§ 8113. Community wood energy program
(a)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Community wood energy plan
The term “community wood energy plan” means an assessment of—
(A)
available feedstocks necessary to supply a community wood energy system; and
(B)
the long-term feasibility of supplying and operating a community wood energy system.
(2)
Community wood energy system
(A)
In general
The term “community wood energy system” means an energy system that—
(i)
primarily services public facilities owned or operated by State or local governments, including schools, town halls, libraries, and other public buildings; and
(ii)
uses woody biomass as the primary fuel.
(B)
Inclusions
The term “community wood energy system” includes single facility central heating, district heating, combined heat and energy systems, and other related biomass energy systems.
(b)
Grant program
(1)
In general
The Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall establish a program to be known as the “Community Wood Energy Program” to provide—
(A)
grants of up to $50,000 to State and local governments (or designees) to develop community wood energy plans; and
(B)
competitive grants to State and local governments to acquire or upgrade community wood energy systems.
(2)
Considerations
In selecting applicants for grants under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall consider—
(A)
the energy efficiency of the proposed system;
(B)
the cost effectiveness of the proposed system; and
(C)
other conservation and environmental criteria that the Secretary considers appropriate.
(3)
Use of plan
A State or local government applying to receive a competitive grant described in paragraph (1)(B) shall submit to the Secretary as part of the grant application the applicable community wood energy plan.
(c)
Limitation
A community wood energy system acquired with grant funds provided under subsection (b)(1)(B) shall not exceed an output of—
(1)
50,000,000 Btu per hour for heating; and
(2)
2 megawatts for electric power production.
(d)
Matching funds
A State or local government that receives a grant under subsection (b) shall contribute an amount of non-Federal funds towards the development of the community wood energy plan, or acquisition of the community wood energy systems that is at least equal to the amount of grant funds received by the State or local government under that subsection.
(e)
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.