2011–2013 Biennium
Energy Operational Savings Project Grants

The Legislature has appropriated $20 million to OSPI to administer a new cycle of energy operational savings projects grants for K-12 facilities. This page will be the main source of information on the grants. PLEASE check it frequently as program details are under development.

Revised Event Schedule

DATE	EVENT
Friday, June 24, 2011, 10:00 a.m.	K-20 Session: Energy Project and Urgent Repair grant program announcements
Starting June 24, 2011	Letter of Intent: Send Letter of Intent to apply to OSPI
Friday, July 22, 2011, 10:00 a.m.	Information Session: For Energy Services companies and Project Managers
Thursday, August 18, 2011	Application available on iGrants
Tuesday, August 23, 2011, 10:00 a.m.	K-20 Session: Application specifics for applicants
Friday, February 17, 2012, 5:00 p.m.	Last day to submit the letter of intent and board criteria
Friday, March 16, 2012, 5:00 p.m.	Applications DUE: Must be submitted on iGrants by the 5:00 p.m. deadline
March 19, 2012 – March 30, 2012	Application Review Period
Monday, April 2, 2012	Announcement of Awards

Highlights of the New Appropriation

• $20 million is available for energy grant awards.
• Grants are for projects using the “energy savings performance contracting method.” Projects that do not use this method must follow specific guidelines (see below).
• One grant award of no more than $1 million per district is allowed.
• A “Letter of Intent” must be submitted to OSPI as soon as possible.
• An Investment Grade Audit (IGA) must be complete PRIOR to application. (An IGA completed during the 2009-2011 biennium is acceptable).
• The new application Scoring Criteria reflect the criteria established by ESHB 2020.SL, Chapter 49, Laws of 2011 which do include:
  • Prior grant award (new criteria) Priority for districts who did not receive previous energy grant awards from OSPI or the WA State Department of Commerce in 2009 or 2010.
  • Leverage ratio (new formula)
  • Energy Savings (new formula)
  • Persistence (new criteria)

2011-2013 Energy Operational Savings Grant Application (Word)
Districts must apply to this program via iGrants. This Word version of the application is for informational purposes only. The iGrants application was revised on February 27, 2012 to allow districts more choices under project type and to provide the capability of submitting more than one application.

Letter of Intent
The district must submit a “Letter of Intent” to OSPI to apply. This must include an action by the Board indicating the intention to proceed with the application and project if awarded the grant as well as acknowledgement that an Investment Grade Audit must be completed prior to application. The letter must also include the Board’s “predetermined cost effectiveness criteria.”
Sample Letter of Intent and Board Resolution (Word)

Information Sessions

For ESCOs and Project Managers
July 22, 2011, from 10:00–11:00
Information will be presented on the new grant rounds and process
Location: OSPI Old Capitol Building, 600 Washington St. SE; Olympia
RSVP by e-mail: Energygrants@k12.wa.us.

For District Applicants
August 23, 2011
K-20 and OSPI Old Capitol Building
RSVP by e-mail: Energygrants@k12.wa.us.

Grant Communications
Please send all correspondence and submittals (except the application) to Energygrants@k12.wa.us. The application process is accessed through the OSPI iGrants system.

Guidelines - Acceptable Project Contracting Methods
Grants shall be awarded for projects using the energy savings performance contracting method or an equivalent method of evaluating and delivering energy operational costs savings improvements.

Projects that do not use energy savings performance contracting must:

1. Verify energy and operational cost savings for ten years or until the energy and operational costs savings pay for the project, whichever is shorter;
2. Follow the department of general administration's energy savings performance contracting method guidelines; and
3. Employ a licensed engineer for the energy audit, design, and construction.

OSPI may require third-party verification of savings if the project is not implemented by an energy savings performance contracting method as outlined in chapter 39.35C RCW.

Energy Savings Performance Contracting: Guidelines for Public Agencies in Washington State, June 2010

“Equivalent Method”: Two page guideline on requirements for using the non-ESPC method