300-00-00 R.I. Code R. § 1.6

Current through August 19, 2024

Section 300-RICR-00-00-1.6 - Definitions

A. As used in these rules and regulations the following definitions will apply:

1. "Applicant" means an eligible entity that has submitted an application.

2. "Application" means an application for inclusion of a project on the Project Priority List.

3. "Application period" means a period of time during which an application may be submitted to OER.

4. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of energy resources as described by R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-140-4.

5. "Commissioning" means the process of ensuring that systems are designed, installed, functionally tested and capable of being operated and maintained to perform in conformity with the design intent of a project.

6. "Cost effective for energy efficiency projects" means the projected lifetime savings exceeds the cost of the project. The cost of the project shall include all financing costs and any costs associated with implementing the project, as determined by OER, including owner's representative services. The cost of preparing the application is not eligible.

7. "Cost effective for renewable energy projects" means the projected cost savings over the lifetime of the project exceed the total cost of the project.

8. "Distressed community" means a community that, for the fiscal year in which it submits an Application, has been appropriated assistance from the Distressed Communities Relief Fund Program in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 45-13.

9. "Efficient Buildings Fund" means the fund established within Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-12.2-4.2 for the purpose of providing technical, administrative and financial assistance to eligible entities for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to public buildings and infrastructure.

10. "Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment" or "EVSE" means Level II or higher charging station.

11. "Eligible entity" means a Local Governmental Unit or other entity that is eligible under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 46-12.2, as may be amended from time to time, to receive financial assistance from the Efficient Buildings Fund.

12. "Eligible renewable energy projects" means those projects that have been identified as eligible in accordance with Section 1.8 of this Part.

13. "Energy efficiency measure" means equipment or technology that reduces energy consumption, including EVSE and energy storage technologies.

14. "Energy efficiency project" means one or more energy efficiency measures that are collectively cost effective.

15. "Energy storage technologies" means effective methods to store energy for use on demand, such as but not limited to, solid state batteries, flow batteries, flywheels, and compressed air energy storage, thermal and pumped hydro-power.

16. "Green initiatives" means clean energy programs, best practices and policies for eligible entities.

17. "Job types" means the types of professions utilized to implement the measure or project (i.e. electrician, plumber, and laborer).

18. "Lead by example" means clean energy programs, best practices and policies for eligible entities.

19. "Local Governmental Unit" means any town, city, district, commission, agency, authority, board or other political subdivision or instrumentality of the state or of any political subdivision thereof.

20. "Owner's representative services" means an entity that represents the owner of the project during site selection, design, construction and commissioning phases as well as relocation.

21. "Project Priority List" or "PPL" means the list of projects eligible to receive assistance from the Efficient Buildings Fund, as established and ranked by OER in accordance with these rules and regulations. The PPL is to be used by RIIB to determine the order in which financial assistance shall be awarded.

22. "Qualified Energy Conservation Bond" or "QECB" means a bond that may be issued by state, local and tribal governments to finance qualified energy conservation projects as designated in 26 U.S.C. § 54D.

23. "Requisition" means a request for payment from the Local Governmental Unit.

24. "Requisition documentation" means all substantiating and/or back-up documentation that is required, as determined by RIIB and OER, to process a request for payment from the Efficient Buildings Fund made by an eligible entity. Such documentation may include but is not limited to, signed permits, if any, third party inspection documents, verification that all equipment is new and any change order documentation approved and signed by the Applicant.

25. "Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank" or ""RIIB" means the entity created by R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 46-12.2.

26. "Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources" or "OER" means the office created and established pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-140-2.

27. "Rhode Island State Energy Conservation Code" means the current energy code that is adopted and implemented by the Rhode Island Building Commission.

28. "Shovel ready project" means a project that will commence construction activities within ninety (90) days following a loan closing from the RIIB.

29. "Technical review team" means the individuals assigned by the Commissioner to review and score Applications. A technical review team should include at least two (2) employees from within OER and may include other individuals who possess the appropriate expertise and qualifications.

30. "Upgrade" means an energy efficiency measure that is installed to achieve greater savings than the Rhode Island State Energy Conservation Code, as determined by OER in program guidance documents, when part of new construction.

300 R.I. Code R. § 300-RICR-00-00-1.6