The Division of Energy provides loans to public schools (K-12), public/private colleges and universities, city/county governments, public owned airport facilities, public water and wastewater treatment facilities, and public/private not-for-profit hospitals to help reduce energy costs through the Energy Loan Program.
This loan financing may be used for various-energy saving investments, including projects such as upgrading insulation, lighting systems, heating and cooling systems, windows and other items that affect your energy use.
Overview
Loan recipients benefit from increased occupant comfort in their buildings and reduced energy costs.
The financing also frees up tax dollars that school districts, higher education facilities and local governments can use for essential services or other capital improvements. Loan recipients repay the loan with money saved on energy costs as a result of implementing the energy-efficient projects.
According to Attorney General of Missouri opinion letter No. 136-85, these loans borrowed by government jurisdiction including public schools do not require electorate assent and are not considered as “debt” created. Therefore, the loan financing does not count against debt limits or require a public vote or bond issuance.
Since the fund was initiated in 1989, the Division of Energy has awarded more than 577 loans, which has resulted in nearly $103 million in completed energy-efficiency projects and more than $181 million in estimated cumulative energy savings.
Projects with energy cost savings are eligible with this Energy Loan Program. Examples of eligible projects include:
- High efficiency lighting fixtures and lamps
- High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems
- Combined heat and power systems
- Renewable energy systems
- Waste heat recovery
- Energy efficient fine bubble diffusers and high efficiency pumps
- Building shell improvements such as insulation and other infiltration measures
- Other measures that reduce energy use and cost
Applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis until all available funds are awarded.
Reinvesting Savings into Education
By receiving this type of loan, schools would save thousands of dollars each year that they could then re-invest in the students.
As homeowners become more energy savvy, school districts across the country, many of which are equipped with outdated, over-sized systems, are making changes to their own infrastructure in order to adapt.
By doing everything from reducing the school’s heat load to installing more efficient boilers, schools can expect to see a high reduction of energy usage and a huge cost savings. That along with unique systems designed by EnergyLink, can provide a much needed savings that can be reinvested into the education of the students.
