42 U.S.C. § 6321: Findings; purpose; definitions

the development and implementation by States of laws, policies, programs, and procedures to conserve and to improve efficiency in the use of energy will have an immediate and substantial effect in reducing the rate of growth of energy demand and in minimizing the adverse social, economic, political, and environmental impacts of increasing energy consumption; the development and implementation of energy conservation programs by States will most efficiently and effectively minimize any adverse economic or employment impacts of changing patterns of energy use and meet local economic, climatic, geographic, and other unique conditions and requirements of each State; and the Federal Government has a responsibility to foster and promote comprehensive energy conservation programs and practices by establishing guidelines for such programs and providing overall coordination, technical assistance, and financial support for specific State initiatives in energy conservation. It is the purpose of this part to promote the conservation of energy and reduce the rate of growth of energy demand by authorizing the Secretary to establish procedures and guidelines for the development and implementation of specific State energy conservation programs and to provide Federal financial and technical assistance to States in support of such programs. The term “appliance” means any article, such as a room air-conditioner, refrigerator-freezer, or dishwasher, which the Secretary classifies as an appliance for purposes of this part. The term “building” means any structure which includes provision for a heating or cooling system, or both, or for a hot water system. is carried out in accordance with rules of the Secretary; and no direct costs, with respect to individuals who are occupants of dwelling units in any State having a supplemental State energy conservation plan; and only reasonable costs, as determined by the Secretary, with respect to any person not described in clause (i). the useful life of the modification involved, as determined by the Secretary, or 15 years after the purchase and installation of such measure, The term “industrial plant” means any fixed equipment or facility which is used in connection with, or as part of, any process or system for industrial production or output. The term “public building” means any building which is open to the public during normal business hours. involve changing, in whole or in part, the fuel or source of the energy used to meet the requirements of such building or plant from a depletable source of energy to a nondepletable source of energy; and the useful life of the modification involved, as determined by the Secretary, or 25 years after the purchase and installation of such measure, The term “transportation controls” means any plan, procedure, method, or arrangement, or any system of incentives, disincentives, restrictions, and requirements, which is designed to reduce the amount of energy consumed in transportation, except that the term does not include rationing of gasoline or diesel fuel.