08-19-11 BPU RPT 11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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W R T E R E N E R (,Y L. ] F 6 RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES Board Memorandum P U B L I C U 7 1 L I T I E 5 BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES DATE: August 19, 2011 ITEM NO: 11 SUBJECT: SEIZING OUR DESTINY — EXPANSION OF THE CUSTOM ENERGY-EFFICIENCY TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAMTO INCLUDE A RESEARCH COMPONENT ISSUE: That the Board of Public Utilities approve the creation of a grant program that promotes research and development for business. RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Board of Public Utilities recommend that the City Council: 1. Approve the expansion of the Riverside Public Utilities'Custom Energy-Efficiency Technology Grant Program Guidelines to allow further research and development; 2. Approve the grant name to be changed to the Customer Energy Technology Grant; and 3. Authorize staff to market the program as outlined in the guidelines, BACKGROUND: Riverside Public Utilities(RPU) currently has a Custom Energy-Efficiency Technology Program available to non-residential customers as part of its Public Benefits Programs. This program provides funding for the purpose of promoting the development and demonstration of energy-efficiency, energy conservation, and investment in the advancement of renewable energy resource technology. Grants are awarded,for energy- efficiency projects that are unique to a business or manufacturing process that are not covered under one of RPU's existing rebate or incentive programs. In order to encourage research and demonstration, and comply with state regulations, RPU proposes to expand the custom energy efficiency grant program to allow for more diverse projects.Award recipients will receive funding for up to 75% percent of their project cost up to$100,000. Previous grant guidelines did not require matching funding. Funding for feasibility studies to determine effectiveness of proposed projects continues to be available up to $5,000. This proposed financial support will encourage RPU's business customers to pursue latest technology methods that may otherwise be unattainable. 25% matching fund requirement associated with this program encourages only serious proposals. Project funding may not use additional Public Benefit dollars associated with the project to supplement cost as an alternative for matching funding. This grant is different than programs currently being offered by RPU by further tailoring to the business community and extending the grant to allow more progressive research in the energy field not limiting it to energy efficiency or the college community as well as fostering technology assessment.