We recommend that project proponents contact the HGCI staff at project conception to benefit from a range of support services and to align project direction with the GCLF criteria. This pre-application conversation will lead to a smooth application and review process.
Projects will be evaluated on their ability to contribute to one or more of the following areas of consideration:
- Greenhouse gas reductions
- Energy conservation
- Water conservation
- Sewage and storm water output reductions
- All types of pollution reduction
- Hazardous waste
- Solid waste
- Liquid waste
- Gaseous emissions
- Operations improvements that decrease environmental impacts
- Environmental procurement practices
- Environmental leadership development within the University
- Number of individuals with improved environmental literacy and increased levels of participation in conservation activities
- Education of and reputation building with surrounding community
Assessing your project's Loan Eligibility
Full Cost Loans
Full cost loans cover the entire cost of a conservation project.
Loan limits
Full cost loans are limited to $500,000 per conservation measure. It is permissible to combine multiple conservation measures within a defined project to a single application.
Payback requirements
Applicants for full cost loans must demonstrate a payback period of five years or less.
Utility Rebates
Applicants for full cost loans are encouraged to also apply for utility rebates, if applicable. Applicants may choose to deduct utility rebate payments from the loan amount request. If applicants choose not deduct utility rebate payments they must then apply those payments toward another conservation project.
Incremental Loans
Incremental loans cover the cost difference between a code-compliant project and a high-performing project. Cost differential loans must demonstrate an internal rate of return of 9% or higher.
Loan limits
Full cost loans are limited to $500,000 per conservation measure. It is permissible to combine multiple conservation measures within a defined project to a single application.
Payback requirements
Applicants for cost differential loans must demonstrate an internal rate of return of 9% or greater (roughly equivalent to a 10 year simple payback period). See “New Construction Proposal Guide” for life cycle costing requirements.
Loan repayments begin the fiscal year after the equipment is installed and running.
Utility Rebates
Applicants for cost differential loans are encouraged to also apply for utility rebates, if applicable. Applicants may choose to deduct utility rebate payments from the loan amount request. If applicants choose not to deduct utility rebate payments they must then apply those payments toward another conservation project.
