Funding Energy Efficiency and Land Conservation Projects

1
Funding Energy Efficiency and Land Conservation
Projects

• Mark Toussaint
• Grants Manager
• NH Office of Energy and Planning

2
USDA Rural Development

• Community Facilities Loan/Grant Programs
• For development of essential community facilities
  in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in
  population
• Not specific to energy projects
• Ex Inn at Deerfield received grant to purchase
  efficient heating system.
• www.rurdev.usda.gov/vt
• or www.grants.gov

3
Department of Energy Grants

• DOE issues solicitations throughout the fiscal
  year depending on available funds, program
  priorities, etc. Example areas of interest
  include wind, solar, biomass, and energy
  efficiency.
• OEP can serve as applicant where required and
  pass funds through to partners.
• www.grants.gov or www.energy.gov

4
Electric and Gas Utility Programs

• Programs for municipalities offered by electric
  and gas providers.
• Smart Start programs allow municipalities to
  install energy saving measures with no up-front
  costs.
• www.nhsaves.com

5
NH DES Biodiesel Grants

• Designed to introduce new customers to
  biodiesel/bio-heat use
• Available to municipalities, businesses,
  institutions
• Offered annually
• Successes Cranmore, City of Keene
• www.granitestatecleancities.org/

6
Land and Community Heritage Investment Program

• Matching grants to NH communities, non-profits
• 18.3 million since 2000 (200,000 acres conserved
  with 129 awards)
• Submissions accepted twice per year
• www.lchip.org

7
DES Water Supply Land Conservation Grant Program

• 25 matching grants to municipal water suppliers
  for purchase of land or conservation easements
  critical to water quality.
• Must be currently unprotected
• Low-interest loan program to cover match if
  needed.
• 1 million this year (application deadline
  passed)
• Call Holly Green at 271-3114

8
Land and Water Conservation Fund

• 50/50 matching federal grant
• Protection of conservation areas and development
  of outdoor recreation facilities
• State and municipalities eligible to apply
• 20,000 ceiling this year
• Application Intent Form due October 22, 2007.
• www.nhstateparks.org

9
Forest Legacy Program

• Supports state efforts to protect environmentally
  sensitive forest lands
• Focus is on acquiring partial interest in
  privately held lands (conservation easements).
• Covers 75 of project costs
• DRED Div. of Forests and Lands, 271-3456

10
Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program

• Provides matching funds to help purchase
  development rights.
• Goal is to keep farm and ranchland in
  agricultural uses
• 48 million in FY07 (closed)
• Applications in spring timeframe
• US Natural Resources Conservation Service,
  868-7581

11
Grassland Reserve Program

• Protects, restores, preserves grasslands.
• Several options available permanent easement,
  30-year easement, rental agreements, restoration
  agreements.
• Typically requires 40 contiguous acres.
• Contact Natural Resources Conservation Service at
  868-7581.

12
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

• Several programs aimed at preserving and
  restoring wildlife habitat through land
  protection projects.
• Eligibility, award ceilings, etc. vary by
  program.
• http//www.nfwf.org

13
Housing and Conservation Planning Program

• 400,000 over next two years
• Available only to municipalities
• Helps applicants develop and implement town-wide
  Growth and Development strategies
• More info Jennifer Czysz, Office of Energy and
  Planning, 271-2155

14
Thank you

• Mark Toussaint
• Grants Manager
• NH Office of Energy and Planning
• 57 Regional Drive
• Concord, NH 03301