Georgia Environmental Conference

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1 Georgia Environmental Conference 11. Energy Efficiency Initiatives and Incentives Course Description: As governmental organizations and corporations look to decrease costs in order to meet targeted budget reductions, efficiency is recognized as both an environmentally friendly and practical solution. This panel will discuss the status and effectiveness of efficiency incentives and programs, including rebates, credits, and financing through energy service contracts, to help organizations meet their efficiency goals. Moderator: Daniel Ramsay - Scientist, O'Brien & Gere. Speakers: David Buchalter - Gaia Tech. Mark Wenclawiak - O'Brien & Gere. Brian Henderson - Independent Consultant, National Resources Defense Council: Southeast Area. Cameron Griffith - Account Executive, Trane. Topic Coordinator: Tricia Bonner Offered: 8/24 Session I 2:30pm - 4:00pm

2 Energy Efficiency Resources Summary Tax credits and deductions EPAct Georgia Clean Energy Project Example Utility Rebate Programs Georgia Power Electric Membership Corporations Atlanta Gas Light Low cost financing programs Property-Assessed Clean Energy financing

3 What is it? Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) Offers facility owners a one-time Federal tax deduction for energyefficiency upgrades for new or upgraded buildings in U.S. Can be used for any past energy project going back three tax years Is an under-utilized, highly effective financial tool to significantly lower the total project cost for energy efficient retrofits Who is eligible? Any commercial entity. Also municipal entities can pursue eligibility through their contractor or design engineer who can file for the deduction and can provide credit back to project When does it expire? Passed in 2005, originally slated to expire in 2008, extended until end of 2013

4 EPAct 2005 How does it work? Implement projects with energy consumption below ASHRAE (not existing consumption) Qualifying work scopes: HVAC: Lighting: Building Envelope: $0.60 per square foot deduction $0.30 to $0.60 per square foot deduction $0.60 per square foot deduction Each of the three work scopes must achieve the minimum energy reduction in their sector or meet the combined level for all 3 Calculations for lighting or IRS approved modeling for HVAC / Building Envelope (easier than it sounds!)

5 EPAct 2005 What are the qualifying levels? Energy reduction compared to ASHRAE Building Envelope HVAC Lighting Comprehensive 16.66% of total energy usage 16.66% of total energy usage 16.66% of total energy usage 50% of total energy usage Deduction amount Substitutions allowed Additional requirements $0.60 per square foot $0.60 per square foot Substitute 10% reduction in conjunction with 20% reduction in HVAC or lighting $ $0.60 per square foot $1.80 per square foot $0.30 to $0.60 sliding scale based on 25% to 40% power density reduction of lighting 1. Warehouses require 50% power density reduction 2. New facilities or renovations require bi-level switching 3. Must meet minimum IESNA lighting levels

6 What is it? Georgia Clean Energy Tax Credit Offers facility owners a one-time Georgia tax credit for energyefficiency upgrades for new or upgraded buildings in Georgia on their property tax bill Pre-qualification needed Is an under-utilized, highly effective financial tool to significantly lower the total project cost for energy efficient retrofits Required to follow process laid out by Georgia Environmental Finance Authority Who is eligible? Any non-residential building owner When does it expire? Enacted in 2008, expires end of 2014 $2.5M available in 2011, $5M per year in

7 How does it work? Lighting, Lighting Controls/Sensors Georgia Clean Energy Tax Credit The lesser of 35% of the cost of the lighting retrofit project property, or $0.60 per square foot of the area of the building affected by the lighting retrofit project or the sum of $100, per installation. Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building The lesser of 35% of the cost of the energy efficient building property, or $1.80 per square foot of the area of the building affected by the energy efficiency project or the sum of $100, per installation Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, Geothermal Heat Pumps etc. The lesser of 35% of the cost of the clean energy property or the sum of $100, (solar hot water & geothermal heat pump) / $500,000 per installation

8 Georgia Clean Energy Tax Credit What are the qualifying levels? Lighting, Lighting Controls/Sensors Reduce annual energy and power consumption by 30% compared to ASHRAE Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building Reduce annual energy and power consumption by 30% compared to ASHRAE Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, Geothermal Heat Pumps Installation of qualified equipment

9 Project Example Trane sales office Building: Original Lights: Retrofit Lights: Project cost: $11,000 Utility rebate: Energy savings per year: $5,398 EPAct tax $0.60/SF City of Industry, CA 10,000 square foot warehouse Qty 34 x 400 W Metal Halide Qty 34 x Four Lamp T5 High Bay (60 W each x 4) and lighting photo sensor controls $4,080 ($120 / fixture prescriptive incentive from Southern California Edison) $2,400 credit ($6,000 deduction at 40% tax rate) Simple Payback: Reduced to 10 months from 1.3 years without EPACT

10 Project Example Same Project Building: Original Lights: Retrofit Lights: Project cost: Utility rebate: Energy savings per year: EPAct tax $0.60/SF Atlanta, GA 10,000 square foot warehouse Qty 34 x 400 W Metal Halide Qty 34 x Four Lamp T5 High Bay (60 W each x 4) and lighting photo sensor controls $10,000 (10% less) $1,088 ( $0.20/W reduced Georgia Power commercial energy efficiency program) (75% less) $2,700 (50% less) $2,400 credit ($6,000 deduction at 40% tax rate)(same) Simple Payback: Reduced to 2.4 years from 3.3 years without EPACT

Project Example Same Project Building: Original Lights: Retrofit Lights: Project cost: $10,000 Utility rebate: Energy savings per year: $2,700 EPAct tax deduction @ $0.

11 Project Example Same Project Building: Original Lights: Retrofit Lights: Project cost: $10,000 Utility rebate: Energy savings per year: $2,700 EPAct tax $0.60/SF Georgia Clean Energy Tax Credit + GA CLEAN ENERGY TAX CREDIT 10,000 square foot warehouse Qty 34 x 400 W Metal Halide Qty 34 x Four Lamp T5 High Bay (60 W each x 4) and lighting photo sensor controls $1,088 ( $0.20/W reduced Georgia Power commercial energy efficiency program) $2,400 credit ($6,000 deduction at 40% tax rate) $3,500 credit (35% cap of project cost) Simple Payback: Reduced to 1.1 years, from 3.3 years without both tax credits

12 Utility Rebates for Commercial Customers Georgia utilities are not $ incentivized to do rebate programs nor are they mandated to do them by the Georgia Public Service Commission Georgia Power Commercial Energy Efficiency Program Started in 2011, Georgia s first substantial energy efficiency program $5K cap per commercial facility / $10K cap per municipal facility Third party managed Lighting & lighting controls, Packaged air conditioning, duct sealing, reflective roofing, water heaters, various others Multi-million $ budgets for next 3 years EMC utility programs Various smaller programs that give incentives in the $100s of dollars range for various energy conservation measures Atlanta Gas Light Offers $1000 rebates to commercial customers who capitalize on system efficiencies gained by direct use of natural gas

13 Low Cost Financing Georgia Cities Foundation Must be located within a city limit $10,000 - $250,000 loans available 5 10 year loan terms Currently 3% interest rate Spend $ by 2012 (ARRA funded) Georgia Green Loans $500 - $35,000 loans available (ARRA funded) EMC and local loan programs Walton, TVA, Habersham, Flint Energies, Coweta-Fayette, Amicacola, Athens-Clarke and others $500 - $50,000 varies by program

14 What is PACE? Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Allows development authorities (via local government) to lend money for energy retrofits of property through property tax assessment or local utility bills Creates innovative method for property owners to borrow money to pay for energy improvements on their home or commercial building Repayment obligation transfers to next property owner if the building is sold along with the benefits What are the benefits? Long term financing eliminates up-front cost barrier for energy efficient and renewable energy retrofits Current and future owners pay fairly for improvements that remain with building What is current status of PACE in Georgia? Enabling legislation passed in 2010 by Governor s signature of House Bill 1388 PACE on hold due to complexity of implementation and lender s issues with PACE taking priority lien over existing mortgages

15 DSIREusa.org Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency Comprehensive listing of resources and policies to promote renewable and energy efficiency Established 1995 Funded by Dept of Energy Updated on an going basis

16 Questions?... and Answers

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