Just transition grants

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 is amended by inserting after section 2607B (42 U.S.C. 8626b) the following: 2607C. HEAP just transition grants (a) Grant program The Secretary and the Secretary of Energy shall jointly carry out a grant program under this section. In carrying out the program, the Secretaries shall make grants for a period of 3 years to States and local governments to support the development and implementation of interagency plans to reduce energy burdens for eligible households with high home energy use. The plans shall promote the reduction of those burdens in a manner that supports a just transition away from fossil fuel energy and protects eligible households from the threats of climate change. The Secretaries shall make the grants for a period of 3 years. (b) Preferences In making the grants, the Secretary shall give a preference to States, and local governments, who set up coordination systems— (1) to identify eligible households, that are recipients of assistance through the program funded under section 2602(b), with high home energy use; (2) to prioritize eligible households with the highest energy burdens and lowest incomes, in alignment with the priority provisions in paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 2605(b), to receive emergency repair, weatherization, and retrofit assistance that results in decarbonization and reductions in energy use; and (3) to partner with entities carrying out workforce development initiatives, unions, or minority or women-owned business enterprises to provide emergency repairs, weatherization, and retrofit assistance. (c) Report to Congress At the conclusion of the 3-year grant period, the Secretaries shall— (1) conduct an evaluation of the program’s outcomes; and (2) prepare and submit to Congress a report containing the results of the evaluation and policy recommendations..