MFEP Measure Funding Guide

Green Business Services

The Center for EcoTechnology

Table of Contents

2: Technical Audits: Funding Viability for Farms.

3: Measures & Funding Resource by Sector: Dairy production

5: Measures & Funding Resource by Sector: Green House production

6: Measures & Funding Resource by Sector: Maple Sugaring

7: Measures & Funding Resource by Sector: Energy Efficiency/Renewable

10: Measures & Funding Resource by Sector: By Alphabetical order

15: Funding Overview & How To: MDAR

16: Funding Overview & How To: NRCS

17: Funding Overview & How To: REAP

18: Funding Overview & How To: MFEP

19: Funding Overview & How To: MassCEC

20: Funding Overview & How To: Utility Overviews

21: Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

2 8-4-2015

Technical Audits: Steps towards Funding Viability for Farms

1. Technical Audits: Guiding Farms for Competitive Grant Applications There are several strategies that farms with multiple project interests may want to start with. Most farms would benefit from an

Agricultural Energy Management Plan (ag-EMP) or Technical Assessment. Such plans are a requirement for applying for most grants

that could fund energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. The complexity of the measures will determine whether a simple

audit or a more technical Agricultural Energy Management Plan is necessary. Additionally there may be a need for an engineering

study for a specialized measure. This may be less intensive then an Ag EMP but more intensive then a Technical Assessment. Below

are funding sources and technical assistance offerings for farms needing specialty Technical Assessments, ag-EMP’s or Engineering

studies.

Measure MDAR NRCS REAP MFEP

MASS

CEC

Utility

CUS

Utility

PRE

Ag-Energy Management Plan x TA x

Technical Assessment (Targeted Audit)

x TA x x

x (Renewable)

x(shared)

Engineering Study x

x (Renewable)

x(shared)

3 8-4-2015

Measures by Sector

2. Measure Funding Spreadsheet by Sector: Dairy Production There are many funding programs that fund a variety of different opportunities. Please see the below list of measures by sector and there corresponding opportunities for funding.

Dairy Production

Measure MDAR NRCS REAP MFEP

MASS

CEC

Utility

CUS

Utility

PRE

Anaerobic Digester x

x x x

Dairy Plate Coolers x x x x

x

HE Hot Water x x x x

x x

Hot Water Tanks x

x

x x

Insulation x x x x

x

Refrigeration Equipment x x x

x x

Refrigeration Heat Recovery x x x x

x

Scroll Compressors x x x x x

4 8-4-2015

Dairy Production Continued

Measure MDAR NRCS REAP MFEP

MASS

CEC Utility

CUS Utility

PRE

Variable Speed Vacuum Pumps

x x x x

x x

Ventilation x x x x

5 8-4-2015

3. Green House Production

Measure MDAR NRCS REAP MFEP

MASS

CEC Utility

CUS

Utility

PRE

Electronic Controls x x x x

x x

Evaporators x x x x

Green House Screens x x x x

x

HE Hot Water x x x x

x x

Heating Distribution Modifications

x x x

x

High Efficiency Indoor Furnaces/Boilers

x x x x

x x

Insulation x x x x

x x

Plate Coolers x x x x

x x

Roof Venting Modifications (Ventilation)

x x x x

6 8-4-2015

Green House Production Continued

Measure MDAR NRCS REAP MFEP

Mass

CEC

Utility

CUS Utility

PRE

Root Zone Heat x x x x

Thermal Blankets x x x x

x x

Variable Speed Drives x x x x

x x

High Efficiency Wood Biomass Boiler

x

4. Maple Sugaring Production

Measure MDAR NRCS REAP MFEP

Mass

CEC

Utility

CUS Utility

PRE

Evaporators x x x x

x

Reverse Osmosis x x x

x

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5. Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Measure MDAR NRCS REAP MFEP

Mass

CEC

Utility

CUS Utility

PRE

Ag-Energy Management Plan

x TA x x

Anaerobic Digester x x1

x x x

Assessment/Audits (Technical

Assessment Targeted Audits) x TA x x

x

Biofuel x x x

Biomass x x x

Biomass Thermal Boiler x x x x

Geothermal x x x x

Hydro Power x x x

1 Only for Manure Management efforts not generation of energy

8 8-4-2015

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Continued

Measure MDAR NRCS REAP MFEP

Mass

CEC

Utility

CUS Utility

PRE

Hydrogen Power x x

Outdoor Wood Boiler x x x

Solar PV x x x x

Solar Thermal x x x x x

Wind Power x x x x

9 8-4-2015

Measures Alphabetized

6. Measure Funding Spreadsheet by Alphabetical Order There are many funding programs that fund a variety of different opportunities. Please see the below alphabetical list of measures and their corresponding opportunities for funding.

Measure MDAR NRCS REAP MFEP Mass

CEC

Utility

CUS Utility

PRE

Ag-Energy Management Plan

x TA x x

Anaerobic Digester x x x x

Assessment/Audits (Technical

Assessment Targeted Audits) x TA x x

Biofuel x x

Biomass x x x

Biomass Thermal Boiler x x x x x

Dairy Plate Coolers x x x x

x

10 8-4-2015

Measure Funding Spreadsheet By alphabetical Order Continued

Measure MDAR NRCS REAP MFEP

Mass

CEC

Utility

CUS Utility

PRE

Electronic Controls x x x x

x x

Evaporators x x x x

Geothermal x x x x

Green House Screens x x x x

x

HE Hot Water x x x x

x

Heating Distribution Modifications

x x x

x

High Efficiency Indoor Furnaces/Boilers

x x x x

x x

Hydro Power x x x

11 8-4-2015

Measure Funding Spreadsheet by Alphabetical order continued

Measure MDAR NRCS REAP MFEP

Mass

CEC

Utility

CUS Utility

PRE

Hydrogen x x

Insulation x x x x

x

Outdoor Wood Boiler x x x

Plate Coolers x x x x

x x

Refrigeration Equipment x x x

x x

Refrigeration Heat

Recovery x x x x

x

Reverse Osmosis x x x

Roof Venting (Modify) x x x x

12 8-4-2015

Measure Funding Spreadsheet by Alphabetical Order Continued

Measure MDAR NRCS REAP MFEP

Mass

CEC

Utility

CUS Utility

PRE

Root Zone Heat x x x x

Scroll Compressors x x

x

x x

Solar PV x x x x

Solar Thermal x x x x x

Steam Enhanced Preheater x x

x

x

Thermal Blankets x x x x

x x

Variable Speed Drives x x x x

x x

VS Vacuum Pumps x x x x

x x

Ventilation x x x x

13 8-4-2015

Measure Funding Spreadsheet by Alphabetical Order Continued

Measure MDAR NRCS REAP MFEP

Mass

CEC

Utility

CUS Utility

PRE

Hot Water Tanks x x x

x x

Wind Power x x x x

14 8-4-2015

7. MDAR2 The Mass Department of Agriculture --Agricultural Energy Grant Program (Ag-Energy) funds agricultural energy related projects in an

effort to improve energy efficiency and to facilitate adoption of alternative clean energy technologies by Massachusetts farms.

Eligibility o Projects that Support Agricultural operation and/or

who are themselves an agricultural operations as defined by M.G.L 128-1A

o Legally recognized entities within the Commonwealth and have ability to enter a binding agreement with the Commonwealth

o Demonstrate the capacity to implement and administer projects as defined in the responsive proposal

o Demonstrate evidence of a match of dollars of in-kind support to the funding requested in the proposal.

o Has had an audit/energy assessment or demonstrates initiation of such.

o Application is for a measure that has not yet been installed

Evaluation o Supporting documentation in the form of energy audits

assessments, quotes, plans and specifications

o Project Implementation Schedule

o Identification of permit needs

o Identification of any on-going operation and maintenance and/or periodic replacement needs and how they will be accomplished to ensure project longevity

o Realistic opportunity for a successful long term implementation given the expected life of the equipment and the resulting cost savings

How To Apply o Applications become available in late winter with a deadline 2 months later

o Visit: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/agr/about/divisions/ag-energy.html to see available opportunities

o Although requests for proposals only occur once a year farms are encouraged to begin the application process prior to

the release of the funding opportunity.

How much o Grants up to $20,000

2 All information found on this page is sourced from: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/agr/

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8. NRCS3 The US Department of Agricultural Natural Resources Conservation Service is a federal agency that works hand-in-hand with the

people of Massachusetts to improve and protect their soil, water and other natural resources.

Eligibility o Be considered an Agricultural Producer

o Have completed or be applying for technical assistance to Complete an Ag-Energy Management Plan

o Have control of the land for the life of the contract

o Be in compliance with Federal Highly Erodible Land and Wetland conservation provisions

o Visit a NRCS office for application verification.

o Measures installed post preliminary application can be eligible for funds by first signing a waiver.

Evaluation o Supporting documentation in the form of energy

audits assessments, quotes, plans and specifications

o Meet eligibility requirements

o Application highlights local resource concerns.

How To Apply o Contact and set up an evaluation appointment at your Local NRCS office and Meet with a NRCS representative

o Bring the following documents to your appointment

An official tax ID (Social Security number or an Employer ID)

A property deed or lease agreement to show you have control of the land

A farm tract number, if you don’t have a farm tract number FSA can provide one and NRCS office will help.

o There applications are ongoing & NRCS will guide you through the process step by step through the process.

How much o Contact office for more information

3 All information on this page is sourced from: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/ma/home/

16 2-27-2015

9. REAP4 USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program has grants, guaranteed loans and combination grant/guaranteed loans

available to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy

efficiency improvements.

Eligibility Be able to answer yes to these two questions

o Be an agricultural producer

o Be a Rural small business as defined by the Small Business Administration’s standards.

Or be able to answer yes to the following question o Be an agricultural producer that is directly

engaged in the production of agricultural products and obtains at least 50% of gross income from this business.

Evaluation o The project must be for a commercially available

and replicable technology

o The project must have technical merit

o The applicant must be the owner of the project and control the revenues and expenses of the project, including operation and maintenance. A third party under contract to owner may be used to control revenues and expenses and manage the operation and/or maintenance of the project.

How To Apply o Application deadlines April 30th and October 31st but farms are encouraged to begin the process at any time to ensure

a proposal meets a deadline

How much o Grants may cover up to 25% of project costs

o Energy Efficiency: Minimum 1,500; Maximum-$ 250,000

o Renewable energy Systems: Minimum 2,500; Maximum-$ 500,000

4 All Information on this page is sourced from: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/MAREAP.html

17 2-27-2015

10. MFEP5 USDA Rural Development’s Mass Farm Energy Program has grants, guaranteed loans and combination grant/guaranteed loans

available to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy

efficiency improvements.

Eligibility o Must be considered an agricultural producer

o Proposed project must be used directly for agricultural purposes

Evaluation o Project must have a simple payback of 8 years or

less

o Simple payback should be less than the system lifetime

o Incentive cannot be greater than total measure cost, including incentives from other programs

o Farms must have completed an energy audit or be willing to obtain one.

How To Apply o Application is rolling

o Request an Application by working with a MFEP Energy Specialist or request one online

How much o 4,000 maximum for total incentive for farms eligible for public utility rebate programs

o 5,000 maximum total incentive for farms served by municipal utilities that don’t offer conservation incentives

o 2,500 Maximum incentive for lighting projects

5 All Information on this page is sourced from: http://massfarmenergy.com/

18 2-27-2015

11. Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)6 The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center division of Renewable Energy Generation supports renewable energy projects throughout the

Commonwealth. MassCEC awards funds to businesses, towns, nonprofits for the feasibility design and construction of solar arrays,

wind turbines, biomass systems hydroelectric systems and other clean energy systems.

Some of MassCEC’s Programs: o Commonwealth Solar Hot Water o Commonwealth Hydropower o Commonwealth Organics-to-Energy o Commercial Scale biomass

o Commonwealth Wind Program

o District Energy

o Geothermal Heating and cooling

How To Apply o Review program offerings on the MassCEC website. Such offerings can change from year to year so search their

database for more specific information

o Check Out their “Financing Clean energy Projects” Page

How much o This will vary widely between the different program offerings in addition to the scale and efficacy of a proposed

project.

6 All information from www.masscec.com

19 2-27-2015

12. Utility Opportunity While Utility programs have some variation one commonality is that eligibility for rebates, either custom or prescriptive are based

on calculated energy savings and the timeframe for payback. Utilities use a standardized tool to determine measures efficacy and

therefore its eligibility for an incentive

To find out if a measure you are interested in is eligible search the DSIRE database

For more information about these programs in general visit Energy.gov. This site has an overview of all public-purpose funded Energy

efficiency programs available in MA

How To Apply o First determine both your Gas and Electric Utility, Have your account #’s and typical usage (monthly or annually) on

hand.

o Identify projects that may be funded by a utility incentive that your farm would benefit from and work with an Energy

specialists to fill out a custom or prescriptive rebate form to submit to a utility to get the process started. These

forms provide the necessary information for utilities to determine the viability of the project and calculate the

incentives.

For custom measures farms may have to get a technical analysis done to provide to the utility. CET can provide

some of this help through our Engineer or can facilitate help through a utility identified vendor.

o Application Forms are available on the MassSave website.

How much o This will vary widely depending on whether the measure is prescriptive or custom.

Prescriptive measurers have a standardized incentive per measure.

Custom measures will undergo analysis and if determined to be cost effective the incentive will be determined

by weighing the energy savings and payback period for the cost of each measure described in your application

20 2-27-2015

13. Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

Term or Acronym Definition

Ag-Energy Management Plan Audit

Agricultural Energy Management Plan: is an extensive study of the overall energy demand of an operation including current efficiency opportunities and recommendations.

DPU Department of Public Utilities

Mass CEC Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

MDAR Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

MFEP Massachusetts Farm Energy Program

NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service

NRCS EQIP Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program

REAP Rural Energy for America Program

Technical Assessment (Targeted Audit)

This is a less extensive cost benefit analysis of an energy measure. It is often times more specific, i.e. focusing on one measure and less in-depth.