(a) For the purposes of this section:
(1) “Participating qualified nonprofit organizations” means individuals, nonprofit organizations and small businesses;
(2) “Small business” means a business entity employing not more than fifty full-time employees;
(3) “Eligible energy conservation project” means an energy conservation project meeting the criteria identified, as provided in subsection (d) of this section;
(4) “Participating lending institution” means any bank, trust company, savings bank, savings and loan association or credit union, whether chartered by the United States of America or this state, or any insurance company authorized to do business in this state that participates in the Green Connecticut Loan Guaranty Fund program; and
(5) “Bank” means the Connecticut Green Bank.
(b) The bank shall establish the Green Connecticut Loan Guaranty Fund program from the proceeds of the bonds issued pursuant to section 16a-40d for the purpose of guaranteeing loans made by participating lending institutions to a participating qualified nonprofit organization for eligible energy conservation projects, including for two or more joint eligible energy conservation projects. In carrying out the purposes of this section, the bank shall have and may exercise the powers provided in subsection (d) of section 16-245n.
(c) Participating qualified nonprofit organizations may borrow money from a participating lending institution for any energy conservation project for which the bank provides guaranties pursuant to this section. In connection with the provision of such a guaranty by the bank, (1) a participating qualified nonprofit organization shall enter into any loan or other agreement and make such covenants, representations and indemnities as a participating lending institution deems necessary or appropriate; and (2) a participating lending institution shall enter into a guaranty agreement with the bank, pursuant to which the bank has agreed to provide a first loss guaranty of an agreed percentage of the original principal amount of loans for eligible energy conservation projects.
(d) In consultation with the Energy Conservation Management Board and the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, the Connecticut Green Bank shall identify types of projects that qualify as eligible energy conservation projects, including, but not limited to, the purchase and installation of insulation, alternative energy devices, energy conservation materials, replacement furnaces and boilers, and technologically advanced energy-conserving equipment. The bank, in consultation with said entities, shall establish priorities for financing eligible energy conservation projects based on need and quality determinants. The bank shall adopt procedures, in accordance with the provisions of section 1-121, to implement the provisions of this section.
(e) The bank shall, in consultation with the Energy Conservation Management Board and the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, (1) ensure that the program established pursuant to this section integrates with existing state energy efficiency and renewable energy programs; (2) establish performance targets for the program to ensure that the program in coordination with existing financing programs will enable efficiency improvements for at least fifteen per cent of single family homes in the state by 2020; (3) enter into agreements with participating lending institutions that provide loan origination services; and (4) exercise such other powers as are necessary for the proper administration of the program.
(f) Financial assistance provided by participating lending institutions pursuant to this section shall be subject to the following terms:
(1) Eligible energy conservation projects shall meet cost-effectiveness standards adopted by the bank in consultation with the Energy Conservation Management Board and the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority.
(2) Loans shall be at interest rates determined by the bank to be no higher than necessary to result in the participation of participating lending institutions in the program.
(3) The amount of a fee paid for an energy audit provided pursuant to this program may be added to the amount of a loan to finance the cost of an eligible project conducted in response to such energy audit. In such cases, the amount of the fee may be reimbursed from the fund to the borrower.
(P.A. 10-179, S. 135; P.A. 11-80, S. 124; P.A. 14-94, S. 29.)
History: P.A. 10-179 effective May 7, 2010; P.A. 11-80 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. (5) defining “authority” as the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority, amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) by replacing “Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority” with “authority”, amended Subsec. (d) by requiring Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority, in consultation with Energy Conservation Management Board and Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, to identify eligible projects and by eliminating requirement to consult with Office of Policy and Management, and added Subsecs. (e) and (f) re program financing, effective July 1, 2011 (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (b), a reference to Sec. 10a-180 was changed editorially by the Revisors to Sec. 16-245n(d) for consistency); pursuant to P.A. 14-94, “Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority” and “authority” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Connecticut Green Bank” and “bank”, respectively, effective June 6, 2014.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 16a - Planning and Energy Policy
Chapter 298 - Energy Utilization and Conservation
Section 16a-35k. - Legislative findings and policy.
Section 16a-35m. - Preparation of comprehensive energy plan. Report.
Section 16a-35n. - Policy to reduce energy consumption.
Section 16a-37. - Use of natural gas restricted. Exemptions. Regulations.
Section 16a-37c. - Shared energy savings program. Regulations.
Section 16a-37f. - Light bulbs purchased by budgeted agencies.
Section 16a-37t. - Benchmarking energy and water consumption in state buildings.
Section 16a-37v. - Pilot program for energy performance contract with a private vendor. Reports.
Section 16a-37w. - Program to encourage use of biodiesel in state buildings.
Section 16a-38. - Energy performance standards and life-cycle cost analyses for state buildings.
Section 16a-38b. - Achievement of energy performance standards.
Section 16a-38c. - Program to maximize efficiency of energy use in state buildings.
Section 16a-38d. - Energy conservation projects: Definitions.
Section 16a-38e. - Designation of priority energy projects. Regulations. Criteria. Report.
Section 16a-38f. - Agency decision outlines.
Section 16a-38g. - Decision schedule.
Section 16a-38h. - Buildings leased to state. Energy requirements.
Section 16a-38i. - Reduction of energy use in state buildings.
Section 16a-38j. - Equipment for use in state buildings; criteria established by regulations.
Section 16a-38l. - Management of energy use in state buildings. Strategic plan.
Section 16a-38n. - Clean and distributive generation grant program.
Section 16a-38q. - Eligible photovoltaic contractors under solar photovoltaic rebate program.
Section 16a-39a. - Pilot energy conservation management program.
Section 16a-39b. - Periodic meeting re opportunities for energy savings by the state.
Section 16a-40. - Definitions.
Section 16a-40a. - Energy Conservation Loan Fund.
Section 16a-40c. - State bonds for purposes of the Energy Conservation Loan Fund.
Section 16a-40e. - Green Connecticut Loan Guaranty Fund.
Section 16a-40f. - Green Connecticut Loan Guaranty Fund program.
Section 16a-40g. - Commercial sustainable energy program.
Section 16a-40j. - Bond authorization.
Section 16a-40m. - Residential clean energy on-bill repayment program.
Section 16a-41b. - Low-Income Energy Advisory Board.
Section 16a-41c. - Weatherization assistance.
Section 16a-41i. - Weatherization assistance program.
Section 16a-44c. - Bond authorization.
Section 16a-44d. - Validation of certain actions.
Section 16a-46d. - Commercial building energy conservation service program. Services.
Section 16a-46e. - Rebate program for residential furnace or boiler replacement.
Section 16a-46f. - Rebate program for residential furnace or boiler repair or upgrade.
Section 16a-46h. - Home Energy Solutions program audits.
Section 16a-46i. - Natural gas and heating oil conversion program.
Section 16a-47. - Energy conservation loans by electric and gas companies. Study. Implementation.
Section 16a-47a. - State-wide energy efficiency and outreach marketing campaign.
Section 16a-47b. - Real-time energy reports.
Section 16a-47c. - State-wide energy efficiency and outreach account.
Section 16a-47d. - Real-time energy alert system.
Section 16a-47e. - Capacity deficiency customer notification procedure.