Local Energy Prosperity Initiative
Applied Solutions is seeking letters of support from members for a proposal for the Local Energy Prosperity Initiative (LEPI). This project will work with 20 local governments nationwide to analyze and establish options to leverage local assets, specifically local government purchasing power of energy, to advance a clean economy by studying the regulatory structure and existing authority, energy mix, economic and public health.
A National Collaboration led by Applied Solutions, the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and the Clean Economy Development Center (CEDC), the Local Energy Prosperity Initiative (LEPI) will work with local governments to capture and leverage the opportunity their purchasing power represents to influence local energy markets, advance economic stability and energy sovereignty. LEPI is looking for local governments with the regulatory, structural and political willingness to commit a specified percentage of local purchasing power resources to the funding of a defined project. The aim of LEPI is to establish, through a process customized to location, which finance mechanisms to leverage and apply the energy demand of local governments (i.e., their purchasing power) to advanced finance mechanisms and capture swift returns measured by:
- Jobs created
- Engaged and ambitious local elected leadership defined through political will and determined action
- Local and regional energy sovereignty measured by the percentage of locally-sourced energy, and increased economic and energy security
- Money saved and earned
Financial mechanisms and enabling legislative tools are part of a list of options that is emerging and evolving rapidly in response to the urgent priority of local governments to exercise authority over the economics of their energy expenses. The LEPI team will undertake an assessment of energy efficiency opportunities for implementation; legislative analysis and offer guidance, in collaboration with LEPI candidate local governments that will include, but not be limited to:
- CCA-in-a-Box (Community Choice Aggregation)
- Feed in Finance Structure-in-a-Box (Standard Offer Contracts)
- Assessment District Financing Mechanisms-in-a-Box
- Energy Efficiency Building Retrofits
- Local Efficiency Utilities
- Distributed Renewable Energy Projects
For more information, please contact Amy Bolten at amy.bolten@scwa.ca.gov.