CHAPTER 402
ENERGY EFFICIENCY COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM
[Prior to 11/16/11, see 350—Ch 5]
261—402.1(84GA,HF590) Purpose. The purpose of the energy efficiency community grant program is to make funding available to local communities for energy efficiency projects or programs. The program is established with moneys from the fund, which is under the administration of the authority.
[ARC 9851B, IAB 11/16/11, effective 10/26/11]
261—402.2(84GA,HF590) Definitions. For purposes of this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
“Eligible applicant” means a city, county, nonprofit organization, organization involved with energy efficiency or conservation efforts, environmental organization, or group that has a tax identification number.
“Eligible project” means any project or program that would save energy dollars or energy units.
“In kind” means any matching funds in the form of salaries and materials. Equipment and indirect costs will not be counted as in-kind matching funds. Volunteer hours that are submitted for salary match must use an hourly rate equivalent to the average national hourly earnings of all production and nonsupervisory workers on private, nonfarm payrolls as determined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[ARC 9851B, IAB 11/16/11, effective 10/26/11]
261—402.3(84GA,HF590) Requests for applications. The authority shall determine the form of the application and manage requests for applications as necessary.
[ARC 9851B, IAB 11/16/11, effective 10/26/11]
261—402.4(84GA,HF590) Geographic distribution. Consideration will be given to applications based on distribution throughout Iowa’s congressional districts. The authority may consider multiple applications from the same community. The authority may take into account geographic distribution in determining awards.
[ARC 9851B, IAB 11/16/11, effective 10/26/11]
261—402.5(84GA,HF590) Criteria for review.  In reviewing applications, the authority shall consider the following.
	402.5(1) Promotion of energy efficiency or renewable generation. The authority shall consider the project’s potential promotion of residential or small-scale renewable energy systems and the project’s ability to reduce energy consumption, energy units, or dollars spent on energy.
	402.5(2) Collaboration. The authority shall consider the following:
	a. 	Whether the project establishes or supports a community-based, county-based or regional energy efficiency project or program.
	b. 	The breadth and depth of community, county or regional involvement in the energy efficiency project or program.
	c. 	The involvement of local schools, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, and private groups.
	d. 	The project’s support of any existing or proposed ordinances encouraging energy efficiency and conservation or energy efficient building code provisions and enforcement.
	e. 	The project’s efforts to secure local funding for the community-based, county-based or regional energy efficiency project or program or for a funding sustainability plan.
[ARC 9851B, IAB 11/16/11, effective 10/26/11]
261—402.6(84GA,HF590) Project approval and award of funds. Projects shall be approved by the director after review and recommendation by authority personnel. All funding decisions shall be reported monthly to the board. Funds will be distributed to approved projects based on mutually agreed-upon contract terms.
[ARC 9851B, IAB 11/16/11, effective 10/26/11]
These rules are intended to implement 2011 Iowa Acts, House File 590, division III.
[Filed Emergency ARC 9851B, IAB 11/16/11, effective 10/26/11]