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Awards Announced

See the lists of awarded projects for Round I, Round II and Round III.

Technical Guidelines

See our Technical Guidelines for ARRA Special Provisions, Reimbursement Procedures and other helpful info.

Program Links

>> Press release (10/30/09)

>> "Revolving loans: Stretching your money twice as far" (10/28/09 editorial column)

Building Efficiency and Retrofit Program
$134.8 Million

The purpose of this program is to increase the energy efficiency of public sector buildings and other facilities statewide in order to create or retain jobs, reduce energy consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy cost savings and install commercially-available renewable energy through a revolving loan program in order to meet the goals of SEP/ARRA. Eligible governmental entities may include units of state and local government, public schools, public colleges and universities, public hospitals and municipal utilities.

Revolving Loan Program

Based on SECO's successful LoanSTAR program, a revolving loan mechanism will be utilized with SEP/ARRA funding to provide loans to eligible entities to perform energy efficiency and retrofit activities on government-owned buildings and facilities.

Round III - Building Efficiency and Retrofit Awarded Projects

As of July 27, 2011, the Comptroller awarded competitive federal stimulus loans to the following governmental entities. ARRA Total Project amounts are not final until contract execution. Remaining applications may still be in review.

Award Amount Governmental Entities
$2,511,970 Midwestern State University
$222,160 Austin ISD
$442,950 TSTC Harlingen

Round II - Building Efficiency and Retrofit Awarded Projects

As of August 24, 2010, the Comptroller awarded competitive federal stimulus loans to the following governmental entities. ARRA Total Project amounts are not final until contract execution.

Award Amount Governmental Entities
$7,427,500 Stephen F. Austin State University - Nacogdoches
$5,135,166 Texas A&M University - Bryan
$3,782,615 Brooks Development Authority - San Antonio
$1,357,155 Lake Dallas ISD - Dallas

Round I: Building Efficiency and Retrofit Awarded Projects

As of April 21, 2010, the Comptroller awarded competitive federal stimulus loans to the following governmental entities. ARRA Total Project amounts are not final until contract execution.

Award Amount Governmental Entities
$10,000,000 Texas A&M University System (Bryan)
$9,901,000 The University of Texas at Arlington
$9,817,961 Stephen F. Austin State University
$7,930,497 Nueces County
$6,413,548 Texas State Technical College (Waco)
$2,824,000 City of El Paso
$1,657,000 Brooks Development Authority
$1,450,752 La Marque Independent School District
$1,239,304 University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Eligible loan activities may include: see details

  1. Building and mechanical system commissioning and optimization
  2. Energy management systems and equipment control automation
  3. High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, boilers, heat pumps and other heating and air conditioning projects
  4. High efficiency lighting fixtures and lamps
  5. Building Shell Improvements (insulation, adding reflective window film, radiant barriers, and cool roof)
  6. Load Management Projects, e.g. applying pinch technology for system designs that maximize energy utilization
  7. Energy Recovery Systems, e.g. heat exchangers and pinch technology assisted work
  8. Low flow plumbing fixtures, high efficiency pumps
  9. Renewable energy efficiency projects are strongly encouraged wherever feasible, and may include installation of distributed technology such as of rooftop solar water and space heating systems; geothermal heat pumps (only closed loop systems with no greater than 5 ton capacity), or electric generation with photovoltaic or small wind and solar-thermal systems. If there are closed-loop geothermal heat pumps greater than 5 ton capacity involved, then applicants will be responsible for further NEPA review by DOE in the event of an award. If renewable generation greater than 20 KW is involved, applicants will be responsible for further NEPA review by DOE.

Loans will be structured by the following criteria: see details

  • Loans up to $10 million;
  • Interest rates 2%;
  • The term of the loan is for 10-years or less; if at least 10% of the project cost contains renewable energy technologies, the term of the loan may qualify for up to a 15-year payback;
  • The project must demonstrate a simple payback period of 10-years or less (or if renewable energy included 15-years or less) to qualify. The individual Energy Cost Reduction Measures (ECRM) must demonstrate a simple payback of less than the ECRM's economic useful life.
  • Project expenses will be reimbursed on a "cost reimbursement" basis. No advance of funds is allowed.

Process and Selection Criteria: see details

  • Governmental entities eligible;
  • Notice of Loan Fund Availability (NOLFA) announcement with a cut-off date for submittal;
  • All projects will be conducted under an Energy Savings Performance Contract;
  • Request for Proposals for professional engineering services;
  • Selection Committee will consist of internal SECO program experts and external participants;
  • Projects involving the installation of commercially-available renewable energy equipment may need an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS) as required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These requirements will be communicated by SECO to potential applicants during the NOLFA phase. Ready-to-go projects that fall under this category and already have their EIS completed will receive immediate consideration for funding.
  • Applications will be scored by the following criteria:
    • Ready-to-go projects given priority;
    • Payback period of project/quicker payback given more points;
    • Projected energy savings attributed to eligible energy efficiency measures in order to achieve an annual 10 million BTUs saved per $1,000 spent;
    • Projected greenhouse gas emission reduction;
    • Projected number of jobs created and retained;
    • Geographic diversity;
    • Adequacy and appropriateness of the schedule including the duration and sequencing of tasks and the scheduling of Project milestones and decision points;
    • Adequacy of the discussion of safety and environmental compliance considerations (indicating an adequate understanding of required certifications, licenses, permits, NEPA implications, etc); and,
    • Other funds leveraged.
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