Overview of Funding Opportunities for Municipalities, Schools, and Non-Profits

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Melissa Elander, North Country Energy Circuit Rider

CLEAN ENERGY NH

Organization

Advocacy

Three Areas of Focus

Member-based

ENERGY CIRCUIT RIDER

The Circuit Rider Program began in the North Country in 2019.

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Energy Circuit Riders (ECRs) provide:

• Direct, hands-on assistance to municipalities, schools, non-profits, and businesses in helping plan, finance, implement energy-saving upgrades to buildings, infrastructure, & clean energy technologies
• Identifies and pursue energy saving priorities
• Expand clean energy production
• Currently serving the North County, Monadnock Region, and the Seacoast Region. Hiring ECRs for Monadnock, Sullivan, and small business assistance.

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•Understand energy expenses by gathering data to evaluate relative performance of town buildings

•Identify priorities based on analysis

•Schedule energy audits as appropriate (paid for by NH Saves or other sources) for specific energy saving projects

•Conduct energy savings projects as approved by governing body and/or as funds permit

•Identify clean energy opportunities and pursue projects based on prioritization

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SAVING STRATEGY

Funding Opportunities for Municipalities and Non-Profits

• CDFA Community Facilities Energy Assessment Program – 75% grant to complete energy audits and energy-related technical studies.

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• NH Saves – Utility incentives to complete energy efficiency upgrades. Incentive varies by measure.

• USDA Community Facilities  - Grant amount varies by municipality from 0% to 75%.

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• NH DES NH Clean Diesel Grant - Transition of vehicle fleets to clean diesel and electric.

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• Granite State Clean Fleets (i.e. Volkswagen Mitigation Trust)

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• Elective Pay – Elective pay allows applicable entities, including tax-exempt and governmental entities that would otherwise be unable to claim certain credits because they do not owe federal income tax, to benefit from some clean energy tax credits.

Whitefield Town Hall

Funding Opportunities for Municipalities and Non-Profits - Continued

• NH DES Clean Water State Revolving Fund - Energy audits, asset management plans, and infrastructure improvements.

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• NH Department of Energy Commercial & Industrial Solar Incentive Program

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• NH Department of Energy Small Municipal Solar Grant Program (to be announced soon).

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• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Formula funding to eligible NH cities and counties and competitive grants.

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• Norther Border Regional Commission Catalyst Program – 2 funding rounds in 2024 in Spring and Fall for projects located in eligible NH Counties.

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• EBSCO Solar for Libraries

Whitefield Library

Funding Opportunities for Schools

• NH Department of Energy School Energy Efficiency Development (SEED) Grant
• EPA Clean School Bus Program
• Renew America’s Schools The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the $500 million Renew America’s Schools Program to promote the implementation of clean energy improvements at K-12 public schools
• CDFA Community Facilities Energy Assessment Program – 75% grant to complete energy audits and technical studies
• NH Saves – Utility incentives to complete energy efficiency upgrades. Incentive varies by measure.
• USDA Community Facilities  - Grant amount varies by municipality from 0% to 75%.
• Elective Pay – Elective pay allows applicable entities, including tax-exempt and governmental entities that would otherwise be unable to claim certain credits because they do not owe federal income tax, to benefit from some clean energy tax credits.
• NH Department of Energy Commercial & Industrial Solar Incentive Program

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Bethlehem Elementary School

Additional Resources and Email Lists

Funding Opportunities at NH Department of Energy

NH Department of Energy Email List: Email newsletter@energy.nh.gov

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US Office of State and Community Energy Programs

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Renew America’s Schools

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Northern Borders Regional Commission: Email

steven.j.fortier@livefree.nh.gov to be added to the email list

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North Country Council Library of Funding Opportunties

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Strafford Regional Planning Commission Municipal Guide to EV Charging Stations�

Community Supported Solar group net metered for 20 farmers in Rindge

Municipal Spotlight: Stratford

• NH Saves assistance: Energy audits, lighting incentives, weatherization incentives at the Library and Fire Station

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• CDFA Community Facilities Energy Assessment Program: Energy audit and structural engineering assessment at the Town Hall

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• USDA Community Facilities grants in 2021 and 2023 funded lighting and solar arrays

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• Senator Shaheen provided Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for heat pumps, solar and level II EV charging at the Library

USDA REAP Grant Technical Assistance