We are pleased to offer three new QECB Clean Energy Financing Policy Briefs — the latest in a series highlighting innovative approaches to financing clean energy projects:

Qualified Energy Conservation Bond (QECB) Update: New Guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Services 

In June 2012, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published a notice to clarify what constitutes a qualified project for potential issuers of the approximately $2.5 billion of remaining QECB issuance capacity. This policy brief provides an overview of the guidance, which addresses two qualified uses of QECB proceeds—how issuers should measure energy use reductions in publicly-owned buildings and what constitutes a green community program. 

Full text can be downloaded HERE. 

Using QECBs for Public Building Upgrades: Reducing Energy Bills in the City of Philadelphia 

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the City of Philadelphia received a $15 million QECB award from the U.S. Department of Treasury.  The city leveraged $6.25 million of its QECB allocation to finance half of a $12.6 million City buildings energy efficiency upgrade initiative.  The upgrades to four city facilities are expected to deliver over $10 million of net savings, and are a major step towards achieving the city’s goal of reducing government energy consumption by 30 percent by 2015. 

Full text can be downloaded HERE.

Using QECBs for Street Lighting Upgrades: Lighting the Way to Lower Energy Bills in San Diego 

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the City of San Diego received a $13.1 million QECB award from the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury). The city leveraged these QECBs to increase the size of a street lighting upgrade project from 10,000 to 39,000 light replacements. The $18.1 million street lighting upgrade project is expected to save the city over $2.5 million in avoided energy and maintenance costs. 

Full text can be downloaded HERE.