Provide a financial or other incentive to private parties who add energy/sustainability improvements, meet the SB 2030 energy standard, or renovate using a green building or energy framework.
Best Practice of this action
Rating Guideline
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Incentives include lower interest loans, lowered building or equipment permit fees; note what improvements/equipment qualify and if a revolving loan fund was used. Private parties include builders, homeowners, businesses, institutions. Report renewable energy financing programs such as PACE under BPA 26.3. |
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Incentives include a utility-bill payment option, grants, rebates or tax breaks (e.g., property tax abatement) or expedited permit review. |
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Note incentives used, such as a density bonus or green building design assistance, for certified green buildings or ones incorporating district energy. Report buildings meeting the SB 2030 energy standard. |
Resources
- See a list of green building frameworks, which include codes, standards (including the SB 2030 energy standard), rating systems with certification and guidelines with verification.
- See Developing Smarter Cities: District Energy and Microgrids (Sustainable Cities Collective post: Travis Sheehan, 2013).
- The City of St. Louis Park added a Special Assessment for Energy Improvement Program that allows local property owners the ability to have energy improvement project costs assessed against their property and defer payment over up to 10 years. Energy improvement projects can include heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment; building envelope; and renewable energy between $10,000 and $60,000; above that amount, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing and bank loans are often available and below that amount.
- The Center for Energy and Environment offers loan programs. Bank loans are often available as well.
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