Funding Energy Efficiency and Land Conservation Projects Mark Toussaint Grants Manager NH Office of Energy and Planning.

Funding Energy Efficiency and Land Conservation

Projects

Mark ToussaintGrants Manager

NH Office of Energy and Planning

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

Department of Energy GrantsDOE 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

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

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/

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Thank you

Mark ToussaintGrants ManagerNH Office of Energy and Planning57 Regional DriveConcord, NH 03301