74 Energy Project Financing: Resources and Strategies for Success
If you are located in a state with public benefits charges (see map be-
low), you may find that your energy efficiency project qualifies for a low-
cost or below-market financing program funded by these charges. A list-
ing of the total funding amounts by category and administrative contact
information is available at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient
Economy’s website (http://www.aceee.org/briefs/aug07_01.htm). In
the regulated states, the public utility commissions continue to provide
incentives (rebates, loans, grants, etc.) to promote energy efficiency and
renewable energy projects.
Examples of some of these programs include Texas’ LoanSTAR
Revolving Loan Program (available to schools, local governments, state
agencies, and hospitals), which will loan up to $5 million at 3% interest
(today’s rate). In Oregon, the Ashland Electric Utility offers 0% loans to
their commercial customers to finance energy efficiency improvements to
their facilities. The loans can be used for lighting retrofits and other en-
ergy-efficiency measures.
Virtually every state offers some form of incentive, and we recom-
mend starting your funding search by reviewing these special programs.Figure 3-2.
NOTE: Light gray states have PBFs that support energy efficiency and renewable
energy. Dark gray states have PBFs that support only energy efficiency (ACEEE
2004; UCS 2004).