PUBLIC LAW 96-345—SEPT. 8, 1980
94 STAT. 1143
procedures to allow public or private entities wishing to install a small or large wind energy system to apply for and, upon meeting such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, to receive loans for up to 75 per centum of the total purchase and installation costs of wind energy systems providing in the aggregate up to three hundred and twenty megawatts peak generating capacity involving at a minimum four projects: Provided, That no such loan in any fiscal year shall be for more than 50 per centum of the amount appropriated under this Act for such fiscal year. (2) Each loan shall be for a term which the Secretary deems appropriate, but no loan shall exceed twenty years beyond the date the wind energy system becomes operational. (3) Each loan made pursuant to this section shall bear interest at Interest the discount or interest rate used at the time the loan is made for rate. water resource planning projects under section 80 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 1962(d)-17(a)). Such 42 USC loan can be prepaid at any time without prepayment penalty and 1962d-17. shall be contingent upon such other terms and conditions prescribed by the Secretary. (g)(1) In carrying out his duties under this Act, the Secretary is authorized to provide funds for the accelerated procurement and installation of small and large wind energy systems by Federal agencies. (2) The Secretary is authorized to enter into arrangements with Arrangements appropriate Federal agencies, including the Water and Power Re- with appropriate Federal sources Services and the Federal power marketing agencies for large agencies. wind energy systems, to carry out such projects and activities as may be appropriate for the broad technology applications of small and large wind energy systems which are suitable and effective for use by such Federal agencies. (h) The terms and conditions prescribed by the Secretary under this Terms and sulDsection shall require such observation, monitoring, and reporting conditions. requirements as the Secretary deems necessary for a period of five years and shall provide for members of the public to view and inspect the system under reasonable conditions. (i) New Federal assistance for technology applications systems Terminations. shall terminate upon the appropriate determination by the Secretary, in the annual update of the comprehensive program management plan pursuant to section 4. Termination of the small wind energy systems program shall occur when the Secretary finds that such systems have become economically competitive with conventional energy sources, or on September 30, 1985, whichever occurs first. Termination of the large wind energy systems program shall occur when the Secretary finds that such systems have become economically competitive with conventional energy sources, or on September 30, 1988, whichever occurs first. WIND RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
SEC. 7. The Secretary shall initiate a three-year national wind resource assessment program. As part of such program, the Secretary shall— (1) conduct activities to validate existing assessments of known wind resources; (2) perform wind resource assessments in regions of the United States where the use of wind energy may prove feasible; (3) initiate a general site prospecting program;
42 USC 9206.
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