Energy Conservation Assistance Act (ECAA) Program Loans

Energy Conservation Assistance Act (ECAA) History, Statistics, and Background

Notice and Loan Application:

• Interest Rate 0% Loans - PON-18-101 Competitive Program for K-12 School Districts, County Office of Education, and State Special Schools. Solicitation this program posted February 5, 2019.
  

• Interest Rate 1% Loans - PON-17-401 (all files) for Cities, Counties, Specials Districts, Public College or University

 

Eligibility Information 1% ECAA Loan Program

The Energy Commission will accept loan applications on a first-come, first-served basis for projects with proven energy savings from the following public entities:

Who is Eligible?

Eligible for 1% Interest Rate Loans:

• Cities
• Counties
• Special Districts
• Public College or University
• Public Care Institutions/ Public Hospitals
• University of California and
• California State University

Residential, commercial, and/or private non-profit institutions are not eligible for these funds.

Availability of Funds: Before applying, please contact us first for the most current funding availability information! ONLY for 1% loan program.

Applications are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The maximum loan amount is $3 million per application for PON 17-401.

Eligibility Information 0% ECAA-Ed Competitive Program

The Energy Commission will accept loan applications during solicitation open period. Please see the solicitation page for the application deadline and requirement information. This competitive based program is for projects with proven energy savings from Local Educational Agencies:

Who is Eligible?

• Public School Districts
• Charter Schools
• County Office of Education
• State Special Schools

Eligible Projects for both 1% and 0% Programs

Projects with proven energy and/or demand cost savings are eligible. Examples of projects include:

• Lighting system upgrades
• Pumps and motors
• Streetlights and LED traffic signals
• Energy management systems and equipment controls
• Building insulation
• Energy generation including renewable and combined heat and power projects
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment
• Water and waste water treatment equipment
• Load shifting projects, such as thermal energy storage

Energy efficiency projects must be technically and economically feasible.

 

Terms and Conditions

• 1% Loans for energy projects: The loan can fund 100% of the project cost within a 17 year (maximum) simple payback. The loan must be repaid from energy savings (including principal and interest) within a maximum of 20 years.
• The loan term cannot exceed the useful life of loan-funded equipment.
• Loans are made on a reimbursement basis,
• Only approved project-related costs with invoices dated within the executed term of the loan are eligible to be reimbursed from loan funds.
• Partial funding can be provided for projects that exceed the simple payback. Simple payback is calculated by dividing the loan amount by the estimated first year energy cost savings.

Interest Rate

The interest rates is 1%, based on eligibility and are fixed for the term of the loan.

Loan Security Requirements

It's simple. A promissory note and a loan agreement between you and the Energy Commission are all that is required to secure the loan.

Repayment Terms

The repayment schedule is based on the estimated annual energy cost savings from the aggregated project(s), using energy costs and operating schedules at the time of loan approval. Loans will be amortized on the estimated annual energy cost savings achieved by the loan-funded project. Applicants will be billed twice a year, in June and December, after the projects are completed.

Loans must be repaid from energy cost savings or other legally available funds within the maximum payback terms of 20 years including principal and interest.

Attorney General Ruling

The California Attorney General has determined that the borrowing of funds by a city, county, or school district to implement an energy conservation project pursuant to the terms of Public Resources Code sections 25410-25421 does not require electorate assent under the provisions of section 18 of Article XVI of the Constitution. See the entire text of this Opinion.

 

How do I apply?

For Application and Attachment documents please see the Application Form & Associated Documents (PDF, DOC, & XLS files):

0% Loans - PON-18-101 For K-12 Schools Districts, County office education, and State Special schools

1% Loans - PON-17-401 For Cities, Counties, Specials Districts, Public College or University, etc.

A Feasibility Study must be included with all loan applications (may be submitted via CD or flash drive). The study must contain:

• Description of energy efficiency projects and buildings/ facilities affected by these projects,
• Discussion of baseline energy use for the affected facilities, including annual energy related utility bills,
• All calculations and assumptions to support the technical feasibility and energy savings of the proposed projects,
• Proposed budget detailing all project costs, and
• Proposed schedule for implementation of the projects

Mail your application, Governing Board Resolution (if applicable), and all supplemental attachments to:

California Energy Commission
Energy Efficiency Finance Program
Local Assistance and Financing Office
1516 Ninth Street, MS 23
Sacramento CA 95814-5512