Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 94 Part 1.djvu/1192

 94 STAT. 1142

Advanced wind energy systems. New or improved technology proposals.

PUBLIC LAW 96-345—SEPT. 8, 1980

lack of knowledge limits the widespread utilization of wind energy systems in order to achieve the purposes of this Act. (b)(1) The Secretary shall continue an aggressive program for the development of prototypes of advanced wind energy systems. (2) As often as he deems appropriate, the Secretary shall solicit and evaluate proposals for the research and development of any new or improved technologies, which, in the Secretary's opinion, will contribute to the development of improvements in current wind energy systems. (c) The Secretary is authorized to enter into contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with public and private entities for the purchase, fabrication, installation, and testing to obtain scientific, technological, and economic information from the demonstration of a variety of prototypes of advanced wind energy systems under a variety of circumstances and conditions. (d) In carrying out the responsibilities under this section, the Secretary is not subject to the requirements of section 553 of title 5, United States Code, or section 501 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7191). TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION PROGRAMS

42 USC 9205.

Federal assistance proposals.

Grants.

Loans.

SEC. 6. (a) The Secretary shall establish a technology application program for wind energy systems to achieve the purposes of this Act by reduction in unit costs of wind energy systems through mass production and by determination of operating and maintenance costs through broad operational systems experience. OJ) In achieving the objectives of this section, the Secretary shall solicit and evaluate proposals for Federal assistance pursuant to paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (c) for investigating, purchasing, and installing such wind energy systems from public or private entities wishing to utilize wind energy systems. (c) In achieving the objectives of this section, the Secretary is authorized to use various forms of Federal assistance including, but not limited to— (1) contracts and cooperative agreements; (2) grants; (3) loans; and (4) direct Federal procurement. (d) In carrying out his duties under this Act, the Secretary is authorized to enter into such contracts and cooperative agreements with any public or private entity as may be necessary or appropriate for the production and utilization of large and small wind energy systems in quantities sufficient to achieve the objectives of this section. (e) In carrying out his duties under this Act, the Secretary shall, within six months of the date of enactment of this Act, establish procedures to allow any public or private entity wishing to install a large wind energy system to apply for and, upon meeting such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, to receive a direct grant for a portion of the total purchase and installation cost of such wind energy system: Provided, That grants for the portion of such cost in the case of large wind energy systems shall not exceed (A) 50 per centum of such cost during the first six years of the program under this subsection, and (B) 25 per centum of such cost during the seventh or eighth year of the program. (0(1) In carrying out his duties under this Act, the Secretary shall, within six months of the date of enactment of this Act, establish

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