Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) - Grant Program

Summary

The first grant solicitation for 2010 is now closed. Proposals were due March 12, 2010. There may be a second RFP issued in August 2010, check back for updates. The Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) Grant Program seeks to promote the development and deployment of cost-effective and environmentally sustainable electric power and thermal resources –- primarily renewable energy resources and combined heat and power (CHP) systems -- for the long-term benefit of Vermont electric customers. There are two grant solicitation periods for 2010. The first round of proposals closed March 12, 2010; a total of $2.5M in grants are to be awarded. The second request for proposal will be issued mid-year. Funding is available to four categories of projects: pre-project financial assistance, small-scale systems (microturbines, fuel cells, and CHP), large-scale systems, community scale systems and special demonstration projects. Proposed electrical generation projects are required to be grid-connected. Thermal projects, including CHP projects, should maximize the thermal efficiency of the fuel source. There is a maximum award of $75,000 for Pre-Project Financial Assistance, $50,000 for Small-Scale Systems,* $250,000 for Large-Scale Systems and Special Demonstration Projects, and $500,000 for Community-Scale Systems. Cost-share is required for all projects. In addition, the Municipal Technical Assistant Grant is available to municipalities, public schools, and state colleges to explore renewable energy projects and feasibility up to $5,000. The CEDF was established in 2005 and is funded through proceeds due under the terms of two memoranda of understanding between the DPS and Entergy, an investor-owned electric utility operating in Vermont. The CEDF will receive payments of between $4 million to $7 million annually from Entergy through 2012. The CEDF is authorized to allocate funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 to these incentives. If CEDF awards ARRA money through this solicitation, recipients would be obliged to comply with additional reporting and transparency requirements. *Note: Solar electric, solar hot water, wind, and hydro systems are not eligible for funding under the small-scale systems category, incentives for those technologies are currently available under the VT Small-Scale Renewable Energy Program.