Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 121.djvu/1789

 121 STAT. 1768

(c) SMALL BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE.— (1) AUTHORITY.—The Administrator shall establish a Small Business Energy Efficiency Program to provide energy efficiency assistance to small business concerns through small business development centers. (2) SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS.— (A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the Efficiency Program, the Administrator shall enter into agreements with small business development centers under which such centers shall— (i) provide access to information and resources on energy efficiency practices, including on-bill financing options; (ii) conduct training and educational activities; (iii) offer confidential, free, one-on-one, in-depth energy audits to the owners and operators of small business concerns regarding energy efficiency practices; (iv) give referrals to certified professionals and other providers of energy efficiency assistance who meet such standards for educational, technical, and professional competency as the Administrator shall establish; (v) to the extent not inconsistent with controlling State public utility regulations, act as a facilitator between small business concerns, electric utilities, lenders, and the Administration to facilitate on-bill financing arrangements; (vi) provide necessary support to small business concerns to— (I) evaluate energy efficiency opportunities and opportunities to design or construct high performance green buildings; (II) evaluate renewable energy sources, such as the use of solar and small wind to supplement power consumption; (III) secure financing to achieve energy efficiency or to design or construct high performance green buildings; and (IV) implement energy efficiency projects; (vii) assist owners of small business concerns with the development and commercialization of clean technology products, goods, services, and processes that use renewable energy sources, dramatically reduce the use of natural resources, and cut or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions through— (I) technology assessment; (II) intellectual property; (III) Small Business Innovation Research submissions under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638); (IV) strategic alliances; (V) business model development; and (VI) preparation for investors; and (viii) help small business concerns improve environmental performance by shifting to less hazardous materials and reducing waste and emissions, including by providing assistance for small business

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