Description
The California Energy Commission’s Energy Conservation Assistance Act Low‑Interest Loan Program provides eligible public entities (cities, counties, special districts, public colleges/universities, public hospitals, and California Native American tribes) with access to fixed‑rate 1 % loans up to $3 million for energy‑efficiency, renewable‑energy, and related projects. Loans are reimbursed‑based, have a maximum term of 20 years (or the equipment’s effective useful life, capped at 17 years), and are repaid primarily from documented energy‑cost savings. Applications are submitted via email, include a detailed feasibility study, utility data, CEQA documentation, and a governing‑body resolution; there is no fixed application deadline, only a required posting period of at least 90 days.
• Eligible applicants are limited to public sector entities and California Native American tribes.
• Projects may include lighting upgrades, HVAC, building envelope improvements, renewable generation, EV charging stations, storage, and other measures that generate demonstrable energy‑cost savings.
• Maximum loan amount is the lesser of $3 M, total project cost, or projected energy‑cost savings; loan disbursement is reimbursement‑based with a final 10 % holdback pending a final report.