National Priority Project Designation

There is established the National Priority Project Designation (referred to in this section as the “Designation”), which shall be evidenced by a medal bearing the inscription “National Priority Project”. The medal shall be of such design and materials and bear such additional inscriptions as the President may prescribe. The President, on the basis of recommendations made by the Secretary, shall annually designate organizations that have— The President shall designate projects with such ceremonies as the President may prescribe. An organization that receives a Designation under this section may publicize the Designation of the organization as a National Priority Project in advertising. Separate Designations shall be made to qualifying projects in each of the following categories: Certification and selection of the projects to receive the Designation shall be based on criteria established under this subsection. In the case of a wind, biomass, or building project, the project shall demonstrate that the project will install not less than 30 megawatts of renewable energy generation capacity. In the case of a solar photovoltaic or fuel cell project, the project shall demonstrate that the project will install not less than 3 megawatts of renewable energy generation capacity. In the case of an energy efficient building or renewable energy project, in addition to meeting the criteria established under paragraph (2), each building project shall demonstrate that the project will— Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) through (4), a new building project may qualify under this section if the Secretary determines that the project— No later than 120 days after August 8, 2005, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register an invitation and guidelines for submitting applications, consistent with this section. The application shall describe the project, or planned project, and the plans to meet the criteria established under subsection (c). Not later than 60 days after the application period described in subsection (d), and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall certify projects that are reasonably expected to meet the criteria established under subsection (c). The Secretary shall designate personnel of the Department to work with persons carrying out each certified project and ensure that the personnel— There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010.