California Energy Commission
$20,000,000 Funding Opportunity for
Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings

CURRENT STATUS

BOMA California's grant application for $20 million in federal funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) - administered by the California Energy Commission (CEC), was submitted in December 2009, by our partners ConSol and Lime Energy.

Notice of Proposed Awards (NOPA) date is February 11th, and on that date we expect a "short list" of potential awardees. Actual awards are expected to be announced a couple of weeks after that date.

BOMA California SEP Commercial Retrofit Program Proposal (.pdf 2.12MB file)
Submitted to CA Energy Commission December 2009

SEP COMMERCIAL RETROFIT GRANT PROPOSAL BACKGROUND

BOMA California is submitting a $20,000,000 proposal on behalf of building owners and tenants in California to help pay for energy efficiency upgrades to existing buildings. The proposal utilizes Federal Stimulus funds in order to minimize the payback period - in many cases to less than two years. If our proposal is selected, BOMA California will administer these funds which can be used to buy down and improve the payback period for energy efficient improvements for commercial properties in California.  

Per the requirements given by the California Energy Commission, the projects must employ "smart" technologies such as:

• High efficiency lighting with occupancy sensors
• Efficient lighting with daylight sensors and controls
• Advanced electronic controls for lighting systems, air conditioning, and ventilation

These systems ensure that energy is used efficiently when it is needed, and that energy use is either off or operated at low levels when appropriate. Ideal opportunities exist in parking garages and parking lots, plus interior office or industrial space, hallways, stairwells, and common areas. Our goal is to include a sizeable portfolio of potential projects into the proposal so that we achieve top scores for project magnitude and to increase the likelihood that we will indeed fulfill our proposed commitment.

BOMA has assembled an experienced team of individuals and firms for program management, technology selection, application, installation, and ongoing monitoring. ConSol, our retained energy consultant, will perform the overall administration and management on behalf of BOMA. Lime Energy, a leading energy engineering and installation company, has performed large projects for Blue Chip clients all over the US , including many of our members. Lime Energy will prepare the energy savings and analyses and perform the work. Guidance on technology selection will come from the Western Energy Cooling Center and the California Lighting Technology Center, both affiliated with the University of California at Davis.

The BOMA California Board thinks this is an excellent opportunity and benefit to our members.  We need to respond quickly to strengthen our chances of being a successful bidder for these funds.  Interested companies need fill out the spreadsheet and the sample letter of interest on your letterhead and submit both to Matthew Hargrove by November 20, 2009. The spreadsheet has default answers that appear in the building type and energy projects columns (click on the arrow at the right of these cells).  Expressing interest does not contractually bind companies, but will be used to show how much interest our members have in the program and increase our chances of being awarded the funds.  The letters of interest will determine the amount of money for which BOMA California can apply (up to $20,000,000). ConSol and/or Lime Energy are available to assist you in determining applicable energy improvements and filling out the attached spreadsheet. ConSol and/or Lime Energy may call to follow up with additional questions to clarify energy improvements.