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Public Law114th CongressInternational Affairs
S. 2152Became Law

Electrify Africa Act of 2015

This bill became law

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Law

What it doesSummary public law (Feb 8, 2016)

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 18, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Electrify Africa Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill states that it is U.S. policy to partner with the governments of sub-Saharan African countries, international financial institutions, and African regional economic communities, cooperatives, and private sectors to:

  • promote first-time access to power services for at least 50 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020;
  • encourage the installation of at least 20,000 additional megawatts of electrical power in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020;
  • promote reliable and affordable power in urban, rural, and under served areas;
  • encourage necessary reforms to support electricity access projects and market-based power generation and distribution;
  • promote policies to displace kerosene lighting with other technologies;
  • promote an energy development strategy for sub-Saharan Africa that includes the use of oil, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and geothermal power; and
  • promote the use of private financing and seek ways to remove barriers to private financing and assistance for projects, including through charitable organizations.

(Sec. 4) The President shall: (1) establish a multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa implement national power strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power solutions to provide access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce poverty and drive economic growth and job creation; and (2) ensure that the strategy remains responsive to local community concerns and technological innovation.

The President may establish an interagency working group to coordinate the activities of U.S. government departments and agencies involved in carrying out the strategy.

(Sec. 5) The U.S. Agency for International Development, the Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation are urged to: (1) prioritize efforts and assistance for power projects and markets in sub-Saharan Africa; and (2) partner with other investors and local institutions, including private sector actors, to increase access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power.

(Sec. 6) The President should use U.S. influence at international bodies to advocate for:

  • increasing investment in power sector and electrification projects in sub-Saharan Africa,
  • addressing energy needs of individuals and communities where electricity grid access is impractical or cost-prohibitive,
  • enhancing private sector coordination, and
  • assisting sub-Saharan African governments to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to investment.

(Sec. 7) Within three years the President shall transmit a strategy progress report to Congress which includes information regarding: (1) U.S. programs supporting policy and legislative changes leading to increased power generation and access in sub-Saharan Africa, and (2) power projects receiving U.S. government support.

What just happenedFeb 8, 2016

Became Public Law No: 114-121.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Corker, Bob [R-TN](R-TN)Sponsor
23 cosponsors9 D14 R
Read on Congress.gov
23cosponsors2committees27actions1amendments2related bills13subjects
  1. Feb 8, 2016President

    Became Public Law No: 114-121.

  2. Feb 8, 2016BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 114-121.

  3. Feb 8, 2016President

    Signed by President.

  4. Feb 8, 2016BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Feb 3, 2016Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Feb 3, 2016President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Feb 1, 2016FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. Feb 1, 2016FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H396-398)

  9. Feb 1, 2016Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H396-398)

  10. Feb 1, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2152.

  11. Feb 1, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H396-400)

  12. Feb 1, 2016FloorH30300

    Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  13. Dec 18, 2015IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  14. Dec 18, 2015FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  15. Dec 18, 2015Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  16. Dec 18, 2015Floor

    Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S8863-8865)

  17. Dec 18, 2015Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S8863-8865)

  18. Dec 18, 2015Floor

    The committee amendments agreed to by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S8861-8863)

  19. Dec 18, 2015Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8861-8865)

  20. Dec 8, 2015Floor

    By Senator Corker from Committee on Foreign Relations filed written report. Report No. 114-176.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  21. Dec 8, 2015Committee14900

    By Senator Corker from Committee on Foreign Relations filed written report. Report No. 114-176.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  22. Nov 5, 2015Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 291.

  23. Nov 5, 2015Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with amendments. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  24. Nov 5, 2015Committee14000

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with amendments. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  25. Oct 8, 2015Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  26. Oct 7, 2015IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  27. Oct 7, 2015IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawFeb 8, 201649

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 18, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Electrify Africa Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill states that it is U.S. policy to partner with the governments of sub-Saharan African countries, international financial institutions, and African regional economic communities, cooperatives, and private sectors to:

  • promote first-time access to power services for at least 50 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020;
  • encourage the installation of at least 20,000 additional megawatts of electrical power in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020;
  • promote reliable and affordable power in urban, rural, and under served areas;
  • encourage necessary reforms to support electricity access projects and market-based power generation and distribution;
  • promote policies to displace kerosene lighting with other technologies;
  • promote an energy development strategy for sub-Saharan Africa that includes the use of oil, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and geothermal power; and
  • promote the use of private financing and seek ways to remove barriers to private financing and assistance for projects, including through charitable organizations.

(Sec. 4) The President shall: (1) establish a multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa implement national power strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power solutions to provide access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce poverty and drive economic growth and job creation; and (2) ensure that the strategy remains responsive to local community concerns and technological innovation.

The President may establish an interagency working group to coordinate the activities of U.S. government departments and agencies involved in carrying out the strategy.

(Sec. 5) The U.S. Agency for International Development, the Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation are urged to: (1) prioritize efforts and assistance for power projects and markets in sub-Saharan Africa; and (2) partner with other investors and local institutions, including private sector actors, to increase access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power.

(Sec. 6) The President should use U.S. influence at international bodies to advocate for:

  • increasing investment in power sector and electrification projects in sub-Saharan Africa,
  • addressing energy needs of individuals and communities where electricity grid access is impractical or cost-prohibitive,
  • enhancing private sector coordination, and
  • assisting sub-Saharan African governments to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to investment.

(Sec. 7) Within three years the President shall transmit a strategy progress report to Congress which includes information regarding: (1) U.S. programs supporting policy and legislative changes leading to increased power generation and access in sub-Saharan Africa, and (2) power projects receiving U.S. government support.

Passed House without amendmentFeb 1, 201681

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 18, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Electrify Africa Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill states that it is U.S. policy to partner with the governments of sub-Saharan African countries, international financial institutions, and African regional economic communities, cooperatives, and private sectors to:

  • promote first-time access to power services for at least 50 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020;
  • encourage the installation of at least 20,000 additional megawatts of electrical power in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020;
  • promote reliable and affordable power in urban, rural, and under served areas;
  • encourage necessary reforms to support electricity access projects and market-based power generation and distribution;
  • promote policies to displace kerosene lighting with other technologies;
  • promote an energy development strategy for sub-Saharan Africa that includes the use of oil, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and geothermal power; and
  • promote the use of private financing and seek ways to remove barriers to private financing and assistance for projects, including through charitable organizations.

(Sec. 4) The President shall: (1) establish a multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa implement national power strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power solutions to provide access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce poverty and drive economic growth and job creation; and (2) ensure that the strategy remains responsive to local community concerns and technological innovation.

The President may establish an interagency working group to coordinate the activities of U.S. government departments and agencies involved in carrying out the strategy.

(Sec. 5) The U.S. Agency for International Development, the Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation are urged to: (1) prioritize efforts and assistance for power projects and markets in sub-Saharan Africa; and (2) partner with other investors and local institutions, including private sector actors, to increase access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power.

(Sec. 6) The President should use U.S. influence at international bodies to advocate for:

  • increasing investment in power sector and electrification projects in sub-Saharan Africa,
  • addressing energy needs of individuals and communities where electricity grid access is impractical or cost-prohibitive,
  • enhancing private sector coordination, and
  • assisting sub-Saharan African governments to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to investment.

(Sec. 7) Within three years the President shall transmit a strategy progress report to Congress which includes information regarding: (1) U.S. programs supporting policy and legislative changes leading to increased power generation and access in sub-Saharan Africa, and (2) power projects receiving U.S. government support.

Passed Senate amendedDec 18, 201535

Electrify Africa Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill states that it is U.S. policy to partner with the governments of sub-Saharan African countries, international financial institutions, and African regional economic communities, cooperatives, and private sectors to:

  • promote first-time access to power services for at least 50 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020;
  • encourage the installation of at least 20,000 additional megawatts of electrical power in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020;
  • promote reliable and affordable power in urban, rural, and under served areas;
  • encourage necessary reforms to support electricity access projects and market-based power generation and distribution;
  • promote policies to displace kerosene lighting with other technologies;
  • promote an energy development strategy for sub-Saharan Africa that includes the use of oil, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and geothermal power; and
  • promote the use of private financing and seek ways to remove barriers to private financing and assistance for projects, including through charitable organizations.

(Sec. 4) The President shall: (1) establish a multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa implement national power strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power solutions to provide access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce poverty and drive economic growth and job creation; and (2) ensure that the strategy remains responsive to local community concerns and technological innovation.

The President may establish an interagency working group to coordinate the activities of U.S. government departments and agencies involved in carrying out the strategy.

(Sec. 5) The U.S. Agency for International Development, the Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation are urged to: (1) prioritize efforts and assistance for power projects and markets in sub-Saharan Africa; and (2) partner with other investors and local institutions, including private sector actors, to increase access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power.

(Sec. 6) The President should use U.S. influence at international bodies to advocate for:

  • increasing investment in power sector and electrification projects in sub-Saharan Africa,
  • addressing energy needs of individuals and communities where electricity grid access is impractical or cost-prohibitive,
  • enhancing private sector coordination, and
  • assisting sub-Saharan African governments to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to investment.

(Sec. 7) Within three years the President shall transmit a strategy progress report to Congress which includes information regarding: (1) U.S. programs supporting policy and legislative changes leading to increased power generation and access in sub-Saharan Africa, and (2) power projects receiving U.S. government support.

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)Nov 5, 20151

Electrify Africa Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill states that it is U.S. policy to partner with the governments of sub-Saharan African countries, international financial institutions, and African regional economic communities, cooperatives, and private sectors to:

  • promote first-time access to power services for at least 50 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020;
  • encourage the installation of at least 20,000 additional megawatts of electrical power in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020;
  • promote reliable and affordable power in urban, rural, and under served areas;
  • encourage necessary reforms to support electricity access projects and market-based power generation and distribution;
  • promote policies to displace kerosene lighting with other technologies; and
  • promote an energy development strategy for sub-Saharan Africa that includes the use of oil, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and geothermal power.

(Sec. 4) The President shall: (1) establish a multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa implement national power strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power solutions to provide access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce poverty and drive economic growth and job creation; and (2) ensure that the strategy remains responsive to local community concerns and technological innovation.

The President may establish an interagency working group to coordinate the activities of U.S. government departments and agencies involved in carrying out the strategy.

(Sec. 5) The U.S. Agency for International Development, the Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation are urged to prioritize efforts and assistance for power projects and markets in sub-Saharan Africa.

(Sec. 6) The President should use U.S. influence at international bodies to advocate for:

  • increasing investment in power sector and electrification projects in sub-Saharan Africa,
  • addressing energy needs of individuals and communities where electricity grid access is impractical or cost-prohibitive,
  • enhancing private sector coordination, and
  • assisting sub-Saharan African governments to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to investment.

(Sec. 7) Within three years the President shall transmit a strategy progress report to Congress which includes information regarding: (1) U.S. programs supporting policy and legislative changes leading to increased power generation and access in sub-Saharan Africa, and (2) power projects receiving U.S. government support.

Introduced in SenateOct 7, 2015

Electrify Africa Act of 2015

This bill directs the President to establish a multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa implement national power strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power solutions to provide access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce poverty and drive economic growth.

The President may: (1) establish an interagency working group to coordinate the activities of U.S. government departments and agencies involved in carrying out the strategy, and (2) use U.S. influence to leverage international support to promote the strategy.

The U.S. Agency for International Development, the Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Millennium Challenge Corporation are urged to prioritize efforts and assistance for power projects and markets in sub-Saharan Africa.

Electrify Africa Act of 2015 — Informed