International treaties, conventions, etc.

• Sustainable Development Goal 7
  The UN SDG 7 seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030 through facilitating access to renewable energy, energy efficiency and cleaner fossil-fuel technology.
   
• G7 Ise-Shima Principles for Promoting Quality Infrastructure Investment
  In May 2016, the leaders of the G7 pledged to align with five principles which seek to bridge the existing global demand-supply gap of infrastructure investment by promoting quality infrastructure investment. They further encouraged other governments, international organizations, including multilateral development banks (MDBs), and the private sector to engage in PPP projects to align their infrastructure investment and assistance with these principles, including the introduction and promotion of a transparent, competitive procurement process.

U.S. National Laws

• Brooks Act of 1972 (40 USC chapter 11, Selection of Architects and Engineers (Public Law 92-582))
  The Brooks Act is a federal law passed in 1972 and updated in 2010 that requires the U.S. Federal Government to publicly announce all requirements and negotiate contracts for architectural and engineering services on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualification for the type of professional services required and at fair and reasonable prices.
   
• Electrify Africa Act of 2015
  The Electrify Africa Act directed the President to establish a multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa to implement national power strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power solutions, including renewable energy, to provide access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce poverty and drive economic growth. The President also established an interagency working group (composed of USAID, the Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to coordinate the activities of U.S. government departments and agencies involved in carrying out the strategy and to use U.S. influence to leverage international support to promote the strategy.

Appropriations

• Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (p. 128 STAT. 2670)
  The Act directs USAID to continue the provisions under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010 (Section 7081(b) of division F of Public Law 111-117) which states that funds appropriated by the Act may be made available only to promote the sustainable use of renewable energy technologies and end-use energy  efficiency technologies, carbon sequestration, and carbon accounting. Of the funds made available for USAID for clean energy programs, no less than $10,000,000 shall be made available for microfinance renewable  energy programs, including solar energy programs.
   
• Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill, 2016 (sec 7060 (c) (3), SR 114-79, p. 64) 
  The Act recommends USAID direct $177,790,000 toward Clean Energy programs, including funding specifically for cookstoves that sustainably reduce fuel consumption and exposure to harmful smoke.

U.S. National Regulations

• 14 CFR (FAR) Part 36
  14 CFR Part 36 and Part 36 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) present technically acceptable test, analysis, and documentation procedures for subsonic turbojet airplanes that may be used by applicants for demonstrating compliance with federal noise certification requirements.

Executive Actions

• Power Africa Initiative, 2013
  In 2013, the president launched Power Africa, a partnership among the USG, African governments, bilateral and multilateral development partners, and the private sector to improve access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. Also see Power Africa Executive Order 2016: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/11/03/executi....
   
• Executive Order 13677 - Climate Resilient International Development
  EO 13677 requires all Federal departments and agencies with international development programs to factor in current and future climate change impacts and resilience considerations into international development programs, projects, investments, overseas facilities, and related funding decisions, as well as to promote a similar approach among relevant multilateral entities.

Agency Policy

• USAID ADS 303 maw - Construction Policy (Mandatory Reference for Implementation of Construction Activities)
  ADS 303 maw specifies that US engineering requirements including design, tendering, and construction oversight activities, as well as safety or other operational construction standards/specifications, must be met under all awards, with the exception of G2G agreements, PIO grants, and DCA instruments.

Agency Sectoral Strategy

• Power Africa Roadmap
  Power Africa’s goal is to add more than 30,000 megawatts (MW) of cleaner, more efficient electricity generation capacity and 60 million new home and business connections.

Reports to Congress

• Electrify Africa Act of 2015 Annual Report to Congress
  Under the Electrify Africa Act of 2015 (P.L. 114-121), USAID submits annual reports to Congress summarizing its efforts to encourage countries in sub-Saharan Africa to develop an appropriate mix of power solutions, including renewable energy, for more broadly distributed electricity access in support of the Power Africa initiative.

Implementation Guidelines, Tools, and Other Resources

• EnergyToolbox.org
  Provides case studies, example interventions, roadmaps, and other resources to support renewable energy program design and implementation.
   
• Power Africa Toolbox
  The PA Toolbox provides a comprehensive view of the tools and resources from 12 U.S. government agencies and 14 international development partners that Power Africa uses to drive deals and facilitate investment.
   
• World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
  Sector-specific World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines (“EHS Guidelines”) are technical reference documents with general and industry-specific examples of Good International Industry Practice (GIIP). Relevant sectors for this section include: airlines, airports, petroleum terminals, gas distribution systems, health care facilities, ports, harbors and terminals, railways, petroleum networks, shipping, telecommunications, toll roads, tourism and hospitality, waste management, water and sanitation, mining, liquefied natural gas facilities, oil and gas development, electric power transmission and distribution, geothermal power generation, thermal power, and wind energy.
   
• Green Infrastructure Resource Guide (USAID, 2017)
  Green infrastructure can play a critical role in sustaining ecosystem services such as water resource conservation, flood and storm water management, groundwater recharge, water supply, and disaster resilience. The guide is designed to help USAID practitioners find the resources they need to plan, design, contract, implement, monitor and evaluate effective green infrastructure projects that support the agency's development objectives.

Number of USAID Missions implementing

• 14 (Power Africa)

Agency Initiatives

• Clean Energy
• Power Africa
• Powering Agriculture Grand Challenge

Related Issue Areas

• Economic Growth
• Agriculture
• Health
• Climate Change
• Democracy and Governance

Agency POC

• EI Office Director: Jeff Haeni
• USAID Page