Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager 

 

FROM:

Eileen Horn, Sustainability Coordinator

 

CC:

Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager

 

DATE:

August 3, 2011

 

RE

Efficiency Kansas program changes; impact on Take Charge Challenge

 

On July 20th, the Kansas Corporation Commission, which oversees the Kansas Energy Office, stated that due to the Efficiency Kansas program’s inability to spend the full $38 million in stimulus money by the April 2012 deadline, the money would be reallocated to “shovel-ready projects.”

 

Even though it is anticipated that the remaining balance in the Efficiency Kansas loan fund will be fully expended in the next several weeks, the Kansas Energy Office staff is already seeking additional opportunities for financing.  Currently, EK is unable to guarantee funding for energy efficiency projects in the immediate future, whether they are financed through an EK-partner lender or utility. 

 

The good news is that this will not have a significant impact on the Take Charge Challenge:

·         All 16 participating cities will each be able to finish spending their $25,000 grant funds in the same manner. 

·         There will still be a $100,000 prize for each region. 

·         The $100 Energy Audits will continue to be offered through September 30th.  If the current audit-volume holds, they will be able to fund the subsidy through the end of the challenge.

·         The $500 Building Envelope rebates will continue to be offered through September 30th.  Of course, projects have to be completed for homeowners to be eligible for these rebates.

 

However, the de-funding of the Efficiency Kansas program will impact thousands of Lawrence residents who had signed up for energy audits on their homes, and now will not receive financing to complete the recommended energy efficiency improvements. 

Therefore, the Climate and Energy Project (our nonprofit partner in Take Charge) is asking that all participating cities’ mayors sign the attached letter – advocating a re-allocation of funds to the Efficiency Kansas program – in the very least to honor the commitment to the homeowners who completed energy audits.