Increased but Limited Funding Made Available for Alternative Energy Projects

March 12, 2010

Under the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (“ARRA”) and state funding programs there are substantial funding opportunities for the deployment of on-site renewable distributed generation systems as well and demand-response and load control systems.

Murtha Cullina is intimately familiar with the various funding programs and application procedures available through the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund as well as other state and federal incentive programs. For example, the CCEF recently received $8 million in ARRA funding for commercial fuel cell deployment, $4 million for commercial solar thermal (hot water) systems and $4.5 million for the installation of Geothermal Heat Pump – Combined Hearing and Cooling Systems. These are popular programs and the ARRA monies are being deployed quickly. Regarding demand-side-management and energy efficiency, Murtha Cullina is aware of and thoroughly understands the many programs designed to provide financial incentive strategies to help customers offset the cost of purchasing and installing energy-efficient equipment and implementing advanced operation and maintenance practices. A sampling of these programs includes: (1) the Energy Opportunities program, which provides incentives to customers who exchange or modify inefficient, functioning equipment such as lighting, HVAC, chillers, motors, controls, water heaters and commercial cooking equipment with high-efficiency alternatives for maximum electric and natural gas savings; (2) the O&M Services program, which provides incentives and assistance for electric and natural gas energy-efficiency improvements through specialized maintenance and repairs; and (3) the Retro Commissioning program, which provides technical, engineering and financial incentives to identify inefficiencies in a building’s energy management system and optimize the operation of the building.

At Murtha Cullina, we believe that renewable energy and energy efficiency go hand-in-hand. To this end, the firm’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency practice area provides comprehensive, creative and innovative solutions to the ever growing and cutting edge needs and problems facing clients as they deploy renewable energy distributed generation (DG), demand-side-management, and energy efficiency at their businesses, hospitals, schools, and other institutions. We assist clients in securing funding from state and federal funding sources for the deployment of renewable energy generation, demand-side-management, and energy efficiency measures. In addition, we assist in identifying and advocating for the removal of legal, regulatory, and legislative impediments to the full deployment of renewable energy, demand-side-management, and energy efficiency in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
 

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