(a) DefinitionsIn this section:(1) The term “eligible grantee” means a local government or municipality, peoples’ utility district, irrigation district, and cooperative, nonprofit, or limited-dividend association in a rural area.
(2) The term “incremental hydropower” means additional generation achieved from increased efficiency after January 1, 2005, at a hydroelectric dam that was placed in service before January 1, 2005.
(3) The term “renewable energy” means electricity generated from—(A) a renewable energy source; or
(B) hydrogen, other than hydrogen produced from a fossil fuel, that is produced from a renewable energy source.
(4) The term “renewable energy source” means—(A) wind;
(B) ocean waves;
(C) biomass;
(D) solar;
(E) landfill gas;
(F) incremental hydropower;
(G) livestock methane; or
(H) geothermal energy.
(5) The term “rural area” means a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 10,000 inhabitants.
(b) GrantsThe Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior, may provide grants under this section to eligible grantees for the purpose of—(1) increasing energy efficiency, siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines serving rural areas; or
(2) providing or modernizing electric generation facilities that serve rural areas.
(c) Grant administration(1) The Secretary shall make grants under this section based on a determination of cost-effectiveness and the most effective use of the funds to achieve the purposes described in subsection (b).
(2) For each fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate grant funds under this section equally between the purposes described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b).
(3) In making grants for the purposes described in subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall give preference to renewable energy facilities.
(d) Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2012.
Structure US Code
CHAPTER 31— RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELEPHONE SERVICE
SUBCHAPTER I— RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
§ 902. General authority of Secretary of Agriculture
§ 903. Authorization of appropriations
§ 904. Loans for electrical plants and transmission lines
§ 905. Fees for certain loan guarantees
§ 906. Funding for administrative expenses
§ 906a. Use of funds outside the United States or its territories prohibited
§ 907. Acquisition of property pledged for loans; disposition; sale of pledged property by borrower
§ 908. Limitations on use of assistance
§ 912. Extension of time for repayment of loans
§ 912a. Rescheduling and refinancing of loans
§ 915. Purchase of financial and credit reports
§ 917. Prohibition on restricting water and waste facility services to electric customers
§ 918b. Acquisition of existing systems in rural communities with high energy costs