H.R. 3979 — LEAPS Act

This section sets forth nine congressional findings on the prevalence of fossil fuel-based pumping systems in U.S. agricultural irrigation, livestock watering, and aquaculture; potential energy savings of up to 22 billion kilowatt hours annually, cost savings exceeding $1.8 billion for producers, and carbon emission reductions of 8.3 million metric tons from efficiency improvements and electrification; benefits of plastic piping for reducing water losses (30% of agriculture's 37% share of national water use) and achieving 2,500 kWh savings per 10 miles; and advantages of solar pumping for habitat protection and water quality.

This section directs the Secretary of Agriculture, not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act and in consultation with pumping system experts, to develop and make publicly available on the USDA website easily accessible information educating farmers on cost savings, energy savings, water conservation, and carbon emissions reductions from energy-efficient pumping systems. The information must cover (1) pumps, pipes, motors, drives, and controls that provide such benefits; and (2) USDA programs providing farmers resources for acquiring energy-efficient pumping systems and drought management infrastructure, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

This section directs the Secretary of Agriculture, not later than 180 days after enactment and in consultation with pumping system experts, to develop and make publicly available on the USDA website a user-friendly tool that (1) assists farmers in making a preliminary assessment of the energy efficiency of existing pumping systems and (2) provides an estimate of potential energy savings, cost savings, and carbon emissions reductions from improvements. The tool must project savings through user inputs of pump type, flow rating and actual flow, pressure rating and actual pressure, and speed rating and actual speed; assess pumps, pipes, motors, drives, and controls; and consider electricity costs and the existing system's profile.

This section directs the Secretary of Agriculture, not later than 180 days after enactment and in consultation with pumping system experts, to establish a process to educate persons performing energy efficiency audits for Department of Agriculture programs on energy use and efficiency in pumping systems (e.g., irrigation systems on farms). In implementing this process, the Secretary must consider existing education and training programs on the topic.

This section defines key terms for purposes of the Act: (1) "Secretary" as the Secretary of Agriculture; and (2) "pumping system" as any pumps, pipes, motors, drives, and controls used to move water and other fluids on farms, ranches, and aquaculture operations.