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H.R. 3522 (117th): TREES Act of 2021

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The text of the bill below is as of May 25, 2021 (Introduced). The bill was not enacted into law.

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3522

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 25, 2021

(for herself, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. McKinley, and Mr. Fortenberry) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program to facilitate tree planting that reduces residential energy consumption, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Trees for Residential Energy and Economic Savings Act of 2021 or the TREES Act of 2021.

2.

Tree planting grant program

(a)

Establishment

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to facilitate covered projects in accordance with this section.

(b)

Consultation

In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.

(c)

Applications

To receive a grant under the Program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including the following:

(1)

A description of how the proposed covered project will reduce residential energy consumption.

(2)

An estimate of the expected reduction in residential energy consumption to be achieved by the covered project.

(3)

A description of the total eligible costs of the project and other sources of funding for the covered project.

(4)

A description of anticipated community engagement in the covered project.

(5)

A description of the tree species to be planted under the covered project and the suitability of such species to the local environment.

(d)

Priority

In awarding grants under the Program, the Secretary shall give priority to covered projects that—

(1)

provide the largest potential reduction in residential energy consumption for households with a high energy burden;

(2)

provide maximum amounts of—

(A)

shade during periods when residences are exposed to the most sun intensity; and

(B)

wind protection during periods when residences are exposed to the most wind intensity;

(3)

are located in a neighborhood with a low percentage of tree canopy cover;

(4)

are located in a neighborhood with a high percentage of senior citizens or children;

(5)

are located in an area where the average annual income is below the regional median;

(6)

will collaboratively engage community members to be affected by the tree planting; and

(7)

will employ local residents as a substantial percentage of the workforce of the covered project, with a focus on local residents who are unemployed or underemployed.

(e)

Tree planting goals

Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, award grants under the Program in a manner that facilitates the planting of at least 300,000 trees each year.

(f)

Federal share

The Federal share of the cost of a covered project assisted by a grant awarded under the Program shall be 90 percent.

(g)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program, $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

(h)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Covered project

The term covered project means a tree planting project carried out to reduce residential energy consumption.

(2)

Eligible cost

The term eligible cost means, with respect to a covered project—

(A)

the cost of carrying out the project, including—

(i)

planning and design activities;

(ii)

establishing nurseries to supply trees;

(iii)

purchasing trees; and

(iv)

preparing sites and planting trees;

(B)

the cost of maintaining and monitoring planted trees for a period of not more than 3 years;

(C)

the cost of training activities; and

(D)

any other cost determined appropriate by the Secretary.

(3)

Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means each of the following:

(A)

A State government entity.

(B)

A local government entity.

(C)

An Indian Tribe.

(D)

A nonprofit organization.

(E)

A retail power provider.

(4)

Energy burden

The term energy burden means the percentage of household income spent on residential energy bills.

(5)

Indian Tribe

The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(6)

Local government entity

The term local government entity means any municipal government or county government entity with jurisdiction over local land use decisions.

(7)

Nonprofit organization

The term nonprofit organization means an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.

(8)

Program

The term Program means the program established under subsection (a).

(9)

Retail power provider

The term retail power provider means any entity authorized under State or Federal law to generate, distribute, or provide retail electricity, natural gas, or fuel oil service.

(10)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.