GEFA news quarterly, Oct. 2010

GEFA News Quarterly

ENERGY STAR Rebates Successful Phase I Complete, Additional Funds Coming Soon
In August, the first phase of Georgia's Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program came to an end as the $9.3 million in funds awarded to GEFA through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to implement the program were completely distributed. Since the program began in February, more than 102,000 rebates have been approved, with GEFA meeting and exceeding its target goal of 100,000 rebates. GEFA continued to allow Georgians interested in the program to submit waitlist rebate applications on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Georgia's Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program provided Georgia residents with rebates ranging from $25 to $199 on ENERGY STARrated appliances, including clothes washers, dishwashers, air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators and freezers. Eligible Georgia residents who purchased a qualified ENERGY STAR appliance received the assigned rebate for that appliance. Rebates were limited to one rebate per appliance type per household; the maximum rebate limit per household was $1,200 and rebates were awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Those who purchased new appliances were also encouraged to recycle their appliances through coordinating with their retailer or visiting www.YouGottaBeKidding.org.
A second phase of the program will launch later this year, due to additional funding that is available.
The Georgia Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program has been a success, allowing Georgians to purchase energy-efficient appliances that conserve energy, water and lower utility bills, and increasing participation in the Governor's Energy Challenge. The Governor's Energy Challenge encourages businesses, individuals, nonprofit organizations, schools and local governments to reduce energy consumption by 15 percent and proactively commit to Georgia's culture of conservation. To take the challenge, visit www.GovernorsEnergyChallenge.org.

Table of Contents

ENERGY STAR Appliance Program

1

Energy Division Highlights

2

Land Division Highlights

2

Water Division Highlights

3

GEFA Customer Service Award

3

Volume I

October 2010

2

Energy Success Stories Narrate Commitment to Conservation
The Energy Division continues to work on a number of successful programs designed to not only conserve energy, but provide cost savings to organizations throughout Georgia.

Amicalola Creek, Dawson County
The Georgia Land Conservation/Fuel Storage Tank Program
The Georgia Land Conservation Program (GLCP) has worked on several highprofile projects to raise awareness of the program; improve the state's low-interest Land Conservation Loan Fund; and protect Georgia's precious natural resources.
In June, Governor Sonny Perdue signed Senate Bill 402, which allows the Land Conservation Loan Fund to accommodate "bridge loans." Bridge loans are frequently utilized by conservation organizations to acquire, protect and transfer conservation lands under imminent threat of development to public agencies before full funding has become available.
Governor Perdue also announced in June the acquisition of 469 acres of prime conservation land in Dawson County, which includes two miles of the Amicalola Creek and its tributaries, by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the GLCP. The tract protects a vital segment of Amicalola Creek that supports at least 27 native fish species, three of which are endangered.
GLCP facilitated the launch of the Checkoff Georgia initiative a partnership between a diverse group of eight charitable organizations listed as eligible donation recipients on the state's income tax forms. This partnership developed a website designed to educate Georgians about issues important to citizens in this state, such as education and the environment, and how to make a monetary donation to these charities through their tax returns.

In March, the Governor's Energy Challenge launched an interactive website www.GovernorsEnergyChallenge.org allowing Georgians to fill out a profile and receive a customized list of energy-saving options calculated specifically for their homes and pledge to reach the program's 15 percent energy-reduction goal. The tool was made available to businesses, schools and nonprofit organizations in May. More than 3,652 residents and businesses have taken the challenge.
Edgewood at the Beltline, a four-story, 18,000 square foot office building located in Atlanta's historic Old Fourth Ward, received $85,050 in rebate funds for a solar canopy through the Clean Energy Property Rebate Program. Established in 2009 as a result of the ARRA, the Program offsets up to 35 percent of the cost of installing renewable energy structures. The rebate is subject to a maximum cap that varies, depending on the technology installed. Inman Solar, an Atlanta-based, full service solar photovoltaic (PV) integrator firm, completed the installation, which is the first solar structure of its kind in Atlanta and the Southeast.
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL), founded in 2003, helps communities of faith save energy and money. GIPL's PowerWise Program provides services such as energy assessments for a small fee and offers matching grants for energy-efficient projects of up to $25,000. PowerWise is funded through a $400,000 federal grant from the ARRA (administered by GEFA) and a $200,000 grant from The Kendeda Fund.
Georgia's Weatherization Program, which is administered through GEFA, also received $124 million in ARRA funds As a result of the program's expansion, 4,871 homes in 159 counties throughout Georgia have been weatherized to date.

For more information, visit www.checkoffgeorgia.com.

The Fuel Storage Tank program completed numerous fuel tank removals, repairs and upgrades throughout Georgia, which provides a cleaner, healthier and safer environment on state-owned facilities. The program also completed remediation of a fuel spill at Jekyll Island State Park in preparation for construction of a new fueling facility on the island. The biennial training of almost 400 state employees in the management and operation of their fuel storage tanks commenced in September, with additional training sessions to be held in October.

Edgewood at Beltline, Atlanta

3

Water Resources: Maintaining Georgia's Quality of Life

Investing in the state's water and wastewater system infrastructure not only protects public health and preserves the natural resources of the community; it also encourages economic development.
The ARRA provided a substantial increase in funding to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), which increased the amount GEFA could use to make low-interest loans to local governments. GEFA provided $144 million of infrastructure financing under special ARRA financing terms that included principal forgiveness. These special financing terms and additional funding made it possible for many cities and counties throughout Georgia to make investments in their water and wastewater infrastructure.
Lula, Georgia, home to the Rafe Banks Park, allows access to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and a variety outdoors sports activities. The potential for economic development in the area as a result of these amenities made investing in the city's wastewater infrastructure a necessity. As part of the ARRA, GEFA awarded the city of Lula a CWSRF loan of $2.6 million, with the balance of $6 million, 70 percent of the cost, covered by a CWSRF subsidy.
Cave Spring, Georgia, in Floyd County, named for the limestone cave in the center of the town that produces two million gallons of water daily, also benefited from the increased funding. GEFA awarded the city of Cave Spring a DWSRF loan of $4,343,818 and a DWSRF subsidy of $2,895,878, 40 percent of the cost, to finance water system improvements.
Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
233 Peachtree Street NE Harris Tower, Suite 900 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Phone: 404-584-1000 Fax: 404-584-1069
Providing energy, land, and water resources resulting in an improved quality of life for today and future generations.
Find us on the Web: www.gefa.org
If you wish to add or remove yourself from this newsletter distribution, please contact Nicole V. Linton at nicole@gefa.ga.gov.

Bianca is pictured here with Kevin Kelly, senior program manager, and former Executive Director Phil Foil

GEFA's Quarterly Customer Service Award Winner

Congratulations to Bianca Jaikaran, SRF project manager, P.J. Newcomb, utilities engineer, and Andrea Schroer, state energy project manager, all nominated for GEFA's Customer Service Award. The Customer Service Award spotlights GEFA employees recommended by a customer or a colleague for providing exceptional customer service and demonstrating GEFA's customer service competencies of Faster, Friendlier and Easier, which contribute to the fulfillment of GEFA's mission, purpose and goals.

The winner for this quarter

was Bianca Jaikaran, who received a

lunch, $100, and is eligible to win the

Fourth

Annual

Governor's

Commendation Award, which is

awarded in October 2010. The

Governor's Commendation Award

recognizes Team Georgia members

who reflect the state's five customer

commitments: Helpful, Accessible,

Responsive, Knowledgeable and

Courteous.