§ 17081. Commercial high-performance green buildings
(a)
Director of Commercial High-Performance Green Buildings
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, shall appoint a Director of Commercial High-Performance Green Buildings to a position in the career-reserved Senior Executive service, with the principal responsibility to—
(b)
Qualifications
The Commercial Director shall be an individual, who by reason of professional background and experience, is specifically qualified to carry out the duties required under this part.
(c)
Duties
The Commercial Director shall, with respect to development of high-performance green buildings and zero-energy commercial buildings nationwide—
(1)
coordinate the activities of the Office of Commercial High-Performance Green Buildings with the activities of the Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings;
(2)
develop the legal predicates and agreements for, negotiate, and establish one or more public-private partnerships with the Consortium, members of the Consortium, and other capable parties meeting the qualifications of the Consortium, to further such development;
(3)
represent the public and the Department in negotiating and performing in accord with such public-private partnerships;
(4)
use appropriated funds in an effective manner to encourage the maximum investment of private funds to achieve such development;
(5)
promote research and development of high-performance green buildings, consistent with section
17083 of this title; and
(d)
Reporting
The Commercial Director shall report directly to the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, or to other senior officials in a way that facilitates the integrated program of this part for both energy efficiency and renewable energy and both technology development and technology deployment.
(e)
Coordination
The Commercial Director shall ensure full coordination of high-performance green building information and activities, including activities under this part, within the Federal Government by working with the General Services Administration and all relevant agencies, including, at a minimum—
(f)
High-Performance Green Building Partnership Consortium
(1)
Recognition
Not later than 90 days after December 19, 2007, the Commercial Director shall formally recognize one or more groups that qualify as a high-performance green building partnership consortium.
(2)
Representation to qualify
To qualify under this section, any consortium shall include representation from—
(A)
the design professions, including national associations of architects and of professional engineers;
(D)
academic and research organizations, including at least one national laboratory with extensive commercial building energy expertise;
(g)
Report
Not later than 2 years after December 19, 2007, and biennially thereafter, the Commercial Director, in consultation with the Consortium, shall submit to Congress a report that—