GEFA news quarterly, 2014 September

GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY SEPTEMBER 2014 VOLUME XVI

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Charge Georgia Program

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The Governor s Water

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Supply Program Awards

GEFA Funding Supports

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Water System Initiatives

GEFA Discusses Conservation

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Initiative Funding

ENERGY STAR and WaterSense

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Sales Tax Holiday

GEFA Around Georgia

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REBATES FOR INCREASING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS IN GEORGIA NOW AVAILABLE
The Charge Georgia program designed to increase the number of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations throughout the state will provide rebates to install alternating current (AC) Level II and direct current quick charging (DCQC) EV charging stations. Colleges universities and technical colleges state agencies and authorities and cities and counties are all eligible. The maximum rebate amount per organization is $40 000 with colleges and universities with multiple campuses and facility sites allowed a maximum rebate of $40 000 per campus. Rebates will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis until funds are exhausted. GEFA will accept wait list applications. Should more funds become available GEFA will process the wait-list applications in the order they were approved.
The application period for the program opens online on Tuesday October 7 2014.
"Through the Charge Georgia program we hope to install 25 to 30 electric vehicle charging stations " said GEFA Executive Director Kevin Clark. "We also want to help reduce range anxiety for EV owners with the addition of more charging stations throughout the state."
The rebate will reimburse 50 percent of actual or proposed costs whichever is lower to support installing Level II and DCQC charging equipment including planning design permitting equipment delivery installation inspection and signage. Expenses related to connecting Level II and DCQC charging stations to the power meter are eligible. Ineligible costs include the prepayment of services network operations and operation and maintenance costs. Solar photovoltaic systems (PV) are not eligible.
Donated charging stations will receive 75 percent of the design permitting installation inspection and signage costs not to exceed the value of the donated equipment.
Applicants must also agree to provide semi-annual data from the charging stations to GEFA for a period of three years.
Visit www.gefa.org for more information and to apply for the rebate.

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GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY SEPTEMBER 2014 VOLUME XVI

THE GOVERNOR S WATER SUPPLY PROGRAM AWARDS FUNDS TO THREE COMMUNITIES

The GEFA board of directors awarded three communities $26 million in Georgia Reservoir Fund loans through the 2014 Governor s Water Supply Program (GWSP) in August.
The GWSP an initiative launched by Gov. Nathan Deal in January 2011 helps local governments finance water supply infrastructure. Adequate water supply is critical to the state s economic growth and prosperity as well as the public s health and safety. Georgia has proactively sought solutions to the water supply issue including developing new water sources and promoting water conservation. By ensuring adequate supply through both new water sources and conservation Georgia s water needs can be met.
Paulding County received a $6 000 000 Georgia Reservoir Fund loan to finance costs associated with the Richland Creek Reservoir. The 305-acre pumped-storage reservoir on Richland Creek in northern Paulding County will be filled with water from the Etowah River. The reservoir is being designed with a projected yield of 35 million gallons per day (MGD) and will provide 3.43 billion gallons of water storage in the Coosa River Basin. The county will repay the loan over 40 years with zero percent interest during loan drawdown 2.03 percent interest during the repayment period and no closing fee.
The total cost of the reservoir project is estimated to be $99 650 000. GEFA provided loans to Paulding County of $29 100 000 in 2012 and $21 600 000 in 2013.
Carroll County Water Authority received a $10 000 000 Georgia Reservoir Fund loan to finance expanding the storage of an

existing flood control dam on Indian Creek. The 643-acre pumpedstorage reservoir will be filled initially with water from Indian Creek and in the future with water from the Little Tallapoosa River. The reservoir will be designed with a projected yield of 18 million gallons per day (MGD) and will provide nine billion gallons of water storage in the Tallapoosa River Basin. The county will repay the loan over 40 years with zero percent interest during loan drawdown 2.03 percent interest during the repayment period and interest only payments during the first seven years with principal and interest payments with level debt service after. There is no closing fee.
The total cost of the reservoir project is estimated to be $110 120 000. GEFA provided a loan of $9 070 000 in 2013.
The Etowah Water & Sewer Authority (WSA) received a $10 000 000 Georgia Reservoir Fund loan to finance costs associated with the Russell Creek Reservoir project. This project involves expanding the storage of an existing flood control dam on Russell Creek. The 137-acre pumped-storage reservoir will be filled with water pumped from the Etowah River. The reservoir will be designed to have a projected yield of 11.5 million gallons per day (MGD) and will provide 1.37 billion gallons of water storage in the Coosa River Basin. The WSA will repay the loan over 40 years with zero percent interest during loan drawdown 2.03 percent interest during the repayment period and interest only payments during the first seven years with principal and interest payments with level debt service after. There is no closing fee.
The total cost of the reservoir project is estimated to be $34 787 720.

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GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY SEPTEMBER 2014 VOLUME XVI

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GEFA LOAN PROGRAMS SUPPORT WATER SYSTEM INITIATIVES

In addition to funding water supply projects GEFA also provided several loans this quarter that helped local communities with water sewer and solid waste infrastructure improvements.
The city of Savannah was awarded a $22 568 000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan to finance constructing a new temperature-phased anaerobic digestion system at the President Street Water Reclamation Facility (WRF). This project will eliminate the existing multiple hearth incinerators (MHIs) thus eliminating a point discharge of incinerated sewage sludge. The new facility will instead produce Class A biosolids for potential future sale to local agricultural industries. The project includes conversion of existing gravity thickeners to dissolved air floatation thickeners construction of a new solids digestion train including a thermophilic digester sludge holding tanks a mesophilic digester and treated sludge storage tanks and upgrades to the solids truck-loading facility. Savannah will pay 1.03 percent interest on the 20 year loan and is eligible for a reduced interest rate since the city is designated as a WaterFirst Community by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The total project cost is $22 568 000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.
The Towns County Water & Sewer Authority (WSA) was awarded a $3 200 000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan to finance rehabilitating the existing water distribution system which includes replacing water lines and

booster pump stations. The WSA will pay 2.03 percent interest on the 20year loan which includes principal forgiveness of up to $500 000 if all loan funds are drawn. The total project cost is $3 200 000 with GEFA providing the entire amount.
The city of LaGrange was awarded a $3 000 000 Georgia Fund loan to finance constructing a new solid waste cell at the LaGrange landfill. The project will consist of lining 15.4 acres constructing a mechanically-stabilized earthen wall installing a leachate collection system and leachate sump with automated pumping system as well as installing storm water piping and erosion control systems. LaGrange will pay 3.03 percent interest on the 20 year loan with the city providing $3 700 000 in local funds. The total project cost is $6 700 000.
The water water supply and wastewater infrastructure programs administered by GEFA assist local governments with improving their environmental infrastructure. Financing water water supply sewer and solid waste projects as well as energy and water conservation projects encourage economic growth and the stewardship of our environment.

GEFA DISCUSSES CONSERVATION INITIATIVE FUNDING
AT THE GEORGIA ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE
GEFA provided the audience at The Georgia Environmental Conference which took place in August on Jekyll Island Ga. with information on how to secure financing for energy land and water conservation projects. The panel featuring Program Manager Andrea Schroer and moderated by Director of Public Affairs Shane Hix discussed various sources of funding for projects that protect the environment and cultivate Georgia s culture of conservation.
GEFA provides loan financing at a reduced interest rate to local governments and authorities for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at water and wastewater treatment plants landfills and municipal solid waste facilities. Landfill methane gas collection geothermal solar and wind power production combined heat and power energy management planning inflow/infiltration detection equipment and projects lighting upgrades and installation of energy efficient treatment equipment and processes are eligible energy conservation projects.
Reduced interest rates are also available for water and land conservation projects. Eligible water conservation projects include water auditing leak detection and repair line rehabilitation and replacement new or replacement water meters high-efficiency fixture programs and water reuse projects. Land conservation projects must result in the permanent protection of conservation land and protect water quality. Communities can receive the reduced interest rate below the prevailing interest rate for the program through which it s funded such as the Georgia Fund Clean Water State Revolving Fund or the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
The annual Georgia Environmental Conference is the state s largest environmental conference. The three-day event hosts environmental professionals and industry leaders from throughout the Southeast.
For more information on GEFA s conservation financing program visit www.gefa.org.

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GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY SEPTEMBER 2014 VOLUME XVI

GEORGIA SALES TAX HOLIDAY FOR ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT PRODUCTS

Georgians will have the opportunity to conserve energy and water and save money by purchasing energy-saving and water-efficient products without sales taxes during the upcoming ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday. The state of Georgia s ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday will take place Friday October 3 through Sunday October 5 2014.

During the sales tax holiday these items will be exempt from sales tax if they have the ENERGY STAR label and have a purchase price of $1 500 or less per item

Air conditioners Ceiling fans Clothes washers Dehumidifiers Dishwashers

Doors Fluorescent light bulbs Programmable thermostats Refrigerators Windows

In addition these items will be exempt from sales tax if they have the WaterSense label and have a purchase price of $1 500 or less per item

Bathroom sink faucets Faucet accessories (such as aerators) High-efficiency toilet

High-efficiency urinals Showerheads Weather- or sensor-based
irrigation controllers

The sales tax exemption will not apply to ENERGY STAR or WaterSense products purchased for trade business or resale.

ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy which encourages the use of energy efficient products and practices to save money and protect the environment. For more information visit www.energystar.gov.

WaterSense an EPA partnership program seeks to protect the future of our nation s water supply by offering consumers a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products. For more information visit www.epa.gov/watersense.

Learn more by visiting www.gefa.org.

GEFA AROUND GEORGIA
GEFA will be at several conferences throughout the state through the end of 2014. Stop by and visit if you ll be at one of the events listed below.
The Georgia Government Finance Officers Association (GGFOA) Annual Conference Savannah Georgia September 28 - October 1 2014
The Georgia Rural Water Association (GRWA) Fall Conference - Lake Lanier Islands Georgia October 26 2014 - October 28 2014
The Georgia Association of Regional Commissions (GARC) Annual Conference Training Conference St. Simons Island Georgia November 5 - 7 2014
The Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) Fall Conference - Dalton Georgia November 4 - 5 2014

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

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