§ 16198. Smart energy and water efficiency pilot program

• (a) In this section:
  • (1) The term “eligible entity” means—
    • (A) a utility;
    • (B) a municipality;
    • (C) a water district;
    • (D) an Indian Tribe or Alaska Native village; and
    • (E) any other authority that provides water, wastewater, or water reuse services.
  • (2) The term “smart energy and water efficiency pilot program” or “pilot program” means the pilot program established under subsection (b).
• (b)
  • (1) The Secretary shall establish and carry out a smart energy and water efficiency pilot program in accordance with this section.
  • (2) The purpose of the smart energy and water efficiency pilot program is to award grants to eligible entities to demonstrate unique, advanced, or innovative technology-based solutions that will—
    • (A) improve the net energy balance of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems;
    • (B) improve the net energy balance of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems to help communities across the United States make measurable progress in conserving water, saving energy, and reducing costs;
    • (C) support the implementation of innovative and unique processes and the installation of established advanced automated systems that provide real-time data on energy and water; and
    • (D) improve energy-water conservation and quality and predictive maintenance through technologies that utilize internet connected technologies, including sensors, intelligent gateways, and security embedded in hardware.
  • (3)
    • (A) The Secretary shall make competitive, merit-reviewed grants under the pilot program to not less than 3, but not more than 5, eligible entities.
    • (B) In selecting an eligible entity to receive a grant under the pilot program, the Secretary shall consider—
      • (i) energy and cost savings;
      • (ii) the uniqueness, commercial viability, and reliability of the technology to be used;
      • (iii) the degree to which the project integrates next-generation sensors software, analytics, and management tools;
      • (iv) the anticipated cost-effectiveness of the pilot project through measurable energy savings, water savings or reuse, and infrastructure costs averted;
      • (v) whether the technology can be deployed in a variety of geographic regions and the degree to which the technology can be implemented in a wide range of applications ranging in scale from small towns to large cities, including Tribal communities;
      • (vi) whether the technology has been successfully deployed elsewhere;
      • (vii) whether the technology was sourced from a manufacturer based in the United States; and
      • (viii) whether the project will be completed in 5 years or less.
    • (C)
      • (i) Subject to clause (ii), an eligible entity seeking a grant under the pilot program shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be necessary.
      • (ii) An application under clause (i) shall, at a minimum, include—
        • (I) a description of the project;
        • (II) a description of the technology to be used in the project;
        • (III) the anticipated results, including energy and water savings, of the project;
        • (IV) a comprehensive budget for the project;
        • (V) the names of the project lead organization and any partners;
        • (VI) the number of users to be served by the project;
        • (VII) a description of the ways in which the proposal would meet performance measures established by the Secretary; and
        • (VIII) any other information that the Secretary determines to be necessary to complete the review and selection of a grant recipient.
  • (4)
    • (A) Not later than 1 year after December 27, 2020 , the Secretary shall select grant recipients under this section.
    • (B)
      • (i) The Secretary shall annually carry out an evaluation of each project for which a grant is provided under this section that meets performance measures and benchmarks developed by the Secretary, consistent with the purposes of this section.
      • (ii) Consistent with the performance measures and benchmarks developed under clause (i), in carrying out an evaluation under that clause, the Secretary shall—
        • (I) evaluate the progress and impact of the project; and
        • (II) assess the degree to which the project is meeting the goals of the pilot program.
    • (C) On the request of a grant recipient, the Secretary shall provide technical and policy assistance.
    • (D) The Secretary shall make available to the public through the Internet and other means the Secretary considers to be appropriate—
      • (i) a copy of each evaluation carried out under subparagraph (B); and
      • (ii) a description of any best practices identified by the Secretary as a result of those evaluations.
    • (E) The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of each evaluation carried out under subparagraph (B).
• (c) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $15,000,000, to remain available until expended.