Texas is the fastest growing state in the nation. San Antonians alone use 23 million megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity in a single year. Meanwhile, weather disasters are becoming more severe and frequent. As Texas continues to grow, AACOG recognizes that implementing energy efficiency and resiliency practices within its 13 counties will be of the upmost importance to securing a sustainable future. We have partnered with the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) to bring energy management resources to local governments through webinars, roundtables, and other information sharing activities.
The Texas Health and Safety Code §388.005(c) requires political subdivisions in 41 nonattainment or affected counties to establish a goal to reduce electricity consumption by at least five percent each state fiscal year. In 2019, the 86th Legislature passed Senate Bill 241, extending the timeline for this requirement to seven years beginning September 1, 2019. Each political subdivision must submit a report annually to SECO documenting the entity's progress toward meeting the five percent annual reduction goal. The deadline to submit the report for 2023 energy usage will be March 1, 2024. You can access your entity's prior reports at SECO's Energy Consumption Reporting Dashboard.
Nonattainment areas are those counties (or portions of counties) that do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for at least one of six criteria pollutants, including ground-level ozone. "Affected counties" are those that are close to nonattainment areas, that may otherwise be at risk of being designated nonattainment in the future, or that have large or numerous sources of emissions. Of the counties in the AACOG service area, local government entities in Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, and Wilson Counties are required to report energy usage to SECO.
SECO Energy Resources:
- SECO Local Government Energy Reporting: All energy reporting will be submitted through SECO website.
- SECO Energy Reporting Help Guide: A step by step guide of the expected process and documents required to submit SECO Energy reporting.
- SECO Energy and Water Reporting: To view specific energy code reports per institution, SECOs page offers additional information on required reporting.
- Preliminary Energy Assessments (PEAS): SECO provides energy assessments, at no charge, to best plan for energy reduction efficiency.
- Technical Assistance for Local Governments: Eligible entities may request technical assistance with either energy or water related technical matters ranging from basic consultation to feasibility studies.
- Energy Code Compliance: Collaboration with SECO/ SPEER and (BCAP) Building codes assistance project, Texas Energy codes Compliance Collaborative initiative was created to provide support towards compliance of State mandated Energy Code compliance
- Energy Code Adoption: To better understand the energy code adoption process.
- LoanSTAR Program: Revolving loan to finance energy-related, cost-reduced retrofits of facilities supported by the state.
- Benchmark Energy STAR Portfolio Manager: Benchmarking is the tool utilized to measure and access your buildings energy performance and helps identify opportunities to cut waste.
- SPEER Energy Adoption Toolkit: South Central Partnership for energy efficiency as a resource offers resources to support in the adoption of new energy codes for local governments.
- City Efficiency Leadership Council (CELC): CELC is part of SPEER’s Local Government Program which is a collaborative network engaging in partnerships and resource exchange to best adopt and expand best energy management practices in the public sector.
- Energy and Building Market Assessment Tool: Commercial PACE application: A user guide provided by the Department of Energy to give a detailed analysis to state and local governments about their potential energy reductions and cost savings based on the type of retrofit and building stock.
- Texas A&M Building Performance Assessment Center: The Department of Energy supports Texas A&M's Engineering program which provides eligible small and commercial buildings, less than 100,000 square feet, access to building energy usage assessments. Through this assessment commercial properties have potential to understand energy cost reductions and savings.
- Texas A&M Industrial Assessment Center: The Department of Energy supports the IAC program allowing manufacturing plants a no cost industrial assessment. Through this assessment Industrial buildings can better understand potentials for energy cost reductions and savings.
- Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE): The PACE Program assists in providing low-cost, long-term financing for water and energy efficiency and conservation improvements to commercial and industrial properties.
- Federal and State Incentives for Renewable Energy Efficiency: Collective database of information on incentives state and federal for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) efficiency. Incentive types can include but are not limited to tax credits, deductions, rebates, grants, low-interest loans, and more.
- Master Lease Program: A lease revenue financing program through the Texas Public Finance Authority (TPFA) that finances capital equipment acquisitions and other potential programs.
- Energy Savings Performance Contracting: Financing option guide for K-12 schools comprehensive energy upgrades including multiple measures aimed to achieve significant energy savings.
Upcoming Workshops and Roundtables
None at this time - please check back soon for updates!
Past Events
Energy Incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act, August 2023
Date: August 15, 2023 Time: 1-3 PM CST
Join AACOG, West Central Texas COG, and North Central Texas COG for a virtual workshop to untangle these massive federal investments and learn about energy efficiency incentives in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act – tax credits, grants, and other programs intended to reduce harmful air pollution, promote energy efficiency and resiliency, and lower operating costs.
We’ve invited Eddy Trevino, Director of the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), and Crystal Perkins, Senior Regional Advisor with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), to talk about DOE incentives. COG staff will talk about other federal programs to save energy, including from agencies like USDA, USDOT, and the EPA.
View recorded webinar here: https://youtu.be/nYYiaPCvO64?si=ygsAfxENr1uOtVep
Regional Energy Efficiency Needs Workshop
Date: July 27, 2023 Time: 9-1 PM CDT Location: Bexar Metropolitan 911 Regional Operations center, 4700 Quarry Run, San Antonio, TX 78249
AACOG hosted a roundtable supporting Energy Resiliency in Hazard Mitigation Planning, where Dr. Margaret Cook, Senior Research Associate, from Houston Advanced Research Center, discussed why energy resilience is important to communities, potential challenges with resiliency, and technical assistance that is available to local governments.
PowerPoint slides:
Funding Energy and Water Conservation Retrofits
Date: May 10, 2023 Time: 10-12 PM CDT
If you are interested in lowering your operating costs joins us for an informational workshop centered around Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program and the LoanSTAR Revolving Loan program to support local governments energy management and energy efficiency efforts.
Presenters: Lyle Hufstetler, Natural Resources Project Administrator, AACOG & John Kyere, Program Manager, SECO
View recorded webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WQf9kawhWs&feature=youtu.be
PowerPoint slides:
Introduction to Energy Management: Buildings and Fleets
Date: March 28, 2023 Time: 10-12 PM CDT
Join us to learn more about our new Regional Energy Management Program where we will be promoting different programs to assist local governments with reducing operating costs by implementing energy efficiency solutions. We will discuss AACOG's Clean Cities Program which promotes energy efficiency for fleets.
Presenters: Lyle Hufstetler, Natural Resources Project Administrator, AACOG
View recorded webinar here: https://youtu.be/c-bDAok_jpA
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: DOE RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA (REAP) RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS & ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT LOANS & GRANTS IN TEXAS
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. This program has multiple application windows, please click link to learn more.
Upcoming Deadline: September 30, 2023
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: DOE RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA (REAP) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TAG) PROGRAM
The purpose of this program is to provide technical assistance to agricultural Producers and Rural Small Businesses applying to REAP, with priority for applicants assisting distressed or disadvantaged communities for Applicants pursuing projects using underutilized technologies or seeking grants under $20,000. Funds can be used for a wide variety of activities including recruitment of Renewable Energy or energy efficiency projects, identification of electrical engineering services, preparation of REAP applications for Agency financial assistance, as well as preparing reports and assessments necessary to request financial assistance. Recipients have potential to funds from $100,000- $500,000. For more information please view web page.
Upcoming deadlines: August 15, 2023 Paper Submissions must be received no later than 4:00pm local time. Electric Submissions must be received no later than 11:59pm local time
NOTICE OF INTENT (NOI): DOE "CREATING A COMMUNITY-LED FUTURE"
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of State and Community Energy program (SCEP) intends to issue a competitive funding opportunity announcement (FOA) entitled "Creating a Community-Led Future.DOE intends to issue $27 million competitive funds in financial and technical assistance to support innovative planning to foster integrated clean energy solutions inclusive of states, U.S. territories, local governments, and tribes to benefit disadvantaged communities.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS AT NONPROFITS:
The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) is funding 5-15 awards which will vary between 3-9 million dollars for 501(c)(3) organizations. These funds will be utilized to fund projects that reduce energy use and emissions and lower utility costs in nonprofit facilities so they can redirect savings into their mission-critical work, build organizational capacity, and further serve their communities. This funding opportunity allows multiple 501(c)(3) organizations.to work together to receive funding
Upcoming Webinar:6/6/2023 at 1:00PM CST Renew America's Nonprofits Informational Webinar Session 1
ENERGY IMPROVEMENT IN RURAL OR REMOTE AREAS FIXED AWARD GRANT PROGRAM:
he U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) issued $50 million in grant funding for the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program to help deploy community-driven clean energy solutions in rural and remote areas across the country. This funding opportunity will award grants for projects with a dollar amount between $500,000 to $5 million and requires no cost-share/match from recipients to help ensure an equitable transition to a clean energy future. Eligible entities are rural or remote areas as a “city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 10,000 inhabitants. Eligible applicants are those State and local governmental entities, Indian Nations, Non-profit entities, for profit entities, institutions of higher education and consortia.
Clean Energy projects funded under this FOA must satisfy at least one of the objectives listed in BIL section 40103(c)(3). These "resilient clean energy objectives" are:
A. Improving overall cost-effectiveness of energy generation, transmission, or
distribution systems;
B. Siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines;
C. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation in rural or remote
areas;
D. Providing or modernizing electric generation facilities;
E. Developing microgrids; and
F. Increasing energy efficiency. To view additional Benefits that can be included visit the website below for Grant funding opportunity announcement
Upcoming Informational Webinar: DOE Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program Grant Funding Opportunity Webinar
Upcoming Deadlines: Submission Deadline for Pre-Applications: 7/13/2023 5:00PM ET
CLIMATE POLLUTION REDUCTION GRANT:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently has a Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program that will provide grants to states, local governments, tribes and territories to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. This program is divided into two phases: planning and implementation. Nationwide, $250 million is allocated for planning, and $4.6 billion allocated for implementation. Entities MUST participate in the planning phase to be eligible to apply for the implementation phase.
Upcoming Deadlines: Notice of intent to Participate April 28, 2023
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
The Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program is designed to assist eligible states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energy efficiency through program formula funding. These funds are available via a grant or voucher. Within the AACOG Region, San Antonio, Bexar County, New Braunfels and Schertz are eligible entities for this Block Grant program.
Upcoming Deadlines: Entities must submit Pre-Award Information Sheet by April 28,2023 to be eligible for grant or voucher.
Department of Energy Buildings Upgrade Prize
The Buildings Upgrade Prize is offering more than $22 million in cash prizes and technical assistance to teams across America with winning ideas towards upgrading existing buildings to efficiently run on clean energy. The 1st phase of this prize is the concept phase where teams can apply to one of two pathways: Equity-Centered Innovation where winners will receive $400,000 cash prize or the Open Innovation pathway which winners will receive a 200,000 cash prize. Each pathway focuses on solutions and or scalable upgrades to buildings and building types for retrofits.
Upcoming Deadline: July 18, 2023 Phase 1 Concept Prize submission deadline.
ENERGY IMPROVEMENT IN RURAL OR REMOTE AREAS FIXED AWARD GRANT PROGRAM:
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) issued $50 million in grant funding for the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program to help deploy community-driven clean energy solutions in rural and remote areas across the country. This funding opportunity will award grants for projects with a dollar amount between $500,000 to $5 million and requires no cost-share/match from recipients to help ensure an equitable transition to a clean grants for projects with a dollar amount between $500,000 to $5 million and requires no cost-share/match from recipients to help ensure an equitable transition to a clean grants for projects with a dollar amount between $500,000 to $5 million and requires no cost-share/match from recipients to help ensure an equitable transition to a clean.
Funding Opportunity: DOE Rural Energy For America (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants in Texas
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. This program has multiple application windows, please click link to learn more
Upcoming Deadline: September 30, 2023
Funding Opportunity: DOE Rural Energy for America (REAP) Technical Assistance (TAG) Program
The purpose of this program is to provide technical assistance to agricultural Producers and Rural Small Businesses applying to REAP, with priority for applicants assisting distressed or disadvantaged communities for Applicants pursuing projects using underutilized technologies or seeking grants under $20,000. Funds can be used for a wide variety of activities including recruitment of Renewable Energy or energy efficiency projects, identification of electrical engineering services, preparation of REAP applications for Agency financial assistance, as well as preparing reports and assessments necessary to request financial assistance. Recipients have potential to funds from $100,000- $500,000. For more information please view web page.
Upcoming deadlines: August 15, 2023 Paper Submissions must be received no later than 4:00pm local time. Electric Submissions must be received no later than 11:59pm local time
Notice of Intent (NOI): DOE "Creating a Community-Led Future"
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of State and Community Energy program (SCEP) intends to issue a competitive funding opportunity announcement (FOA) entitled "Creating a Community-Led Future.DOE intends to issue $27 million competitive funds in financial and technical assistance to support innovative planning to foster integrated clean energy solutions inclusive of states, U.S. territories, local governments, and tribes to benefit disadvantaged communities.
Funding Opportunity for Energy Improvements at Nonprofits:
The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) is funding 5-15 awards which will vary between 3-9 million dollars for 501(c)(3) organizations. These funds will be utilized to fund projects that reduce energy use and emissions and lower utility costs in nonprofit facilities so they can redirect savings into their mission-critical work, build organizational capacity, and further serve their communities. This funding opportunity allows multiple 501(c)(3) organizations.to work together to receive funding
Upcoming Webinar:6/6/2023 at 1:00PM CST Renew America's Nonprofits Informational Webinar Session 1
Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas Fixed Award Grant Program:
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) issued $50 million in grant funding for the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program to help deploy community-driven clean energy solutions in rural and remote areas across the country. This funding opportunity will award grants for projects with a dollar amount between $500,000 to $5 million and requires no cost-share/match from recipients to help ensure an equitable transition to a clean energy future. Eligible entities are rural or remote areas as a “city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 10,000 inhabitants. Eligible applicants are those State and local governmental entities, Indian Nations, Non-profit entities, for profit entities, institutions of higher education and consortia.
Clean Energy projects funded under this FOA must satisfy at least one of the objectives listed in BIL section 40103(c)(3). These "resilient clean energy objectives" are:
A. Improving overall cost-effectiveness of energy generation, transmission, or
distribution systems;
B. Siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines;
C. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation in rural or remote
areas;
D. Providing or modernizing electric generation facilities;
E. Developing microgrids; and
F. Increasing energy efficiency. To view additional Benefits that can be included visit the website below for Grant funding opportunity announcement
Upcoming Informational Webinar: DOE Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program Grant Funding Opportunity Webinar
Upcoming Deadlines: Submission Deadline for Pre-Applications: 7/13/2023 5:00PM ET
Climate Pollution Reduction Grant:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently has a Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program that will provide grants to states, local governments, tribes and territories to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. This program is divided into two phases: planning and implementation. Nationwide, $250 million is allocated for planning, and $4.6 billion allocated for implementation. Entities MUST participate in the planning phase to be eligible to apply for the implementation phase.
Upcoming Deadlines: Notice of intent to Participate April 28, 2023
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
The Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program is designed to assist eligible states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energy efficiency through program formula funding. These funds are available via a grant or voucher. Within the AACOG Region, San Antonio, Bexar County, New Braunfels and Schertz are eligible entities for this Block Grant program.
Upcoming Deadlines: Entities must submit Pre-Award Information Sheet by April 28,2023 to be eligible for grant or voucher.
Department of Energy Buildings Upgrade Prize
The Buildings Upgrade Prize is offering more than $22 million in cash prizes and technical assistance to teams across America with winning ideas towards upgrading existing buildings to efficiently run on clean energy. The 1st phase of this prize is the concept phase where teams can apply to one of two pathways: Equity-Centered Innovation where winners will receive $400,000 cash prize or the Open Innovation pathway which winners will receive a 200,000 cash prize. Each pathway focuses on solutions and or scalable upgrades to buildings and building types for retrofits.
Upcoming Deadline: July 18, 2023 Phase 1 Concept Prize submission deadline.
