Resources

Ministry of Environment

Public Sector Energy Conservation Agreement: Frequently Asked Questions

About the Program

Eligibility

Applications

Successful Proponents

Energy Study

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About the Program

  • What is PSECA?
    In 2007, we created the Public Sector Energy Conservation Agreement in Partnership with BC Hydro in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), energy use and operating costs for public sector organizations. The Government of B.C. committed $75 million over three years in addition to BC Hydro incentive funding – contributing to the province's energy conservation and GHG reduction goals of 33% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. On June 3, 2010 we were pleased to sign an agreement with Terasen Gas to support additional natural gas conservation efforts.

      After three rounds of PSECA, we have achieved annual energy cost savings of close to $20 million, GHG reductions of over 61,860 tonnes and conservation of 51.9GWh of electricity.

    • What is the total funding for PSECA 3?
      The Province has committed $25 million for PSECA 3. Additional incentive funding is available for eligible projects from our PSECA partners BC Hydro and FortisBC, in addition to funding for solar projects from SolarBC and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).

    • How is the PSECA funding allocated?
      Government's $25 million PSECA 3 funding is spread across four categories:
      $2 million for solar thermal projects
      $6 million for HVAC retrofits in K to 12 schools
      $5 million for an Open Call for Proposals similar to the first two years of  PSECA
      $12 million for District Energy Systems
    • Will PSECA funding be available next year?
       Funding for PSECA in the 2011/12 fiscal year following this year’s program has not been allocated.

    • Who are PSECA Partners?
      In addition to BC Hydro, the PSECA framework now includes as partners Terasen Gas and SolarBC. These agencies provide financial incentives or program support in addition to the $25 million provided by the Province of B.C.

      BC Hydro has been the official PSECA partner since 2007, providing electricity expertise, program and energy conservation support, Energy Managers to public sector organizations and funding incentives. We have also worked with Fortis BC to ensure projects in Fortis territory have access to funding incentives.

      In 2010, Terasen Gas joined us as an official program partner and will provide natural gas expertise, Energy Specialists and additional funding.

      SolarBC will provide program support for the $2 Million dedicated to solar thermal projects. This program will also build on the existing renewable heat program offered by Natural Resources Canada.

    • Are you coordinating with federal government programs?
      We are coordinating with Natural Resources Canada on the $2 million solar funding allocation. The project proponent is responsible for coordinating any applications funded under other federal programs. We encourage applicants to investigate other funding sources in order to improve the competitiveness of your project.

    • When will the funding be granted?
      Eligible projects will be reviewed and approved in the order in which they are submitted. Qualified projects will be batched for approval and the capital allocation will be provided to the responsible ministry or agency.

    • Why have you broken down the funding this year?
      This year funding categories were introduced to target historically under-represented or underfunded categories.

    • What is the maximum funding available for a single project?
      The maximum funding per project has not been set. However, it is expected that large retrofit projects will explore options to leverage as many funding sources as possible and efforts will be made to ensure that funding is spread geographically as well as across sectors.

    • Is there an equal amount of funding available to each region of the province? How will the funds be distributed geographically?
      Funding will be awarded and distributed fairly throughout the province.


    Eligibility

    • Who is eligible for PSECA funding?
      Public sector organizations include all organizations listed in the Government Reporting Entity (GRE):
      - Ministries and Agencies
      - Boards of Education
      - Universities/Colleges
      - Health Authorities
      - Crown corporations

    • Are schools included for PSECA funding?
      PSECA funding covers any project within the public sector including core government buildings, schools, universities, colleges and hospitals (the SUCH Sector) and Crown corporations.

    • Are there conditions under which projects may only qualify for partial funding?
      If a project qualifies, it may receive 100% of the funding requested in the application. Any project cost overruns are the responsibility of the applicant.

    • Do small School Districts qualify for up to 100% funding?
      If a project qualifies, it may receive 100% of the funding requested in the application.

    • Are cities and municipalities eligible for PSECA funding?
      Cities and municipalities are not eligible for PSECA funding. Public sector organizations include all organizations listed in the Government Reporting Entity (GRE):
      - Ministries and Agencies
      - Boards of Education
      - Universities/Colleges
      - Health Authorities
      - Crown corporations

    • If we have a project under $100,000 will it still be considered?
      Projects must meet each organization’s minimum capital thresholds, which differ by sector. Please contact your capital funding department for guidance.

    • I'm a B.C. homeowner. Are the benefits of PSECA available to me?
      PSECA is available for the public sector only. Please visit LiveSmart BC information on incentives for your home.


    Applications

    • Do I have to apply separately for incentives from PSECA partners?
      No. A separate application is not required. The PSECA partners will review funding applications for eligible project for the Solar, K-12 HVAC retrofits and the Open Call categories. There may be specific requirements that must be met to qualify for the PSECA partner incentives. For example, SolarBC requires an output report from a simulation program. The application form will prompt you for specific category requirements.

    • Why must the data be provided in active Excel spreadsheets or Word documents? Why can’t we submit a PDF?
      PSECA and its partners review the data and conduct their own in depth analysis. Active Excel spreadsheets or Word documents allow them to manipulate the data in their systems and saves time in the review process. A PDF will not allow us to manipulate the data.

    • What is the closing date?
      Funding is allocated on a first come first serve basis to qualifying projects; eigible public sector organizations are encouraged to submit applications early. The project review process and the funding approval process can take up to 10 weeks depending on the complexity of the project the quality and thoroughness of the application and energy study.

      The application deadline for K-12 HVAC projects is August 20. 2010 and projects must be completed by August 31, 2011.

      The application deadline for solar projects is October 1, 2010.

    • How do I complete the Project Request Summary Data Sheet (required for K-12 HVAC application)?
      Please contact your Ministry of Education Planning Officer with questions regarding the Project Request Summary Data Sheet.

    • How do I submit the application for Solar BC and NRCan funding?

      Complete and sign the application form. Submit your application by October 1, 2010, send it by post, fax or email along with supporting documents such as proof of business registration, Output Report from a simulation program and Sketch of the system to be installed.

      ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat
      Renewable and Electrical Energy Division Natural Resources Canada
      615 Booth Street, Room 150, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0E9
      Fax: (613-943-6517)
      email: ecoenergyrhp@nrcan.gc.ca

    • Can we include solar thermal as part of a bundle of measures in an application under the 3rd Open Call for Proposals category or must all solar components be singled out and applied for separately under the SolarBC categorym of PSECA 3?
      It is preferable that all solar projects be applied for separately through the SolarBC process in order to leverage the NRCan (or EcoENERGY) funding envelope. If however, the project cannot be complete by Dec. 31, 2010, applicants can apply for funding for solar projects by bundling them with other measures for funding under the 3rd Open Call for Proposals category. Please note that the EcoENERGY funding will improve the overall economics of the project.

    Successful Proponents

    • How is the PSECA funding provided to successful proponents?
      PSECA funding is in the form of capital grants and is provided to the recipients through their responsible ministry. For example, school districts would receive a PSECA capital grant through the Ministry of Education. The receiving agencies are responsible for all other associated costs including energy studies, design work, amortization expenses and operating costs.

    • What is the performance monitoring used for and are there any consequences if the project does not meet its objectives?
      Performance monitoring will be used to help us evaluate future projects. There will be no penalties if your project did not meet its objectives, however we would like to know why it didn’t meet objectives.

    • Do operating cost savings accrue to entity?
      Yes, operating cost savings would be realized by the applicant.


    Energy Study

    • Are energy studies required for all projects?
      All projects require an energy study except SolarBC projects, which requires an output report from a simulation program. The requirements for the energy study or the output report are provided in the application instructions. For certain lighting retrofit measures a full study of the lighting component of a larger project might not be needed. In these instances, the BC Hydro Lighting Calculator (XLS) will suffice for the lighting measures. Submit the BC Hydro lighting calculator spreadsheets as part of your application/study.

    • Is there funding available for the cost of the energy study?
      PSECA does not fund the cost of an energy study. BC Hydro and Terasen Gas may offer funding for the studies. Applications for energy study funding must be made directly to the energy study incentive programs of the funding partners. For the solar analysis, free online software is provided by NRCan.

    • Can we submit an energy study that has been done in the past?
      You can submit an energy study that was done previously, but we recommend you review the study with the energy consultant who prepared it for you to ensure it is up-to-date and consistent with the Energy Study Requirements (PDF, 80 KB) for PSECA 3.

    • Are you required to engage a consultant to do the energy study or can it be done in-house if resources are available?
      Yes, you may use available qualified resources to do the energy studies. However, the studies will be reviewed to ensure they are accurate and consistent with the Energy Study Requirements (PDF, 80 KB).

    • How detailed does the energy study need to be? Should it be comprehensive (all systems)? Is a feasibility study required?
      Please review the Energy Study Requirements (PDF, 80 KB).

    • Can the energy study be project specific (e.g. boilers) rather than an overall general study covering the full facility?
      If the boiler project meets your organization’s capital threshold it may qualify for PSECA funding. We recommend reviewing your entire facility so that you can take advantage of funding all of your energy project needs in one application.

    • If you have various campus locations, do you need to perform an energy study for each location?
      The energy studies need to be specific to each campus or building. A campus is defined as a single property with multiple buildings on it.