; (B) the metallic element yttrium, with atomic number 39; or (C) any of the series of 15 metallic elements between lanthanum, with atomic number 57, and lutetium, with atomic number 71, on the periodic table. (15) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy. (16) State The term State means— (A) each of the several States of the United States; (B) the District of Columbia; (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; (D) Guam; (E) American Samoa; (F) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; (G) the Federated States of Micronesia; (H) the Republic of the Marshall Islands; (I) the Republic of Palau; and (J) the United States Virgin Islands. 3. Rare earth metallurgy financing (a) Financial assistance program (1) In general The Secretary shall establish in the Department of Energy a program to provide Federal financial assistance to covered entities to incentivize investment in covered facilities, subject to the availability of appropriations for that purpose. (2) Procedure (A) In general A covered entity seeking financial assistance under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an application that describes the project for which the covered entity is seeking financial assistance. (B) Eligibility In order for a covered entity to qualify for financial assistance under this subsection, the covered entity shall demonstrate to the Secretary, in the application submitted by the covered entity under subparagraph (A), that— (i) the covered entity has a documented interest in— (I) constructing a covered facility; or (II) expanding or technologically upgrading a facility owned by the covered entity to be a covered facility; and (ii) with respect to the project for which the covered entity is seeking financial assistance, the covered entity has— (I) been offered a covered incentive; (II) made commitments to worker and community investment, including through— (aa) training and education benefits paid by the covered entity