How to Fund Energy Conservation Projects at California Wastewater Treatment Facilities There is help from federal, state, and private sources! Upgrading a facility can be a problem when you don't know about funding solutions. Financial assistance provided by federal, state, and private sources can make efficiency affordable and practical. The federal govern- ment provides grants, loans, and rebates. California agencies also provide grants, loans, rebates, renewable credits, and stand-by rates for energy conservation practices. Local utility districts provide private sources of funding as do private third-party leasing arrange- ments and pooled bond financing. Federal and State Sources Federal sources of funding for medium and large utilities are primarily awarded through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which offers grants, low interest loans, and rebates as incentives for installing cogeneration systems. The California Energy Commission (CEC), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) offers a number of financing options through loans, rebates, and other incentives. FEDERAL DOE Climate Change Technology Program: DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Financing Opportunities: DOE Renewable Energy and Production Incentive: DOE Loan Guarantee Program: DOE Tribal Energy Program: U.S. EPA Air grants: www.climatetechnology.gov/opportunities/index.htm wwwl.eere.energy.gov/financing/business.html www.eere.energy.gov/repi/ www.lgprogram.energy.gov/ http://appsl.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/ www.epa.gov/air/grants CALIFORNIA CEC CA Rebate Program for Wind and Fuel Cell Renewable Energy Electric Generating Systems: CA CEC 3.95% Loans for Energy Efficiency and Energy Generation Projects: CEC Handbook "How to Finance Public Sector Energy Efficiency Projects: CPUC Feed-in Tariffs: CPUC Solar Incentives: CPUC self generation program: CDWR Proposition 50: CAWaterboards SRF: www.consumerenergycenter.org/erprebate/index.html www.consumerenergycenter.org/erprebate/index.html www.energy.ca.gov/reports/efficiency_handbook/400-00- OOIA.PDE www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/electric/RenewableEnergy/ feedintariffs.htm www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/solar www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/sgip www.owue.water.ca.gov/finance/index.cfm www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/srf/ CleanWaterSRF@waterboards.ca.gov EPA-909-F-08-003 ------- Power Utilities Incentives: Some of the larger power utilities in California offer incentives to wastewater treatment plants to move toward greater energy efficiency. California Power Utilities PG&E Self Generation Program PG&E Rebates, Incentives, and Design Assistance: Sacramento MUD Business Rebates and Incentives: San Diego Gas and Electric Rebates and Savings: Southern CA Edison Industrial Energy Efficiency Program: Southern CA Edison Self Generation Program: www.pge.com/selfgen/ http://pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/ incentivesbyindustry/wastewater/ www.smud.org/business/rebates/index.html www.sdge.com/business/esc/large/largemain.shtml www.sce.com/RebatesandSavings/LargeBusiness/lndustrial/ EEP.htm www.sce.com/RebatesandSavings/SelfGenerationlncentive Program/ Other Financing Solutions There are a number of creative financing solutions when internal funding is not available. Some of those solutions are outlined in the CECs 2000 publication, "How to Finance Public Sector Energy Efficiency Projects." One successful strategy involves establishing partnerships between energy service companies (ESCOs) and munici- palities/facilities for the purpose of financing and implementing cost-saving energy efficiency improvements. The ESCO pays the up front cost of purchasing and installing new equipment, and the municipalities/facilities repay the ESCO over with the cost savings achieved through the project. This strategy is an attractive approach to upgrading as it reduces the up front capital and limits potential liability and risk. More Information \ Energy efficient practices and technologies can save money, water and energy. Simple upgrades like replacing old, inefficient equipment will reduce maintenance costs and our impact on the environment. For case studies and more information about efficiency practices at water and waste water treatment facilities, and more funding opportunities, visit our website: EPA Region 9 Energy and Water EfficieW^m Water and Wastewater Facilities: http://www.epa.gov/region09/waterinfrastructure/ Funding Databases Combined Heat and Power Funding Opportunities http://www.epa.gov/chp/funding/bio.html Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency http://www.dsiteusa.org/ Federal Funding Opportunities Energy Efficiency http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/pollprev/pdf/ funding opportunities.pdf How to Finance Public Sector Energy Efficiency Projects http://www.energy.ca.gov/reports/efficiency_handbooks/ Database of all federal grants 400-00-001 A.PDF grants.gov U.S. EPA Region 9 Water Division Contacts: Cheryl McGovern, mcgovern.cheryl@epa.gov; Charlotte Ely, ely.charlotte@epa.gov ------- |