GEFA news quarterly, Jan. 2015

GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY JANUARY 2015 VOLUME XVII

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Energy Conservation Initiative

1

Funds First Project

GEFA Funds Infrastructure Projects 2

AIM Rebate Program Update

2

Electric Vehicle Charging

3

Stations Coming Soon

Boyd Austin to Lead

3

GEFA Board of Directors

Georgia Universities and Colleges

4

Achieve the Georgia Energy Challenge

GEFA Around Georgia

4

ENERGY CONSERVATION INITIATIVE FUNDS FIRST PROJECT
G EFAprovides 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.
Chatsworth, Ga., was awarded a $3,000,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan by the GEFA board of directors in October 2014 to finance a solar project, the first under GEFA's conservation financing initiative.
The 1 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic 5-acre farm will serve the Judson Vick Wastewater Treatment Plant. The solar installation is designed to reduce the amount of power purchased and overall operating expenses.
Chatsworth will pay 1.03 percent interest on the 20-year loan. This loan qualifies for a 1 percent interest rate reduction because it's an eligible energy conservation project, and includes principal forgiveness of up to $300,000, if all loan funds are drawn.
In addition to infrastructure improvements, projects eligible for the conservation interest rate include, but aren't limited to, landfill gas reclamation; solar photovoltaic and thin film solar geo-membrane covers; wind and biomass; variable frequency drives and energy efficiency measures; energy management systems and controls; biogas heat and power recovery systems; and infiltration and inflow projects that reduce pumping costs.
For more information, visit www.gefa.org.

WWW.GEFA.ORG

GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY JANUARY 2015 VOLUME XVII

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FUNDED BY GEFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The GEFA board of directors awarded eight Georgia communities financing totaling more than $12 million for water, sewer, solid waste and wastewater infrastructure improvements during its recent meeting in Clarksville in October 2014.
Some of the projects funded include:
The city of Dawsonville was awarded a $1,000,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan to finance constructing a new water supply well and well house, rehabilitating an existing water storage tank, and replacing existing water lines, which are leaking, and water meters along Highway 53. Dawsonville will pay 1.71 percent interest on the 20-year loan, which includes principal forgiveness of up to $300,000, if all loan funds are drawn. The city is receiving a lower interest rate (reduced from 2.03 percent) because a portion of the project is water conservation eligible.
The city of Glennville was awarded a $699,000 DWSRF loan to finance installing approximately 1,700 residential and 60 large commercial radio read water meters. The city also plans to install backflow preventers at each service connection where one is not currently installed. Glennville will pay 0.52 percent interest on the 15-year loan, which includes principal forgiveness of up to $209,700, if all loan funds are drawn. The loan qualifies for a reduced interest rate because it's an eligible water conservation project.
GEFA provides loans through state and federal programs to fund water, solid waste and wastewater infrastructure, and water pollution control and conservation projects. GEFA also 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, in addition to infrastructure improvements. For more information, visit www.gefa.org.

GEORGIA FARMERS SAVED ENERGY AND MONEY THROUGH REBATE PROGRAM

The popularity of an irrigation motor rebate program funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to the Pine Country Resource Conservation and Development Council Inc. encouraged GEFA to create a statewide program called the Georgia Agriculture Irrigation Motor (AIM) Program. The incentive program provided Georgia farmers with the opportunity to become more energy-efficient, save money on fuel costs, and reduce emissions. The rebates covered 25 percent of eligible project costs, with a $10,000 maximum rebate. There were two rounds of the program, in March 2013 and December 2013, and the results were:

Fifty-nine rebates totaling $278,911 were issued, which helped complete more than $1.1 million in energy efficient irrigation motor projects.
Participating farmers received an average rebate amount of $4,852.
Annual diesel fuel consumption was reduced by an estimated 335,097 gallons, which equates to 47,487 MMBtus in energy savings.
The farmers reported a projected $800,559 drop in operating costs to fuel the irrigation motors from $1,128,768 to $328,209 per year. It's estimated that participants will recoup their investment in less than two years.
The energy programs developed by GEFA seek to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy, improve the environment, strengthen quality of life and stimulate sustainable economic development and growth.

2

WWW.GEFA.ORG

GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY JANUARY 2015 VOLUME XVII

3

NEW ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS COMING TO A LOCATION NEAR YOU
Forty-four electric vehicle charging stations will be installed throughout the state as a result of the Charge Georgia program. Eighteen state and local organizations were awarded 33 rebates totaling $278,386 to install the new charging stations.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fueling Station Locator reports 243 public charging stations in Georgia. As a result of the Charge Georgia program, GEFA expects an 18 percent increase in public charging infrastructure to be installed by July 30, 2015.
Rebates were awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to view the list of organizations approved to receive rebates.
In August, GEFA announced the launch of Charge Georgia, an incentive program designed to increase the number of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Georgia. The Charge Georgia program will provide colleges, universities and technical colleges; state agencies and authorities; and cities and counties with a rebate to install alternating current (AC) Level II and direct current quick charging (DCQC) EV charging stations at its campuses and facilities.

BOYD AUSTIN TO LEAD GEFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dallas, Ga., Mayor Boyd Austin has been elected chairman of the GEFA board of directors effective January 1, 2015. He has served on the GEFA board since 2010, and succeeds Dahlonega Mayor Gary McCullough.
"I look forward to the role of GEFA board chairman. The opportunity to work directly with projects that conserve and improve the state's energy, land and water resources is very rewarding," said Austin.
Austin, elected in 1995, is the longest-serving mayor in Dallas history, and is currently serving his fifth term in office. He is a member of the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission Governing Board, Paulding County Board of Public Health, Paulding County Airport Authority, and the Paulding County Industrial Building Authority. Austin works as the property manager for Homeplace Communities Management LLC, which manages several independent senior communities in metro Atlanta.
He currently serves as trustee of the Georgia Municipal Employee Benefits System, and was elected board vice-chair in 2014. Austin is active with the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), where he is on the board of directors, the executive board, the Legislative Policy Committee, the Capitol Action Team, and is chair of the Member Services Committee. In 2014, as a result of his work for the association, he was elected third vice-president for GMA, and is slated to serve as president in 2017.
Austin has been a member of the governing board of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District since 2003,

where he was elected chair of the board in 2011 and 2014. From 2001 to 2002, he served on the first Statewide Water Study Committee, where he chaired its Inter-Basin Transfer Study Committee.
Austin's dedication to his community extends beyond his public service work. A member of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, he serves on the Executive Council and teaches men's Sunday school. Austin is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Sons of the American Legion, the Paulding County Genealogical Society, and the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of Dallas Lodge #182 F&AM, Bartlett Lodge #139 F&AM, Yaarab Shrine Temple, as well as a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Austin is a Life Member of the University of Georgia's Alumni Association and a member of the University of Georgia's Heritage Society.
Alife-long Dallas resident, he earned a bachelor's degree with honors from the University of Georgia. In 2014, Austin was named one of the "100 Most Influential Georgians" by Georgia Trend magazine.
"Mayor Austin and Mayor McCullough are dedicated public servants and have contributed greatly to GEFA's success. We look forward to working with Mayor Austin as he leads the GEFA board of directors," said Kevin Clark, GEFA executive director.

WWW.GEFA.ORG

GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY JANUARY 2015 VOLUME XVII

STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES ACHIEVE THE GEORGIA
ENERGY CHALLENGE

Eleven state universities and colleges achieved the Georgia Energy Challenge in 2014 by reducing their energy consumption.

GEFA works with state agencies to develop plans to lower their facilities' energy consumption, from low-cost to higher-cost initiatives. Georgia state agencies are committed to reducing energy use by 15 percent by 2020, from a baseline consumption in 2007.

The institutions all met the challenge through a variety of energy saving initiatives.

The state recognized each of the colleges and universities at a recent awards event, where the colleges obtained a certificate honoring their achievement.

Bainbridge State College Middle Georgia State College

Bainbridge, Ga.

Cochran campus

College of Coastal Georgia Middle Georgia State College

Camden campus

Dublin campus

Dalton State College

Middle Georgia State College

Dalton, Ga.

Eastman campus

Georgia Highlands College University of Georgia

Cartersville campus

Athens campus

Georgia Highlands College University of North Georgia

Floyd campus

Dahlonega campus

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, Ga

In April 2008, Georgia committed its state agencies to reducing energy consumption 15 percent and challenged businesses, local governments and citizens to do the same. GEFA's Energy Performance Contracting initiative also assists state agencies through partnerships with energy service companies to complete cost-saving energy and water efficiency initiatives. Through multiyear contracts, Energy Performance Contracting helps state agencies finance energy and water efficiency projects; update or replace old or obsolete equipment with more efficient technologies; and meet the Georgia Energy Challenge. All state agencies are committed to reduce energy consumption by 15 percent per square foot in state facilities below FY2007
levels by 2020.

GEFA AROUND GEORGIA
GEFA will be at several conferences throughout the state throughout 2015. Stop by and visit if you'll be at one of the events listed below.
The Greenprints Conference - The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) Conference Center, Atlanta, Ga., March 11 12, 2015
Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) Annual Conference - The Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, Savannah, Ga., April 17 - 21, 2015
Georgia Rural Water Association (GRWA) Annual Conference - The Jekyll Island Convention Center, Jekyll Island, Ga., May 12 - 14, 2015
Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Annual Conference - The Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, Savannah, Ga., June 26 - 30, 2015
Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) Annual Conference - The Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, Savannah, Ga., July 12 - 15, 2015
Georgia Environmental Conference - The Jekyll Island Convention Center, Jekyll Island, Ga., August 26 - 28, 2015
Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) Annual Conference - Savannah, Ga., September 16 -18, 2015
The Georgia Government Finance Officers Association (GGFOA) Annual Conference - Location TBD, October 2015
Georgia Rural Water Association (GRWA) Fall Conference Location TBD, October 2015
The Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) Location TBD, November 2015
The Georgia Association of Regional Commissions (GARC) Training Conference - St. Simons Island, Ga., November 2015
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

4

WWW.GEFA.ORG