HomeMy WebLinkAbout5. Spec Presentation Bozeman Energy Project
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Heather Higinbotham, Energy Conservation Technician
Natalie Meyer, Sustainability Program Manager
SUBJECT: Bozeman Energy Project Overview
MEETING DATE: January 12, 2015
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Special Presentation
BACKGROUND: The Bozeman Energy Project (formerly called the Bozeman Business
Energy Program) was approved by the City Commission on December 16, 2013 (resolution
4497) and amended on October 27, 2014 (resolution 4568). Through the combined efforts of the
Offices of Sustainability and Economic Development, the program aims to incentivize local
businesses to improve building energy efficiency for long-term cost savings. The Bozeman
Energy Project is a membership-based program that offers educational resources, workshops,
technical support, and public recognition to businesses that are interested in reducing their
monthly utility bill and their environmental impact.
As part of the Bozeman Energy Project, the City Commission authorized the Bozeman Business
Incentive Fund for one-time cash incentives to businesses that complete energy efficiency and
renewable energy projects. The City of Bozeman had formerly allocated these funds to the non-
profit Northern Rocky Mountain Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) to administer
the Big Sky Energy Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). To encourage local investment, all applicants
are required to contribute 66 percent of the total project cost (2:1 match requirement).
The Bozeman Energy Project launched on November 10, 2014, and to date has 12 registered
business partners. No incentives have yet been disbursed.
FISCAL EFFECTS: The City received $59,943, returned from the Big Sky Energy RLF. As
Bozeman Energy Project Incentive Fund applications are approved, and after proper
documentation is presented, incentives of $500 to $2,500 will be disbursed. It is expected that
anywhere from 23 to 119 incentives could be approved before the Fund is depleted.
Report compiled on: 1-7-15