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To view SECO funding opportunities and program information related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, please refer to our SECO Stimulus Funds section.
Funding and Incentives
Funding Opportunities
May 2012 Opportunities
Request for Proposal (RFP 203g) – Clean Energy Incubator
The State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), a division the Texas Comptroller's office, invites proposals from public higher education systems or campuses for the creation and/or expansion of Clean Energy Incubators. The State Energy Conservation Office seeks to help clean energy companies grow and develop new markets for clean technologies through these Clean Energy Incubators. You can find RFP 203g posted on the Electronic State Business Daily or in the May 4, 2012, edition of the Texas Register.
April 2012 Opportunities
Notice of Loan Fund Availability (NOLFA) – LoanSTAR Program
Posted April 27, 2012 – The Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) will provide low interest loans to assist selected public entities in financing their energy-related cost-reduction efforts utilizing the LoanSTAR revolving loan program.
Notice of Loan Fund Availability (NOLFA) – LoanSTAR Program
Posted April 13, 2012 – The Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) will provide low interest loans to selected non-profit community based organizations and Houses of Worship for the purposes of implementing energy-related cost-reduction retrofits at owner owned and occupied facilities utilizing the LoanSTAR revolving loan program.
February 2012 Opportunities
Public ISD Energy Efficiency Grants (SEP Program 1.4)
Posted February 24, 2012 – The Comptroller of Public Accounts, State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) will provide grant funding to eligible Texas public independent school districts for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems upgrades or retrofits.
December 2011 Opportunities
Energy Training and Education Grants (SEP Program 3.1)
Posted December 2, 2011 – The Comptroller of Public Accounts, State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) will provide grant funding to eligible Texas public junior colleges or public technical colleges to support technical training for certification in Energy Efficiency Services Sector including Energy Auditing, Building Performance or Retrofitting Specialists, and Compliance Analysts, or Energy Regulation Specialists.
October/November 2011 Opportunities
Notice of Loan Fund Availability (NOLFA) – LoanSTAR Program
Posted October 21, 2011 – The Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) will provide low interest loans to assist selected public entities in financing their energy-related cost-reduction efforts utilizing the LoanSTAR revolving loan program.
Round 3: ISD Energy Efficiency Awarded Projects
As of July 21,2011, the Comptroller has awarded competitive grants to the following public schools. Funds Awarded, Match and/or Total Project amounts are not final until contract execution. Note that remaining applications may still be in review.
| School District | City | Funds Requested |
|---|---|---|
| Priddy ISD | Priddy | 44,235.20 |
| Presidio ISD | Presidio | 50,000.00 |
| Carisle ISD | Price | 44,010.00 |
| Atlanta ISD | Atlanta | 50,000.00 |
| Malta ISD | New Boston | 47,900.00 |
| Early ISD | Early | 43,700.00 |
| Mabank ISD | Mabank | 45,190.00 |
| Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD | Pharr | 50,000.00 |
| Texarkana ISD | Texarkana | 28,000.00 |
| Mason ISD | Mason | 38,496.00 |
| Dublin ISD | Dublin | 42,063.00 |
| Garland ISD | Garland | 39,600.00 |
| Liberty-Eylau ISD | Texarkana | 39,960.00 |
| Brownsville ISD | Brownsville | 50,000.00 |
| Meadow ISD | Meadow | 50,000.00 |
| Ballinger ISD | Ballinger | 39,500.00 |
| Donna ISD | Donna | 30,000.00 |
| Buna ISD | Buna | 50,000.00 |
| Morton ISD | Morton | 48,591.29 |
| Rivercrest ISD | Bogata | 40,000.00 |
| Kingsville ISD | Kingsville | 45,000.00 |
| Medina ISD | Medina | 46,754.51 |
| 963,000.00 |
March/April 2011 Opportunities
Alternative Fuels Initiatives Grant Program (SEP Program 2.2)
Posted May 13, 2011 – The Comptroller of Public Accounts, State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) will provide grant funding to eligible public entities to utilize to transition vehicle fleets to alternative fuels and hybrid-electric vehicles; convert existing vehicles to alternative fuels; and/or provide necessary refueling capabilities.
Notice of Loan Fund Availability (NOLFA) – LoanSTAR Program
Posted April 1, 2011 – The Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) will provide low interest loans to assist selected public entities in financing their energy-related cost-reduction efforts utilizing the LoanSTAR revolving loan program.
Renewable Energy Technology Grants (SEP Program 2.1)
Posted March 4, 2011 – The Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) will provide grant funding to eligible public entities for qualified renewable energy technologies.
An Energy Efficiency Best Practices Guide for Locally-Governed Electric Service Areas Request for Proposals
Posted January 21, 2011, – The State Energy Conservation Office (“SECO”) of the Comptroller of Public Accounts (“Comptroller”) invites proposals from qualified firms, entities and organizations to provide consulting services to Comptroller to conduct a review to identify energy efficiency best practices, report to Comptroller on same and provide other reasonably-related services, including but not limited to, assisting in implementing identified best practices locally.
Notice of Loan Fund Availability (NOLFA) – LoanSTAR Program Schedule
Posted January 19, 2010 — The Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) intends to announce NOLFA for the LoanSTAR revolving loan program in April 2011 and again in October 2011. The LoanSTAR revolving loan program provides low interest loans to assist selected public entities in financing their energy-related cost-reduction efforts.
Each NOLFA will include:
- the total of funds available for LoanSTAR loans for the application period;
- the maximum amount of funds available for each loan recipient;
- the interest rate to be charged to loan recipients;
- eligibility criteria;
- application requirements;
- application evaluation criteria;
- the date by which the application must be submitted to SECO; and
- the anticipated date of loan approvals.
October/November 2010 Opportunities
LoanSTAR Revolving Loan Program
This program has saved taxpayers more than $200 million through energy-efficiency projects for state agencies, institutions of higher education, school districts, county hospitals and local governments. Borrowers repay loans through cost savings generated by the projects. LoanSTAR-funded projects have also prevented the release of 7,130 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx), 2.1 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) and 4,832 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Incentive Programs
Federal & State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) gives information on state and federal efficiency incentives by state, technology type, and incentive type with links to program web sites, legislation, tax credits and deductions, rebates, grants, low-interest loans, property and sales tax exemptions, and bond programs.
Energy Policy Act of 2005 Tax Credits
Several articles on the Energy Policy Act of 2005 Tax Credits.
Renewable Energy Incentives
Financial Assistance
Renewable Fuels Foundation Grants
The RFF seeks to provide funding to universities and non-profit organizations, such as research consortiums, in the United States. RFF reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the eligibility of a project for support.
The Borrower's Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems: A Federal Overview
This U. S. Department of Energy document provides information that can assist assist both lenders and consumers in financing solar energy systems, which include both solar electric (photovoltaic) and solar thermal systems. The guide also includes information about other ways to make solar energy systems more affordable, as well as descriptions of special mortgage programs for energy-efficient homes.
DOE/EERE Financial Opportunities Web Site
The U. S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) works with business, industry, universities, and others to increase the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. One way EERE encourages the growth of these technologies is by offering financial assistance opportunities for their development and demonstration. Also see Doing Business with the Department of Energy and Types of Financial Assistance to learn more about EERE funding mechanisms.
USDA Energy Matrix
The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has many programs that help farmers, other rural residents, and the nation respond to energy-related issues and opportunities. These range from basic scientific research to the development and commercialization of new technologies. This USDA web site offers comprehensive information on energy-related programs, funding opportunities, and technical support across all USDA agencies and offices.
USDA Renewable Energy Energy Efficiency Program
Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create a program to make direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase renewable-energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. This program is known as the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program. Eligible renewable energy projects include wind, solar, biomass and geothermal. It includes hydrogen derived from biomass or water using wind, solar or geothermal energy sources. During Fiscal Year 2006, Texas provided nearly 1.7 million for this program. For further information contact the USDA Rural Development at (254) 742-9780.
USDA Biobased Products and Bioenergy Program
The goal of the USDA Biobased Products and Bioenergy Program is to finance technologies needed to convert biomass into biobased products and bioenergy in a manner which is cost-competitive in large national and international markets. Loans for biomass conversion into biobased products and bioenergy are eligible for financing under the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program.
Financial Opportunities for Inventors
Inventors may seek DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy funding for energy efficiency or renewable energy technologies through two routes explained at this web site: the Inventions and Innovation Program and unsolicited proposals.
Strategic Environmental Project Pipeline Foundation (StEPP)
The StEPP Foundation's primary mission is to increase the number of energy efficiency, renewable energy and pollution prevention projects implemented for the benefit of the public. The StEPP Foundation provides project oversight to enhance the success of projects increasing the number of energy efficiency, clean energy and pollution prevention projects implemented at the local, state and national levels for the benefit of the public.
DOE's FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) provides funding opportunities for advanced vehicle technology projects that are aimed at removing technical and cost barriers. Much of the funding available to the FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program is distributed to private firms, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, Native American organizations, and individuals through competitive solicitations.