Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 01/13/2020

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Grants will be awarded to municipalities in amounts ranging from $2,000 to $50,000 for providing rebates or grants to property owners. Municipalities will be responsible for the design and operation of their rebate or grant program and its details. Grant payments to the municipality will be for 75% of approved program amounts. The municipality must provide the remaining 25% of the program cost. Municipality rebates or grants are eligible for reimbursement on device replacements conducted September 30, 2019 through June 30, 2022. Here is an example showing the grant funding design: Metropolitan Council Grant Amount $15,000 Municipality Match $5,000 Municipality Grant/Rebate Program Total $20,000 Eligibility Per legislative language, the grant program is limited to municipalities in the seven -county metropolitan area. Municipalities eligible per above must apply to participate and, if approved, sign a standard Council Grant Agreement, before any eligible rebates or grants can be submitted for reimbursement. Agreements shall require that municipalities: • Entirely pass through grants received (as is being done by MCES) • Verify purchase of devices to receive grants • Retain records and cooperate with any audits • Conduct all communications with property owners and ensure all written communications to property owners include both the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment and the Metropolitan Council's logo • Provide quantitative information for state reporting purposes Eligible water efficiency devices consist of the following: • Toilet replacement with a US EPA WaterSense labeled toilet • Irrigation controller replacement with a US EPA WaterSense labeled controller • Clothes washing machine replacement with an US DOE Energy Star labeled clothes washing machine • Irrigation spray sprinkler body replacement with a US EPA WaterSense labeled spray sprinkler body • Irrigation system audit by an Irrigation Professional certified by a US EPA WaterSense program Expenses eligible for reimbursement are the out-of-pocket cost of the device and its installation only, not to include any owner labor costs. In addition, new construction and new developments are ineligible, as this program is intended as a current infrastructure replacement program. Application Process • Applicants must be municipal water suppliers • Municipalities will submit MCES supplied application form by September 30, 2019. Required information includes: o the municipality's rebate or grant program design and work plan o proposed examples of communications to property owners o requested total grant amount o estimated annual amount of water saved by the applying municipality 2