Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Sep 12, 2012

Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to establish a pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations for the purpose of retrofitting buildings owned by such organizations with energy-efficiency improvements.

Directs the Secretary, in determining whether to award a grant, to apply performance-based criteria, which shall give priority to applications based on: (1) the cost-effectiveness of the energy-efficiency improvement; and (2) an effective plan for evaluation, measurement, and verification of energy savings. Limits each grant award to: (1) an amount equal to 50% of the energy-efficiency improvement, and (2) $200,000.

Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY2013-FY2016 and makes offsetting reductions in authorizations for energy sustainability and efficiency grants under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN] · D–MN

Committees

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]

Legislative record

Actions

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Sep 12, 2012
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sep 12, 2012
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Sep 12, 2012 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.3535 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.3535, 112th Congress: Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/3535

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2012-09-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s3535/BILLS-112s3535is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:10:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.3535 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.3535 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.3535, 112th Congress: Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/3535

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2012-09-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s3535/BILLS-112s3535is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:10:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.3535 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

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Examine S.3535 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.3535, 112th Congress: Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/3535

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2012-09-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s3535/BILLS-112s3535is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:10:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.3535 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.3535, 112th Congress: Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/3535

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2012-09-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/s3535/BILLS-112s3535is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:10:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.3535 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.