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Sonoma County Energy Independence Program

In this issue

Wednesday 3, November 2010

Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac Update

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The list of municipalities and organizations filing lawsuits against Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Finance Finance Agency (FHFA) continues to grow.  As of November 1, 2010, lawsuits have been filed by the State of California; Sonoma County, California ; the Sierra Club; Placer County, California; Palm Desert, California ; the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC); Leon County, Florida; and Babylon, New York.  On October 14, 2010, Sonoma County filed a Motion for a Preliminary Injunction against the FHFA, et al, and the FHFA filed a Motion to Dismiss.  Both Motions will be argued on December 2, 2010. 

In the meantime, the Sonoma County Energy Independence Office continues to accept applications and provide financing for energy and water conservation measures and energy generation.  For the latest information on the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac topic, visit Fannie Mae/Freddit Mac Updates or  www.paceNOW.org

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How Much Do You Spend a Month in Electricity and Natural Gas?

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Cities and counties throughout the U.S. are developing new finance programs that help Americans install solar and improve the efficiency of their homes and businesses. Called Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) these programs help local governments bring new jobs, energy bill savings, and environmental benefits to their communities. Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP) is one of the first programs of its kind in the Nation and the most successful to date. For those of you who are looking for ways to finance energy efficiency, water efficiency and renewable energy improvements on your own home or business, this is a creative way to make it happen!

There are more than 80 eligible measures for funding including solar, HVAC systems, cool roofs, water use reduction, window replacement, furnaces, lighting and control systems, insulation and envelope sealing. If you have developed an idea involving a process or equipment not currently on the eligible improvements list, you may apply as a custom measure. Don’t forget -- the delivery and treatment of water comprises twenty percent of the State’s energy use, so reducing water use also reduces the use of energy.

Improvements must be made to existing buildings – new construction does not qualify.

The financed amount becomes an assessment attached to the property, not the owner, and is paid back through the property tax system over a term of 5, 10 or 20 years.

Since the program began in March, 2009, SCEIP has provided over $34 million in financing for more than 1,100 projects.

To find out more about how this program can help you, please visit our website at www.sonomacountyenergy.org or contact Diane Lesko, Energy & Sustainability Assistant Program Coordinator at (707) 524-1187 or via email at dlesko@sonoma-county.org.
 

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SCEIP Announces New Contractor Forums

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Contractor Forums have been reinstituted with a new focus on process training.  In the upcoming weeks, two trainings are scheduled:

Application Training:

• Monday, Nov 15th from 8:00 – 9:30 AM
• Thursday, Nov 18th from 2:00 – 3:30 PM

Contract Training:

• Monday, Dec 6th from 8:00 – 9:30 AM
• Thursday, Dec 9th from 2:00 – 3:30 PM 

A call-in number will be provided for those that cannot attend and material will be distributed in advance.  If you are interested in participating and for location/call in number, please send an email to sceip@sonoma-county.org.  Also, if you have specific training needs regarding the SCEIP process, please let us know and we'll consider a training on that topic.   

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Residential Incentives Are Changing

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CSI mega watt (MW) allowance for Residential Step 7 has been fulfilled.  Step 8 incentives are now being issued at $ 0.35/watt.  Up-to-date statistical data can be obtained from http://www.csi-trigger.com . According to the October 5, 2010 CSI trigger tracker report, the ‘MW under review’, based on submitted applications, exceed the MW available. If you have submitted an application and have not received confirmation, it is possible that it will be issued at Step 8 rates. Please check your reservation confirmation for the actual rate. Confirmed reservations will be honored through the noted expiration date.  FOR SCEIP APPLICANTS:  In the event of a reservation submittal at Step 7 with confirmation at Step 8, please forward a copy to the file manager as soon as possible.
 

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Program Changes

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November/December Disbursement Deadlines - Due to the upcoming holidays in November and the closing of the SCEIP office for Mandatory Time Off (MTO) in December, the deadlines for submitting disbursement requests are shortened. 

For December 1, 2010 Disbursements:  All Requests for Disbursements and supporting documentation must be submitted no later than 4:30 on Friday, November 19, 2010.

For January 3, 2011 Disbursements: All Requests for Disbursements and supporting documentation must be submitted no later than 4:30 on Wednesday, December 15, 2010.

The Sonoma County Energy Independence Program will be closed from Thursday, December 23rd through Friday, December 31st for MTO. We will reopen on Monday, January 3, 2011.  Check the SCEIP Calendar for all important dates. 

Assignments - Effective November 1, 2010, assignments are no longer permitted through the program.

Application - The application has been revised.  Please only use the application with a revision date of 11/02/2010.

Fuel Cells - Effective October 13, 2010, Fuel Cells have been added to SCEIP's Eligible Improvements list.  Fuel Cells must meet PGE Self generation incentive program guidelines. 

 

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