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RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator Rural Utilities Service – Electric Program

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Page 1: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott

Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator Rural Utilities Service – Electric Program

Page 2: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Benefits of Energy Efficiency

•  Reduced costs to end users of energy

•  Power system load modification leading to reduction in overall system demand

•  More efficient use of electric capacity at the distribution, transmission, and generation levels

•  Possibility of deferred power generation capacity

•  EE programs and support functions can create jobs

Page 3: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Recovery Through Retrofit

•  In May 2009 Vice President Biden charged the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) with developing a proposal for Federal Action that will grow green job opportunities and boost energy savings by retrofitting homes for energy efficiency

•  CEQ has facilitated an interagency process to develop a report with recommendations with specific Federal actions addressing barriers to the development of a national-scale home retrofit market

•  The CEQ RTR Team is comprised of multiple Federal Agencies including Energy, Agriculture, Labor, Housing, EPA and others

Page 4: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Rural Economic Development Energy Efficiency Effort (REDEEE)

•  REDEEE is the USDA team supporting Recovery Through Retrofit

•  REDEEE consists of Rural Utilities Service, Rural Housing Service, Rural Business Service and Community Facilities

•  USDA’s Rural Development programs are a perfect vehicle for supporting energy efficiency for housing, businesses, farms and utilities

Page 5: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Recovery Through Retrofit Barriers

•  Barriers to improving home energy efficiency improvements:

–  Access to Information – Consumers do not have access to reliable and straightforward information about home energy retrofits

–  Access to Financing – The upfront costs of home energy efficiency improvements are often beyond the average homeowners budget

–  Access to Skilled Workers – There are currently not enough skilled workers and entrepreneurs to accommodate retrofit programs on a national scale

Page 6: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Potential Funding Associated with REDEEE

Rural Business / Cooperative Service

•  Rural Economic Loan Program

Rural Housing Program •  502 Guaranteed Program •  502 Direct Program •  504 Direct Program

Community Facilities

•  Direct Loans

•  Direct Guarantees

•  Grants

Rural Utilities Service

•  Federal Financing Bank

Page 7: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Rural Business REDLG Program

Rural Economic Development Loan (REDL) and Grant (REDG) Programs provide financing to eligible Rural Utilities Service electric or telecommunications borrowers (Intermediaries)

–  Promotes rural economic development –  Promotes job creation projects

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Page 8: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Energy Resource Conservation (ERC) Program

•  Eligible to RUS borrowers with active loans •  Provides deferments of principal to allow for energy efficiency

improvements: –  caulking, weather-stripping, heat pumps systems, water heaters,

central heating and air conditioning system replacements, ceiling/flooring/duct insulation, and storm and thermal windows

•  42 current ERC deferments provide annual funding of $13.8 million for efficiency improvements

•  365 RUS have participated providing $205 million in energy efficiency investment

Page 9: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Recovery Through Retrofit RD-DOE�Home Energy Score (HES) Rural Pilots

SC: Central Electric Power Cooperative

IN: Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative

VA: Central Virginia Electric Cooperative

TX: United Electric Cooperative Services

Page 10: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Home Energy Score (HES) Rural Pilots

South Carolina Rural Electric Assoc – SC •  Group includes 20 consumer owned electric cooperatives &

a wholesale power supply cooperative •  200 homes targeted for HES Pilot

Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative – IN •  G&T Cooperative with 18 members based in Bloomington,

Indiana •  100 homes targeted for HES Pilot

Page 11: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Home Energy Score (HES) Rural Pilots

United Electric Cooperative Services, Inc. - TX •  Electric Distribution Cooperative based in Cleburne, Texas •  250 homes targeted for HES Pilot

Central Virginia Electric Power Cooperative - VA •  Electric Distribution Cooperative based in Arrington,

Virginia •  200 homes targeted for HES Pilot

Page 12: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Energy Efficiency (EE) Loans at RUS

•  2008 Farm Bill explicitly identifies energy efficiency as an eligible RUS loan purpose

•  RUS expects to publish a proposed rule imminently which will launch a new program focused on retail energy efficiency

•  A purpose of the proposed EE program is to foster the creation of new and permanent jobs in rural areas

Page 13: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Energy Efficiency Loans at RUS

•  This is an opportunity for USDA to partner with sister departments such as DOE

•  The regulation will allow new financing opportunities for RUS borrowers to provide energy efficiency and weatherization activities to businesses and homeowners in rural America

•  The program is to be funded out of existing authority and appropriations

Page 14: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

RUS Electric Program – Retail Lending Footprint

•  Currently over 90% of rural electric cooperatives (RUS’s primary borrowers) have some form of energy efficiency program.

Page 15: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

RUS FY12 Funding and EE

•  RUS Electric Program FY12 Funding Level –  $6.6 Billion –  Distribution, Transmission, Renewables, Smart Grid,

Carbon Capture and Sequestration, Energy Efficiency

•  Not targeted at specific energy efficiency technologies but allows borrowers to utilize a wide variety of energy efficiency products and services

•  Envisioned to include a relending program that enables borrowers to lend to businesses or homeowners. Ultimate consumer could repay the loan through on-bill financing

Page 16: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

RUS Energy Efficiency Loan Program

•  General Provisions RUS financed Energy Efficiency Programs must:

–  Be developed and implemented by an eligible borrower and applied within its service territory

–  Provide for the use of State and local funds where available to supplement RUS loan funds

–  Incorporate the applicant’s policy applicable to the interconnection of distributed resources

–  Incorporate a quality assurance plan

Page 17: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

General Provisions Continued

•  RUS financed Energy Efficiency Programs must:

–  Demonstrate that the program can be expected to be cost effective

–  Show that the program will have no net negative cumulative impact on the borrower's financial condition

–  Result in energy savings or peak demand reduction –  Be approved in writing by RUS prior to the investment of

funds for which reimbursement will be requested

Page 18: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Financial Structures for Consumer Loans

•  Loans made to a RUS borrower’s consumers located in a rural area where: –  Consumers may be wholesale or retail –  Loans may be secured or unsecured –  Loan receivables are owned by the eligible borrower

 

•  Loans may be serviced directly by the Eligible Borrower or by a financial institution

•  The rate charged the Consumer should be less than or equal to the Treasury rate plus 1%

Page 19: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Eligible Activities and Investments

•  All energy efficiency measures on a consumer premises that would typically transfer with title under applicable state law

•  Distributed Generation: On or off grid renewable energy systems; Fuel cells

•  Demand side management (DSM) investments •  Energy audits •  Consumer education and outreach programs •  Power factor correction equipment on the Consumer side of the

meter •  Re-lamping to more energy efficient lighting •  Other investments approved by RUS as part of an EE Program

Page 20: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Performance Thresholds

•  Appliance upgrades must achieve a reduction in energy consumption for the appliance equal to or greater than 20%

•  Cooling system improvements must be designed to achieve a SEER increase of not less than 20%, and the improved SEER rating must be greater than or equal to the minimum applicable SEER standard promulgated by the U.S. Department of Energy for the cooling system

•  Building envelope improvements must be designed to achieve a reduction of annualized baseline energy consumption (measured in Btus) greater than 10% for the building

Page 21: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Performance Thresholds Continued

•  Projects that involve fuel switching must demonstrate an annualized energy reduction in dollars per million Btu of 20%

•  Energy audit recommendations when taken together must achieve an overall reduction in annualized energy consumption of at least 10%

•  Heating system improvements must demonstrate an annualized energy reduction in dollars per million Btu of at least 20%

•  Other activities must demonstrate energy savings which will be determined on a case by case basis by RUS, but in any event not less than a 10% improvement in energy efficiency

Page 22: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Business Plans

•  Eligible EE Program must have a business plan which: –  Identifies the responsible management team –  Identifies target consumers and promotional activities –  Lists targeted activities and investments and corresponding expected

efficiency gains –  Estimates dollars to be invested in each activity or investment –  Describes the use of contractors to deliver the program –  Describes the process for documenting and perfecting collateral

arrangements –  Contains an assessment of risks including an estimate of prospective

consumer loan losses consistent with an established loan loss reserve

Page 23: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Quality Assurance Plans

•  Eligible EE Programs must have a quality assurance plan with the following elements: –  The use of qualified energy managers or professional engineers to evaluate

program activities and investments –  Energy audits shall be performed for energy efficiency investments

involving the building envelope at a consumer premises –  Energy audits must be performed by certified energy auditors –  Follow up audits shall be performed within one year –  Single system upgrades (such as a ground source heat pump) must be

designed and installed by certified and insured professionals

Page 24: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Loan Provisions

•  Maximum term for loans shall be 15 years unless the loans relate to ground source loop investments which may be up to 30 years

•  Loan feasibility must be demonstrated for all loans •  Loans shall be secured •  Loan advances shall be on a reimbursement basis except for

an initial advance of up to 5% of the total loan amount •  Loan Amounts

–  May not exceed 100% of Net Utility Plant less total outstanding debt –  Consumer education and outreach programs may not exceed 4% of

the total loan amount

Page 25: RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects - Plains Justiceplainsjustice.org/files/Jim Elliott 3_20_12.pdf ·  · 2012-03-20RUS Funding for Efficiency Projects James F. Elliott Acting

Other Required Support Documentation

•  Comparison of projected annual growth in demand before and after incorporating the EE Program

•  An itemized estimate of the energy savings and peak demand reduction to be obtained for each category of eligible activities and investments to be pursued

•  A report of discussions and coordination conducted with the utilities power supplier

•  An estimate of the amount of direct investment in utility-owned generation to be deferred as a result of the EE Program

•  A description of efforts to identify state and local sources of funding and how they are to be integrated in the EE Program