The program includes the establishment of a revolving fund to finance projects chosen in an annual competitive process administered by Outlaw Consulting in partnership with GACS for at least three years. Members will pay no upfront installation costs and will only pay for measured savings after installation for six quarters, [image-nocss] after which all additional savings will accrue to the member.
GACS membership chairman Neal Anderson (Clyde's Markets, Glennville, Ga.), said, "We were excited to learn that our program has been chosen in a very competitive process. Our members will have an opportunity to lower their energy costs with no upfront capital investment."
A total of 125 grant applications were received by GEFA and 16 grants were made. GACS and Outlaw Consulting were selected as part of the Commercial Energy Efficiency Grant Program.
GACS members should be able to begin making applications for the program grants in March, the association said.
Innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Georgia are receiving $10 million in competitive grant funds through the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Competitive Grant Program administered by GEFA. The program, which was launched in July 2009, is funding 16 projects as a result of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
"Energy efficiency and renewable energy are both key components of Georgia's State Energy Strategy," said GEFA executive director Phil Foil. "The projects we're funding today will help encourage energy savings and the adoption of renewable energy throughout the state."
As a result of the ARRA, the state of Georgia received $82,495,000 in economic stimulus funds for the State Energy Program (SEP). The funding was allocated to GEFA's Division of Energy Resources to encourage the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Georgia. Of the total amount of SEP funding available, GEFA allocated $10 million to create four competitive grant programs for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs: renewable energy ($4,000,000); commercial energy efficiency ($2,000,000); industrial energy efficiency ($2,000,000); and residential energy efficiency ($2,000,000); 130 applications were submitted to GEFA in September 2009.
GEFA provides financial assistance and administers programs that encourage stewardship of the environment and promote economic development statewide. GEFA is the lead state agency for energy planning and alternative fuels; manages the Governor's Energy Challenge and the Georgia Land Conservation Program; maintains state-owned fuel storage tanks; and offers financing for reservoir and water supply, water quality, storm water and solid waste infrastructure. Since 1985, GEFA has approved more than $2 billion to cities, counties and infrastructure authorities.
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