program
summary for the Tribal Energy Program
Other DOE Offices/Cross-Cutting Programs
20. Advanced Research Projects Energy Financial Assistance Program (ARPA-E)
• Administered by: Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)
• Authorization: America COMPETES Act (P.L. 110-69), Section 5012
• Annual funding: $15 million for FY2009; an additional $388.9 million in
FY2009 from ARRA; $0 for FY2010; $165.6 million for FY2011; $275 million
for FY2012; $276.7 million for FY2013; and $379 million requested for FY2014
• Scheduled termination: After ARPA-E has been in operation for six years, the
Secretary of Energy shall offer to enter into a contract with the National
Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy shall conduct an
evaluation of how well ARPA-E is achieving the goals and mission of ARPA-E.
The evaluation shall include the recommendation of the National Academy of
Sciences on whether ARPA-E should be continued or terminated.
• Description: This program will fund organizations that have proposed
sophisticated energy technology R&D projects that (1) translate scientific
discoveries and cutting-edge inventions into technological innovations and (2)
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accelerate transformational technological advances in areas that industry by itself
is not likely to undertake because of high technical or financial risk.
Transformational energy technologies are those that have the potential to create
new paradigms in how energy is produced, transmitted, used, or stored.
• Qualified applicants: ARPA-E welcomes submissions from any type of capable
technology research and development entity. This includes, but is not limited to
for-profit entities, academic institutions, research foundations, not-for-profit
entities, collaborations, and consortia. The lead organization that will enter into
the agreement with ARPA-E must be a U.S. entity.
• Qualified technologies: Transformational energy technologies
• For more information: See ARPA-E’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
website; and program number 81.135 at the CFDA website
21. Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, Research, Development and
Analysis Grant Program (Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability -
OE)
• Administered by: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE)
• Authorization: Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91);
Energy Security Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-294); National Superconductivity and
Competitiveness Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-697); Energy Policy Act of 1992
(EPACT; P.L. 102-486); Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58);
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140); American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $82.8 million for FY2008; $83.1 million for FY2009; an
additional $4.5 billion was appropriated to the Office of Electricity Delivery and
Energy Reliability in FY2009 from ARRA. Approximately $4 billion of that total
was used to implement smart grid programs authorized by EISA and accelerate
the deployment of smart grid technologies across the transmission and
distributions4; $121.4 million for FY2010; $102 million for FY2011; $96.2
million for FY2012; $99.8 million for FY2013; and $119.4 million requested for
FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This grant program aims to develop cost-effective technology that
enhances the reliability, efficiency, and resiliency of the electric grid.
• Qualified applicants: State, local, and tribal governments; universities; profit
organizations; private nonprofit organizations; research organizations
• Qualified technologies: Specific technologies not listed
• For more information: See program number 81.122 at the CFDA website
4 For more information, see Department of Energy, FY2011 Congressional Budget Request, vol. 3, p. 500, at
http://www.cfo.doe.gov/budget/11budget/Content/Volume 3.pdf.
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22. Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA; P.L. 94-
163); Energy Conservation and Production Act of 1976 (ECPA; P.L. 94-385);
Department of Energy Organization Act (P.L. 95-91); National Energy
Conservation Policy Act of 1978 (NECPA; P.L. 95-619); Federal Energy
Management Improvement Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-615); Energy Policy Act of
1992 (EPACT; P.L. 102-486); Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L.
109-58); Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140)
• Annual funding: $19 million for FY2006; $19.5 million for FY2007; $19.8
million for FY2008; $22 million for FY2009; an additional $22.4 million in
FY2009 from ARRA; $32 million for FY2010; $30.4 million for FY2011; $29.9
million for FY2012; $30.1 million for FY2013; and $36 million requested for
FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: FEMP assists federal agencies in developing and implementing
energy efficient and renewable energy resources to meet energy management
regulations and goals.
• Qualified applicants: Federal agencies
• Qualified technologies: Energy efficient technologies; solar; wind; incremental
hydro; ocean; biomass; geothermal
• For more information: See EERE’s Federal Energy Management Program
website
23. Financial Assistance Program (Office of Science)
• Administered by: Office of Science
• Authorization: Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (P.L. 83-703), Section 31; Energy
Reorganization Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-438), Title I, Section 107; Federal
Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-577);
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $974 million for FY2008; $1.4 billion for FY2009; $1.3 billion
for FY2010; $1.3 billion for FY2011; $1 billion for FY2012; an estimated $962.6
million for FY2013; and an estimated $962.6 million for FY2014
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program provides financial support for fundamental research in
the basic sciences and advanced technology concepts and assessments in fields
related to energy.
• Qualified applicants: State, local, and tribal governments; colleges and
universities; profit commercial organizations; private nonprofit organizations;
public nonprofit organizations; small businesses
• Qualified technologies: Specific advanced technologies not listed
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• For more information: See program number 81.049 at the CFDA website; and the
Office of Science’s Funding Opportunities website
24. Loan Guarantee Program (Office of the Chief Financial Officer)
• Administered by: Office of the Chief Financial Officer
• Authorization: Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58), Title
XVII; American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5);
42 USC 16511 et seq.
• Annual funding:
• Section 1703 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program
(permanent): $4.5 million for FY2008; $0 for FY2009; $0 for FY2010;
$169.6 million for FY2011; $0 for FY2012; $0 for FY2013; and $0
requested for FY2014
• Section 1705 Temporary Loan Guarantee Program: $0 for FY2008; $6
billion was appropriated for FY2009. However, $2 billion of that funding
was transferred to the “cash for clunkers” automobile trade-in program
by P.L. 111-47.5 An additional $1.5 billion was rescinded for the
Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, P.L. 111-226 (Section 308),
leaving a total of $2.5 billion remaining from the FY2009 appropriations;
$0 for FY2010; $0 for FY2011; $0 for FY2012; and $0 for FY2013
• Scheduled termination: None for the permanent (Section 1703) loan guarantee
program. Projects authorized by the temporary loan guarantee (Section 1705) had
to begin construction no later than September 30, 2011.
• Description: This program provides federal loan guarantees to encourage early
commercial use in the United States of new or significantly improved
technologies in energy projects that (1) avoid, reduce, or sequester air pollutants
or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases; and (2) employ new or
significantly improved technologies as compared to commercial technologies in
service in the United States at the time the guarantee is issued. Temporary loan
guarantees can also be made under Section 1705 for rapid deployment of certain
renewable and electric transmission projects.
• Qualified applicants: State, local, and tribal governments; universities; profit
organizations; and public nonprofit organizations. No federal entity may apply
• Qualified technologies: Solar thermal electric; solar thermal process heat;
photovoltaics; wind; hydroelectric; renewable transportation fuels; geothermal
electric; fuel cells; manufacturing facilities; daylighting; tidal energy; wave
energy; ocean thermal; biodiesel
• For more information: See program number 81.126 at the CFDA website;
DSIRE’s program summary for the Loan Guarantee Program; and DOE’s Loan
Guarantee Program website
5 For more information, see CRS Report R40669, Energy and Water Development: FY2010 Appropriations,
coordinated by Carl E. Behrens.
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25. Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)/Small Business
Technology Transfer Program (STTR)
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 (P.L. 97-
219); Small Business Research and Development Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-564);
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001 (P.L. 106-554), Title I, Small Business
Innovation Research Program Reauthorization Act of 2000; Small Business
Technology Transfer Program Reauthorization Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-50);
SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-81, Div. E, Title L)
• Annual funding: $24.2 million for FY2011; $29.1 million for FY2012; $33.3
million for FY2013; and $52.1 million requested for FY2014
• Scheduled termination: The SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-
81, Div. E, Title L) reauthorized the program through FY2017.
• Description: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business
Technology Transfers (STTR) are U.S. government programs in which federal
agencies with large research and development (R&D) budgets set aside a small
fraction of their funding for competitions among small businesses only. DOE’s
SBIR-STTR program is designed to stimulate technological innovation by small
advanced technology firms and provide new, cost-effective scientific and
engineering solutions to challenging problems. EERE funds appropriated for
SBIR/STTR are allocated to larger EERE technology programs, detailed earlier
in this report—including Biomass, Geothermal, Hydrogen & Fuel Cell, Solar
Energy, Water Power; Wind Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, Building
Technologies, and Vehicle Technologies.
• Qualified applicants: Small businesses
• Qualified technologies: Research areas include energy production (fossil, nuclear,
renewable, and fusion energy); energy use (in buildings, vehicles, and industry);
fundamental energy sciences (materials, life, environmental, and computational
sciences, and nuclear and high energy physics); environmental management; and
nuclear nonproliferation
• For more information: See EERE’s Small Business Innovation Research/Small
Business Technology Transfers (SBIR/STTR) website; and program number
10.212 (SBIR) at the CFDA website
II. U.S Department of the Treasury
Homeowner
1. Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit
• Administered by: Internal Revenue Service
• Authority: Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy
Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343), Division B, Section 302;
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American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5), Division
B, Section 1121; American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-240); IRS
Form 5695 & Instructions: Residential Energy Credits; 26 USC 25C
• Scheduled Termination: December 31, 2013
• Description: The credit applied to energy efficiency improvements in the building
envelope of existing homes and for the purchase of high-efficiency heating,
cooling and water-heating equipment. Efficiency improvements or equipment
must have served a dwelling in the United States that is owned and used by the
taxpayer as a primary residence. The maximum lifetime amount of homeowner
credit for all improvements combined for 2011, 2012 and 2013 is $500 total.
• Qualified applicant: Residential
• Qualifying technologies: Water heaters; furnace; boilers; heat pumps; air
conditioners; building insulation; windows; doors; roofs; circulating fans used in
a qualifying furnace; biomass and stoves that use qualified biomass fuel
• For more information: See the Internal Revenue Service website
2. Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
• Administered by: Internal Revenue Service
• Authority: Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy
Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343); American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5); IRS Form 5695 & Instructions:
Residential Energy Credits; 26 USC 25D (amended)
• Scheduled Termination: December 31, 2016
• Description: A taxpayer may claim a credit of 30% of qualified expenditures for a
system that serves a dwelling unit located in the United States and used as a
residence by the taxpayer.
• Qualified applicant: Residential
• Qualifying technologies: Solar water heat; photovoltaics; wind; fuel cells;
geothermal heat pumps; other solar electric technologies
• For more information: See IRS Form 5695 & Instructions: Residential Energy
Credits
Business
3. Business Energy Investment Tax Credit
• Administered by: Internal Revenue Service
• Authority: Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (EISA; P.L. 110-
343), Division B; American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA;
P.L. 111-5), Division B, Section 1103
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• Scheduled termination: December 31, 2016. Geothermal property, with the
exception of geothermal heat pumps, has no stated expiration date. The credit for
solar energy property returns to 10% after December 31, 2016.
• Description: Credit is 30% for solar, fuel cells and small wind & federal
renewable electricity production tax credit-eligible technologies; 10% for
geothermal, microturbines and CHP (Combined Heat and Power).
• Qualified Applicants: Commercial; industrial; utilities; agricultural
• Qualified Technologies: Solar water heat; solar space heat; solar thermal electric;
solar thermal process heat; photovoltaics; wind; biomass; geothermal electric;
fuel cells; geothermal heat pumps; CHP/Cogeneration; solar hybrid lighting;
direct-use geothermal; microturbines
• For more information: See the DSIRE website.
4. Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction
• Administered by: Internal Revenue Service
• Authority: Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58), Title XIII,
Subtitle C, Section 1331(a); Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-
432), Division A, Title II, Section 204; Energy Improvement and Extension Act
of 2008 (P.L. 110-343), Division B, Title III, Section 303; 26 USC § 179D
• Scheduled termination: December 31, 2013
• Description: A tax deduction of $1.80 per square foot is available to owners of
new or existing buildings who install (1) interior lighting; (2) building envelope,
or (3) heating, cooling, ventilation, or hot water systems that reduce the
building’s total energy and power cost by 50% or more in comparison to a
building meeting minimum requirements set by ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001.
Energy savings must be calculated using qualified computer software approved
by the IRS.
• Qualified applicants: Commercial; builder/developer; state government; federal
government (deductions associated with government buildings are transferred to
the designer)
• Qualified technologies: Equipment insulation; water heaters; lighting; lighting
controls/sensors; chillers; furnaces; boilers; heat pumps; air conditioners;
caulking/weather-stripping; duct/air sealing; building insulation; windows; doors;
siding; roofs; comprehensive measures/whole building
• For more information: See the Energy Star website
5. Energy-Efficient New Homes Tax Credit for Home Builders
• Administered by: Internal Revenue Service
• Authority: Tax Technical Corrections Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-172), Section
11(a)(7); Energy Improvement and Extension Act (P.L. 110-343), Division B,
Title III, Section 304; 26 USC § 45L 8/8/2005 (amended 2008); P.L. 111-312
(12/31/2011 extension) ); American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-240).
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• Scheduled termination: December 31, 2013
• Description: This program provided tax credits of up to $2,000 for builders of all
new energy-efficient homes, including manufactured homes constructed in
accordance with the Federal Manufactured Homes Construction and Safety
Standards. This credit was created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for homes
constructed in 2006 and 2007. It was renewed for homes constructed in 2008 and
2009, but then it expired and was not active in 2010. The Tax Relief,
Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (P.L.
111-312) retroactively reinstated this credit for homes acquired after December
31, 2009, and before January 1, 2012.
• Qualified applicant: Builder/developer
• Qualified technologies: Comprehensive measures/whole building
• For more information: See the IRS website; IRS Certification of Energy Efficient
Home Credit Notice; and IRS Energy Efficient Home Credit; Manufactured
Homes Notice
Industry
6. Energy Efficient Appliance Tax Credit for Manufacturers
• Administered by: Internal Revenue Service
• Authority: Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58), Title XIII,
Subtitle C, Section 1334(a); Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008
(P.L. 110-343), Division B, Section 305; 26 USC § 45M subsequently amended;
H.R. 4853, Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job
Creation Act of 2010; American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, (P.L. 112-240)
• Scheduled termination: December 31, 2013
• Description: A tax credit for each manufacturer is limited to a total of $25 million
for 2011, 2012 and 2013 combined.
• Qualified applicants: Industrial; appliance manufacturers
• Qualified technologies: Clothes washers; dishwashers; refrigerators
• For more information: See the IRS website; IRS form 8909
7. Qualifying Advanced Energy Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit (48C)
• Administered by: Internal Revenue Service
• Authority: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-
5), Division B, Section 1302; 26 USC 48C; IRS Notice 2013-12 Qualifying
Advanced Energy Project Credit Phase II.
• Scheduled termination: Applications are no longer being accepted. Phase II
concept papers were due to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by April 9,
2013. DOE will review concept papers and select which companies will be
allowed to submit a full application. Applications were due July 23, 2013.
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
• Description: The U.S. Treasury Department, in consultation with DOE, is no
longer accepting applications for this tax credit. The applications were due to
DOE by September 16, 2009, with final applications due to DOE October 16,
2009. Only applicants accepted and ranked by the DOE were allowed to submit
final applications to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by December 16, 2009.
Approved projects were announced in January 2010.
This tax credit was designed to encourage a U.S.-based renewable energy
manufacturing sector. Projects receiving awards are eligible for a tax credit of
30% of the qualified investment required for an advanced energy project.
• Qualified applicants: Commercial, industrial, manufacturing
• Qualifying technologies: Lighting; lighting controls/sensors; energy conservation
technologies: smart grid; solar water heat; solar thermal electric; photovoltaics;
wind; geothermal electric; fuel cells; geothermal heat pumps; batteries and
energy storage; advanced transmission technologies that support renewable
energy generation; renewable fuels; fuel cells using renewable fuels;
microturbines
• For more information: See DOE’s webpage for the 48C tax credit; the IRS’ 48C
webpage; and DSIRE’s webpage for the tax credit
8. Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit (PTC)
• Administered by: Internal Revenue Service
• Authority: Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L. 102-486); Energy Policy Act
of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58), Title XIII, Section 1301; Tax Relief and
Health Care Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-432), Division A, Section 201; Energy
Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343); American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5), Division B, Section 1101 and
1102; American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, (P.L. 112-240); IRS Notice 2013-
29; 26 USC 45 (amended)
• Scheduled termination: Projects must begin construction by December 31, 2013
• Description: The federal renewable electricity Production Tax Credit (PTC) is a
per-kilowatt-hour tax credit for electricity generated by qualified energy
resources and sold by the taxpayer to an unrelated person during the taxable year.
P.L. 112-240 (American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012) extended the PTC through
the end of 2013 and allowed projects that begin construction by the end of 2013
to qualify for the PTC. Previously, the law required that qualifying projects be
placed in service before the PTC expiration date.
• Qualified applicants: Commercial; industrial
• Qualifying technologies: Landfill gas; wind; biomass; hydroelectric; geothermal
electric; municipal solid waste; hydrokinetic power (i.e., flowing water);
anaerobic digestion; small hydroelectric; tidal energy; wave energy; ocean
thermal
• For more information: See the IRS website and DSIRE website
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
9. Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion (Corporate)
• Administered by: Internal Revenue Service
• Authority: Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L. 102-486), Section 1912;
Small Job Protection Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-188), Section 1617; 26 USC 136
(amended)
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: Energy conservation subsidies provided by public utilities, either
directly or indirectly, are nontaxable: “Gross income shall not include the value
of any subsidy provided (directly or indirectly) by a public utility to a customer
for the purchase or installation of any energy conservation measure.”
• Qualified applicants: Residential; multi-family residential
• Qualifying technologies: Technologies installed to reduce electricity or natural
gas consumption or improve the management of energy demand in a dwelling
unit, including, but not limited to, solar water heat; solar space heat;
photovoltaics; and other energy efficiency technologies not identified.
• For more information: See the IRS Publication 525 (2012), Taxable and
Nontaxable Income website
10. Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion (Personal)
• Administered by: Internal Revenue Service
• Authority: Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L. 102-486); Small Job
Protection Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-188), Section 1617; 26 USC 136 (amended)
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: Energy conservation subsidies provided by public utilities, either
directly or indirectly, are nontaxable: “Gross income shall not include the value
of any subsidy provided (directly or indirectly) by a public utility to a customer
for the purchase or installation of any energy conservation measure.”
• Qualified applicant: Residential; multi-family residential
• Qualifying technologies: Technologies installed to reduce electricity or natural
gas consumption or improve the management of energy demand in a dwelling
unit, including, but not limited to, solar water heat; solar space heat;
photovoltaics; and other energy efficiency technologies not identified.
• For more information: See the IRS Publication 525 (2012), Taxable and
Nontaxable Income website
State, Local and Tribal Governments
11. Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs)
• Administered by: Internal Revenue Service
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• Authority: Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343),
Division B, Section 301; American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009,
(ARRA; P.L. 111-5), Division B, Title I, Subtitle F, Part III, Section 1521(b)(1),
(2), and Part IV, Section 1531(c)(2), and Part V, Section 1541(b)(2); 26 USC 54A
; 26 USC 54D; IRS Notice 2009-29; IRS Notice 2010-35; IRS Announcement
2010-54
• Scheduled termination: All funds have been allocated to the states. No new
federal funding is available. There may be funding available in certain states.
• Description: QECBs may be used by state, local and tribal governments to
finance certain types of energy projects. QECBs, as tax credit bonds, provide
federally subsidized financing to all issuers. The original limit on the volume of
energy conservation tax credit bonds to be issued by state and local governments
was $800 million. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
expanded the allowable bond volume to $3.2 billion.
• Qualified applicants: State, local, and tribal governments
• Qualified technologies: Solar thermal electric; photovoltaics; landfill gas; wind;
biomass; hydroelectric; geothermal electric; municipal solid waste; hydrokinetic
power; anaerobic digestion; tidal energy; wave energy; ocean thermal
• For more information: See the DSIRE website; and CRS Report R41573, Tax-
Favored Financing for Renewable Energy Resources and Energy Efficiency, by
Molly F. Sherlock and Steven Maguire
Cross-Cutting
12. Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS)
• Administered by: Internal Revenue Service
• Authority: Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 (P.L. 97-34); Economic Stimulus
Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-185); American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(ARRA; P.L. 111-5), Division B, Title I, Subtitle C, Part I, Section 1201(a)(1)-
(2)(D), (3)(A), (b)(1); Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and
Job Creation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-312); 26 USC 168; IRS Rev. Proc. 2011-26;
American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-240)
• Scheduled termination: None. The five-year schedule for most types of solar,
geothermal, and wind property has been in place since 1986.
• Description: Under MACRS, businesses may recover investments in certain
property through depreciation deductions. The MACRS establishes a set of class
lives for various types of property, ranging from three to 50 years, over which the
property may be depreciated. A number of renewable energy technologies are
classified as five-year property (26 USC 168(e)(3)(B)(vi)) under MACRS.
• Qualified applicants: Commercial; industrial
• Qualified technologies: Solar water heat; solar space heat; solar thermal electric;
solar thermal process heat; photovoltaics; landfill gas; wind; biomass; renewable
transportation fuels; geothermal electric; fuel cells; geothermal heat pumps;
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municipal solid waste; CHP/cogeneration; solar hybrid lighting; direct use
geothermal; anaerobic digestion; microturbines
• For more information: See IRS Publication 946, IRS Form 4562: Depreciation
and Amortization, and Instructions for Form 4562
13. Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit
• Administered by: Internal Revenue Service
• Authority: Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58); Energy
Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343), Division B, Section 205;
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5), Division
B, Sections 1141-1144
• Scheduled Termination: December 31, 2014 for fuel cell vehicles and qualified
plug-in electric drive motor vehicles; expired December 31, 2011 or earlier for all
other vehicles.
• Description: Enacted in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the provision includes
separate credits for four distinct types of vehicles: using fuel cells, advanced lean
burn technologies, qualified hybrid technology or qualified alternative fuels
technologies.
• Qualified applicant: Taxpayers
• Qualifying technologies: Hybrid gasoline-electric; diesel; battery-electric;
alternative fuel and fuel cell vehicles; advanced lean-burn technology vehicles;
plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
• For more information: See the IRS website for the Alternative Motor Vehicle
Credit
III. Department of Agriculture
1. Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities Program
• Administered by: Rural Development (RD)
• Authorization: Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (P.L. 74-605); Grain Standards
and Warehouse Improvement Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-472)
• Annual funding: $9.5 million for FY2012; and $7.6 million for FY2013
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program provides financial assistance to rural communities
with extremely high energy costs (exceeding 275% of the national average).
• Qualified applicants: State, local, and tribal governments (including U.S.
territories); for-profit businesses; non-profit businesses; cooperatives; individuals
• Qualified technologies: Not specifically identified
• For more information: See CFDA program number 10.859 and the USDA
program website
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
2. Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels
• Administered by: Rural Development
• Authorization: P.L. 110-234, Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Title
IX, section 9001, subsection 9005
• Annual Funding:
• Mandatory Farm Bill authorization: $55 million for FY2009; $55 million
for FY2010; $85 million for FY2011; $105 million for FY2012 was
authorized to remain available until expended. P.L. 112-55 limits
mandatory spending to $65 million
• Discretionary: $25 million authorized for FY2009-FY2013; No
discretionary funding has been appropriated through FY2013
• Scheduled Termination: Mandatory funding authorized through FY2013.
• Description: To support and ensure an expanding production of advanced
biofuels by providing payments to eligible advanced biofuel producers.
• Qualified applicants: Eligible advanced biofuels producers
• Qualified technologies: Payments will be made to eligible advanced biofuel
producers for the production of fuel derived from renewable biomass, other than
corn kernel starch, to include biofuel derived from cellulose, hemicellulose, or
lignin; biofuel derived from sugar and starch (other than ethanol derived from
corn kernel starch); biofuel derived from waste material, including crop residue,
other vegetative waste material, animal waste, food waste and yard waste; diesel-
equivalent fuel derived from renewable biomass, including vegetable oil and
animal fat; biogas (including landfill gas and sewage waste treatment gas)
produced through the conversion of organic matter from renewable biomass;
butanol or other alcohols produced through the conversion of organic matter from
renewable biomass; and other fuel derived from cellulosic biomass
• For more Information: See program number 10.867 on the CFDA website; USDA
program website; CRS Report R41985, Renewable Energy Programs and the
Farm Bill: Status and Issues, by Randy Schnepf
3. Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP; Sec. 9011)
• Administered by: Farm Services Agency (FSA)
• Authorization: Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(FSRIA; P.L. 107-171) is amended by Title IX, Section 9001 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246), creating new Section 9011
under FSIRA
• Annual funding: Original mandatory funding authorization for FY2009-FY2012
authorizes “such sums as necessary.” The Supplemental Appropriations Act of
2010 (P.L. 111-212) limits mandatory spending on BCAP by allowing no more
than $552 million in FY2010 and $432 million in FY2011. The Department of
Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (P.L. 112-10),
further reduced BCAP funding for FY2011 to $112 million. With respect to
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FY2012 funding, the President’s FY2012 budget proposed to limit funding for
CHST to $70 million. The remaining annual and establishment payment portion
of BCAP would remain at such sums as necessary (SSAN). On June 16, 2011,
the House passed an FY2012 appropriations bill (H.R. 2112) that would have
eliminated funding for BCAP for FY2012. In contrast, the Senate FY2012
spending bill left BCAP mandatory spending untouched. In the final FY2012
Agriculture appropriations act (P.L. 112-55), BCAP mandatory spending was
limited to $17 million. Under ATRA, no new mandatory funding was included
for BCAP; however, discretionary funding of $20 million was authorized to be
appropriated for FY2013.
• For more on these changes in mandatory program spending, see CRS Report
R41245, Reductions in Mandatory Agriculture Program Spending, by Jim Monke
and Megan Stubbs. For more information on the 2010 supplemental, see CRS
Report R41255, FY2010 Supplemental Appropriations for Agriculture, by Jim
Monke.
• Scheduled termination: Funding authorized through FY2013
• Description: BCAP provides assistance to support the production of eligible
biomass crops on land within approved BCAP project areas. In exchange for
growing eligible crops, the FSA will provide annual payments through 10- to 15-
year contracts. Under these contracts up to 75% of establishment costs may also
be provided. FSA will also provide matching payments to eligible material
owners at a rate of $1 for each $1 per dry ton paid by a qualified biomass
conversion facility. Payments may not exceed $45 per ton for a two-year period
and matching payments are available for no more than two years per participant.
• Qualified applicants: Eligible biomass material owners and eligible biomass
producers
• Qualified technologies: Eligible material for a matching payment is renewable
biomass, as defined by the 2008 farm bill, with several important exclusions
including harvested grains, fiber or other commodities eligible to receive
payments under the Commodity Title (Title I) of the 2008 farm bill (the residues
of these commodities, however, are eligible and may qualify for payment);
animal waste and animal waste by-products including fats, oils, greases and
manure; food waste and yard waste; and algae. Eligible crops include renewable
biomass, with the exception of crops eligible to receive a payment under Title I
of the 2008 farm bill and plants that are invasive or noxious, or have the potential
to become invasive or noxious.
• For more Information: See the USDA BCAP website; CRS Report R41985,
Renewable Energy Programs and the Farm Bill: Status and Issues, by Randy
Schnepf; and CRS Report R41296, Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP):
Status and Issues, by Randy Schnepf
4. Biorefinery Assistance Program (Sec. 9003)
• Administered by: Rural Development
• Authorization: Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(FSRIA, P.L. 107-171) is amended by Title IX, Section 9001 of the Food,
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Conservation and Energy Axt of 2008 (P.L. 110-246) creating new Section 9003
under FSIRA
• Annual Funding:
• Mandatory authorization: $75 million for FY2009; $245 million for
FY2010. $0 for FY2011; $0 for FY2012; any mandatory funding unspent
from the FY2010 allocation ($245 million) remains available in FY2013.
• Discretionary authorization: $150 million authorized annually for
FY2009-FY2013. No discretionary funding has been appropriated for
BAP through FY2013.
• Scheduled Termination: Funding authorized through FY2013
• Description: The purpose is to assist in the development of new and emerging
technologies for the development of advanced biofuels, so as to increase the
energy independence of the United States; promote resource conservation, public
health, and the environment; diversify markets for agricultural and forestry
products and agriculture waste material; and create jobs and enhance the
economic development of the rural economy. Loan guarantees are made to fund
the development, construction, and retrofitting of commercial-scale biorefineries
using eligible technology. The maximum loan guarantee is $250 million.
• Qualified applicants: Individuals, tribal entities, state government entities, local
government entities, corporations, farm cooperatives, farmer cooperative
organizations, associations of agricultural producers, national laboratories,
institutions of higher education, rural electric cooperatives, public power entities,
and consortia of any of the previous entities
• Qualified technologies: Technologies being adopted in a viable commercial-scale
operation of a biorefinery that produces an advanced biofuel; and technologies
that have been demonstrated to have technical and economic potential for
commercial application in a biorefinery that produces an advanced biofuel
• For more Information: See the USDA program website at; CFDA program
number 10.865; CRS Report R41985, Renewable Energy Programs and the
Farm Bill: Status and Issues, by Randy Schnepf
5. Community Wood Energy Program
• Administered by: Forest Service
• Authorization: Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(FSRIA, P.L. 107-171 is amended by Title IX Section 9001 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246), creating new Section 9013
under FSIRA
• Annual funding: Discretionary funding of $5 million annually was authorized to
be appropriated for FY2009-FY2012. The Forest Service awarded $49 million in
funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA,
P.L. 111-5) for wood-to-energy projects, and the appropriations committee
reports in FY2010 and FY2011 have directed the use of $5 million in hazardous
fuels funds for biomass energy projects. Under the American Taxpayer Relief Act
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of 2012 (ATRA; P.L. 112-240), discretionary funding of $15 million was
authorized to be appropriated for FY2013.
• Scheduled Termination: Funding authorized through FY2013
• Description: Grants awarded for systems smaller than 5 million Btu per hour for
heating (or 2 megawatts) for electric power production as directed by statute. At
least a 50% match is required from Non-Federal funds for grants. Technical
assistance will be based on previous work and commitment to future work
demonstrated by the applicant. The program is authorized $5 million annually
when funded. Grant awards are limited to $50,000 by statute.
• Qualified applicants: State and local governments
• Qualified technology: Biomass
• For more information: See CRS Report R41985, Renewable Energy Programs
and the Farm Bill: Status and Issues, by Randy Schnepf
6. New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program
• Administered by: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
• Authorization: National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-113); Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L.
110-246)
• Annual funding: $875,000 for FY2010; an estimated $875,000 for FY2011; the
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, P.L. 112-55, did not
provide funding for the New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program
(RTP) in FY2012. As a result, NIFA will not offer the RTP funding opportunity in
FY2012.
• Scheduled termination: Authorized through FY2013
• Description: This program provides grant funding for approved technology
development, applied research, and training to develop an agriculture-based
renewable energy workforce. The initiative shall support the following fields: (A)
bioenergy; (B) pulp and paper manufacturing; and (C) agriculture-based
renewable energy resources.
• Qualified applicants: Public or private nonprofit community colleges; advanced
technology centers
• Qualified technologies: Biomass; bioenergy
• For more information: See the CFDA website, program number 10.314 and the
USDA website
7. Repowering Assistance Program (RAP)
• Administered by: Rural Development
• Authorization: Title IX, Section 9003 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002 (FSIRA, P.L. 107-171 is amended by Title IX, Section 9001 of the
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Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246), creating new Section
9004 under FSIRA
• Annual funding:
• Mandatory authorization: $35 million for FY2009, to remain available
until expended. $15 million in FY2010 was appropriated through
FY2012. Any mandatory funding unspent from the FY2009 allocation of
$35 million is available in FY2013
• Discretionary authorization: Discretionary funding of $15 million
annually for FY2009-FY2013 was authorized to be appropriated under
the 2008 farm bill and the ATRA extension; however, only $15 million in
FY2010 has been appropriated through FY2013. No new mandatory
funding was included for RAP under the ATRA farm bill extension;
however, any mandatory funding unspent from the FY2009 allocation of
$35 million remains available through FY2013.
• Scheduled termination: Authorized through FY2013
• Description: The Repowering Assistance Program (RAP) makes payments to
eligible biorefineries (those in existence on the date of enactment of the 2008
farm bill, June 18, 2008) to encourage the use of renewable biomass as a
replacement for fossil fuels used to provide heat for processing or power in the
operation of these eligible biorefineries. Not more than 5% of the funds shall be
made available to eligible producers with a refining capacity exceeding 150
million gallons of advanced biofuel per year.
• Qualified applicants: Eligible biorefinery. The biorefinery must have been in
existence on or before June 18, 2008
• Qualified technologies: Renewable biomass
• For more Information: See program number 10.866 on the CFDA website and the
USDA program website; CRS Report R41985, Renewable Energy Programs and
the Farm Bill: Status and Issues, by Randy Schnepf
8. Rural Energy For America Program (REAP) Grants and Loans
• Administered by: Rural Development
• Authority: Title IX, Section 9006 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 (FSIRA, P.L. 107-171) is amended by Title IX, Section 9001 of the Food
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246), creating new Section 9007
under FSIRA. The new Section 9007 converted the federal Renewable Energy
Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program into the Rural Energy for
America Program (REAP)
• Annual funding:
• Mandatory authorization: The FY2011 appropriations act (Department of
Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011; P.L. 112-
10) reduced REAP discretionary funds from $25 million to $5 million,
but left REAP’s mandatory funding of $70 million intact. The FY2012
Agriculture Appropriations Act (P.L. 112-55) limited REAP mandatory
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
spending to $22 million while discretionary funding was authorized at
$3.4 million, split evenly between grants and loan guarantees.
• Discretionary authorization: $25 million authorized annually for
FY2009-FY2013. Actual discretionary appropriations have been $5
million in FY2009, $40 million in FY2010, $5 million in FY2011, and
$3.4 million in FY2012
• Scheduled termination: Authorized through FY2013
• Description: REAP promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy for
agricultural producers and rural small businesses through the use of (1) grants
and loan guarantees for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy
systems, and (2) grants for energy audits and renewable energy development
assistance.
• Qualified applicants: Commercial; schools; state, local, and tribal governments;
rural electric cooperatives; agricultural; public power entities
• Qualified technologies: Solar water heat; solar space heat; solar thermal electric;
photovoltaics; wind; biomass; hydroelectric; renewable transportation fuels;
geothermal electric; geothermal heat pumps; CHP/cogeneration; hydrogen;
direct-use geothermal; anaerobic digestion; small hydroelectric; tidal energy;
wave energy; ocean thermal; renewable fuels; fuel cells using renewable fuels;
microturbines. Specific energy efficiency technologies not identified
• For more information: See the program website and CRS Report R41985,
Renewable Energy Programs and the Farm Bill: Status and Issues, by Randy
Schnepf
9. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE)
• Administered by: National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Agricultural
Research Service; and other appropriate agencies
• Authorization: Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-
624); Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act Amendments of 1991 (P.L.
102-237); Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-
127); Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246)
• Annual funding: $12.5 million for FY2006; $12.4 million for FY2007; $9.1
million for FY2008; $14.5 million for FY2009; $14.5 million for FY2010, $19.2
million for FY2011; $13.5 for FY2012; and an estimated $12.5 million for
FY2013.
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: The purpose of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
Program (SARE) is, in part, to encourage research designed to increase our
knowledge concerning agricultural production systems that conserve soil, water,
energy, natural resources, and fish and wildlife habitat. SARE provides grants
through the agricultural bioenergy feedstock and energy efficiency research and
extension initiative for projects with the purpose of enhancing the production of
biomass energy crops and the energy efficiency of agricultural operations.
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
• Qualified applicants: Federal and state governments; colleges and universities;
state agricultural experiment stations; state cooperative extension services;
nonprofit organizations; individuals with demonstrable expertise
• Qualified technologies: Biomass; biofuels; other technologies not identified.
• For more information: See CFDA program website, program number 10.215
• For information on additional USDA programs, see CRS Report R41985,
Renewable Energy Programs and the Farm Bill: Status and Issues, by Randy
Schnepf
IV. Department of the Interior
1. Energy and Mineral Development Program: Minerals and Mining on Indian
Lands
• Administered by: Bureau of Indian Affairs. Energy and Mineral Development
Program
• Authority: Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (P.L. 93-
638), 25 USC 450; Snyder Act of 1921 (P.L. 67-85), 25 USC 13; Indian Minerals
Development Act (P.L. 97-382), 25 USC 2101 et seq.; Umatilla Basin Project Act
(P.L. 101-557), 16 USC 1271 et seq.
• Annual funding: $12.972 million for FY2010; $12.87 million for FY2011; $12.7
million for FY2012; $12 million for FY2013
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: Funding may be used to facilitate the inventory, assessment,
promotion and marketing of both renewable and nonrenewable energy and
mineral resources on Indian lands. Funds are awarded competitively to support
assessment and inventory programs or to develop baseline data, but cannot be
used for development purposes.
• Qualified applicants: Federally recognized Indian tribes; individual American
Indian mineral owners
• Qualified technologies: Renewable energy technologies
• For more information: See program number 15.038 at the CFDA website
2. Tribal Energy Development Capacity Grant Program
• Administered by: Bureau of Indian Affairs
• Authorization: Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT; P.L. 102-486); Tribal Energy
Resource Development and Self-Determination Act of 2005 (Title V of Energy
Policy Act of 2005; P.L. 109-58)
• Annual funding: $375,000 for FY2007; $1 million for FY2008; no estimate
available for FY2009; $138,839 for FY2010; $250,000 for FY2011; $0 for
FY2012; an estimated $400,000 for FY2013
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program provides grants to Indian tribes to (1) develop and
sustain the managerial and technical capacity needed to develop their energy
resources; and (2) properly account for resulting energy production and revenues.
• Qualified applicant: Tribal governments
• Qualified technologies: Renewable energy technologies
• For more information: See program number 15.148 at the CFDA website; or
contact IEED, the Division of Indian Energy at (202) 219-0740
V. Small Business Administration
1. 7(a) Loan Guarantees
• Administered by: Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Authority: Small Business Act of 1953 (Public Law 83-163)
• Scheduled termination: None
• Annual Funding: $168.0 million for FY2011 ($80.0 million for 7(a) loan
guaranty credit subsidies and $88.0 million for administration); $233.0 million
for FY2012 ($139.4 million for 7(a) loan guaranty credit subsidies and $93.6
million for administration); $303.1 million for FY2013 (approximately $214.2
million for 7(a) loan guaranty credit subsidies and $88.9 million for
administration) in FY2013; and $107.4 million budget requested for FY2014 (no
funding is requested for 7(a) loan guaranty credit subsidies and $107.4 million
for administration).
• Description: To guarantee loans from lenders to small businesses which are
unable to obtain financing on reasonable terms and conditions in the private
credit marketplace, but can demonstrate an ability to repay loans if granted, in a
timely manner. Guaranteed loans are made available to for-profit small
businesses. The SBA’s 7(a) lending authority includes (1) regular 7(a); (2)
SBAExpress Program; (3) Patriot Express Program; (4) the CapLines Program
(5) Small/Rural Lender Advantage initiative; (6) Export Express Program; (7)
Export Working Capital Program; (8) Preferred Lenders Program; (9)
International Trade; and (10) Small Loan Advantage and Community Advantage
initiatives.
• Qualified applicant: Small businesses (meeting the size and eligibility standards)
• Qualified technologies: Not specifically listed
• For more information: See CRS Report R41146, Small Business Administration
7(a) Loan Guaranty Program, by Robert Jay Dilger; the SBA website; and
program number 59.012 at the CFDA website
2. 504 Loan Guarantees
• Administered by: Small Business Administration (SBA)
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
• Authority: Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (Public Law 85-699)
• Scheduled termination: None
• Annual Funding: $38.9 million for administration in FY2011; $107.3 million for
FY2012 ($67.7 million for 504/CDC loan guaranty credit subsidies and $39.6
million for administration); $140.2 million for FY2013 (approximately $102.7
million for 504/CDC loan guaranty credit subsidies and $37.5 million for
administration; and $146.5 million budget request for FY2014 ($107.0 million
for 504/CDC loan guaranty credit subsidies and $39.5 million for administration.
• Description: provides long-term fixed rate financing for major fixed assets, such
as land, buildings, equipment, and machinery. Of the total project costs, a third-
party lender must provide at least 50% of the financing, the Certified
Development Company provides up to 40% of the financing through a 100%
SBA-guaranteed debenture, and the applicant provides at least 10% of the
financing. Qualified projects are required to modernize or upgrade facilities by:
(1) reducing energy use by at least 10 percent; or (2) employing sustainable
design, or low-impact design, that reduces fossil fuel use; or (3) planning,
equipping, and/or installing process upgrades or renewable energy sources—such
as the small-scale (micropower) production of energy for individual buildings or
communities consumption; or (4) supporting renewable fuels production by
biodiesel and ethanol producers.
• Qualified applicant: Small businesses (meeting the size and eligibility standards)
• Qualified technologies: fossil fuels; energy efficiency equipment; renewable
energy sources (unspecified); renewable fuels, including biodiesel and ethanol
• For more information: See CRS Report R41184, Small Business Administration
504/CDC Loan Guaranty Program, by Robert Jay Dilger; the SBA website; and
program number 59.041 at the CFDA website
VI. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development
1. Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs)
• Administered by: Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA). Conventional mortgages: Private lenders that sell
mortgage loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac may offer Energy Efficient
Mortgages (EEMs)
• Authority: EEMs were initially introduced by lenders in the 1980s. In 1992, three
pieces of legislation passed by Congress worked towards standardizing and
expanding the use of EEMs. In 1992, Congress established an FHA Energy
Efficient Mortgage Pilot Program (P.L. 102-550). The program was later
expanded beyond five states to become a national program. The Housing
Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA; P.L. 110-289) increased the maximum
amount that can be added to an FHA mortgage for energy efficient
improvements. The 111th Congress also passed some incentives to encourage
Congressional Research Service
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
green home improvements in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5).
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: Homeowners can take advantage of EEMs to finance a variety of
energy efficiency measures, including renewable energy technologies, in a new
or existing home. The U.S. federal government directly provides these loans
through the FHA and VA lending programs. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will
also purchase EEMs from primary lenders. Primary lenders may issue EEMs that
do not conform to underwriting standards.
• Qualified applicants: The loan is available to anyone who meets the income
requirements for FHA’s Section 203 (b), provided the applicant can meet the
monthly mortgage payments. New and existing owner-occupied homes of up to
two units qualify for this loan. Cooperative units are not eligible. VA: available to
qualified military personnel, reservists and veterans; Conventional: Applicants
qualifying for a conventional mortgage are also eligible for an energy efficient
mortgage
• Qualifying technologies: Passive solar space heat; solar water heat; solar space
heat; photovoltaics; daylighting; and other technologies not specifically identified
• For more information: See the HUD, Energy Star and DSIRE websites
VII. Department of Labor
1. Program of Competitive Grants for Worker Training and Placement in High
Growth and Emerging Industry Sectors
• Administered by: Employment Training Administration
• Authority: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-
5), Title VIII
• Annual funding: (Project Grants) $0 for FY2008; $750 million for FY2009
(ARRA) which remained available through June 30, 2010; $0 for FY2010-
FY2013
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: This program provides competitive grants for worker training and
placement in high growth and emerging industry sectors.
• Qualified applicants: State, local, and tribal governments; colleges and
universities; private nonprofit institutions/organizations
• For more information: See the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Training and
Employment Notice for this program; and program number 17.275 at the CFDA
website
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
VIII. Department of Veterans Affairs
1. Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs)
• Administered by: FHA and VA. Conventional mortgages: Private lenders that sell
mortgage loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac may offer EEMs
• Authority: EEMs were initially introduced by lenders in the 1980s. In 1992, three
pieces of legislation passed by Congress worked towards standardizing and
expanding the use of EEMs. In 1992, Congress established an FHA Energy
Efficient Mortgage Pilot Program (P.L. 102-550). The program was later
expanded beyond five states to become a national program. The Housing
Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA; P.L. 110-289) increased the maximum
amount that can be added to an FHA mortgage for energy efficient
improvements. The 111th Congress also passed some incentives to encourage
green home improvements in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Scheduled termination: None
• Description: Homeowners can take advantage of EEMs to finance a variety of
energy efficiency measures, including renewable energy technologies, in a new
or existing home. The U.S. federal government directly provides these loans
through the FHA and VA lending programs. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will
also purchase EEMs from primary lenders. Primary lenders may issue EEMs that
do not conform to underwriting standards.
• Qualified applicants: The loan is available to anyone who meets the income
requirements for FHA’s Section 203 (b), provided the applicant can meet the
monthly mortgage payments. New and existing owner-occupied homes of up to
two units qualify for this loan. Cooperative units are not eligible. VA: available to
qualified military personnel, reservists and veterans; Conventional: applicants
qualifying for a conventional mortgage are also eligible for an energy efficient
mortgage
• Qualifying technologies: Passive solar space heat; solar water heat; solar space
heat; photovoltaics; daylighting; and other technologies not specifically identified
• For more information: See the HUD, Energy Star and DSIRE websites
Congressional Research Service
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Appendix A. Summary of Federal Renewable
Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives/Index of
Programs
Table A-1. Federal Incentives by Agency
Administering
U.S. Code
FY2013
Agency
Program Description Citation
Appropriationsa Expiration Date
Department of
Advanced
Develops and supports
42 USC §17111
$116.3 million
None
Energy
Manufacturing
the commercialization of
et seq.
Office (formerly
new energy efficient
Industrial
technologies to improve
Technologies
industrial efficiency while
Program)
increasing productivity
Advanced
Grants to finance
42 USC §16538
$276.7 million
Program
Research Projects
sophisticated energy
evaluation after
Energy Financial
technology R&D projects to
FY2012
Assistance
accelerate transformation
Program (ARPA-E) technology advances.
Bioenergy
Grants to develop cost-
42 USC §16232
$200.5 million
None
Technologies
effective technologies and
Program (formerly
systems to transform
Biomass and
domestic biomass
Biorefinery
resources into biofuels,
Systems R&D
bioproducts, and
Program)
biopower.
Building
Provides financial and
42 USC
$220.5 million
None
Technologies
technical assistance to
§17061-17124
Program
improve efficiency of
buildings and the
equipment, components
and systems within them
Conservation
Grants to finance long-
42 USC §5901
Estimated $75.1
None
Research and
terms R&D efforts in
et seq.
million
Development
buildings technologies,
Grant Program
Industrial technologies,
vehicle technologies, and
hydrogen/fuel cell
technologies.
Electricity Delivery Grants to develop cost-
42 USC §17381
$99.8 million
None
and Energy
effective technology to
et seq.
Reliability,
enhance the reliability,
Research,
efficiency, and resiliency
Development and
of the electric grid
Analysis Grant
Program
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Administering
U.S. Code
FY2013
Agency Program Description Citation
Appropriationsa Expiration
Date
Energy Efficiency
Provides financial
See Notes fieldb Estimated
$8.6
None
and Renewable
assistance to stimulate
million
Energy
increased usage of energy
Information
efficiency/ renewable
Dissemination,
energy technologies and
Outreach,
accelerate the adoption
Training, and
of these technologies
Technical
Analysis/Assistance
Program
Energy Efficiency
Provides financial
42 USC §16191
$0 None
and Renewable
assistance for
et seq.
Energy Technology deployment,
Deployment,
demonstration, and
Demonstration,
commercialization of
and
and
energy efficiency and
42 USC §16231
Commercialization renewable energy
et seq.
Grant Program
technologies
Federal Energy
Provides assistance to
42 USC §17131
$30.1 million
None
Management
federal agencies in
et seq.
Program
developing and
implementing energy
efficiency and renewable
energy technologies to
meet energy management
goals
Financial
Grants support research
42 USC §13503
Estimated $962.6
None
Assistance
in the basic sciences and
million
Program
advanced technology
concepts and assessments
(Office of Science)
in fields related to energy
Geothermal
Partners DOE with
42 USC §16231
$38.1 million
None
Technologies
industry, academia, and
et seq. and 42
Program
research facilities to
USC §17191 et
develop geothermal
seq.
energy technologies
Hydrogen & Fuel
Partners DOE with
42 USC §16151
$104.3 million
None
Cell Technologies
industry, academia, and
et seq.
Program
national laboratories to
develop hydrogen and
fuel cell technologies for
the marketplace
Inventions and
Provides financial and
42 USC § 5913
Estimated
None
Innovations
technical assistance to
$914,000
Program
develop innovative cost-
effective ideas and
inventions with future
commercial value. Focus
on energy efficiency and
renewable energy
technologies.
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Administering
U.S. Code
FY2013
Agency Program Description Citation
Appropriationsa Expiration
Date
Loan Guarantee
Loan guarantees to
42 USC §16511
$0 for the
None
Program
encourage commercial
et seq.
Innovative
use of new or significantly
Technology Loan
improved technologies
Guarantee
that avoid, reduce or
Program (Section
sequester air pol utants
1703)
or greenhouse gas
emissions
$0 for the
Temporary Loan
Guarantee
Program (Section
1705)
Regional Biomass
Provides financial
See Notes fieldb $0
None
Energy Programs
assistance to increase
America’s use of fuels,
chemicals, materials, and
power made from
domestic biomass
Renewable Energy
Provides incentive
42 USC §13317
$0
End of FY2026
Production
payments for electricity
Incentive
generated and sold by
new qualifying renewable
energy facilities
Renewable Energy
Provides financial
42 USC §16231
$141.5 million
None
Research and
assistance to conduct
et. seq.
Development
R&D efforts in renewable
Program
energy technologies
Small Business
Grants for small
15 USC §638
$33.3 million
None
Innovation
businesses to develop and
Research/Small
commercialize energy
Business
technologies, including
Technology
energy efficiency and
Transfer Programs
renewable energy
technologies
Solar Energy
Program partners with
42 USC §16231
$290.7 million
None
Technologies
industry, universities, and
et seq. and 42
Program
national laboratories to
USC §17171 et
finance R&D and bring
seq.
reliable and affordable
solar energy technologies
to the marketplace
State Energy
Provides grants to states
42 USC §6321
$50.3 million
None
Program
to design and implement
et seq.
their own renewable
energy and energy
efficiency programs
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Administering
U.S. Code
FY2013
Agency Program Description Citation
Appropriationsa Expiration
Date
Tribal Energy
Provides financial and
25 USC §3501
$10.1 million
None
Program
technical assistance,
et seq.
education, and training to
tribes to evaluate and
develop renewable
energy sources and
energy efficiency
measures
Vehicle
Program partners with
42 USC §17011
$330.8 million
None
Technologies
industry leaders to
et seq.
Program
develop and deploy
advanced transportation
technologies to improve
vehicle fuel efficiency and
domestically produce
clean and affordable
alternative fuels
Water Power
Program partners with
42 USC §16231
$59.1 million
None
Program (formerly
industry, states, federal
et. seq and 42
Wind and
entities, and other
USC §17211 et
Hydropower
stakeholders on R&D
seq.
Technologies
projects to improve the
Program)
performance, lower
costs, and accelerate the
deployment of water
power technologies
Weatherization
Provides financial and
42 USC §6861
$68.4 million
None
Assistance
technical assistance to
et seq.
Program
states to increase the
energy efficiency of low-
income households
Wind Energy
Program partners with
42 USC §16231
$93.8 million
None
Program (formerly
industry, states, federal
et. seq
Wind and
entities, and other
Hydropower
stakeholders on R&D
Technologies
projects to improve the
Program)
performance, lower
costs, and accelerate the
deployment of wind
energy technologies
Internal
Business Energy
Provides a tax credit for
26 USC §48
N/A
12/31/2016 for
Revenue Service Investment Tax
30% of total expenditures
most eligible
Credit
on eligible systems placed
systems (except
in service, except
geothermal and
geothermal systems,
solar thermal)
microturbines, and
combined heat and
power systems (10%)
Energy-Efficient
Provides a tax credit to
26 USC §45M
N/A 12/31/2011
Appliance Tax
manufacturers for
(amended)
Credit for
appliances that meet
Manufacturers
Energy Star 2007
requirements
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Administering
U.S. Code
FY2013
Agency Program Description Citation
Appropriationsa Expiration
Date
Energy Efficient
Tax deduction for certain
26 USC §179D
N/A 12/31/2013
Commercial
qualifying systems and
(amended)
Buildings Tax
buildings
Deduction
Energy-Efficient
Provides tax credits of up 26 USC §45L
N/A 12/31/2011
New Homes Tax
to $2,000 for builders of
(amended)
Credit for Home
new, energy-efficient
Builders
homes
Qualified Energy
Bond authority is
26 USC § 54A;
N/A N/A
Conservation
allocated to state, local,
26 USC §54D;
Bonds (QECBs)
and tribal governments to 26 USC § 6431
finance a broad range of
energy efficiency and
renewable energy
projects
Qualifying
Provides tax credits to
26 USC §48C
N/A
Applications no
Advanced Energy
encourage a U.S. based
longer accepted;
Manufacturing
renewable energy
Phase concept
Investment Tax
manufacturing sector
papers were due
Credit
to DOE by
4/9/2013; final
applications were
due to DOE on
7/23/2013.
Renewable Energy
Provides a per-kilowatt-
26 USC §45
N/A Generally,
10
Production Tax
hour tax credit for
(amended)
years after the
Credit (PTC)
electricity generated by
date the facility
qualified renewable
placed in service
energy technologies and
(with exceptions
sold during the tax year
for some
technology types)
Residential Energy
Corporate tax exemption 26 USC §136
N/A None
Conservation
for energy-conservation
(amended)
Subsidy Exclusion
subsidies are provided by
(Corporate)
public utilities, either
directly or indirectly
Residential Energy
Personal tax exemption
26 USC §136
N/A None
Conservation
for energy-conservation
(amended)
Subsidy Exclusion
subsidies provided by
(Personal)
public utilities, either
directly or indirectly
Residential Energy
Provides tax credit to
26 USC §25C
N/A
12/31/2011
Efficiency Tax
residents/individuals for
Credit
the installation of
qualified energy efficient
equipment to existing
homes (primary
residence)
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Administering
U.S. Code
FY2013
Agency Program Description Citation
Appropriationsa Expiration
Date
Residential
Provides a tax credit to
26 USC §25D
N/A 12/31/2016
Renewable Energy
residents/ individuals for
(amended)
Tax Credit
the installation of
qualified renewable
energy systems to
existing homes. Home
must serve as owner’s
primary residence.
Alternative Motor
Provides tax credit for
26 USC §30B
N/A
Varies by
Vehicle Credit
hybrid and lean-burn
technology type:
vehicles.
See Table A-2
below
Department of
Assistance to High
Provides financial
7 USC. §918a
$7.6 million None
Agriculture
Energy Cost Rural
assistance to rural
Communities
communities with high
Program
energy costs
Bioenergy
Supports and ensures an
7 USC §8105
$105 million in
Authorized
Program for
expanding production of
mandatory
through FY2012
Advanced Biofuels
advanced biofuels by
funding to remain
providing payments to
available until
advanced biofuels
expended; P.L.
producers
112-55 limits
mandatory
spending to $65
million; $0 in
discretionary
spending for
FY2013
Biomass Crop
Provides assistance to
7 USC §8111
No new
Authorized
Assistance
support the production
mandatory
through FY2012
Program (BCAP)
of eligible biomass crops
funding for
on land within approved
FY2013;
project areas
discretionary
funding
authorized $20
million for
FY2013
Biorefinery
Assists in the
7 USC §8103
$0 for FY2013;
Authorized
Assistance
development of new
mandatory
through FY2012
Program
technologies for
funding unspent
development of biofuels
from FY2010
allocation of $245
million remains
available in
FY2013
Community Wood Provides grants to states
7 USC §8113
$0 mandatory
Authorized
Energy Program
and local governments to
funding; $15
through FY2012
develop community
million in
wood energy plans or
discretionary
acquire or upgrade
funding
community wood energy
authorized to be
systems
appropriated for
FY2013
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Administering
U.S. Code
FY2013
Agency Program Description Citation
Appropriationsa Expiration
Date
New Era Rural
Provides grant funding for 7 USC §3319e
$0
Authorized
Technology
approved technology
through FY2012
Competitive
development, applied
Grants Program
research, and training to
develop bioenergy and
agriculture-based
renewable energy
resources
Repowering
Provides financial
7 USC §8104
$15 million in
Authorized
Assistance
incentives to biorefineries
FY2012 was
through FY2012
Program
in existence on June 18,
appropriated
2008, to replace the use
through FY2012;
of fossil fuels used to
Any mandatory
produce heat or power
funding unspent
by installing new systems
from the FY2009
that use renewable
allocation of $35
biomass or to produce
million remains
new energy from
available through
renewable biomass
FY2013; $0 in
discretionary
funding for
FY2013.
Rural Energy for
Provides grants and loan
7 USC §8107
$22 million in
Authorized
America Program
guarantees to promote
mandatory
through 2012
energy efficiency and
funding; and $3.4
renewable energy to
million in
agricultural producers
discretionary
and rural small businesses
funding
Sustainable
Provides grants for
7 USC §5801 et Estimated $12.5
None
Agriculture
research projects with
seq.
million
Research and
the purpose of enhancing
Education
biomass energy crop
production and increasing
the energy efficiency of
agricultural operations
Department of
Energy Efficient
Provides backing of loans
12 USC
N/A None
Housing and
Mortgages
for energy efficient
§1701z-16
Urban
mortgages to finance the
Development
installation of energy
efficiency or renewable
energy technologies in
new or existing homes
Department of
Energy and
Facilitate the inventory,
25 USC §450;
$12 million
None
the Interior
Mineral
assessment, promotion
25 USC §13; 25
Development
and marketing of both
USC §2101 et
Program: Minerals
renewable and
seq; 16 USC.
and Mining on
nonrenewable energy and §1271 et seq.
Indian Lands
mineral resources on
Indian lands
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Administering
U.S. Code
FY2013
Agency Program Description Citation
Appropriationsa Expiration
Date
Tribal Energy
Grants to Indian tribes to
25 USC §3502
Estimated
None
Development
develop and sustain the
$400,000
Capacity Grant
managerial and technical
capacity needed to
develop their energy
resources and properly
account for resulting
energy production and
revenues
Department of
Program of
Intended to preserve and
See Notes fieldb $0
None
Labor
Competitive
create jobs; promote
Grants for
economic recovery; assist
Worker Training
those most impacted by
and Placement in
the recession; provide
High Growth and
investments and invest in
Emerging Industry
infrastructure
Sectors
Department of
Energy Efficient
Provides backing of loans
12 USC
N/A None
Veterans Affairs
Mortgages
for energy efficient
§1701z-16
mortgages to finance the
installation of energy
efficiency or renewable
energy technologies in
new or existing homes
Small Business
7(a) Loan
Provides guaranteed
15 USC §
$214.2 million
None
Administration
Guarantees
loans from lenders to
636(a)
small businesses
504 Loan
Provides long-term fixed
16 USC §685
$107 million
None
Guarantees
rate financing for major
fixed assets, such as land,
buildings, equipment, and
machinery.
Source: CRS.
a. FY2013 Appropriations data compiled by CRS using executive agency budget justifications, congressional
committee reports, and program descriptions from the online edition of the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance. Reflects the FY2013 Continuing Resolution but does not incorporate the reductions from the
Budget Control Act sequester.
b. Some programs are not specifically identified or codified in the United States Code.
Table A-2. Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit (26 USC §30B)
Type of Credit
Expiration Date
Fuel Cell Motor Vehicle Credit
December 31, 2014
Qualified Plug-In Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit
December 31, 2014
Qualified Plug-In Electric Motor Vehicle Conversion Credit
December 31, 2011
Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle Credit
December 31, 2010
Qualified Alternative Fuel Motor Vehicle Credit
December 31, 2010
Qualified Hybrid Motor Vehicle Credit
December 31, 2010
Source: U.S. Code and IRS
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Appendix B. Index of Programs by Applicant
Eligibility and Technology Type
Table B-1. Index of Programs by Applicant Eligibility
Applicant Eligibility
Program Numbers
Advanced Technology Centers
III-6
Agricultural/Extension/Biofuel Producers
II-3, III-2, III-3, III-4, III-7, III-8, III-9
Alaska Native Corporations
I-14
Builder/Developer II-4,
II-5
Commercial/Industrial/For-Profit
I-1, I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-10, I-12, I-13, I-14, I-15, I-17, I-20, I-21,
I-23, I-24, II-3, II-4, II-6, II-8, II-12, III-1, III-2, III-3, III-4, III-7, III-8
Cooperative/Collaborative/Consortia
I-16, I-20, III-1, III-4, III-8
Federal Government
I-4, I-6, I-7, I-12, I-22, II-4, III-9
Higher Education (Col eges and Universities)
I-1, I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-12, I-13, I-14, I-17, I-20, I-21, I-23,
I-24, III-4, III-6, III-9, VII-1
Local Government
I-2, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-12, I-13, I-14, I-16, I-17, I-21, I-23, I-24, III-1, III-4,
III-5, III-8, VII-1
National Laboratories
I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-12, III-4
Nonprofit
I-2, I-13, I-14, I-16, I-17, I-20, I-21, I-23, I-24, III-1, III-9, VII-1
Other/Cross-Cutting
I-20, II-12, II-13
Research Organization
I-20, I-21
Residential/Individual
I-11, I-14, II-1, II-2, II-9, II-10, II-13, III-1, III-4, III-9, IV-1, V-1
Schools III-8
Smal Businesses
I-6, I-7, I-11, I-23, I-25, V-1, V-2
State Government
I-2, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, I-12, I-13, I-14, I-15, I-16, I-17, I-18, I-21, I-23 , I-
24, II-4, II-11, III-1, III-4, III-5, III-8, III-9, VII-1
Tribal Government
I-6, I-9, I-13, I-14, I-16, I-17, I-18, I-19, I-21, I-23, I-24, II-11, III-1, III-
4, III-8, IV-1, IV-2, VII-1
U.S. Territories
I-9, I-18
Utilities
I-16, II-3, III-4, III-8
Veterans
VI-1, VIII-1
Source: CRS.
a. Program numbers correspond to agency (roman numeral) and (arabic) number assigned to each program as
displayed in the Table of Contents.
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Table B-2. Index of Programs by Technology Type
Qualified Technologies
Program Numbersa
Advanced Batteries
I-13
Air Conditioners
1-9, I-19, II-1, II-4
Alternative Vehicles/Vehicle Technologies
I-4, I-12, II-7, II-12, II-13
Anaerobic Digestion
I-16, II-7, II-11, II-12, III-8
Batteries (Energy Storage)
II-7
Biodiesel / Biofuels
I-1, I-12, I-24, III-2, III-4, III-9
Boilers
1-9, I-19, II-1, II-4
Biomass
I-1, I-2, I-15, I-16, I-17, I-19, I-22, II-1, II-3, II-8, II-11, II-12,
III-2, III-3, III-4, III-5, III-6, III-7, III-8, III-9
Caulking/Weather Stripping
I-9, I-19, II-4
Chillers I-19,
II-4
Clothes Washers
I-19, II-6
Combined Systems/CHP/Energy Management Systems I-8, I-19, II-3, II-12, III-8
Comprehensive/Whole Building
I-19, II-4, II-5
Dishwashers II-6
Doors
I-19, II-1, II-4
Duct/Air Sealing
I-9, I-19, II-4
Equipment (Energy Efficient)
I-8
Fuel Cells
I-4, I-8, I-13, I-15, I-17, I-24, II-2, II-3, II-7, II-12, II-13, III-8
Furnaces
1-9, I-19, II-1, II-4
Geothermal (Al )
I-3, I-15, I-17, I-22, II-3, II-12, III-8
—Geothermal (Direct Use)
II-3, II-12, III-8
—Geothermal (Electric)
I-16, I-19, I-24, II-3, II-7, II-8, II-11, 11-12, III-8
—Geothermal (Heat Pumps)
I-19, II-2, II-3, II-7, II-12, III-8
Heat Pumps
II-1, II-4
Hybrid Electric
I-12, II-13
Hydrogen
I-4, I-13, I-15, I-17, II-8, III-8
Hydropower (Al )
I-6, I-15, I-17, I-22, II-8, II-11
—Hydroelectric
I-6, I-19, I-24, II-8, II-11, III-8
—Hydrokinetic
I-6, II-8, II-11
—Ocean
I-6, I-16, I-22, I-24, II-8, II-11, III-8
—Tidal
I-6, I-16, I-24, II-8, II-11, III-8
—Wave
I-6, I-16, I-24, II-8, II-11, III-8
Insulation
I-9, I-19, II-1, II-4,
Landfill Gas
I-16, II-8, II-11, II-12
Lighting/Lighting Sensors
I-8, I-19, I-24, II-3, II-4, II-7, II-12, VI-1, VIII-1
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Qualified Technologies
Program Numbersa
Manufacturing Facilities
I-24
Microturbines
II-3, II-7, III-8
Municipal Solid Waste
II-8, II-11, II-12
Other Technologiesb
I-9, I-11,1-13, I-14, I-18, I-19, I-20, I-21, I-23, I-25, II-7, II-9, II-
10, III-1, III-8, III-9, IV-1, IV-2, V-1, V-2, VI-1, VIII-1
Programmable Thermostats
1-9, I-19
Refrigerators/Freezers I-19,
II-6
Renewable Transportation Fuels
I-24, II-12, III-8
Roofs
I-19, II-1, II-4
Siding I-19,
II-4
Smart Grid
I-21, II-7
Solar (All)
I-5, I-8, I-15, I-17, I-22, II-2, II-3, II-12, III-8
—Photovoltaics
1-5, I-8, I-16, I-19, I-24, II-2, II-3, II-7, II-9, II-10, II-11,II-12,
III-8, VI-1, VIII-1
—Solar Space Heat
I-19, II-2, II-3, II-9, II-10, II-12, III-8, VI-1, VIII-1
—Solar Thermal Electric/Process
I-16, I-24, II-2, II-3, II-7, II-11, II-12, III-8
—Solar Water Heat
II-2, II-3, II-7, II-9, II-10, II-12, III-8, VI-1, VIII-1
Water Heaters
I-19, II-1, II-4
Wind
I-7, I-16, I-17, I-19, I-22, I-24, II-2, II-3, II-7, II-8, II-11,II-12,
III-8
Windows
I-8, I-9, I-19, II-1, II-4
Source: CRS.
a. Program numbers correspond to agency (roman numeral) and (arabic) number assigned to each program as
displayed in the Table of Contents.
b. Other technologies include cross-cutting and advanced technologies, other unspecified technologies, all
energy efficiency and/or renewable energy technologies, or not specifically identified.
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Appendix C. Expired Federal Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy Incentive Programs
1. Assisted Housing Stability and Energy and Green Retrofit Investments
Program (Recovery Act Funded)
• Administered by: Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Authority: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-
5), Title XII
• Annual funding: (Project Grants) $0 for FY2009; $235 million for FY2010 ; $0
for FY2011—All obligations were to be made by September 30, 2010
• Scheduled termination: All obligations were to be made by September 30, 2010.
Receiving property owners were required to spend the funds on the specific
improvements within two years of receipt.
• Description: This program will provide funding for energy and green retrofit
investments to certain eligible assisted, affordable multifamily properties.
Funding includes incentives for participating property owners, a set-aside for
administrative functions, and a set-aside for due diligence and underwriting
support. Assistance will be for specific retrofit purposes.
• Qualified applicant: Residential
• Qualifying technologies: Specific technologies not identified
• For more information: See program number 14.318 at the CFDA website
2. Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs)
• Administered by: Internal Revenue Service
• Authority: Established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-
58); Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-432); Energy
Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343), Division B; American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5); 26 USC 54 (old
CREBs); 26 USC 54A (new CREBs); 26 USC 54C (new CREBs); IRS Notice
2009-33; IRS Announcement 2010-54
• Annual funding: EPACT originally allocated $800 million of tax credit bonds to
be issued between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2007. Following the
enactment of the federal Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, the IRS made
an additional $400 million in CREBs financing available for 2008 through Notice
2007-26. In November 2006, the IRS announced that the original $800 million
allocation had been reserved for a total of 610 projects. The additional $400
million (plus surrendered volume from the previous allocation) was allocated to
312 projects in February 2008. Of the $1.2 billion total of tax-credit bond volume
cap allocated to fund renewable-energy projects, state and local government
borrowers were limited to $750 million of the volume cap, with the rest reserved
for qualified municipal or cooperative electric companies. The Energy
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Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (Div. A, Section107) allocated $800
million for new CREBs. In February 2009, the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Div. B, Section 1111) allocated an additional $1.6
billion to expand the total new CREBs allocation to $2.4 billion
• Scheduled termination: The IRS is no longer accepting applications for new
CREB bonds. The deadline for new CREB applications from electric
cooperatives expired November 1, 2010 and bonds for government entities and
public power providers was fully allocated in October 2009.
• Description: The IRS is not currently accepting applications for new CREB bond
volume. CREBs are used to finance renewable energy projects. CREBs are
issued, theoretically, with a 0% interest rate. The borrower pays back only the
principal of the bond and the bondholder receives federal tax credits in lieu of the
traditional bond interest.
• Qualified applicants: State, local, and tribal governments; municipal utility; rural
electric cooperative
• Qualified technologies: Solar thermal electric; photovoltaics; landfill gas; wind;
biomass; hydroelectric; geothermal electric; municipal solid waste; hydrokinetic
power; anaerobic digestion; tidal energy; wave energy; ocean thermal
For more information: See the DSIRE website ; Internal Revenue Service Bulletin 2007-14;
and Website at; and Internal Revenue Service Notice 2009-33
3. Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (EEARP)
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005; P.L. 109-58), Title I,
Part B; American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $0 for FY2008; $298.5 million in FY2009 from ARRA; $0 for
FY2010; $0 for FY2011; $0 for FY2012; $0 requested for FY2013
• Scheduled termination: This program was authorized through FY2010. An act of
Congress is required to reauthorize this program.
• Description: The program provided financial and technical assistance to states to
establish residential Energy Star rated appliance rebate programs. The program’s
objectives were: to reduce fossil fuel emissions created as a result of activities
within the jurisdictions of eligible entities; and to improve energy efficiency in
the residential sector.
• Qualified applicants: State governments, including U.S territories and
possessions
• Qualified technologies: Energy efficient appliances
• For more information: See program number 81.127 at the CFDA website
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
4. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants Program (EECBG)
• Administered by: EERE
• Authorization: Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-
140), Title V, Subtitle E; American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(ARRA; P.L. 111-5)
• Annual funding: $0 for FY2008; $3.2 billion for FY2009 from ARRA; $0 for
FY2010; $0 for FY2011; $0 for FY2012
• Scheduled termination: This program was authorized through FY2010. An act of
Congress is required to reauthorize this program
• Description: This program is part of DOE’s Weather and Intergovernmental
Program. The EECBG Program provides formula and competitive grants to
empower local communities to make strategic investments to meet the nation’s
long-term goals for energy independence and leadership on climate change.
Grants can be used for energy efficiency and conservation programs and projects
community-wide, as well as renewable energy installations on government
buildings.
• Qualified applicants: State, local, and tribal governments, including U.S.
territories
• Qualified technologies: Energy efficient equipment and lighting; combined
heating and cooling systems; combined heat and power systems; solar; wind; fuel
cells; biomass
• For more information: See EERE’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block
Grants Program website; and program number 81.128 at the CFDA website
5. Renewable Energy Grants (1603 Program)
• Administered by U.S. Department of the Treasury
• Authority: Section 707 of H.R. 4853, Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance
Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010; H.R. 1, American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2010 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5) Division B, Sec 1104 & 1603,
U.S. Department of Treasury: Grant Program Guidance (amended)
• Scheduled Termination: Construction must have begun by December 31, 2011.
Applications must have been submitted before October 1, 2012. A project may be
eligible for a 1603 award if the developer began construction by the December
31, 2011 date or if the developer satisfied a 5% safe harbor by incurring 5% of
the total eligible project costs before the December 31 deadline.
Description: The purpose of the 1603 payment is to reimburse eligible applicants
for a portion of the cost of installing specified energy property used in a trade or
business or for the production of income.
• Qualified applicants: Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural
• Qualified technologies: Solar water heat; solar space heat; solar thermal electric;
solar thermal process heat; photovoltaics; landfill gas; wind; biomass;
hydroelectric; geothermal electric; fuel cells; geothermal heat pumps; municipal
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
solid waste; CHP/cogeneration; solar hybrid lighting; hydrokinetic; anaerobic
digestion; tidal energy; wave energy; ocean thermal; microturbines
• For more information: See the Treasury’s 1603 website; 1603 program guidance;
and CRS Report R41635, ARRA Section 1603 Grants in Lieu of Tax Credits for
Renewable Energy: Overview, Analysis, and Policy Options, by Phillip Brown
and Molly F. Sherlock
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Appendix D. Summary of Expired Federal
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Incentives/Index of Programs
Table D-1. Expired Federal Incentives by Agency
Administering
U.S. Code
Agency
Program Description Citation
Expiration Date
Department of
Energy Efficiency
Grants to finance energy
42 USC
None
Energy
and Conservation efficiency and conservation §17151-17158
Block Grants
programs/projects in local
Program
communities and
renewable energy
installations on
government buildings
Energy Efficient
Provided financial and
42 USC §15821
End of FY2010
Appliance Rebate
technical assistance to
Program
states to establish
residential Energy Star
rated appliance rebate
programs
Internal
Clean Renewable
Bonds finance renewable
26 USC §54
12/31/2009 (old
Revenue Service Energy Bonds
energy projects
(Old CREBs);
CREBs);
(CREBs)
11/01/2010 (new
CREBS
Renewable
Energy
Renewable energy grant
ARRA (P.L.
Construction
Grants (1603
program to reimburse
111-5) §
must have begun
Program)
eligible taxpayers for a
1603(a)
by 12/31/2011
portion of the expense of
and Applications
placing in service
had to be
specified energy property
submitted before
10/1/2012.
Department of
26 USC §54A
All obligations
Housing and
(New CREBs)
were to be made
Urban
by 9/30/2010.
Development
Source: CRS.
Note: Some programs are not specifically identified or codified in the United States Code.
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Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs
Author Contact Information
Lynn J. Cunningham
Beth A. Roberts
Information Research Specialist
Information Research Specialist
lcunningham@crs.loc.gov, 7-8971
eroberts@crs.loc.gov, 7-9090
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