HF3261 Summary

• Expands microenergy loan program to allow commissioners to issue low-interest, long-term loans to local government units and property owners for small-scale renewable energy systems and conservation measures in residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional properties.

• Authorizes loans for energy conservation and renewable energy improvement projects including campuses, neighborhoods, industrial parks, and subdivisions, with utilities required to participate in planning for integrated use of energy conservation, demand response, smart-grid, and renewable energy programs.

• Allows commissioner to participate in Housing Finance Agency loans to residential property owners, private developers, nonprofit organizations, and local government units for residential housing construction, purchase, or rehabilitation that includes small-scale renewable energy systems and energy conservation improvements.

• Establishes loan proposal selection criteria including renewable technology reliability, cost-effectiveness, utility program integration, lifecycle energy use reductions, technology diversity, renewable energy ownership models, geographic distribution, project cost percentage, loan repayment security, and other commissioner-determined factors.

• Increases aggregate principal amount of bonds outstanding for microenergy loans from $20,000,000 to $100,000,000, while keeping bond issuance for debt service and bond refunding purposes unlimited.