H.R. 3009

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program to facilitate tree planting that reduces residential energy consumption, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · April 24, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Matsui · Committee: Committee on Energy and Commerce

Table of contents

• H.R. 3009
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Tree planting grant program

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the or the .

SEC. 2. Tree planting grant program

• (a) Establishment
  • Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to facilitate covered projects in accordance with this section.
• (b) Consultation
  • In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
• (c) Applications
  • To receive a grant under the Program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including the following:
    • A description of how the proposed covered project will reduce residential energy consumption.
    • An estimate of the expected reduction in residential energy consumption to be achieved by the covered project.
    • A description of the total eligible costs of the project and other sources of funding for the covered project.
    • A description of anticipated community engagement in the covered project.
    • A description of the tree species to be planted under the covered project and the suitability of such species to the local environment.
• (d) Priority
  • In awarding grants under the Program, the Secretary shall give priority to covered projects that—
    • provide the largest potential reduction in residential energy consumption for households with a high energy burden;
    • provide maximum amounts of—
      • shade during periods when residences are exposed to the most sun intensity; and
      • wind protection during periods when residences are exposed to the most wind intensity;
    • are located in a neighborhood with a low percentage of tree canopy cover;
    • are located in a neighborhood with a high percentage of senior citizens or children;
    • are located in an area where the average annual income is below the regional median;
    • will collaboratively engage community members to be affected by the tree planting; and
    • will employ local residents as a substantial percentage of the workforce of the covered project, with a focus on local residents who are unemployed or underemployed.
• (e) Tree planting goals
  • Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, award grants under the Program in a manner that facilitates the planting of at least 300,000 trees each year.
• (f) Federal share
  • The Federal share of the cost of a covered project assisted by a grant awarded under the Program shall be 90 percent.
• (g) Authorization of appropriations
  • There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program, $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
• (h) Definitions
  • In this section:
    • The term covered project means a tree planting project carried out to reduce residential energy consumption.
    • The term eligible cost means, with respect to a covered project—
    • The term eligible entity means each of the following:
    • The term energy burden means the percentage of household income spent on residential energy bills.
    • The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (). 25 U.S.C. 5304
    • The term local government entity means any municipal government or county government entity with jurisdiction over local land use decisions.
    • The term nonprofit organization means an organization described in of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code. section 501(c)(3)
    • The term Program means the program established under subsection (a).
    • The term retail power provider means any entity authorized under State or Federal law to generate, distribute, or provide retail electricity, natural gas, or fuel oil service.
    • The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.