H.R. 3009

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3009 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3009

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

Ms. Matsui (for herself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Mr. Cleaver) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

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

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Trees for Residential Energy and 
Economic Savings Act of 2025'' or the ``TREES Act of 2025''.

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:
(1) A description of how the proposed covered project will 
reduce residential energy consumption.
(2) An estimate of the expected reduction in residential 
energy consumption to be achieved by the covered project.
(3) A description of the total eligible costs of the 
project and other sources of funding for the covered project.
(4) A description of anticipated community engagement in 
the covered project.
(5) 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--
(1) provide the largest potential reduction in residential 
energy consumption for households with a high energy burden;
(2) provide maximum amounts of--
(A) shade during periods when residences are 
exposed to the most sun intensity; and
(B) wind protection during periods when residences 
are exposed to the most wind intensity;
(3) are located in a neighborhood with a low percentage of 
tree canopy cover;
(4) are located in a neighborhood with a high percentage of 
senior citizens or children;
(5) are located in an area where the average annual income 
is below the regional median;
(6) will collaboratively engage community members to be 
affected by the tree planting; and
(7) 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:
(1) Covered project.--The term ``covered project'' means a 
tree planting project carried out to reduce residential energy 
consumption.
(2) Eligible cost.--The term ``eligible cost'' means, with 
respect to a covered project--
(A) the cost of carrying out the project, 
including--
(i) planning and design activities;
(ii) establishing nurseries to supply 
trees;
(iii) purchasing trees; and
(iv) preparing sites and planting trees;
(B) the cost of maintaining and monitoring planted 
trees for a period of not more than 3 years;
(C) the cost of training activities; and
(D) any other cost determined appropriate by the 
Secretary.
(3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means 
each of the following:
(A) A State government entity.
(B) A local government entity.
(C) An Indian Tribe.
(D) A nonprofit organization.
(E) A retail power provider.
(4) Energy burden.--The term ``energy burden'' means the 
percentage of household income spent on residential energy 
bills.
(5) Indian tribe.--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).
(6) Local government entity.--The term ``local government 
entity'' means any municipal government or county government 
entity with jurisdiction over local land use decisions.
(7) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit 
organization'' means an organization described in section 
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from 
tax under section 501(a) of such Code.
(8) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the program 
established under subsection (a).
(9) Retail power provider.--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.
(10) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of Energy.
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