AMENDMENTS TO LOW-INCOME WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM.

SEC. 142. AMENDMENTS TO LOW-INCOME WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM. (a) Private Sector Investments in Low-Income Weatherization.—Part A of title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6861 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 414 the following new sections: “SEC. 414A. PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENTS. “(a) In General.— The Secretary shall, to the extent funds are made available for such purpose, provide financial assistance to entities receiving funding from the Federal Government or from a State through a weatherization assistance program under section 413 or section 414 for the development and initial implementation of partnerships, agreements, or other arrangements with utilities, private sector interests, or other institutions, under which non-Federal financial assistance would be made available to support programs which install energy efficiency improvements in low-income housing. “(b) Use of Funds.— Financial assistance provided under this section may be used for— “(1) the negotiation of such partnerships, agreements and other arrangements; “(2) the presentation of arguments before State or local agencies; “(3) expert advice on the development of such partnerships, agreements, and other arrangements; or “(4) other activities reasonably associated with the development and initial implementation of such arrangements. “(c) Conditions.— (1) Financial assistance provided under this section to entities other than States shall, to the extent practicable, coincide with the timing of financial assistance provided to such entities under section 413 or section 414. “(2) Not less than 80 percent of amounts provided under this section shall be provided to entities other than States. “(3) A recipient of financial assistance under this section shall have up to three years to complete projects undertaken with such assistance. “SEC. 414B. TECHNICAL TRANSFER GRANTS. “(a) In General.— The Secretary may, to the extent funds are made available, provide financial assistance to entities receiving funding from the Federal Government or from a State through a weatherization assistance program under section 413 or section 414 for— “(1) evaluating technical and management measures which increase program and/or private entity performance in weatherizing low-income housing; 106 STAT. 2843 “(2) producing technical information for use by persons involved in weatherizing low-income housing; “(3) exchanging information; and “(4) conducting training programs for persons involved in weatherizing low-income housing. “(b) Conditions.— (1) Not less than 50 percent of amounts provided under this section shall be awarded to entities other than States. “(2) A recipient of financial assistance under this section may contract with nonprofit entities to carry out all or part of the activities for which such financial assistance is provided. . (b) Use of Solar Thermal Water Heaters and Wood-Burning Heating Appliances for Low-Income Weatherization.— Section 412(9) of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6862(9)) is amended— (1) by moving subparagraph (G) 2–ems to the right and by striking “and”; (2) by redesignating subparagraph (H) as subparagraph (J); and (3) by inserting after subparagraph (G), the following: “(H) solar thermal water heaters; “(I) wood-heating appliances; and”. (c) Clerical Amendment.— The table of contents for part A of title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act is amended by inserting after the item related to section 414 the following items: “Sec. 414A. Private sector investments. “Sec. 414B. Technical transfer grants.”.