GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY FEBRUARY 2012 VOLUME VI TABLE OF CONTENTS Gov. Deal Approves the Water Supply Task Force Report 1 The Weatherization Assistance Program's Accomplishments 2 More Than $18 Million Awarded to Georgia Communities 2 The Fuel Storage Tank Program Launches New Initiatives 3 Weatherization Technician Blows Insulation GOV. DEAL APPROVES THE WATER SUPPLY TASK FORCE REPORT; THE GOVERNOR'S WATER SUPPLY PROGRAM APPLICATION PERIOD OPENS In December 2011, Gov. Nathan Deal approved the final report of the Water Supply Task Force (WSTF), which outlines water supply initiatives and recommendations for the Governor's Water Supply Program (GWSP). The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) opened the initial GWSP application period in January. The Request for Applications (RFA) on the GWSP website describes the available funding through the program and the program timeline, and includes the complete GWSP application. In February and March 2012, GEFA and DCA will host application workshops in Lawrenceville, Macon and Tifton to assist interested applicants with completing the GWSP application form. Interested parties are encouraged to attend one of the workshops to be able to make the best case for their project in the application process. In January 2011, Gov. Nathan Deal issued an executive order charging GEFA with developing and Gov. Nathan Deal implementing the GWSP to assist local governments in developing new sources of water supply adequate to meet future water needs. GEFA was directed to convene the WSTF to provide expert guidance in developing the GWSP and to ensure interagency cooperation in GWSP implementation. In addition to GEFA, the WSTF consists of representatives of these state agencies: Georgia Department of Natural Resources Georgia Environmental Protection Division Georgia Department of Community Affairs Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, Financing and Investment Division State Properties Commission Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Georgia Department of Agriculture The WSTF worked over the past year to identify key challenges to Georgia's water supply and develop effective solutions to these shortage issues. The WSTF and its subcommittees held meetings and developed the GWSP between March 2011 and December 2011. The WSTF reviewed project financing options and explored opportunities to leverage additional project financing through public-private partnerships. It also developed a project selection system for water supply projects. The WSTF and its subcommittees sought and received input from key stakeholders, including city and county government officials, Georgia legislators, the leaders of the Regional Water Planning Councils, representatives from the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), private citizens and companies, and others. In addition, the WSTF obtained advice and recommendations from legal and financial experts. Information on the GWSP can be found at www.GeorgiaWaterSupply.org. WWW.GEFA.ORG GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY FEBRUARY 2012 VOLUME VI THE WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS Gov. Nathan Deal proclaimed Oct. 30, 2011, as Weatherization Day in Georgia to encourage state residents to make energy-efficient improvements, or "weatherize" their homes. Energy-efficiency efforts, which range from turning off lights and electronic equipment when they aren't in use to home improvements such as air sealing and insulation, not only conserve energy, but save money. To learn more about making your home or business more energy efficient, take the Georgia Energy Challenge at www.GeorgiaEnergyChallenge.org. GEFA Executive Director Kevin Clark penned a guest column on GEFA's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) weatherizing its 10,000th home in the state through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The article appeared in The Saporta Report, a blog featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle and the online publication Southeast Green. The WAP helps Georgians in all 159 counties benefit from lower energy bills and an improved quality of life. It also contributes more broadly to community improvement and progress by stimulating local economies through the purchase of goods and services, creating jobs and stabilizing neighborhoods. The WAP, the nation's largest residential energy efficiency program, was initiated in 1976 to assist low-income families by making energyefficiency improvements to their homes. Since then, millions of households have experienced energy efficiency as well as financial, health and safety gains through the program. GEFA's WAP is recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as one of the top 10 programs nationwide (it is currently number eight) since the addition of $124.5 million in the ARRA (compared to all other states' ARRA expenditures). 2 Hickory Log Creek Reservoir, Canton, Ga. GEFA AWARDS MORE THAN $18 MILLION TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES In the last quarter of 2011, GEFA executed $18,937,416 of loans with communities throughout the state for water, wastewater and environmental projects. Some of the larger projects include: The city of Donalsonville, which was approved for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan of $6,000,000. The funds will finance an upgrade to its existing water pollution control plant from 400,000 gallons per day to 1 million gallons per day. The city of College Park, which was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $3,000,000 to finance sewer system improvements, replace water lines and install radio read meters. The city of Bainbridge, which was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $3,000,000 to provide phase two financing for constructing sewer extensions and pump stations, upgrading the aeration system at the city's wastewater treatment plant, and converting 5,000 residential water meters to an automated meter reading system. GEFA previously approved $8,302,836 for the first phase of the project. Cities and counties interested in more information regarding GEFA's programs should visit www.gefa.org. WWW.GEFA.ORG GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY FEBRUARY 2012 VOLUME VI THE FUEL STORAGE TANK PROGRAM STARTS NEW INITIATIVES The Fuel Storage Tank Program (FSTP) is working with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division to close 10 to 12 fuel storage tanks at state park locations across the state. Several existing underground tanks at these sites will be placed in temporarily out of use (TOU) status. GEFA will facilitate draining and locking the underground tanks and monitoring them to ensure they remain safe. Several above ground fuel storage tanks will be taken out of service and removed. The FSTP is also working with personnel at all state-owned facilities with underground storage tanks (UST) to ensure they are prepared for mandated operator certification. According to Section 15 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, all operators, supervisors and managers operating and maintaining UST systems must be certified by August 2012. For more information on the FSTP, visit www.gefa.org. Fuel Storage Tank Repair and Maintenance Georgia Environmental Finance Authority 233 Peachtree Street NE Harris Tower, Suite 900 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 404.584.1000 (Main) 404.584.1069 (Fax) www.gefa.org If you wish to add or remove yourself from this newsletter distribution, please email publicaffairs@gefa.ga.gov 3 WWW.GEFA.ORG