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The Institutional Conservation Program: A Funding Option for Energy Retrofits
Abstract
The Institutional Conservation Program (ICP)
provides matching grants to K-12 schools,
colleges/universities, and hospitals for
energy-related retrofit studies and the
implementation of capital projects identified,
analyzed, and recommended by these studies.
Although grant dollars for the program are still
appropriated at the federal level, Petroleum
Violation Escrow (PVE) monies returned to the states
now provide the largest source of ICP funds for most
states. The program is administered at the federal
level by the Department of Energy and at the state
level in Texas by the Governor's Energy Management
Center.
The purpose of the ICP is to assist eligible
institutions in reducing energy consumption and its
attendant costs. More specifically, the program
gives an institution the financial incentive to hire
a professional engineer to identify and analyze the
most attractive package of energy retrofits for a
given building. Matching financial assistance is
then available for implementing part or all of the
recommended measures. Typical projects funded
through the program include computerized energy
management systems, lighting system change-outs,
boiler modifications, and HVAC change-outs and
modifications. Funded projects must have a payback
of 2-10 years and must be installed in buildings
completed and occupied before April 20, 1977.
All applications submitted for funding
consideration are subject to a programmatic and
technical review. Applications compete for
available monies according to specific criteria set
for Technical Assistance Grants (study grants) and
Energy Conservation Measures Grants (retrofit
implementation grants).
Since 1979 ten ICP funding cycles have been held
in Texas, and a program cycle funded by PVE dollars
returned to the state is currently in progress.
An eleventh funding cycle, using federally
appropriated dollars, and a second "oil overcharge"
cycle are anticipated for FY 89.
Citation
Roberts, M. (1988). The Institutional Conservation Program: A Funding Option for Energy Retrofits. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /6507.