Residential Energy Efficiency Audit and Retrofit ReimbursementsMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Cori Burbach, Sustainability Coordinator
SUBJECT: Residential Energy Efficiency Audit & Retrofit Reimbursements
DATE: August 30, 2010
Dubuque
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INTRODUCTION
This memo is to request City Council approval of the attached contract with Four
Mounds Foundation to administer the City's residential energy efficiency audit and
retrofit grant program as allocated through the ARRA Energy Efficiency & Conservation
Block Grant (EECBG).
BACKGROUND
The City has identified $25,000 of our EECBG formula allocation to provide $250
reimbursements to residents to complete energy efficiency retrofits in their homes. An
additional $25,000 has been allocated for residential and commercial energy audits;
residents are eligible for a $250 reimbursement from this pot of funding for a total
potential reimbursement of $500.
The Four Mounds Energy Center was created through the ARRA Department of Labor
Green Jobs grant received by ECIA and largely implemented through NICC training
opportunities. The missions of the Energy Center are to 1) provide assistance to
graduates of the NICC Green Jobs training as they seek to establish themselves by
either finding employment or starting their own business, and 2) to provide a "one stop
shop" for residents who are interested in making energy efficient improvements. The
Energy Center is currently developing educational materials for residents on the
benefits of these retrofits and will be able to assist residents in finding a certified energy
auditor, securing financing, finding a contractor qualified in green construction, and
filling out all utility and government rebates.
DISCUSSION
Dubuque residents would be eligible for up to $500 in reimbursements. The attached
application for reimbursement was modeled after the water leak reimbursement
program. Like that program, reimbursements would be available for individually
metered residential units, including rentals. The individual who paid for the audit and /or
retrofit, whether landlord or tenant, would be eligible for the reimbursement.
As part of a commitment to educate the community about energy efficiency
opportunities and support the work of raters graduating from the NICC Green Jobs
training program, the Four Mounds Energy Center will collect the applications for
reimbursement via an on -line process. Hard copies will also be available at the Utility
Billing desk.
The Energy Center will provide the Finance Department with a monthly list of
reimbursement checks to be processed in addition to collecting the data the City is
required to submit as part of the ARRA reporting requirements. The Energy Center will
also work to educate the community about rebates and incentives available through the
state and federal government and utility providers to leverage City funds and maximize
opportunities for residents.
REQUESTED ACTION
City Council approval of the attached residential energy efficiency audit and retrofit
reimbursement program and contract with Four Mounds Foundationis respectfully
requested.
cc: Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Ken TeKippe, Finance Director
Dave Lyons, Smarter City Manager
Nathaniel Wagner, Four Mounds Energy Program Officer
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Residential Energy Efficiency Audit & Retrofit Reimbursements
DATE: September 1, 2010
Sustainability Coordinator Cori Burbach recommends City Council approval of a
contract with Four Mounds Foundation to administer the City's residential energy
efficiency audit and retrofit grant program as allocated through the ARRA Energy
Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG).
The City has identified $25,000 of the EECBG formula allocation to provide $250
reimbursements to residents to complete energy efficiency retrofits in their homes. An
additional $25,000 has been allocated for residential and commercial energy audits.
Dubuque residents would be eligible for up to $500 in reimbursements.
Reimbursements would be available for individually metered residential units, including
rentals. The individual who paid for the audit and /or retrofit, whether landlord or tenant,
would be eligible for the reimbursement.
The Four Mounds Energy Center will collect the applications for reimbursement via an
on -line process. The Energy Center will provide the Finance Department with a monthly
list of reimbursement checks to be processed in addition to collecting the data the City
is required to submit as part of the ARRA reporting requirements. The Energy Center
will also work to educate the community about rebates and incentives available through
the state and federal government and utility providers to leverage City funds and
maximize opportunities for residents.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM:jh
Attachment
Michael C. Van Milligen
Dubuque
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All-Amerlca City
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2007
cc: Nathaniel Wagner, Four Mounds Energy Program Officer
Eric Dregne, Vice President of Programs, Community Foundation of Greater
Dubuque
Justin Thiltgen, Dubuque2 Program Coordinator
Molly Grover, President & CEO, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
Nancy Van Milligen, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Greater
Dubuque
Rick Dickinson, Executive Director & COO, Greater Dubuque Development
Corporation
Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Sustainability Coordinator
David Lyons, Smarter City Project Manager
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
City of Dubuque Home Energy Efficiency
Audit & Retrofit Reimbursements
The Home Energy Efficiency Audit & Retrofit Reimbursement is provided to individually
metered residential units (including rentals) located in the City of Dubuque.
Reimbursements are available one time per 12 months per service address (one audit
reimbursement and one retrofit reimbursement). A new customer can apply for a
reimbursement even if the previous customer has received one within the last 12
months.
The party who pays for the audit or retrofit will receive the reimbursement. (i.e. if the
landlord pays for retrofit the landlord would receive the reimbursement; if the tenant
pays for retrofit then the tenant would receive the reimbursement) Documentation will
need to be provided along with the reimbursement request form to determine who
receives reimbursement.
To qualify for reimbursement, the reimbursement request form and documentation must
be returned to the Four Mounds Energy Center within 90 days of date of audit or retrofit
material purchase, as indicated on receipt.
The amount of reimbursement is up to $250 for a certified home energy audit and up to
$250 for approved energy efficiency retrofits. A certified energy audit is not required in
order to receive the retrofit reimbursement. However, it is highly recommended that you
have an audit completed to identify the largest and easiest opportunities for energy
efficiency opportunities in your home.
Limited funding is available through the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block
Grant for this program. Reimbursements will be issued to the first qualifying
households until all funds are spent.
Questions related to this policy can be directed to energy1afourmounds.orq or the City
of Dubuque Sustainability Office at 563- 690 -6038. More information can be found on
www.energydbq.orq or www.sustainabledubuque.orq.
Funding for this project comes from the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant,
a program of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.
THE CITY OF
DUB
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
City of Dubuque Home Energy Efficiency Audit & Retrofit
Reimbursements
Please complete all information related to the reimbursement(s) you are requesting.
AUDIT REIMBURSEMENT APPRLICATION
Customer Name:
Service Address:
Home Phone:
Date audit completed:
*Reimbursement request must be completed within 90 days of audit.
Name of certified auditor:
Amount of reimbursement requested: (maximum $250):
Mailing address, if different than service address:
Completion of this request does not guarantee a reimbursement will be made. Reimbursements will be
issued to the first qualifying households until all funds are spent.
After completing this form, please print and mail, along with copy of auditor receipt, to:
Four Mounds Energy Center
4900 Peru Road
Dubuque, IA 52001
RETROFIT REIMBURSEMENT APPLICATION
Customer Name:
Service Address:
Home Phone:
Date retrofit completed:
*Reimbursement request must be completed within 90 days of audit.
Please provide brief description of retrofit completed:
*Eligible projects include any project that increases the energy efficiency of the house, including but not
limited to:
1. Energy efficient lighting
2. High efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC)
3. Building shell improvements (e.g. insulation, window film)
4. Doors and /or windows
5. Renewable energy systems such as wind, solar, solar hot water and geothermal
6. Energy management systems (e.g. programmable thermostats, electrical systems)
7. Labor necessary for the construction or installation of the energy efficiency product
Retrofit completed by: (check one)
Self
Contractor:
Amount of reimbursement requested: (maximum $250):
The following utility bills will be submitted in addition to the receipt documenting purchase of
materials /service to demonstrate energy savings:
_ Same month, last year and this year (i.e. August 2009 and August 2010)
_ Month before improvements and month after (i.e. August 2010 and September 2010)
_ No utility bill available. Please provide explanation (i.e. home was recently purchased) in
space below:
*Contact your utility provider or access your utility billing history online if necessary.
Mailing address, if different than service address:
Completion of this request does not guarantee a reimbursement will be made. Reimbursements will be
issued to the first qualifying households until all funds are spent.
After completing this form, please print and mail, along with copy of auditor receipt, to:
Four Mounds Energy Center
4900 Peru Road
Dubuque, IA 52001
AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
AND
FOUR MOUNDS FOUNDATION
This Agreement, dated for reference purposes the day of , 2010, is
made and entered into by and between the City of Dubuque, Iowa and Four Mounds
Foundation, an Iowa non - profit corporation.
Whereas, the City of Dubuque (City) has identified funds to provide to residents
to complete energy efficiency retrofits in their homes; and
Whereas, The Four Mounds Foundation through its Energy Center (Four
Mounds) was created through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
Department of Labor Green Jobs Grant received by East Central Intergovernmental
Association (ECIA) and largely implemented through Northeast Iowa Community
College (NICC) training opportunities; and
Whereas, the missions of the Energy Center are to 1) provide assistance to
graduates of the NICC Green Jobs training as they seek to establish themselves by
either finding employment or starting their own business, and 2) provide a "one stop
shop" for residents who are interested in making energy efficient improvements; and
Whereas, the Energy Center is currently developing educational materials for
residents on the benefits of these retrofits and will be able to assist residents in finding a
certified energy auditor, securing financing, finding a contractor qualified in green
construction, and filling out all utility and government rebates; and
Whereas, as part of a commitment to educate the community about energy
efficiency opportunities and support the work of raters graduating from the NICC Green
Jobs training program, Four Mounds has agreed to provide certain services to City as
set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED BY AND BETWEEN THE PARTIES AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. SERVICES PROVIDED BY FOUR MOUNDS. Four Mounds agrees to
provide to City the following:
090210ba1
1. Providing online applications for residential energy efficiency retrofit rebates
accessible to all Dubuque citizens.
2. Processing the applications submitted and providing Finance, on a monthly
basis, with a list of individuals to be reimbursed.
3. Collecting all documents (application, proof of receipt, and utility bills) and
providing to the Sustainability Office in order to complete ARRA financial
reports.
SECTION 2. TERM. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the day of
, 2011 and shall continue until terminated as provided herein. Either party
may terminate this Agreement for any reason upon thirty days written notice to the other
party.
SECTION 3. NOTICES. Any notice required by this Agreement shall be provided to
the parties at the following addressed:
If to City:
If to Four Mounds:
City of Dubuque, Iowa
Attn: City Manager
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Phone: (563) 589 -4110
Fax: (563) 589 -4149
Four Mounds Foundation
Chris Olson, Executive Director
4900 Peru Road
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Phone: (563) 557 -7292
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA FOUR MOUNDS FOUNDATION
By:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager Chris Olson, Executive Director
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