H.R. 4339 — Renewable Energy for U.S. Territories Act

This section establishes a renewable energy grant program, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture and implemented not later than 180 days after enactment, under which the Secretary may award grants to covered entities for projects in U.S. territories. Grant funds may be used to (1) develop or construct a renewable energy system; (2) increase energy efficiency; (3) develop or construct energy storage for such systems or efficiency activities; (4) develop or construct a smart grid or microgrid; or (5) train territory residents to develop, construct, maintain, or operate renewable energy systems, provided funds are not used for facilities generating electricity from fossil fuels or nuclear power. The Secretary of Energy must ensure Department of Energy national laboratories offer technical assistance to grant recipients; the Secretary of Agriculture must report to Congress starting two years after program establishment (and annually thereafter) on funds disbursed, energy conservation achieved, implementation challenges, and recommendations to increase renewable energy use in territories; and such sums as are necessary are authorized to carry out the program.

This section directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on renewable energy and energy efficiency in U.S. territories—including, for each territory, the potential to modify electric power systems for renewable energy sources, expand microgrids, and improve energy resiliency—and to submit a report to Congress with findings and recommendations within 180 days of enactment. It authorizes $1.5 million to carry out this section.

This section establishes definitions for terms used in the Act, including (1) covered entity, as a not-for-profit organization determined eligible by the Secretary of Agriculture; (2) Department of Energy national laboratories, with the same meaning as "National Laboratory" under section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801); (3) microgrid, as a localized electric system able to disconnect from and operate autonomously from the traditional electric grid; (4) renewable energy and renewable energy system, with meanings given in section 9001 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101); (5) smart grid, as an intelligent electric grid using digital technology to detect usage changes, improve efficiency, and reduce costs while maintaining reliability; and (6) territory of the United States, meaning Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.