---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 17375"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "17375"
heading: "Regional clean energy innovation program"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/17375"
units:
  - "Chapter 152 — Energy Independence and Security"
  - "Subchapter VIII — International Energy Programs"
  - "Part C — Miscellaneous Provisions"
---

# §17375. Regional clean energy innovation program

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Regional clean energy innovation partnership—** The term “regional clean energy innovation partnership” means a group of one or more [persons](/usc/42/1320a–7k.md?p=d-4-C-i), including a [covered consortium](#a-2), who perform a collection of activities that are coordinated by such [covered consortium](#a-2) to carry out the purposes of the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under [subsection (c)](#c) in a region of the [United States](/usc/42/403.md?p=k).
  - (2) **Covered consortium—** The term “covered consortium” means an individual or group of individuals in partnership with a government entity, including a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), territorial, local, or [tribal government](/usc/42/804.md?p=d-3) or [unit](/usc/42/1395w–114b.md?p=g-2) of such government, and at least 2 or more of the following additional entities—
    - (A) an [institution of higher education](#a-4) or a [consortium](/usc/42/16282.md?p=d-4) of institutions of higher education, including [community colleges](#a-8);
    - (B) a [workforce development program](#a-9);
    - (C) a private sector entity or group of entities, including a trade or industry association;
    - (D) a nonprofit organization;
    - (E) a community group or [community-based organization](#a-7);
    - (F) a [labor organization](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=2-C) or joint labor-management organization;
    - (G) a [National Laboratory](/usc/42/7381c–1.md?p=a-3);
    - (H) a venture development organization;
    - (I) a community development [financial institution](/usc/42/666.md?p=a-17-D-i) or [minority](/usc/42/299a–1.md?p=d-2) depository institution;
    - (J) a worker cooperative membership association or [state](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) or local [employee](/usc/42/1320a–7h.md?p=e-7) ownership or cooperative development center;
    - (K) an organization focused on [clean energy technology](#a-6) innovation or entrepreneurship;
    - (L) a business or clean [energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) accelerator or incubator;
    - (M) an economic development organization;
    - (N) a manufacturing [facility](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4) or organization;
    - (O) a multi-institutional collaboration; or
    - (P) any other entity that the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) determines to be relevant.
  - (3) **Program—** The term “[program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4)” means the Regional Clean [Energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) Innovation [Program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) authorized in [subsection (b)](#b).
  - (4) **Institution of higher education—** The term “institution of higher education” has the meaning given such term in section [1001](/usc/20/1001.md) or [1002(a)(1)(B)](/usc/20/1002.md?p=a-1-B) of title 20.
  - (5) **National Laboratory—** The term “[National Laboratory](/usc/42/7381c–1.md?p=a-3)” has the meaning given that term in [section 15801 of this title](/usc/42/15801.md).
  - (6) **Clean energy technology—** The term “clean energy technology” means a technology that significantly reduces [energy use](/usc/42/6291.md?p=4), increases [energy efficiency](/usc/42/6291.md?p=5), reduces [greenhouse gas](/usc/42/17321.md?p=3) emissions, reduces emissions of other [pollutants](/usc/42/1397h.md?p=c-4), or mitigates other negative environmental consequences of [energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) production, transmission or use.
  - (7) **Community-based organization—** The term “community-based organization” has the meaning given the term in [section 3102 of title 29](/usc/29/3102.md).
  - (8) **Community college—** The term “community college” means—
    - (A) a public [institution of higher education](#a-4), including additional locations, at which the highest degree, or the predominantly awarded degree, is an associate degree; or
    - (B) any Tribal college or university (as defined in [section 1059c of title 20](/usc/20/1059c.md)).
  - (9) **Workforce development program—** The term “workforce development program” has the meaning given the term in [section 3102 of title 29](/usc/29/3102.md).
- (b) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall establish a Regional Clean [Energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) Innovation [Program](#a-3), a research, development, demonstration, and commercial application [program](#a-3) designed to enhance the economic, environmental, and [energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) security of the [United States](/usc/42/403.md?p=k) and accelerate the pace of innovation of diverse [clean energy technologies](#a-6) through the formation or support of [regional clean energy innovation partnerships](#a-1).
- (c) **Purposes of the Program—** The purposes of the [Program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) established under [subsection (b)](#b) are to—
  - (1) improve the competitiveness of [United States](/usc/42/403.md?p=k)’ [clean energy technology](#a-6) research, development, demonstration, and commercial application; and
  - (2) support the development of tools and technologies best suited for use in diverse regions of the [United States](/usc/42/403.md?p=k), including in rural, tribal, and low-[income](/usc/42/292s.md?p=c-4) communities.
- (d) **Regional clean energy innovation partnerships—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall competitively award grants to covered consortia to establish or support [regional clean energy innovation partnerships](#a-1) that achieve the purposes of the [Program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) in [subsection (c)](#c).
  - (2) **Permissible activities—** Grants awarded under this subsection shall be used for activities determined appropriate by the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) to achieve the purposes of the [Program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) in [subsection (c)](#c), including—
    - (A) facilitating the commercial application of clean [energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) products, processes, and services, including through research, development, demonstration, or technology transfer;
    - (B) planning among participants of a [regional clean energy innovation partnership](#a-1) to improve the strategic and [cost-effective](/usc/42/1396e.md?p=e-2) coordination of the partnership;
    - (C) improving stakeholder involvement in the development of goals and activities of a [regional clean energy innovation partnership](#a-1);
    - (D) assessing different incentive mechanisms for clean [energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) development and commercial application in the region;
    - (E) hosting events and conferences; and
    - (F) establishing and updating roadmaps to measure progress on relevant goals, such as those relevant to metrics developed under [subsection (g)](#g).
  - (3) **Applications—** Each application submitted to the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) under [paragraph (1)](#d-1) may include—
    - (A) a list of members and roles of members of the covered consortia, as well as any other stakeholders supporting the activities of the [regional clean energy innovation partnership](#a-1);
    - (B) an assessment of the relevant clean [energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) innovation assets needed in a region to achieve proposed outcomes, such as education and [workforce development programs](#a-9), research [facilities](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4), infrastructure or site development, access to capital, manufacturing capabilities, or other assets;
    - (C) a description of proposed activities that the [regional clean energy innovation partnership](#a-1) plans to undertake and how the proposed activities will achieve the purposes described in [subsection (c)](#c);
    - (D) a plan for attracting additional [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) and identification of funding sources from non-Federal sources to deliver the proposed outcomes of the [regional clean energy innovation partnership](#a-1);
    - (E) a plan for partnering and collaborating with community development [financial institutions](/usc/42/666.md?p=a-17-D-i) and [minority](/usc/42/299a–1.md?p=d-2) depository institutions, [labor organizations](/usc/42/2000ff.md?p=2-C) and community groups, worker cooperative membership associations, local and [state](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) [employee](/usc/42/1320a–7h.md?p=e-7) ownership and cooperative development centers, and other local institutions in order to promote [employee](/usc/42/1320a–7h.md?p=e-7), community, and public ownership in the clean [energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) sector, and advance models of local economic development that build and retain wealth in the region;
    - (F) a plan for sustaining activities of the [regional clean energy innovation partnership](#a-1) after [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) received under this [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) have been expended; and
    - (G) a proposed budget, including financial contributions from non-Federal sources.
  - (4) **Considerations—** In selecting covered consortia for funding under the [Program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall, to the maximum extent practicable—
    - (A) give special consideration to applications from rural, tribal, and low-[income](/usc/42/292s.md?p=c-4) communities; and
    - (B) ensure that there is geographic diversity among the covered consortia selected to receive funding.
  - (5) **Award amount—** Grants given out under this [Program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) shall be in an amount not greater than $10,000,000, with the total grant award in any year less than that in the previous year.
  - (6) **Cost share—** For grants that are disbursed over the course of three or more years, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall require, as a condition of receipt of [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) under this section, that a [covered consortium](#a-2) provide not less than 50 percent of the funding for the activities of the regional clean [energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) partnership under this section for years 3, 4, and 5.
  - (7) **Duration—** Each grant under paragraph shall be for a period of not longer than 5 years.
  - (8) **Renewal—** A grant awarded under this section may be renewed for a period of not more than 5 years, subject to a rigorous merit review based on the progress of a [regional clean energy innovation partnership](#a-1) towards achieving the purposes of the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) in [subsection (c)](#c) and the metrics developed under [subsection (g)](#g).
  - (9) **Termination—** Consistent with the existing authorities of the [Department](/usc/42/17001.md?p=1), the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) may terminate grant funding under this subsection to covered consortia during the performance period if the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) determines that the [regional clean energy innovation partnership](#a-1) is underperforming.
  - (10) **Administrative costs—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) may allow a [covered consortium](#a-2) that receives [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) under this section to allocate a portion of the funding received to be used for administrative or indirect costs.
  - (11) **Funding—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) may accept [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) from other Federal agencies to support funding and activities under this section.
- (e) **Planning funds—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) may competitively award grants in an amount no greater than $2,000,000 for a period not longer than 2 years to an entity consisting of a government entity, including a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), territorial, local, or [tribal government](/usc/42/804.md?p=d-3) or [unit](/usc/42/1395w–114b.md?p=g-2) of such government or any entity listed under [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2) to plan a [regional clean energy innovation partnership](#a-1) or establish a [covered consortium](#a-2) for the purpose of applying for [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) under [subsection (b)](#b).
- (f) **Information sharing—** As part of the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall support the gathering, analysis, and dissemination of information on best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) for developing and operating successful [regional clean energy innovation partnerships](#a-1).
- (g) **Metrics—** In evaluating a grant renewal under [subsection (d)(8)](#d-8), the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall work with [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) evaluation experts to develop and make publicly available metrics to assess the progress of a [regional clean energy innovation partnership](#a-1) towards achieving the purposes of the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) in [subsection (c)](#c).
- (h) **Coordination—** In carrying out the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall coordinate with, and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the activities carried out under this section with the activities of other research entities of the [Department](/usc/42/17001.md?p=1) or relevant [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) at other Federal agencies.
- (i) **Conflicts of interest—** In carrying out the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall maintain conflict of interest procedures, consistent with the conflict of interest procedures of the [Department](/usc/42/17001.md?p=1).
- (j) **Evaluation by Comptroller General—** Not later than 3 years after August 9, 2022, and again 3 years later, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of [Representatives](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=5) and the Committee on [Energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) and Natural Resources of the Senate an evaluation on the operation of the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) during the most recent 3-year period, including—
  - (1) an assessment of the progress made towards achieving the purposes specified in [subsection (c)](#c) based on the metrics developed under [subsection (g)](#g);
  - (2) the short-term and long-term metrics used to determine the success of the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under [subsection (g)](#g), and any changes recommended to the metrics used;
  - (3) the [regional clean energy innovation partnerships](#a-1) established or supported by covered consortia that have received grants under [subsection (d)](#d); and
  - (4) any recommendations on how the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) may be improved.
- (k) **National Laboratories—** In supporting technology transfer activities at the [National Laboratories](/usc/42/7381c–1.md?p=a-3), the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall encourage partnerships with entities that are located in the same region or [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) as the [National Laboratory](/usc/42/7381c–1.md?p=a-3).
- (l) **Security—** In carrying out the activities under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) shall ensure proper security controls are in place to protect sensitive information, as appropriate.
- (m) **No funds for construction—** No [funds](/usc/42/12854.md?p=3) provided to the [Department](/usc/42/17001.md?p=1) of [Energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) under this section shall be used for [construction](/usc/42/7479.md?p=2-C).
- (n) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/42/17001.md?p=3) to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–140, title IX, § 936, as added Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VI, § 10622, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1660.)