Technology Assessment Division
ARRA State Energy Program (ARRA SEP)
In June 2009, the DOE awarded Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources $71,694,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding through the State Energy Program for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to reduce energy use and create and retain jobs. DENR developed multiple initiatives targeting the transportation, residential, and governmental sectors.
Revolving Loan Fund
The Louisiana Revolving Loan Program is designed to encourage the leveraging of resources to purchase and install energy efficient upgrades. Low interest loans will encourage public and private entities to implement projects that comply with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
This program is specifically designed to include as many market based partners as possible and to provide opportunities for financial leveraging with the lowest possible financing costs. Borrowers must be domiciled within the state of Louisiana. Eligibility is limited to project costs for the purchase and installation of energy efficient equipment. Eligible projects are limited to the following types:
- Funding energy efficiency retrofits, provided that projects are limited to installation of insulation, installation of energy efficient lighting, HVAC upgrades, weather sealing, purchase and installation of ENERGY STAR appliances, replacement of windows and doors, high efficiency shower/faucet upgrades, and installation of solar powered appliances with improved efficiency.
- Installation of alternative fueling pumps and systems (but not storage tanks) installed on existing facilities (other than a large bio refinery); purchase of alternative fuel vehicles (incremental costs only). Single family residential applicants are not eligible for this program as their needs are currently being met by another LDENR loan program.
Energy Star Appliance Rebate Program (Ended April 30, 2012)
This program, designed to encourage the purchase of ENERGY STAR rated appliances, was jointly funded by ARRA SEP funding and ARRA Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (EEARP) Funding. Funding was awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible residential consumers who purchased ENERGY STAR appliances within the state of Louisiana during the rebate offer period. Funds were awarded until all dollars were exhausted. ENERGY STAR was launched April 24th, 2010 and ended on April 30th, 2012.
The EmPower Louisiana ENERGY STAR Appliance Rebate Program achieved a total of 38,000 MMBtu of total energy savings utilizing $5,525,050 in rebate funding. A total of 27,322 appliances were purchased through the program, which included home appliances, water heaters, and heating and air conditioning systems.
Louisiana Program Impacts - State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program
A brief review of program impacts performed by the U.S. Department of Energy
Home Energy Rebate Option (HERO) Program (Ended February 29, 2012)
The HERO program was an existing program in Louisiana since 1999. With $7,926,969 in ARRA SEP funds, DENR developed modified HERO Program Guidelines to include New Homes and Commercial Retrofit properties. The Empower Louisiana HERO Program was kept separate from the original HERO program to accommodate ARRA requirements and criteria that differed from the original program.
The EmPower Louisiana HERO Program achieved a total of 113,126 MMBtu of energy savings utilizing $7,926,968.25 in rebate funding. A total of 3,457 properties were upgraded through the program, which included new homes, existing homes, and commercial properties.
Renewable Energy Program (Ended)
DENR established the Renewable Energy Program (REP) to encourage the development, implementation and deployment of cost-effective renewable energy technologies in Louisiana and to support the creation of additional employment opportunities and other economic development benefits. Beginning in April 2010, approximately $9,893,772 was made available for projects through a competitive grant process.
The Empower Louisiana Renewable Energy Program funded six projects: 2 biomass projects, 3 photovoltaic projects, and 1 solar thermal power plant. These projects resulted in an estimated 21.5 kWh of renewable energy generated annually.
Results of the Empower Louisiana Renewable Energy Grant Program
April 2013 Newsletter Article
Transportation Efficiency and Alternative Fuels Program (Ended)
The EmPower Louisiana Transportation Efficiency and Alternative Fuels Program (TEP) was established to promote the use of alternative fuels and improve the energy efficiency of transportation infrastructure throughout the State of Louisiana. A total of $7,781,270 was disbursed under the program. The funding was used to purchase energy efficient traffic signals and streetlights, purchase refueling equipment for 11 compressed natural gas (CNG) stations, and to purchase or convert over 200 CNG vehicles
An estimated 1.5 million gallons of gasoline and diesel will be displaced and almost 400,000 kWh of electricity saved annually as a result of the EmPower Louisiana Transportation Efficiency and Alternative Fuels Program.
Results of the Empower Louisiana Transportation Efficiency and Alternative Fuels Program
January 2013 Newsletter Article
State Buildings - Lead By Example Program (Ended July 31, 2012)
The Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources created the EmPower Louisiana State Buildings – Lead by Example Program to encourage the development, implementation and deployment of cost-effective energy efficient projects in Louisiana, and to support the creation of additional employment opportunities and other economic development benefits. The Lead by Example program identified energy efficient projects at Louisiana Higher Education. Funding could be applied to project costs for the purchase and installation of energy efficient equipment.
The EmPower Louisiana State Buildings – Lead by Example Program disbursed $24,454,924.71 in grant funding to higher education institutions, achieving a total of 253,713 MMBtu of energy savings.