Synopsis

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program (EECLP), offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS), provides an initial $250 million per year in federal loans to rural electric cooperatives and allows these borrowers to make loans to their residential and commercial customers for energy improvements. This call provided an overview of the program; identified steps State Energy Offices could take to encourage rural electric coop participation; and highlighted an example from Washington state, where the energy office is working with a coop to promote rural efficiency.

Agenda and Presentations

I. Welcome and Introductions
Committee Co-Chairs: Jeff Pitkin, Treasurer, NYSERDA and Al Christopher, Director Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy

II. Committee Announcements
QECB Sequestration Update: Elizabeth Bellis, Counsel, Energy Programs Consortium
Financing Tune-ups for States: Matthew Brown, Principal, Harcourt, Brown & Carey

III. USDA RUS Program: What State Energy Offices Need to Know
Gerard Moore, Acting Deputy Assistance Administrator, RD/RUS/Electric Program
Glenn Blackmon, Senior Energy Policy Specialist, Washington Department of Commerce State Energy Office
Patrick Keegan, CEO, Collaborative Efficiency

IV. Q&A and Committee Discussion: Is your state or territory energy office aware of the EECLP? What resources would help you take advantage of it?

Attendees

States: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington

NASEO Affiliates: Air Conditioning Contractors of America, ASHRAE, Harcourt Brown & Carey, SRA International,  

Non-member Organizations: Collaborative Efficiency, Energy and Environmental Study Institute, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Programs Consortium