Help lead the way to a clean energy future for Connecticut. Local governments play a critical role in reaching state energy-efficiency goals. Through Lead by Example, you can take advantage of a range of technical and financial resources to reduce energy use and operating costs in your facilities. You can also participate in the Clean Energy Communities program and earn grants for renewable energy systems and other energy-saving projects.
Lead by Example for Municipalities
Act Locally for a Clean Energy Future
Lead by Example for Municipalities
Lead by Example for State Agencies is a Standardized Energy-Savings Performance Contract program (ESPCP) for state agencies. The program allows state agencies and municipalities to implement energy efficiency upgrades at no up-front cost, with payback for the efficiency measures coming from the future savings realized on their utility costs.
In doing so energy-savings performance contracting enables state agencies and municipalities to repurpose wasted utility dollars to:
- Create jobs and help ignite local economies
- Stabilize energy costs, improve budget accuracy, stabilize load profiles
- Upgrade facilities to highly efficient energy systems
- Reduce budgetary burdens of deferred maintenance
- Eliminate costly emergency repairs
- Encourage thinking about efficiency – lead by example
- Further stimulate a clean energy economy in Connecticut
Email leadbyexample@ct.gov to get started.
Steps to Take Smart Energy Action
This Standardized Energy Savings Performance Contracting Program (ESPCP) allows state agencies and municipalities to implement energy efficiency upgrades at no up-front cost, with payback for the efficiency measures coming from the future savings realized on their utility costs.
Connecticut Standard Contract Documents
The ESPCP has put together a package of pre-vetted documents for state agencies. State Agencies are required to use these documents if they enter into an Energy-Savings Performance Contract.
The package includes:
- A base contract between DAS and each QESP
- A draft RFP to select a QESP
- An Investment-Grade Energy Audit template
- An Energy-Savings Performance Project Statement of Work
Program Manager
The Program Manager (PM) will provide outreach, technical, and analytical support to state and local government facility owners/managers to build an understanding of the benefits of the ESPCP. Further, the PM will help initiate and oversee implementation of successful energy-savings performance contract projects that result in significant energy, water, operational and maintenance savings. The Program Manager will provide broad technical support for individual ESPCP projects, but detailed project-level technical support will be provided by other technical advisors. The Program Manager will provide oversight of pre-qualified energy services providers to ensure compliance with the requirements of the ESPCP and coordinate project and program reviews with multiple state agencies and organizations, as appropriate, including EEB, DEEP, DAS, DCS, OPM, OTT, AG and CEFIA. The RFQ for ESPC Program Manager ended October 19, 2012.
The Program Manager and other resources will enable municipalities to hit the ground running in 2013.
Qualified Energy Service Providers (QESPs)
The state has put together a list of Qualified Energy Service Providers (QESPs) available to state agencies. Agencies are required to use energy services providers on the QESP list. State agencies (as well as all ESPCP participants) are required to use energy services providers on the QESP list. The solicitation for energy services providers under Connecticut's standardized Energy-Savings Performance Contracting program closed September 14, 2012.
View an overview of CT's Standardized Energy-Savings Performance Contract process.
Technical Advisors
The ESPCP has a pool of professional energy engineers that are available to provide technical support state agencies at certain points in the process. This additional technical support comes from a pre‐qualified vendor list and is available based on project needs. Contact the Program Manager for more information.
Financing Options
Financing templates may be available in any number of forms, including tax‐exempt municipal leases, tax‐exempt municipal loans, bond funds as well as other sources. Contact the Program Manager for more information.