PUBLIC LAW 102-486—OCT. 24, 1992 106 STAT. 2789 guidelines issued under section 271 and any problems encountered in implementing such guidelines; and "(3) recommendations on the feasibility of requiring, as a prerequisite to receiving federally assisted, guaranteed, or insured mortgages, the achievement of a minimum energy efficiency rating.. (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.— The table of contents for such Act is amended by adding at the end of title II the following: "PART 6—RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATINGS "Sec. 271. Voluntary rating guidelines. "Sec. 272. Technical assistance. "Sec. 273. Report.". SEC. 103. ENERGY EFFICIENT UGHTING AND BUILDING CENTERS. 42 USC 13458. (a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to encoiurage energy efficiency in buildings through the establishment of regional centers to promote energy efficient lighting, heating and cooling, and building design. (b) GRANTS FOR ESTABLISHMENT.— Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall make grants to nonprofit institutions, or to consortiums that may include nonprofit institutions. State and local governments, universities, and utilities, to establish or enhance one regional building energy efficiency center (hereafter in this section referred to as a "regional center") in each of the 10 regions served by a Department of Energy regional support office. (c) PERMITTED ACTIYITIES.—Each regional center established under this section may— (1) provide information, training, and technical assistance to building professionals such as architects, designers, engineers, contractors, and building code officials, on building energy efficiency methods and technologies, including lighting, heating and cooling, and passive solar; (2) operate an outreach program to inform such building professionals of the benefits and opportunities of energy efficiency, and of the services of the center; (3) provide displays demonstrating building energy efficiency methods and technologies, such as lighting, windows, and heating and cooling equipment; (4) coordinate its activities and programs with other institutions within the region, such as State and local governments, utilities, and educational institutions, in order to support their efforts to promote building energy efficiency; (5) serve as a clearinghouse to ensure that information about new building energy efficiency technolo^es, including case studies of successful applications, is disseminated to endusers in the region; (6) study the building energy needs of the region and make available region-specific ener^ efficiency information to facilitate the adoption of cost-effective energy efficiency improvements; (7) assist educational institutions in establishing building energy efficiency engineering and technical programs and curricula; and (8) evaluate the performance of the center in promoting building energy efficiency.
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