Synopsis

This Financing Committee call featured presentations from NASEO State and Affiliate members on energy efficiency financing strategies for the commercial buildings sector, including:

• Colorado’s venture into the private sector with energy savings performance contracting;
• Using innovative lease financing to bring turnkey solutions to the small and medium commercial buildings market; and
• The impact of energy efficiency projects on commercial real estate value.

The availability of streamlined, easy-to-access, and low-cost project financing can be a key factor that helps make or break the business case for energy efficiency projects in the commercial buildings sector, according to a 2013 report by the Maryland Energy Administration. State Energy Offices and their partners possess important resources, expertise, and tools to align financing with viable projects and help their partners in business and industry choose energy efficiency. This call highlighted innovations and turnkey strategies from three NASEO members: the Colorado Energy Office; Sparkfund; and the Appraisal Institute.

Agenda:

Welcome and Introductions

• NASEO Financing Committee Co-chairs: Jeff Pitkin, Treasurer, NYSERDA and Al Christopher, Director, Energy Division, Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy

NASEO Program and Conference Update

• Sandy Fazeli, Program Director, NASEO

Energy Efficiency in the Private Commercial Buildings Sector

• Jeanna Paluzzi, Energy Performance Contracting Program Manager, Colorado Energy Office – Presentation
• Pier Lafarge, Co-Founder and CEO, Sparkfund – Channel Partner Overview
• Justin Slack, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, AI-RRS, Chair, Appraisal Institute Government Affairs committee – Commercial Green and Energy Efficient Addendum and AI Professional Development Programs

Attendees:

States: Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, 

Affiliates: Air Conditioning Contractors of America, Appraisal Institute, Harcourt Brown & Carey, Sparkfund, Willdan Group