Project Summary

A Washington County Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program will provide businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities with financial assistance for energy efficiency improvements. The RLF Program will be administered by the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington (RACW), on behalf of the Washington County Commissioners. The RACW has significant experience in establishing and managing loan funds. RACW currently manages three revolving loan funds, including Washington County RLF, Incentive Loan Fund, and Mid Mon Valley Enterprise RLF. Since 2004, RACW has distributed $1.6 million in revolving loans and $2.6 million in incentive loans and currently has approximately $1 million in outstanding loan principal. RACW is also a recent recipient of $1 million in RLF grant funds from EPA.

RACW staff will review and process all applications received for the program. RACW’s accounting department will perform all steps necessary to ensure the efficient implementation of the program utilizing accepted accounting principles and practices. An overview of the RLF Program and procedures include the following:

• Applicant submits a proposed energy efficiency project with costs and energy savings estimates documented by an engineer and/or other appropriate energy professional
• Applicant submits financial information to demonstrate ability to repay loan
• Loan interest rate and repayment schedule are established, loan is provided to applicant, and a mortgage is placed on the property
• Proposed project is undertaken and monitored by RACW staff for compliance with project specifications and Davis-Bacon Act
• Project is completed, a final inspection is conducted, release of loan funds are made to applicant, and loan payments begin
• Documentation of energy savings and jobs created is provided to RACW over the three year EECBG grant period

The Washington County Energy Efficiency RLF will be initially capitalized with EECBG funds. Program income from interest and principle payments will sustain the RLF Program. The term of all loans will not exceed five years. Loans will be limited to $25,000 per applicant and require that each applicant pay for 50% of the energy efficiency improvements.

Marketing of the Washington County RLF will include providing information to potential applicants about Pennsylvania’s Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program, which is administered by the Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of the Small Business Ombudsman. The Pennsylvania program provides a 25% reimbursement grant, up to a maximum of $25,000, to enable Pennsylvania small businesses (businesses with 100 employees or fewer) to acquire certain pieces of equipment or adopt certain processes that promote energy efficiency. It is anticipated that applicants would utilize the Pennsylvania program to assist with their required 50% contribution to the total energy efficiency projects costs.