Industrial research and assessment centers

In this section: The term “covered project” means a project— with respect to which the plant site of that eligible entity— improves— reduces— The term “eligible entity” means a small- or medium-sized manufacturer that has had an energy assessment completed by— The term “energy service provider” means— The term “industrial research and assessment center” means— The term “Program” means the program for implementation grants established under subsection (i)(1). The term “small- or medium-sized manufacturer” means a manufacturing firm— The Secretary shall provide funding to institution of higher education-based industrial research and assessment centers. The purpose of each institution of higher education-based industrial research and assessment center shall be— to identify opportunities for optimizing energy efficiency and environmental performance, including implementation of— To increase the value and capabilities of the industrial research and assessment centers, the centers shall— The Secretary shall provide funding for— coordination activities by each industrial research and assessment center to leverage efforts with— The Secretary shall establish a Center of Excellence at not more than 5 of the highest-performing industrial research and assessment centers, as determined by the Secretary. A Center of Excellence shall coordinate with and advise the industrial research and assessment centers located in the region of the Center of Excellence, including— by mentoring new directors and staff of the industrial research and assessment centers with respect to— For each fiscal year, out of any amounts made available to carry out this section under subsection (j), the Secretary shall use not less than $500,000 to support each Center of Excellence. The Secretary shall provide funding to establish additional industrial research and assessment centers at trade schools, community colleges, and union training programs. Subject to subparagraph (B), to the maximum extent practicable, an industrial research and assessment center established under paragraph (1) shall have the same purpose as an institution of higher education-based industrial research center that is funded by the Secretary under subsection (b)(1). In evaluating or establishing the purpose of an industrial research and assessment center established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall take into consideration the varying capabilities of trade schools, community colleges, and union training programs. The Secretary shall pay the Federal share of associated internship programs under which students work with or for industries, manufacturers, and energy service providers to implement the recommendations of industrial research and assessment centers. The Secretary shall pay the Federal share of associated apprenticeship programs under which— The Federal share of the cost of carrying out internship programs described in paragraph (1) and apprenticeship programs described in paragraph (2) shall be 50 percent. The Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall, to the maximum extent practicable, expedite consideration of applications from eligible small business concerns for loans under the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) to implement recommendations developed by the industrial research and assessment centers. The Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide grants to eligible entities to implement covered projects. An eligible entity seeking a grant under the Program shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a demonstration of need for financial assistance to implement the proposed covered project. In awarding grants under the Program, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that— propose to carry out a covered project with a greater potential for— The amount of a grant provided to an eligible entity under the Program shall not exceed $300,000. A grant awarded under the Program for a covered project shall be in an amount that is not more than 50 percent of the cost of the covered project. A grant received by an eligible entity under the Program shall supplement, not supplant, any private or State funds available to the eligible entity to carry out the covered project. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2026—