Just received an email from Pat Stoner at the Local Government Commission announcing that ICLEI has created an online guide to help navigate funding opportunities available to California local governments.

THE ICLEI GUIDE TO RECOVERY ACT OPPORTUNITIES IN CALIFORNIA unpacks each of the ARRA-funded programs and will help local governments  take advantage of the funds to advance energy efficiency initiatives within their communities and operations.

ICLEI’s Guide will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.  Bookmark the page and check back frequently.

Thank you,  Pat….and ICLEI

Small Cities and Counties–Get ready to apply for your Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) allocation provided by  the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  EECBG funds are non-competitive formula grants but they must be applied for.  Now that the California Energy Commission has adopted the Guidelines,  funding  solicitations will be released shortly.    Applications deadlines will be short and it is recommended to identify projects as soon as possible.  The application requires identification of cost effective energy efficiency projects or there is an option to purchase and install specified energy saving equipment.The Energy Commission must encumber the majority of the funds  within  180 days from September 14 when the U.S. Department of Energy approved the California Energy Commission’s application.  [Larger cities and counties should have applied for EECBG directly through the U.S. Department of Energy]. All projects must be completed and paid by September 2012.  In additions to completing the application, participants must have a Dun and Bradstreet DUNS number, a current Central Contractor Registration and meet the Single Audit Requirement.

These  ARRA funds can be leveraged with utility rebates and incentives for energy and water efficiency projects.  Sierra Nevada jurisdictions should contact the Sierra Business Council for more information on combining these funds.

The California Energy Commission has released the final draft version the State Energy Program Guidelines. The Energy Commission is to receive $226 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which is to be used to increase energy efficiency to reduce costs and consumptions, reduce reliance on imported energy, improve reliability, and reduce energy production impacts on the environment.  The Energy Commission will use the State Energy Program (SEP) funds to fund projects in the following program areas:

1.  Municipal Financing Program (”AB 811-type programs)

2.  California Comprehensive Residential Building Retrofit Program

3.  Municipal and Commercial Building Targeted Measure Retrofit Program

4.  Low Interest Energy Efficiency Financing Program

The Guidelines describe the manner in which the Energy Commission will implement the ARRA SEP for the four program areas.

The California Energy Commission is scheduled to decide on the guidelines on September 30th.  Following approval, solicitations for bids will be issued as early as October 1 with proposals due as early as November 5th, and winners announced as early as November 30th.  If on schedule, awards will be issued December 1 to January 31.

The California Energy Commission is requiring a signed form from all cities and counties eligible to receive Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) through the CEC.  Friday August 21st is the deadline for the CEC’s receiving the form which indicates whether the jurisdiction intends to apply for their stimulus money allocations for EECBG.  Actual solicitation for applications will not be out until mid September (estimated) but the CEC needs to reallocate any unwanted money now  to ensure these Stimulus funds stay in California.  See a sample letter that each jurisdiction should have received from the CEC:   cec-eecbg-intent-to-apply-sample-letter080309.  Questions:  email the CEC at eecbg@energy.state.ca.us

At least $29.8 million will be awarded to smaller** cities and counties  by the California Energy Commission (CEC).  The CEC has released their final proposed Guidelines for  Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) and is holding a Staff Workshop on August 3, 2009 to review the guidelines and answer questions.  Cost-effective energy efficiency projects in local government facilities are eligible for funding.  Typically  the most cost effective projects include, but are not limited to:

• Lighting retrofits and controls
• Street lighting and traffic signal retrofits
• HVAC modifications and controls
• Automated energy management systems, motors, variable speed drives and pumps
• Water/wastewater systems system process and control retrofits.

Each applicant must provide a feasibility study with costs and energy savings estimates on the proposed projects  and certify that they are the most cost effective energy efficiency project opportunities.

The CEC is estimating that the funding solicitations could be released in September/October 2009, so it is important that jurisdictions identify projects very soon.  Jurisdictions should contact the CEC as soon as possible if they need assistance in identifying projects.  Up to $20,000 is currently available for audits.  The CEC estimates that project funding awards will be made by February/March 2010.  All projects must be completed by September, 2012.  The CEC is encouraging joint applications through collaborative partnerships.  The CEC is also encouraging match funding such as utility incentives, CEC low interest loans, and bond or other sources of available funds.  Match funding, however,  is not required.

**Incorporated Cities under 35,000 people and Counties with an unincorporated population under 200,000 are eligible to receive these formula grants through the CEC process.  Funding amounts will be based on population, with $5/per total population plus an unemployment calculation adder.  Cities that would receive less than $25,000 under the formula qualify for a $25,000 award and counties that would receive less than $50,000 under the formula qualify for a $50,000 award.   (Cities over 35,000 and counties over 200,000 will be awarded grants directly through application to the federal Department of Energy [DOE].  The DOE application is due August 10, 2009).

All applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet DUNS number and a current registration with Central Contractor Registration.  Apply for these numbers as soon as possible, since hundreds of jurisdictions will be in queue.

Renewable energy generation and its impact on the Sierra Nevada region will be the focus of a one day conference to be held on Friday, July 10 in Folsom, California at the Lake Natoma Inn. The event has been organized by the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of California and is co-sponsored by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, SMUD, the Sierra Nevada Alliance, the Sierra Business Council and Meyers Nave

The objective of the program is to help Sierra residents and others understand the market for and technologies of renewable energy sources, issues relating to project viability, project impacts, transmission requirements and applicable permitting processes. Attorneys attending the program will receive continuing education credits, but the program is aimed at non-lawyers who want to learn more about the coming expansion of renewable source energy production in California. Local officials, land managers, members of community organizations and non-profits and businessmen will learn how to effectively participate in the planning and development of renewable sources in their communities.

The potential of renewable energy in the Sierra Nevada will present opportunities and challenges for mountain and foothill communities and their residents. Experts in renewable energy production and site location will describe the elements required for successful project development, appropriate technologies, project finances and transmission requirements. The program will also focus on the environmental impacts of these projects. Those attending will be led through the planning and permitting processes for project development. The program concludes with an opportunity for
the speakers to respond as a group to issues raised by the audience.

The program is slated to begin at 8:30 am and run through 5:00. Lunch is included in the registration fee. Cost for General Public $50.00; Government/Non-Profit Attorney $65.00; Attorney members of the Environmental Law $ 85.00; Non-member fee is $160.00.

Attendees will receive a package of materials to help them become effective participants in the process of planning for and implementing the renewable future. Capacity is limited so early registration is encouraged. For information and online registration visit the Environmental Law Section website at www.calbar.ca.gov/enviro

For registration information, call (415) 538-2508. For information regarding the program contact Pete Pumphrey (760-872-7846)

Sierra Business Council will be launching a new partnership program in 2009 to help transform energy usage in the Sierra Nevada, while promoting green economic development, social fairness and long-term environmental quality.  The program has specific goals related to energy conservation in the region and seeks to address and achieve these goals through a set of strategies that embrace and reinforce  broader sustainability objectives.  Initially the program will target energy efficiency retrofits for small and medium sized businesses and for local government facilities.  Sierra Business Council will also be working with local governments to develop and update energy policy, codes and standards.  The goals of the program are based on the California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan.