# § 16198. Smart energy and water efficiency pilot program
**(a)** **Definitions** In this section:
**(1)** **Eligible entity** The term “eligible entity” means—
**(A)** a utility;
**(B)** a municipality;
**(C)** a water district;
**(D)** an Indian Tribe or Alaska Native village; and
**(E)** any other authority that provides water, wastewater, or water reuse services.
**(2)** **Smart energy and water efficiency pilot program** The term “smart energy and water efficiency pilot program” or “pilot program” means the pilot program established under subsection (b).
**(b)** **Smart energy and water efficiency pilot program**
**(1)** **In general** The Secretary shall establish and carry out a smart energy and water efficiency pilot program in accordance with this section.
**(2)** **Purpose** The purpose of the smart energy and water efficiency pilot program is to award grants to eligible entities to demonstrate unique, advanced, or innovative technology-based solutions that will—
**(A)** improve the net energy balance of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems;
**(B)** improve the net energy balance of water, wastewater, and water reuse systems to help communities across the United States make measurable progress in conserving water, saving energy, and reducing costs;
**(C)** support the implementation of innovative and unique processes and the installation of established advanced automated systems that provide real-time data on energy and water; and
**(D)** improve energy-water conservation and quality and predictive maintenance through technologies that utilize internet connected technologies, including sensors, intelligent gateways, and security embedded in hardware.
**(3)** **Project selection**
**(A)** **In general** The Secretary shall make competitive, merit-reviewed grants under the pilot program to not less than 3, but not more than 5, eligible entities.
**(B)** **Selection criteria** In selecting an eligible entity to receive a grant under the pilot program, the Secretary shall consider—
**(i)** energy and cost savings;
**(ii)** the uniqueness, commercial viability, and reliability of the technology to be used;
**(iii)** the degree to which the project integrates next-generation sensors software, analytics, and management tools;
**(iv)** the anticipated cost-effectiveness of the pilot project through measurable energy savings, water savings or reuse, and infrastructure costs averted;
**(v)** whether the technology can be deployed in a variety of geographic regions and the degree to which the technology can be implemented in a wide range of applications ranging in scale from small towns to large cities, including Tribal communities;
**(vi)** whether the technology has been successfully deployed elsewhere;
**(vii)** whether the technology was sourced from a manufacturer based in the United States; and
**(viii)** whether the project will be completed in 5 years or less.
**(C)** **Applications**
**(i)** **In general** Subject to clause (ii), an eligible entity seeking a grant under the pilot program shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines to be necessary.
**(ii)** **Contents** An application under clause (i) shall, at a minimum, include—
**(I)** a description of the project;
**(II)** a description of the technology to be used in the project;
**(III)** the anticipated results, including energy and water savings, of the project;
**(IV)** a comprehensive budget for the project;
**(V)** the names of the project lead organization and any partners;
**(VI)** the number of users to be served by the project;
**(VII)** a description of the ways in which the proposal would meet performance measures established by the Secretary; and
**(VIII)** any other information that the Secretary determines to be necessary to complete the review and selection of a grant recipient.
**(4)** **Administration**
**(A)** **In general** December 27, 2020
Not later than 1 year after , the Secretary shall select grant recipients under this section.
**(B)** **Evaluations**
**(i)** **Annual evaluations** The Secretary shall annually carry out an evaluation of each project for which a grant is provided under this section that meets performance measures and benchmarks developed by the Secretary, consistent with the purposes of this section.
**(ii)** **Requirements** Consistent with the performance measures and benchmarks developed under clause (i), in carrying out an evaluation under that clause, the Secretary shall—
**(I)** evaluate the progress and impact of the project; and
**(II)** assess the degree to which the project is meeting the goals of the pilot program.
**(C)** **Technical and policy assistance** On the request of a grant recipient, the Secretary shall provide technical and policy assistance.
**(D)** **Best practices** The Secretary shall make available to the public through the Internet and other means the Secretary considers to be appropriate—
**(i)** a copy of each evaluation carried out under subparagraph (B); and
**(ii)** a description of any best practices identified by the Secretary as a result of those evaluations.
**(E)** **Report to Congress** The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of each evaluation carried out under subparagraph (B).
**(c)** **Authorization of appropriations** There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $15,000,000, to remain available until expended.
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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 918, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title I, § 1014(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2451.)