Nonprofits would have access to grants designed to improve energy efficiency and generate renewable energy under bipartisan, bicameral legislation recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND).
The Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act establishes a pilot program at the U.S. Department of Energy that would provide $10 million in grants per year over five years to help nonprofits purchase materials for energy efficiency projects. They could also upgrade existing infrastructure and purchase renewable energy generators and heaters with the grant money.
“Places of worship and other non-profits have to balance the allocation of their resources while serving the needs of their communities, and we should encourage them to leverage their funds to maximize those efforts,” Curbelo said. “This bipartisan legislation would help make sure these organizations do not have to choose between providing important community services and upgrading their infrastructure for long-term energy efficiency and savings.”
The measure, which is supported by the National Council of Churches, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations and the YMCA, would enable nonprofits to apply for grants of up to $200,000.
“Churches, schools and other nonprofit organizations provide important services to our communities,” Hoeven said. “This bipartisan legislation will help them to make their facilities more energy efficient, which not only conserves energy but will help them to save money so they can devote more of their resources to serving the public.”
Curbelo introduced the House bill with U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) and Hoeven introduced the Senate version of the bill with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).