469.11 - ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS -- COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM.
469.11 ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS -- COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM. 1. The office shall establish a community grant program with the objective of assisting communities and organizations to implement projects intended to reduce energy consumption and make communities in this state more sustainable and energy efficient. 2. a. Eligible applicants for the program shall include cities, counties, nonprofit organizations, organizations involved with energy efficiency or conservation efforts, and environmental organizations or groups. b. Eligibility and approval criteria shall be established by the office by rule, and shall incorporate the criteria established in section 473.41, subsection 1, paragraphs "a" through "d", with regard to the energy city designation program. c. Projects shall encourage partnerships between public and private sector groups, and develop collaboration and community involvement in energy efficiency efforts. Eligible projects may include but are not limited to the following: (1) Projects promoting the installation of renewable energy systems by homeowners or small businesses. (2) Projects for the development of community energy saving plans. (3) Programs that publicize energy savings opportunities in the community. (4) Kindergarten through grade twelve education programs that focus on increasing community energy efficiency efforts. (5) Projects for the creation of community or regional energy efficiency alliances. (6) Projects for the development of a low-cost energy efficiency public awareness campaign, highlighting strategies and success stories. d. To qualify for a grant pursuant to the program, an applicant must document the ability to provide matching funds of at least fifty percent of the total cost of the project, either in cash or in kind. 3. The office shall establish an application and approval process that shall result in the awarding of an approved grant within a three-month period following receipt by the office of an application. Grants awarded pursuant to the program shall range from between one thousand dollars and fifty thousand dollars each. 4. The office shall prepare an annual report summarizing the operation of the program, and shall submit the report by January 1 each year to the Iowa power fund board.
Section History: Recent Form 2009 Acts, ch 134, §2 Referred to in § 469.10