Summary:
Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act of 2015

 This bill requires the Department of Commerce to: (1) establish a Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund to ensure that U.S. clean energy technology firms have the information and assistance they need to be competitive and to create clean energy technology sector jobs; and (2) administer the Fund to promote policies that will reduce production costs and encourage innovation, investment, and productivity in the clean energy technology sector, and implement a national clean energy technology export strategy. The Fund must be administered through the International Trade Administration.

Clean energy technology includes technology related to the production, use, transmission, storage, control, or conservation of energy that will contribute to a stabilization of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations through reduction, avoidance, or sequestration of energy-related emissions and that will: (1) reduce the need for additional energy supplies by using existing supplies with greater efficiency or by transmitting, distributing, or transporting energy with greater effectiveness through U.S. infrastructure; or (2) diversify the sources of the energy supply to strengthen energy security and to increase supplies with a favorable balance of environmental effects if the entire technology system is considered.

Commerce must provide information, tools, and other assistance to U.S. businesses to promote clean energy technology manufacturing and facilitate the export of clean energy technology products and services. This assistance must be consistent with the National Export Initiative.

export assistance act bill requires department_of_commerce establish clean energy technology manufacturing export assistance fund ensure clean energy technology firms information assistance need competitive create clean energy technology sector jobs administer fund promote policies reduce production costs encourage innovation investment productivity clean energy technology sector implement national clean energy technology export strategy fund administered international_trade_administration clean energy technology includes technology related production use transmission storage control conservation energy contribute stabilization atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations reduction avoidance sequestration energy related emissions reduce need additional energy supplies existing supplies greater efficiency transmitting distributing transporting energy greater effectiveness infrastructure diversify sources energy supply strengthen energy security increase supplies favorable balance environmental effects entire technology system considered commerce provide information tools assistance businesses promote clean energy technology manufacturing facilitate export clean energy technology products services assistance consistent


Summary:
Electric Charging and Refueling Actor the E-Car Act

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the tax credit for qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures with a tax credit for 50% of the cost of any qualified electric vehicle recharging or refueling property that is: (1) installed on property used as the principal residence of the taxpayer, and (2) for the recharging or refueling of motor vehicles propelled by electricity.

refueling actor car act amends internal revenue code replace tax credit qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property expenditures tax credit cost qualified electric vehicle recharging refueling property installed property principal residence taxpayer recharging refueling motor vehicles propelled electricity


Summary:
Geothermal Production Expansion Act of 2015

This bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to allow the Department of the Interior to award noncompetitive leases on up to 640 acres of federal land for geothermal development if: (1) the land is available for leasing and not already leased or nominated to be leased, (2) the lessee has a legal right to develop geothermal resources on land adjacent to the federal land that will be leased, (3) sufficient data was submitted to Interior to show there is a valid discovery of geothermal resources on the adjacent land and that the thermal feature extends into the adjoining federal land, and (4) the lessee has not previously received a noncompetitive lease for the discovery.

Interior must lease the land at fair market value, publish a notice of any lease requests, and provide review of the final determination of fair market value.

 Lessees must make annual rental payments equal to those required for lands that are leased competitively.

geothermal production expansion act bill amends geothermal_steam_act allow department_of_the_interior award noncompetitive leases acres federal land geothermal development land available leasing leased nominated leased lessee legal right develop geothermal resources land adjacent federal land leased sufficient data submitted interior valid discovery geothermal resources adjacent land thermal feature extends adjoining federal land lessee previously received noncompetitive lease discovery interior lease land fair market value publish notice lease requests provide review final determination fair market value lessees annual rental payments equal required lands leased competitively


Summary:
Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act of 2015

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to revise provisions concerning alternative fuel.

Currently, a change to the original configuration of a certified vehicle or engine, including alternative fuel conversion, may be a potential violation of the Act's prohibition against tampering with devices used to control emissions from vehicles. The bill prohibits the aftermarket conversion of a vehicle to alternative fuel operation from: (1) being considered tampering under the Act if the conversion technology is matched to an appropriate vehicle and does not degrade emission performance, or (2) requiring the issuance by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of any certificate of conformity. The bill also establishes labeling requirements for an aftermarket conversion.

The EPA may not prohibit or control biomass fuel under the Act. Biomass fuel is produced by conversion of certain organic matter which is available on a renewable basis.

If a fuel choice enabling manufacturer (certain manufacturers of vehicles that operate with alternative fuels) is in compliance with applicable fuel economy standards, the vehicles it makes are deemed to be in compliance with greenhouse gas regulations established by the EPA under the Act. The requirements governing the calculation of average fuel economy are revised, including by giving an average fuel economy bonus for those manufacturers.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to adjust the excise tax on liquefied natural gas to 24.3 cents per energy equivalent of a gallon of diesel.

The Clean Air Act places Reid vapor pressure limitations, or gasoline volatility limits, on gasoline during the summer ozone season. Gasoline blended with 10% ethanol (E10) may exceed this limitation by a certain amount under the Act. The bill extends this waiver to gasoline blended with more than 10% ethanol.

act bill amends clean air act revise provisions concerning alternative fuel currently change original configuration certified vehicle engine including alternative fuel conversion potential violation act prohibition tampering devices control emissions vehicles bill prohibits aftermarket conversion vehicle alternative fuel operation considered tampering act conversion technology matched appropriate vehicle degrade emission performance requiring issuance environmental_protection_agency epa certificate conformity bill establishes labeling requirements aftermarket conversion epa prohibit control biomass fuel act biomass fuel produced conversion certain organic matter available renewable basis fuel choice enabling manufacturer certain manufacturers vehicles operate alternative fuels compliance applicable fuel economy standards vehicles makes deemed compliance greenhouse gas regulations established epa act requirements governing calculation average fuel economy revised including giving average fuel economy bonus manufacturers bill amends internal_revenue_code adjust excise tax liquefied natural gas cents energy equivalent gallon diesel clean air act places reid vapor pressure limitations gasoline volatility limits gasoline summer ozone season gasoline blended ethanol exceed limitation certain act bill extends waiver gasoline blended ethanol


Summary:
Capitalizing on American Methane Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) include in the tax credit for investment in a qualifying gasification project any qualified methane conversion technology, and (2) allow an alternative fuel excise tax credit for liquid fuel produced through qualified methane conversion technology at a facility the construction of which begins before October 1, 2025. Defines "qualified methane conversion technology" as a process for the molecular conversion of a fuel consisting principally of methane into hydrocarbons and the use of such hydrocarbons to replace or reduce the quantity of petroleum present in motor vehicle fuel and for the production of chemicals.

american methane act amends internal revenue code include tax credit investment qualifying gasification project qualified methane conversion technology allow alternative fuel excise tax credit liquid fuel produced qualified methane conversion technology facility construction begins october defines qualified methane conversion technology process molecular conversion fuel consisting principally methane hydrocarbons use hydrocarbons replace reduce quantity petroleum present motor vehicle fuel production chemicals


Summary:
Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Act of 2015

This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to revise and reauthorize through FY2019 the program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to expand marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy production. The program must give priority to fostering accelerated research, development, and commercialization of technology.

The meaning of "marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy" is expanded to include all forms of energy, not just electricity, from: (1) waves, tides, and currents in oceans, estuaries, and tidal areas; (2) free flowing water in rivers, lakes, and streams; (3) free flowing water in man-made channels; and (4) differentials in ocean temperature (ocean thermal energy conversion).

National Marine Renewable Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Centers must support in-water testing and demonstration of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies, including facilities capable of testing: (1) marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy systems of various technology readiness levels and scales, (2) a variety of technologies in multiple test berths at a single location, and (3) arrays of technology devices.

marine hydrokinetic renewable energy act bill amends energy_independence_and_security_act revise reauthorize fy2019 program research development demonstration commercial application expand marine hydrokinetic renewable energy production program priority fostering accelerated research development commercialization technology meaning marine hydrokinetic renewable energy expanded include forms energy electricity waves currents oceans estuaries tidal areas free flowing water rivers lakes streams free flowing water man channels differentials ocean temperature ocean thermal energy conversion demonstration_centers support water testing demonstration marine hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies including facilities capable testing marine hydrokinetic renewable energy systems technology readiness levels scales variety technologies multiple test berths single location technology devices


Summary:
Smart Building Acceleration Act

Directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to: (1) conduct a survey of privately owned smart buildings throughout the nation, select at least one building each from an appropriate range of building sizes and types, and evaluate the costs and benefits of such buildings using the guidelines of the Federal Energy Management Program relating to whole-building evaluation, measurement, and verification; and (2) establish a program to establish one or more smart buildings under the jurisdiction of the General Services Administration and the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Veterans Affairs to demonstrate and evaluate the costs and benefits of smart buildings. Requires such evaluations to include an identification of which advanced building technologies are most cost-effective and show the most promise for increasing building energy savings, increasing service performance to building occupants, and reducing environmental impacts.

Defines a "smart building" to mean a building with an energy system that:

 is flexible and automated; has extensive operational monitoring and communication connectivity, allowing remote monitoring and analysis of all building functions; is integrated with the overall building operations for control of energy generation, consumption, and storage; and communicates with utilities and other third party commercial entities. Directs DOE: (1) as part of DOE's Better Building Challenge, to develop a smart building accelerator in consultation with major private sector property owners to demonstrate innovative policies and approaches that will accelerate the transition to smart buildings; and (2) to conduct research and development to address key barriers to the integration of advanced building technologies and to accelerate the transition to smart buildings.

directs department_of_energy doe conduct survey privately owned smart buildings nation select building appropriate range building sizes types evaluate costs benefits buildings guidelines federal_energy_management_program relating building evaluation measurement verification establish program establish smart buildings jurisdiction general_services_administration veterans_affairs demonstrate evaluate costs benefits smart buildings requires evaluations include identification advanced building technologies cost effective promise increasing building energy savings increasing service performance building occupants reducing environmental impacts defines smart building mean building energy system flexible automated extensive operational monitoring communication connectivity allowing remote monitoring analysis building functions integrated overall building operations control energy generation consumption storage communicates utilities party commercial entities directs doe doe develop smart building accelerator consultation major private sector property owners demonstrate innovative policies approaches accelerate transition smart buildings conduct research development address key barriers integration advanced building technologies accelerate transition smart buildings


Summary:
Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2015

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to extend through FY2020 the authorization for deposit and use of lease revenues under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. Makes such funds available to the Department of the Interior for FY2015 and afterwards to implement both the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970.

Directs the Bureau of Land Management to establish priority and variance areas on covered land for geothermal, solar, and wind energy projects.

Requires Interior to establish a program to improve federal permit coordination with respect to renewable energy projects carried out on public land administered by Interior and not excluded from the development of geothermal, solar, or wind energy (covered land).

Defines "variance area" as covered land that is neither an exclusion area (not suitable for development of renewable energy projects) nor a priority area.

Establishes in the Treasury the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund, to be available in regions affected by the development of wind or solar energy on federal land for: (1) protecting and restoring important fish and wildlife habitat; and (2) ensuring and improving right-of-way access to federal land and water in the impacted region for fishing, hunting, and other forms of outdoor recreation.

Requires the Department of Agriculture as well as Interior to determine the feasibility of carrying out a conservation banking program on federal land.

Denies the rental fee exemption for rights-of-way under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to wind or solar generation projects with a capacity of 20 megawatts or more that are issued a lease, right-of-way, permit, or other authorization.

public land renewable energy development act amends energy policy act extend fy2020 authorization deposit use lease revenues geothermal steam act makes funds available department_of_the_interior fy2015 implement energy policy act geothermal steam act directs bureau_of_land_management establish priority variance areas covered land geothermal solar wind energy projects requires interior establish program improve federal permit coordination respect renewable energy projects carried public land administered interior excluded development geothermal solar wind energy covered land defines variance area covered land exclusion area suitable development renewable energy projects priority area establishes treasury renewable_energy_resource_conservation_fund available regions affected development wind solar energy federal land protecting restoring important fish wildlife habitat ensuring improving right way access federal land water impacted region fishing hunting forms outdoor recreation requires department_of_agriculture interior determine feasibility carrying conservation banking program federal land denies rental fee exemption rights way federal land policy management act wind solar generation projects capacity megawatts issued lease right way permit authorization


Summary:
Grants for Renewable Energy Education for the Nation Act or the GREEN Act

 Authorizes the Department of Education to award competitive grants to partnerships of local educational agencies (LEAs), postsecondary institutions, and clean and renewable energy industry representatives to develop programs of study focused on emerging careers and jobs in the fields of clean and renewable energy.

Requires a priority be given to grant applications that:

 use online learning or other innovative methods to deliver a program of study to individuals outside the partnership, and focus on low-performing students and special populations. Authorizes the Department to award competitive grants to LEAs and postsecondary institutions to promote development of career and technical educational facilities that are energy efficient and use renewable energy practices.

nation act green act authorizes department_of_education award competitive grants partnerships local educational agencies leas postsecondary institutions clean renewable energy industry representatives develop programs study focused emerging careers jobs fields clean renewable energy requires priority given grant applications use online learning innovative methods deliver program study individuals outside partnership focus low performing students special populations authorizes department award competitive grants leas postsecondary institutions promote development career technical educational facilities energy efficient use renewable energy practices


Summary: This bill amends the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel program by prohibiting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from requiring that transportation fuel contain any applicable volume of renewable fuel, advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel, or biomass-based diesel, for any year after 2022, if the EPA waives at least: (1) 20% of any of the applicable volume requirement set forth for renewable fuel, advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel, or biomass-based diesel for two consecutive years; or (2) 50% of such volume requirement for a single year.

bill amends clean air act revise renewable fuel program prohibiting environmental_protection_agency epa requiring transportation fuel contain applicable volume renewable fuel advanced biofuel cellulosic biofuel biomass based diesel year epa waives applicable volume requirement set forth renewable fuel advanced biofuel cellulosic biofuel biomass based diesel consecutive years volume requirement single year


Summary:
This bill requires the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Fossil Energy to carry out a research, development, and technology demonstration program to improve the efficiency of gas turbines used in power generation systems and to identify the technologies that will lead to gas turbine combined cycle efficiency of 65% or simple cycle efficiency of 50%.

The program must: (1) support first-of-a-kind engineering and detailed gas turbine design for megawatt-scale and utility-scale electric power generation; (2) include technology demonstration through component testing, subscale testing, and full scale testing in existing fleets; (3) include field demonstrations of the developed technology elements to demonstrate technical and economic feasibility; and (4) assess overall combined cycle and simple cycle system performance.

The goals of the multiphase program must be:

 in phase I, to develop the conceptual design of, and to develop and demonstrate the technology required for, advanced high efficiency gas turbines that can achieve at least 62% combined cycle efficiency or 47% simple cycle efficiency on a lower heating value basis; and in phase II, to develop the conceptual design for advanced high efficiency gas turbines that can achieve at least 65% combined cycle efficiency or 50% simple cycle efficiency on a lower heating value basis. In selecting program proposals, DOE must emphasize the extent to which the proposal will stimulate the creation or increased retention of jobs in the United States and promote and enhance U.S. technology leadership.

bill requires department_of_energy doe office fossil energy carry research development technology demonstration program improve efficiency gas turbines power generation systems identify technologies lead gas turbine combined cycle efficiency simple cycle efficiency program support kind engineering detailed gas turbine design megawatt scale utility scale electric power generation include technology demonstration component testing testing scale testing existing fleets include field demonstrations developed technology elements demonstrate technical economic feasibility assess overall combined cycle simple cycle system performance goals program phase develop conceptual design develop demonstrate technology required advanced high efficiency gas turbines achieve combined cycle efficiency simple cycle efficiency lower heating value basis phase develop conceptual design advanced high efficiency gas turbines achieve combined cycle efficiency simple cycle efficiency lower heating value basis selecting program proposals doe emphasize extent proposal stimulate creation increased retention jobs united_states promote enhance technology leadership


Summary:
Low-Income Solar Act

This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish a loan and grant program for photovoltaic solar (a method of converting energy from the sun into electricity) installations in low-income and underserved areas for FY2016-FY2030.

Loans must be provided for: (1) community solar facilities that provide solar energy to low-income households, or (2) solar installations at federally subsidized affordable housing at multi-family complexes.

The community solar facilities must: (1) be owned by an organization of electricity consumers that own a share of the facility's solar electricity generation; (2) have a certain a nameplate rating (or power generation capacity), (3) be located in or near a community that uses the electricity generated by the facility, and (4) reserve at least 25% of the electricity generated for low-income households.

Grants must be given for: (1) solar electricity generating facilities installed on properties of eligible, low-income home owners; or (2) new solar projects for low-income households and individuals, including the costs of equipment and job training associated with solar projects.

low income solar act bill requires department_of_energy establish loan grant program photovoltaic solar method converting energy sun electricity installations low income underserved areas fy2016 loans provided community solar facilities provide solar energy low income households solar installations federally subsidized affordable housing multi family complexes community solar facilities owned organization electricity consumers share facility solar electricity generation certain nameplate rating power generation capacity located near community uses electricity generated facility reserve electricity generated low income households grants given solar electricity generating facilities installed properties eligible low income home owners new solar projects low income households individuals including costs equipment job training associated solar projects


Summary:
Empowering Our Veterans Act of 2015

Prohibits the appropriation of funds, or the obligation or expenditure of funds by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), for any VA alternative energy generation project unless the funds for such project have been specifically authorized by law.

Directs the VA to transfer all unobligated funds that were appropriated to it before this Act's enactment for an alternative energy generation project to the VA's account funding veterans' medical care.

empowering veterans act prohibits appropriation funds obligation expenditure funds department_of_veterans_affairs alternative energy generation project funds project specifically authorized law directs transfer unobligated funds appropriated act enactment alternative energy generation project account funding veterans medical care


Summary: This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to limit the total volume of cellulosic biofuel in transportation fuel under the renewable fuel standard to what is commercially available until the EPA submits to Congress a comprehensive study on cellulosic biofuel and the environmental and economic impacts of producing such fuel.

bill requires environmental_protection_agency epa limit total volume cellulosic biofuel transportation fuel renewable fuel standard commercially available epa submits congress comprehensive study cellulosic biofuel environmental economic impacts producing fuel


Summary:
Battery Storage Innovation Act

This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to expand the categories of projects that are eligible for innovative technology loan guarantees by including a project for battery storage technologies for residential, industrial, or transportation applications.

battery storage innovation act bill amends energy policy act expand categories projects eligible innovative technology loan guarantees including project battery storage technologies residential industrial transportation applications


Summary:
American Renewable Energy and Efficiency Act - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to require each retail electric supplier to submit to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) a quantity of federal renewable electricity credits that is equal to at least the annual target of the retail electric supplier established by this Act for each of 2017 through 2040. Requires the target to be equal to the product of the supplier's base amount (electricity sold) for the year and a specified annual percentage for that year, which increases from 8.5% for 2017 to 30% for 2030 through 2040.

Sets forth provisions governing the issuance, tracking, verification, trading, banking, and retirement of federal renewable electricity credits.

Authorizes alternative compliance payments in lieu of credits.

Authorizes states to set the rates for a sale of electric energy by a facility generating electric energy from renewable energy sources pursuant to a voluntary production incentive program.

Requires the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to: (1) establish a program to implement, enforce, review, and adjust performance standards for specified cumulative electricity and natural gas savings for 2017 through 2030; (2) promulgate regulations establishing performance standards for 2031 through 2040 and for subsequent years by specified deadlines; and (3) set such standards at levels reflecting the maximum achievable level of cost-effective energy efficiency potential. Prohibits standards for any year from being lower than the standard for 2030.

Requires the Secretary, at 10-year intervals, to review the most recent standards and increase them if additional cost-effective energy efficiency potential is achievable.

Requires each retail electricity and natural gas supplier to submit a report annually demonstrating that it has achieved cumulative required savings, which the Secretary shall review to verify that performance standards have been met. Authorizes suppliers to use electricity or natural gas savings purchased from another supplier, a state, or a third-party efficiency provider to meet such standards.

Provides for state administration of an energy efficiency program to meet the requirements of this Act.

Requires the Secretary to direct the state to correct deficiencies found in a review and to report to the Secretary on progress not later than 180 days after the date of the receipt of review results.

Encourages state utility regulatory commissions to review their rules and regulations to ensure that utilities can recover the direct costs of energy efficiency programs, fully recover authorized fixed costs, and earn an incentive for shareholders if the energy efficiency standards are achieved.

Requires the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to submit a comprehensive evaluation of all aspects of the program established by this Act by July 1, 2021, and every 10 years thereafter.

efficiency act amends public utility regulatory policies act purpa require retail electric supplier submit federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc quantity federal renewable electricity credits equal annual target retail electric supplier established act requires target equal product supplier base electricity sold year specified annual percentage year increases sets forth provisions governing issuance tracking verification trading banking retirement federal renewable electricity credits authorizes alternative compliance payments lieu credits authorizes states set rates sale electric energy facility generating electric energy renewable energy sources pursuant voluntary production incentive program requires secretary energy doe establish program implement enforce review adjust performance standards specified cumulative electricity natural gas savings promulgate regulations establishing performance standards subsequent years specified deadlines set standards levels reflecting maximum achievable level cost effective energy efficiency potential prohibits standards year lower standard requires secretary year intervals review recent standards increase additional cost effective energy efficiency potential achievable requires retail electricity natural gas supplier submit report annually demonstrating achieved cumulative required savings secretary shall review verify performance standards met authorizes suppliers use electricity natural gas savings purchased supplier state party efficiency provider meet standards provides state administration energy efficiency program meet requirements act requires secretary direct state correct deficiencies found review report secretary progress later days date receipt review results encourages state utility regulatory commissions review rules regulations ensure utilities recover direct costs energy efficiency programs fully recover authorized fixed costs earn incentive shareholders energy efficiency standards achieved requires secretary contract national_academy_of_sciences submit comprehensive evaluation aspects program established act july years


Summary:
Electric Vehicle Charging Offers Modern Utility Terminals for Employees Act or the EV-COMUTE Act

This bill authorizes the head of any federal agency that owns or operates a parking area for use by agency employees to: (1) install, construct, operate, and maintain on a reimbursable basis a battery recharging station in such parking area for the use of privately-owned employee vehicles; and (2) charge a user fee to cover the costs of such station.

act bill authorizes head federal agency owns operates parking area use agency employees install construct operate maintain reimbursable basis battery recharging station parking area use privately owned employee vehicles charge user fee cover costs station


Summary:
Fuel Cell Tax Extenders Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2021:

 the residential energy efficient property tax credit for qualified fuel cell property, the energy tax credit for qualified fuel cell property, the alternative motor vehicle tax credit for qualified fuel cell motor vehicles, the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property relating to hydrogen, and the excise tax credit for the sale or use of alternative fuels involving hydrogen.

bill amends internal_revenue_code extend residential energy efficient property tax credit qualified fuel cell property energy tax credit qualified fuel cell property alternative motor vehicle tax credit qualified fuel cell motor vehicles tax credit alternative fuel vehicle refueling property relating hydrogen excise tax credit sale use alternative fuels involving hydrogen


Summary:
Prioritizing Energy-Efficient Renewables Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for producing electricity from wind, geothermal and solar energy, hydropower, and marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy facilities; (2) repeal the tax deduction for intangible drilling and development costs for oil and gas wells; (3) repeal the tax deduction for income attributable to the production, refining, transportation, or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any primary product thereof; and (4) repeal the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas wells.

bill amends internal_revenue_code permanent tax credit producing electricity wind geothermal solar energy hydropower marine hydrokinetic renewable energy facilities repeal tax deduction intangible drilling development costs oil gas wells repeal tax deduction income attributable production refining transportation distribution oil natural gas primary product thereof repeal percentage depletion allowance oil gas wells


Summary: This bill requires the Department of Energy to study and report on solar net energy metering, which allows electric consumers to offset their electricity bills for any excess electricity they do not use if that excess was: (1) generated from an eligible, on-site solar generating facility, and (2) delivered to local distribution facilities. The study must analyze the benefits of implementing solar net energy metering.

bill requires department_of_energy study report solar net energy metering allows electric consumers offset electricity bills excess electricity use excess generated eligible site solar generating facility delivered local distribution facilities study analyze benefits implementing solar net energy metering


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2018 the tax credit for qualified fuel cell property.

bill amends internal_revenue_code extend tax credit qualified fuel cell property


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2018 the energy tax credit for investment in qualified microturbine property.

bill amends internal_revenue_code extend energy tax credit investment qualified microturbine property


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2108 the energy tax credit for investment in qualified small wind energy property (i.e., property which uses a wind turbine with a nameplate capacity of not more than 100 kilowatts to generate electricity).

bill amends internal_revenue_code extend energy tax credit investment qualified small wind energy property property uses wind turbine nameplate capacity kilowatts generate electricity


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2018 the energy tax credit for investment in solar energy property.

bill amends internal_revenue_code extend energy tax credit investment solar energy property


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2018 the energy tax credit for investment in thermal energy property.

bill amends internal_revenue_code extend energy tax credit investment thermal energy property


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2017 the tax credit for qualified fuel cell property.


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2017 the energy tax credit for investment in qualified microturbine property.


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2107 the energy tax credit for investment in qualified small wind energy property (i.e., property which uses a wind turbine with a nameplate capacity of not more than 100 kilowatts to generate electricity).


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2017 the energy tax credit for investment in solar energy property.


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2017 the energy tax credit for investment in thermal energy property.


Summary:
Promoting Offshore Wind Power Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a 30% tax credit for investment in a qualifying offshore wind facility (an offshore facility using wind to produce electricity), and (2) direct the Department of the Treasury to establish a qualifying credit for offshore wind facilities program to consider and award certifications for investments eligible for such a credit to qualifying offshore wind facility sponsors.

The bill requires Treasury to review credits allocated under this Act periodically and authorizes Treasury to make additional allocations and reallocations of such credits upon determining that: (1) the limit on the total amount of megawatt capacity for offshore facilities with respect to which credits may be allocated under the program has not been attained, or (2) scheduled placed-in-service dates of previously certified facilities have been significantly delayed and the applicant for certification will not meet the required timeline.

bill amends internal_revenue_code allow tax credit investment qualifying offshore wind facility offshore facility wind produce electricity direct department_of_the_treasury establish qualifying credit offshore wind facilities program consider award certifications investments eligible credit qualifying offshore wind facility sponsors bill requires treasury review credits allocated act periodically authorizes treasury additional allocations reallocations credits determining limit total megawatt capacity offshore facilities respect credits allocated program attained scheduled placed service dates previously certified facilities significantly delayed applicant certification meet required timeline


Summary:
Vehicle Innovation Act of 2015

This bill authorizes appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for research, development, engineering, demonstration, and commercial application of vehicles and related technologies for FY2016-FY2020.

The bill requires DOE to:

 conduct a program of research, development, engineering, demonstration, and commercial application activities (R&D activities) on materials, technologies, and processes with the potential to substantially reduce or eliminate petroleum use and the emissions of the nation's passenger and commercial vehicles; ensure that it continues to support R&D activities and maintains competency in mid- to long-term transformational vehicle technologies with potential to achieve deep reductions in petroleum use and emissions; conduct research, development, engineering, demonstration, and deployment activities on connectivity of vehicle roadway, vulnerable road users, traffic control systems, and transportation data systems, including technologies that allow for improved safety, reduced energy and fuel use, optimized traffic flow, and vehicle electrification; carry out a program of R&D activities on advanced vehicle manufacturing technologies and practices; carry out a program of cooperative research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities on advanced technologies for medium- to heavy-duty commercial, vocational, recreational, and transit vehicles; conduct a competitive grant program to demonstrate the integration of multiple advanced technologies on Class 8 (heavy duty) truck and trailer platforms; develop standard testing procedures and technologies for evaluating the performance of advanced heavy vehicle technologies under a range of representative duty cycles and operating conditions and evaluate heavy vehicle performance using work performance-based metrics other than those based on miles per gallon and appropriate metrics based on the work performed by nonroad systems; and undertake a pilot program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial applications of technologies to improve total machine or system efficiency for nonroad mobile equipment and to seek opportunities to transfer relevant research findings and technologies between the nonroad and on-highway equipment and vehicle sectors. DOE may construct heavy duty truck and bus testing facilities.

vehicle innovation act bill authorizes appropriations department_of_energy doe research development engineering demonstration commercial application vehicles related technologies fy2016-fy2020 bill requires doe conduct program research development engineering demonstration commercial application activities activities materials technologies processes potential substantially reduce eliminate petroleum use emissions nation passenger commercial vehicles ensure continues support activities maintains competency mid- long term transformational vehicle technologies potential achieve deep reductions petroleum use emissions conduct research development engineering demonstration deployment activities connectivity vehicle roadway vulnerable road users traffic control systems transportation data systems including technologies allow improved safety reduced energy fuel use traffic flow vehicle electrification carry program activities advanced vehicle manufacturing technologies practices carry program cooperative research development demonstration commercial application activities advanced technologies medium- heavy duty commercial vocational recreational transit vehicles conduct competitive grant program demonstrate integration multiple advanced technologies class heavy duty truck trailer platforms develop standard testing procedures technologies evaluating performance advanced heavy vehicle technologies range representative duty cycles operating conditions evaluate heavy vehicle performance work performance based metrics based miles gallon appropriate metrics based work performed nonroad systems undertake pilot program research development demonstration commercial applications technologies improve total machine system efficiency nonroad mobile equipment seek opportunities transfer relevant research findings technologies nonroad highway equipment vehicle sectors doe construct heavy duty truck bus testing facilities


Summary:
Clean Energy Victory Bond Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to issue, and promote the purchase of, Clean Energy Victory Bonds to pay for the energy-related tax benefits established or extended by this Act.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to:

 extend through 2023 the tax credit for investment in solar energy property, geothermal heat pumps, fuel cell property, microturbine property, combined heat and power system property, and small wind energy property; allow an energy tax credit for investment in offshore wind facilities placed in service before January 1, 2022; extend through 2024 the tax credit for residential energy efficiency improvements; extend through 2023 the placed-in-service requirement for wind facilities and other renewable energy facilities for purposes of the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources; extend through 2023 the tax credit for nonbusiness residential energy property; allow a new tax credit, through 2024, for home energy efficiency improvements that increase energy efficiency by at least 20%; extend through 2023 the tax credit for new energy efficient homes; and increase, and extend through 2023, the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings. The bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a voluntary voucher program, through 2018, for the purchase of plug-in electric vehicles.

bill directs department_of_the_treasury issue promote purchase bonds pay energy related tax benefits established extended act bill amends internal_revenue_code extend tax credit investment solar energy property geothermal heat pumps fuel cell property microturbine property combined heat power system property small wind energy property allow energy tax credit investment offshore wind facilities placed service january extend tax credit residential energy efficiency improvements extend placed service requirement wind facilities renewable energy facilities purposes tax credit producing electricity renewable resources extend tax credit nonbusiness residential energy property allow new tax credit home energy efficiency improvements increase energy efficiency extend tax credit new energy efficient homes increase extend tax deduction energy efficient commercial buildings bill directs department_of_energy establish voluntary voucher program purchase plug electric vehicles


Summary:
Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the income and excise tax credits for biodiesel used as fuel to: (1) allow a $1.00 tax credit for each gallon of biodiesel produced, (2) provide for an increased income tax credit for small biodiesel producers, (3) revise the definitions of "biodiesel" and "eligible small biodiesel producer," (4) treat renewable diesel in the same manner as biodiesel for income tax purposes, and (5) extend the biodiesel income and excise tax credits through December 31, 2018.

biodiesel_tax_incentive_reform_and_extension_act bill amends internal_revenue_code revise income excise tax credits biodiesel fuel allow tax credit gallon biodiesel produced provide increased income tax credit small biodiesel producers revise definitions biodiesel eligible small biodiesel producer treat renewable diesel manner biodiesel income tax purposes extend biodiesel income excise tax credits december


Summary:
Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out a research and development program to: (1) improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and capacity of wind energy generation; (2) optimize the design and adaptability of wind energy systems to the broadest practical range of atmospheric conditions; and (3) reduce the cost of permitting, construction, operation, and maintenance of wind energy systems.

DOE must also conduct a wind energy technology validation and market transformation program for demonstrating and validating new wind energy technologies with the potential to be cost-competitive for land-based, offshore, and distributed applications.

DOE must conduct a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities to reduce barriers to the widespread adoption of wind power. The program must support developing new wildlife impact mitigation technologies to reduce the potential impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife species.

DOE must maintain a wind energy incubator program to support innovative technologies that are not represented in a significant way in DOE's current portfolio of wind energy research activities or in current technology roadmaps.

bill directs department_of_energy doe carry research development program improve energy efficiency reliability capacity wind energy generation optimize design adaptability wind energy systems broadest practical range atmospheric conditions reduce cost permitting construction operation maintenance wind energy systems doe conduct wind energy technology validation market transformation program demonstrating validating new wind energy technologies potential cost competitive land based offshore distributed applications doe conduct program research development demonstration commercial application activities reduce barriers widespread adoption wind power program support developing new wildlife impact mitigation technologies reduce potential impacts wind energy facilities wildlife species doe maintain wind energy incubator program support innovative technologies represented significant way doe current portfolio wind energy research activities current technology roadmaps


Summary:
Renewable Fuel Utilization, Expansion, and Leadership Act or the REFUEL Act

This bill amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to direct the Department of Agriculture (USDA)to establish a competitive grant program for renewable and alternative energy fueling infrastructure projects.

Projects may be new or for the retrofit of existing renewable and alternative energy infrastructure and must be capable of dispensing fuel or energy not widely available.

 USDA must prioritize awarding grants for projects locatedin rural areas.

Entities that receive funding from USDA must contribute at least30% of any allotted amount towards the project and are eligible to receive a maximum of $100,000.

renewable fuel utilization expansion act bill amends farm_security rural investment act direct department_of_agriculture establish competitive grant program renewable alternative energy fueling infrastructure projects projects new retrofit existing renewable alternative energy infrastructure capable dispensing fuel energy widely available usda prioritize awarding grants projects rural areas entities receive funding usda contribute allotted project eligible receive maximum


Summary:
Stop Animal Fat Tax Credits Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make fuels derived from animal fats ineligible for the tax credits for: (1) biodiesel and renewable diesel, and (2) alternative fuels.

stop animal fat tax credits act bill amends internal_revenue_code fuels derived animal fats ineligible tax credits biodiesel renewable diesel alternative fuels


Summary:
Solar Expansion of Distributed Generation Exponentially Act or the Solar EDGE Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase for two years tax credits that apply to solar property with a nameplate capacity of less than 20 kilowatts. The increases apply to the investment tax credit and the tax credit for residential energy efficient property expenditures.

solar edge act bill amends internal_revenue_code increase years tax credits apply solar property nameplate capacity kilowatts increases apply investment tax credit tax credit residential energy efficient property expenditures


Summary:
Food and Fuel Consumer Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the Clean Air Act by revising the renewable fuel program, which requires transportation fuel to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must cap the total volume of ethanol blended into the transportation fuel supply at 9.7% of projected gasoline demand as determined by the Energy Information Administration.

bill amends clean air act revising renewable fuel program requires transportation fuel contain minimum volume renewable fuel environmental_protection_agency epa cap total volume ethanol blended transportation fuel supply projected gasoline demand determined energy_information_administration


Summary:
Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify and extend: (1) the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel, and (2) the excise tax credit for biodiesel fuel mixtures.

The bill: (1) makes the credits available to domestic producers of the fuels rather than the policy under current law of providing a mixture credit to the blender of the fuel, (2) increases the income tax credit for certain small biodiesel producers, and (3) extends the credits through 2019.

biodiesel_tax_incentive_reform_and_extension_act bill amends internal_revenue_code modify extend income tax credit biodiesel renewable diesel fuel excise tax credit biodiesel fuel mixtures bill makes credits available domestic producers fuels policy current law providing mixture credit blender fuel increases income tax credit certain small biodiesel producers extends credits


Summary:
Consortia-Led Energy and Advanced Manufacturing Networks Act

This bill requires the Department of Commerce to carry out a grant program for establishing consortia to enhance U.S. economic, environmental, and energy security by promoting domestic research, development, manufacture, and deployment of clean technologies and advanced manufacturing processes. Clean technology means technologies, production processes, or methodologies that:

 produce energy from renewable energy sources; transmit, distribute, or store energy more efficiently; enhance energy efficiency for buildings and industry; enable the development of a Smart Grid (an evolving electric power network that utilizes new information technology systems, including those that enable customers to reduce or shift their power use during peak demand periods); produce an advanced or sustainable material with energy or energy efficiency applications; improve energy efficiency for transportation; or enhance water security through improved water management, conservation, distribution, or end use applications.

advanced manufacturing networks act bill requires department_of_commerce carry grant program establishing consortia enhance economic environmental energy security promoting domestic research development manufacture deployment clean technologies advanced manufacturing processes clean technology means technologies production processes methodologies produce energy renewable energy sources transmit distribute store energy efficiently enhance energy efficiency buildings industry enable development smart grid evolving electric power network utilizes new information technology systems including enable customers reduce shift power use peak demand periods produce advanced sustainable material energy energy efficiency applications improve energy efficiency transportation enhance water security improved water management conservation distribution end use applications


Summary:
Energy Tax Fairness Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax credit for investment in energy property to include qualified high-efficiency linear generator property.

A stationary linear generator power plant is an integrated system consisting of translators, cylinders, electricity generating equipment, and associated balance of plant components which converts a fuel or waste heat into electricity for stationary applications. Qualified high-efficiency linear generator property is a stationary linear generator power plant which has: (1) a nameplate capacity of less than 2,000 kilowatts, and (2) an electricity-only generation efficiency of greater than 30%.

For high-efficiency linear generator property that is placed in service during the taxable year, the credit for the year may not exceed $1,500 for each 0.5 kilowatt of capacity of the property.

energy tax fairness act bill amends internal_revenue_code expand tax credit investment energy property include qualified high efficiency generator property stationary generator power plant integrated system consisting translators cylinders electricity generating equipment associated balance plant components converts fuel waste heat electricity stationary applications qualified high efficiency generator property stationary generator power plant nameplate capacity kilowatts electricity generation efficiency greater high efficiency generator property placed service taxable year credit year exceed kilowatt capacity property


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit certain regulated companies to elect out of the limitation on the tax credit for investments in energy property with respect to public utility property that uses solar energy and is placed in service after December 31, 2015.

bill amends internal_revenue_code permit certain regulated companies elect limitation tax credit investments energy property respect public utility property uses solar energy placed service december


Summary:
Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow energy tax credits through 2020 for investments in: (1) qualified biogas property, or (2) qualified manure resource recovery property. The bill also permits new clean renewable energy bonds to be used for such properties.

"Qualified biogas property" comprises a system that: (1) uses anaerobic digesters or other specified processes to convert biomass into a gas which is at least 52% methane; and (2) captures the gas for use as a fuel. The term includes property that cleans and conditions the gas for use as a fuel.

"Qualified manure resource recovery property" comprises a system that uses specified processes to recover the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus from a non-treated digestate or animal manure by reducing or separating at least 50% of the nutrients, excluding any reductions during the incineration, storage, composting, or field application of the non-treated digestate or animal manure. The term also includes certain processing equipment.

The Department of the Treasury must enter into an agreement with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for a study of biogas and report to Congress on the study.

bill amends internal_revenue_code allow energy tax credits investments qualified biogas property qualified manure resource recovery property bill permits new clean renewable energy bonds properties qualified biogas property comprises system uses anaerobic digesters specified processes convert biomass gas methane captures gas use fuel term includes property conditions gas use fuel qualified manure resource recovery property comprises system uses specified processes recover nutrients nitrogen phosphorus non treated animal manure reducing separating nutrients excluding reductions storage field application non treated animal manure term includes certain processing equipment department_of_the_treasury enter agreement national_renewable_energy_laboratory study biogas report congress study


Summary:
Solar Fuels Innovation Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by requiring the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out the Solar Fuels Basic Research Initiative to expand scientific knowledge about converting solar energy into chemical energy. Specifically, DOE must support research about: (1) replicating natural photosynthetic processes in artificial photosynthesis processes, and (2) generating a variety of fuels produced from sunlight through artificial photosynthesis. (A photosynthetic process is one used by plants to convert light from the sun into chemical energy. Artificial, human-made photosynthesis mimics the natural process.)

Appropriations authorized under the bill may not be obligated or expended for commercial application of energy technology.

The bill repeals a requirement for DOE to support a research and development program in catalysis science (the acceleration of a chemical reaction by a catalyst).

solar fuels innovation act sec bill amends energy policy act requiring department_of_energy doe carry solar fuels basic research initiative expand scientific knowledge converting solar energy chemical energy specifically doe support research replicating natural processes artificial processes generating variety fuels produced sunlight artificial process plants convert light sun chemical energy artificial human natural process appropriations authorized bill obligated expended commercial application energy technology bill repeals requirement doe support research development program science acceleration chemical reaction catalyst


Summary:
Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Incentive Extension Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2018: (1) the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel, (2) the excise tax credit for biodiesel mixtures, and (3) the payments that are equivalent to the biodiesel mixture excise tax credit.

biodiesel renewable diesel incentive extension act bill amends internal_revenue_code extend income tax credit biodiesel renewable diesel fuel excise tax credit biodiesel mixtures payments equivalent biodiesel mixture excise tax credit


Summary:
Offshore Wind Incentives for New Development Act or the Offshore WIND Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax credit for investment in energy property to include a qualified offshore wind property until January 1, 2026. Under the bill, a qualified offshore wind property is an offshore facility that uses wind to produce electricity, excluding certain small wind energy property which uses a small wind turbine to generate electricity.

new development act offshore wind act bill amends internal_revenue_code expand tax credit investment energy property include qualified offshore wind property january bill qualified offshore wind property offshore facility uses wind produce electricity excluding certain small wind energy property uses small wind turbine generate electricity


Summary:
Natural Gas Truck Tax Parity Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the excise tax rate on the retail sale of heavy trucks and trailers by 35% for any automobile truck chassis, automobile truck body, or tractor that is fueled wholly or partially by an alternative fuel.

The term "alternative fuel" means compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, renewable natural gas, hydrogen, and any liquid whose volume is at least 85% methanol.

natural gas truck tax parity act bill amends internal_revenue_code reduce excise tax rate retail sale heavy trucks trailers automobile truck automobile truck body fueled wholly partially alternative fuel term alternative fuel means compressed natural gas liquefied natural gas liquefied petroleum gas renewable natural gas hydrogen liquid volume methanol


Summary:
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2021: (1) the excise tax credit for alternative fuel, (2) the excise tax credit for alternative fuel mixtures, and (3) the payments that are equivalent to the alternative fuel excise tax credit.

The bill also allows the alternative fuel excise tax credit to be used for fuel sold by the taxpayer for use as fuel in qualified landscaping equipment. Qualifying landscaping equipment is: (1) used in landscaping or similar activities, (2) powered by an engine capable of running only on alternative fuel, and (3) is not designed primarily for carrying or towing persons or loads from one place to another.

bill amends internal_revenue_code extend excise tax credit alternative fuel excise tax credit alternative fuel mixtures payments equivalent alternative fuel excise tax credit bill allows alternative fuel excise tax credit fuel sold taxpayer use fuel qualified equipment qualifying equipment similar activities powered engine capable running alternative fuel designed primarily carrying towing persons loads place


Summary:
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2018:

 the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel, the excise tax credit for biodiesel mixtures, the payments that are equivalent to the biodiesel mixture excise tax credit, the excise tax credit for alternative fuels, the excise tax credit for alternative fuel mixtures, and the payments that are equivalent to the alternative fuels excise tax credit.

bill amends internal_revenue_code extend income tax credit biodiesel renewable diesel fuel excise tax credit biodiesel mixtures payments equivalent biodiesel mixture excise tax credit excise tax credit alternative fuels excise tax credit alternative fuel mixtures payments equivalent alternative fuels excise tax credit


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2017, the income tax credit for new qualified fuel cell motor vehicles.

bill amends internal_revenue_code extend december income tax credit new qualified fuel cell motor vehicles


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2018, the income tax credit for new qualified fuel cell motor vehicles.


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2017, the income tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property.

bill amends internal_revenue_code extend december income tax credit alternative fuel vehicle refueling property


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2018, the income tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property.


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2017, the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel.

bill amends internal_revenue_code extend december income tax credit biodiesel renewable diesel fuel


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2018, the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel.


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2018, the tax credit for qualified microturbine property.

bill amends internal_revenue_code extend december tax credit qualified microturbine property


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2017, the tax credit for qualified microturbine property.


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2018, the tax credit for qualified fuel cell property.

bill amends internal_revenue_code extend december tax credit qualified fuel cell property


Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through December 31, 2017, the tax credit for qualified fuel cell property.


Summary:
Protection of Military Airfields from Wind Turbine Encroachment Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make new wind facilities located near certain military installations ineligible for the tax credits for: (1) electricity produced from renewable resources, and (2) investments in qualified small wind energy property.

The bill applies to facilities that are originally placed in service after the date of enactment of this bill and are located within a 40-mile radius of: (1) an airfield or airbase that is under the jurisdiction of a military department and in active use; or (2) an air traffic control radar site, weather radar site, or aircraft navigation aid that is owned or operated by the Department of Defense and is a permanent land-based structure at a fixed location.

wind turbine encroachment act bill amends internal_revenue_code new wind facilities located near certain military installations ineligible tax credits electricity produced renewable resources investments qualified small wind energy property bill applies facilities originally placed service date enactment bill located mile radius airfield jurisdiction military department active use air traffic control radar site weather radar site aircraft navigation aid owned operated department_of_defense permanent land based structure fixed location


Summary:
Geothermal Exploration Opportunities Act of 2015

This bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to categorically exclude from the requirements for an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) a geothermal exploration test project on National Forest System land or land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) if the project is either:

 a geophysical exploration activity that does not require drilling; test drilling causing soil or vegetation disruption of fewer than 10 acres, including access, that is completed in fewer than 90 days and meets other requirements, such as for restoration of the site; test drilling causing an individual surface disturbance of fewer than 5 acres with a total surface disturbance of fewer than 150 acres when a site specific analysis has been prepared; test drilling on a site at which drilling has occurred within 5 years; or test drilling on the site of a developed field that has been approved for drilling in the last 10 years pursuant to an approved land use plan or any NEPA environmental documents. A leaseholder of a geothermal lease on federal land intending to carry out a geothermal exploration test project must provide notice to the Department of the Interior, with respect to BLM land, or to the Department of Agriculture (USDA), with respect to National Forest System land . BLM and USDA must: review those projects, notify the leaseholder of project deficiencies that preclude the NEPA exemption, and allow leaseholders an opportunity to remedy those deficiencies prior to the date that the leaseholder intended to start drilling.

geothermal exploration opportunities act bill amends geothermal_steam_act categorically exclude requirements environmental assessment environmental impact statement national_environmental_policy_act nepa geothermal exploration test project national_forest_system land land managed bureau_of_land_management blm project geophysical exploration activity require drilling test drilling causing soil vegetation disruption fewer acres including access completed fewer days meets requirements restoration site test drilling causing individual surface disturbance fewer acres total surface disturbance fewer acres site specific analysis prepared test drilling site drilling occurred years test drilling site developed field approved drilling years pursuant approved land use plan nepa environmental documents leaseholder geothermal lease federal land intending carry geothermal exploration test project provide notice department_of_the_interior respect blm land department_of_agriculture usda respect national_forest_system land blm usda review projects notify leaseholder project deficiencies preclude nepa exemption allow leaseholders opportunity remedy deficiencies prior date leaseholder intended start drilling


Summary:
Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel program by eliminating the annual renewable fuel standard that requires 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel to be blended into transportation fuel by 2022.

The bill would not affect the separate requirements for the following renewable fuels that are not corn starch ethanol: advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel, or biomass-based diesel.

corn ethanol mandate elimination act bill amends clean air act revise renewable fuel program eliminating annual renewable fuel standard requires billion gallons renewable fuel blended transportation fuel bill affect separate requirements following renewable fuels corn starch ethanol advanced biofuel cellulosic biofuel biomass based diesel


Summary:
Geothermal Production Expansion Act of 2015

This bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to allow the Department of the Interior to award noncompetitive leases on up to 640 acres of federal land for geothermal development if: (1) the land is available for leasing and not already leased or nominated to be leased, (2) the lessee has a legal right to develop geothermal resources on land adjacent to the federal land that will be leased, (3) sufficient data was submitted to Interior to show there is a valid discovery of geothermal resources on the adjacent land and that the thermal feature extends into the adjoining federal land, and (4) the lessee has not previously received a noncompetitive lease for the discovery.

Interior must lease the land at fair market value, publish a notice of any lease requests, and provide review of the final determination of fair market value.

 Lessees must make annual rental payments equal to those required for lands that are leased competitively.

geothermal production expansion act bill amends geothermal_steam_act allow department_of_the_interior award noncompetitive leases acres federal land geothermal development land available leasing leased nominated leased lessee legal right develop geothermal resources land adjacent federal land leased sufficient data submitted interior valid discovery geothermal resources adjacent land thermal feature extends adjoining federal land lessee previously received noncompetitive lease discovery interior lease land fair market value publish notice lease requests provide review final determination fair market value lessees annual rental payments equal required lands leased competitively


Summary:
Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act of 2015

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to revise provisions concerning alternative fuel.

Currently, a change to the original configuration of a certified vehicle or engine, including alternative fuel conversion, may be a potential violation of the Act's prohibition against tampering with devices used to control emissions from vehicles. The bill prohibits the aftermarket conversion of a vehicle to alternative fuel operation from: (1) being considered tampering under the Act if the conversion technology is matched to an appropriate vehicle and does not degrade emission performance, or (2) requiring the issuance by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of any certificate of conformity. The bill also establishes labelling requirements for an aftermarket conversion.

The EPA may not prohibit or control biomass fuel under the Act. Biomass fuel is produced by conversion of certain organic matter which is available on a renewable basis.

If a fuel choice enabling manufacturer (certain manufacturers of vehicles that operate with alternative fuels) is in compliance with applicable fuel economy standards, the vehicles it makes are deemed to be in compliance with greenhouse gas regulations established by the EPA under the Act. The requirements governing the calculation of average fuel economy are revised, including by giving an average fuel economy bonus for those manufacturers.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to adjust the excise tax on liquefied natural gas to 24.3 cents per energy equivalent of a gallon of diesel.

The Clean Air Act places Reid vapor pressure limitations, or gasoline volatility limits, on gasoline during the summer ozone season. Gasoline blended with 10% ethanol may exceed this limitation by a certain amount under the Act. The bill extends this waiver to gasoline blended with more than 10% ethanol.

act bill amends clean air act revise provisions concerning alternative fuel currently change original configuration certified vehicle engine including alternative fuel conversion potential violation act prohibition tampering devices control emissions vehicles bill prohibits aftermarket conversion vehicle alternative fuel operation considered tampering act conversion technology matched appropriate vehicle degrade emission performance requiring issuance environmental_protection_agency epa certificate conformity bill establishes requirements aftermarket conversion epa prohibit control biomass fuel act biomass fuel produced conversion certain organic matter available renewable basis fuel choice enabling manufacturer certain manufacturers vehicles operate alternative fuels compliance applicable fuel economy standards vehicles makes deemed compliance greenhouse gas regulations established epa act requirements governing calculation average fuel economy revised including giving average fuel economy bonus manufacturers bill amends internal_revenue_code adjust excise tax liquefied natural gas cents energy equivalent gallon diesel clean air act places reid vapor pressure limitations gasoline volatility limits gasoline summer ozone season gasoline blended ethanol exceed limitation certain act bill extends waiver gasoline blended ethanol


Summary:
Energy Productivity Innovation Challenge Act of 2015 or the EPIC Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a voluntary electric and thermal energy productivity challenge grant program for providing support to states for:

 advancing industrial energy efficiency, waste heat recovery, combined heat and power, and waste heat-to-power utilization; advancing energy efficiency construction and retrofits for commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, and residential buildings; expanding residential policies and programs designed to implement best practice policies and tools for residential retrofit programs that reduce administrative and delivery costs for energy efficiency projects, encourage streamlining and automation to support contractor engagement, and implement systems that encourage private investment and market innovation; establishing or expanding incentives in the electric utility sector to enhance demand response and energy efficiency; and promoting state activities involving both facilities and vehicle fleets than can be a model for other action to promote energy efficiency. DOE must: (1) provide subsequent grants for activities to assist energy policy innovation in the states and to promote the goal of doubling electric and thermal energy productivity by January 1, 2030, and (2) invite Indian tribes to participate in the productivity challenge grant program.

As an offset to the cost of this bill, the bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reduce the authorized amount of appropriations for FY2016-FY2017 for the Zero Net Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative.

energy productivity innovation challenge act act bill requires department_of_energy doe establish voluntary electric thermal energy productivity challenge grant program providing support states advancing industrial energy efficiency waste heat recovery combined heat power waste heat power utilization advancing energy efficiency construction retrofits commercial buildings schools hospitals residential buildings expanding residential policies programs designed implement best practice policies tools residential retrofit programs reduce administrative delivery costs energy efficiency projects encourage streamlining automation support contractor engagement implement systems encourage private investment market innovation establishing expanding incentives electric utility sector enhance demand response energy efficiency promoting state activities involving facilities vehicle fleets model action promote energy efficiency doe provide subsequent grants activities assist energy policy innovation states promote goal doubling electric thermal energy productivity january invite indian tribes participate productivity challenge grant program offset cost bill bill amends energy_independence_and_security_act reduce authorized appropriations fy2016 fy2017


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an energy tax credit for investment in waste heat to power property. The property cannot have a capacity in excess of 50 megawatts.

The bill defines "waste heat to power property" as property: (1) comprising a system which generates electricity through the recovery of a qualified waste heat resource; and (2) that is placed in service before January 1, 2017. "Qualified waste heat resource" is defined as: (1) exhaust heat or flared gas from an industrial process that does not have as its primary purpose the production of electricity, and (2) a pressure drop in any gas for an industrial or commercial process.

The bill provides for a formula to limit the basis of any waste heat to power property for purposes of calculating the credit.

The amendments made by this section apply to taxable years ending after the enactment date of this Act.

(Sec. 2) The bill also increases from 30% to 35% the rate of the continuous levy on payments made after 180 days after the enactment date of this Act to Medicare providers and suppliers for unpaid taxes.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill amends internal_revenue_code allow energy tax credit investment waste heat power property property capacity excess megawatts bill defines waste heat power property property comprising system generates electricity recovery qualified waste heat resource placed service january qualified waste heat resource defined exhaust heat flared gas industrial process primary purpose production electricity pressure drop gas industrial commercial process bill provides formula limit basis waste heat power property purposes calculating credit amendments section apply taxable years ending enactment date act sec bill increases rate continuous levy payments days enactment date act medicare providers suppliers unpaid taxes


Summary:
Phantom Fuel Reform Act

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel standard program. Beginning on January 1, 2015, the renewable fuel that is required to be blended into gasoline must be advanced biofuel, which cannot be ethanol derived from corn starch.

This bill revises the renewable fuel standards by decreasing the total volume of renewable fuel that must be contained in gasoline sold or introduced into commerce for years 2015 through 2022.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must determine the target amount of cellulosic biofuel to be blended into transportation fuel based on the actual volume of cellulosic biofuel produced in the current year.

The EPA must reduce the required volume of renewable fuel in transportation fuel by the same volume of cellulosic biofuel in the fuel.

Cellulosic biofuel does not include any compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or electricity used to power electric vehicles that is produced from biogas from a landfill, a municipal wastewater treatment facility digester, an agricultural digester, or a separated municipal solid waste digester.

fuel reform act bill amends clean air act revise renewable fuel standard program beginning january renewable fuel required blended gasoline advanced biofuel ethanol derived corn starch bill revises renewable fuel standards decreasing total volume renewable fuel contained gasoline sold introduced commerce years environmental_protection_agency epa determine target cellulosic biofuel blended transportation fuel based actual volume cellulosic biofuel produced current year epa reduce required volume renewable fuel transportation fuel volume cellulosic biofuel fuel cellulosic biofuel include compressed natural gas liquefied natural gas electricity power electric vehicles produced biogas landfill municipal wastewater treatment facility digester agricultural digester separated municipal solid waste digester


Summary:
North American Alternative Fuels Act

This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal a requirement that the greenhouse gas emissions from any alternative or synthetic fuel procured by a federal agency for mobility-related uses be less than or equal to greenhouse gas emissions from an equivalent conventional fuel from conventional petroleum sources.

north american alternative fuels act bill amends energy_independence_and_security_act repeal requirement greenhouse gas emissions alternative synthetic fuel procured federal agency mobility related uses equal greenhouse gas emissions equivalent conventional fuel conventional petroleum sources


Summary:
This bill amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to authorize federal agencies to participate in programs conducted by utilities that support the use of alternative fueled vehicles or the fueling or charging infrastructure necessary for those vehicles.

Agencies may also enter into energy savings performance contracts for designing, acquiring, installing, testing, operating, maintaining, and repairing a measure to support the use of those vehicles or their infrastructure.

bill amends national_energy_conservation_policy_act authorize federal agencies participate programs conducted utilities support use alternative fueled vehicles fueling charging infrastructure necessary vehicles agencies enter energy savings performance contracts designing acquiring installing testing operating maintaining repairing measure support use vehicles infrastructure


Summary:
Geothermal Energy Opportunities Act or the GEO Act

This bill requires the Bureau of Land Management to identify high priority areas for new geothermal development and facilitate that development.

The bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to allow the holder of an oil and gas lease of federal land to also apply for a noncompetitive lease for the production of geothermal energy if: (1) the holder of the oil and gas lease also has an approved drilling permit, (2) geothermal energy will be produced from a well producing or capable of producing oil and gas, (3) the geothermal lease will improve national energy security, and (4) oil and gas production is currently occurring under the existing lease.

To promote the goals of new geothermal energy capacity, the Department of Energy (DOE) may conduct a federally funded program of cost-shared drilling with industry partners to: (1) explore and document new geothermal resources; and (2) develop improved tools and methods for geothermal resource identification and extraction. Certain revenues from geothermal leases must be deposited into a separate account in the Treasury to carry out that program.

The bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to allow the Department of the Interior to award noncompetitive leases on up to 640 acres of federal land for geothermal development under certain circumstances. Lessees must make annual rental payments equal to those required for lands that are leased competitively.

The bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to require DOE to establish a program of research, development, and demonstration for geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy.

geothermal energy opportunities act act bill requires bureau_of_land_management identify high priority areas new geothermal development facilitate development bill amends geothermal_steam_act allow holder oil gas lease federal land apply noncompetitive lease production geothermal energy holder oil gas lease approved drilling permit geothermal energy produced producing capable producing oil gas geothermal lease improve national energy security oil gas production currently occurring existing lease promote goals new geothermal energy capacity department_of_energy doe conduct federally funded program cost shared drilling industry partners explore document new geothermal resources develop improved tools methods geothermal resource identification extraction certain revenues geothermal leases deposited separate account treasury carry program bill amends geothermal_steam_act allow department_of_the_interior award noncompetitive leases acres federal land geothermal development certain circumstances lessees annual rental payments equal required lands leased competitively bill amends energy_independence_and_security_act require doe establish program research development demonstration geothermal heat pumps direct use geothermal energy


Summary:
Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Act of 2015

This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to revise and reauthorize through FY2019 the program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to accelerate the introduction of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy production. The program must give priority to fostering accelerated research, development, and commercialization of technology.

The meaning of "marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy" is expanded to include all forms of energy, not just electricity, from: (1) waves, tides, and currents in oceans, estuaries, and tidal areas; (2) free flowing water in rivers, lakes, and streams; (3) free flowing water in man-made channels; and (4) differentials in ocean temperature (ocean thermal energy conversion).

National Marine Renewable Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Centers must support in-water testing and demonstration of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies, including facilities capable of testing: (1) marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy systems of various technology readiness levels and scales, (2) a variety of technologies in multiple test berths at a single location, and (3) arrays of technology devices.

marine hydrokinetic renewable energy act bill amends energy_independence_and_security_act revise reauthorize fy2019 program research development demonstration commercial application accelerate introduction marine hydrokinetic renewable energy production program priority fostering accelerated research development commercialization technology meaning marine hydrokinetic renewable energy expanded include forms energy electricity waves currents oceans estuaries tidal areas free flowing water rivers lakes streams free flowing water man channels differentials ocean temperature ocean thermal energy conversion demonstration_centers support water testing demonstration marine hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies including facilities capable testing marine hydrokinetic renewable energy systems technology readiness levels scales variety technologies multiple test berths single location technology devices


Summary:
Geothermal Exploration and Technology Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a direct loan program for high risk geothermal exploration wells, and gives preference to loans to carry out projects that are likely to lead to successful new geothermal development leading to electricity production. Data from exploratory wells must be provided to DOE and the Department of the Interior for use in mapping national geothermal resources and other uses. DOE must determine the number of wells for each selected geothermal project for which a loan may be made.

The Geothermal Investment Fund is established to carry out the program. Amounts repaid on loans must be deposited in the Fund.

The bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to require DOE to establish a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application for geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy. In carrying out the program, DOE must identify and mitigate potential environmental impacts. DOE must make grants to promote the development of geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy, giving priority to proposals that apply to large buildings, commercial districts, and residential communities.

The bill amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to allow the holder of an oil and gas lease of public land to also lease the land for the production of geothermal energy if: (1) the holder of the oil and gas lease has an approved drilling permit, (2) the geothermal energy will be produced from a well producing or capable of producing oil and gas, (3) the geothermal lease would serve the public interest, and (4) oil and gas production is currently occurring under the existing lease.

geothermal exploration technology act bill requires department_of_energy doe establish direct loan program high risk geothermal exploration wells gives preference loans carry projects likely lead successful new geothermal development leading electricity production data exploratory wells provided doe department_of_the_interior use mapping national geothermal resources uses doe determine number wells selected geothermal project loan established carry program amounts repaid loans deposited fund bill amends energy_independence_and_security_act require doe establish program research development demonstration commercial application geothermal heat pumps direct use geothermal energy carrying program doe identify mitigate potential environmental impacts doe grants promote development geothermal heat pumps direct use geothermal energy giving priority proposals apply large buildings commercial districts residential communities bill amends geothermal_steam_act allow holder oil gas lease public land lease land production geothermal energy holder oil gas lease approved drilling permit geothermal energy produced producing capable producing oil gas geothermal lease serve public interest oil gas production currently occurring existing lease


Summary:
This bill allows federal agencies to: (1) construct, operate, and maintain alternative fuel infrastructure on their property; and (2) provide alternative fuel on a reimbursable basis on their property for use by privately-owned vehicles used by federal employees, members of a uniformed service, contractors, or a visitor to a federal agency or facility (covered individuals).

Agencies: (1) cannot provide compensation, benefits, or any other payment to covered individuals for purchasing alternative fuel; and (2) must charge fees for alternative fuel provided that are sufficient to cover the costs of only the alternative fuel.

After collected fees or commissions are put into the appropriate account in the Treasury, they will be available to the agency that collected them during the fiscal year the fees or commissions were collected and the following fiscal year.

bill allows federal agencies construct operate maintain alternative fuel infrastructure property provide alternative fuel reimbursable basis property use privately owned vehicles federal employees members uniformed service contractors visitor federal agency facility covered individuals agencies provide compensation benefits payment covered individuals purchasing alternative fuel charge fees alternative fuel provided sufficient cover costs alternative fuel collected fees commissions appropriate account treasury available agency collected fiscal year fees commissions collected following fiscal year