Barry
03-22-2009, 05:32 PM
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Sonoma County to launch energy-efficiency loans this week
Property owners will be first in state eligible to borrow government money
By CLARK MASON ([email protected])
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 3:13 p.m.
Sonoma County property owners are poised to become the first in the state to be able to borrow money from county government for energy-efficiency improvements, and pay it back in installments on their tax bills.
Sonoma County supervisors on Tuesday are set to approve the “Energy Independence Program,” which will allow residential and commercial property owners in the unincorporated areas, as well as all nine cities, to borrow the money for improvements such as solar panels and double-paned windows.
They will have up to 20 years to pay it back, depending on the size of the loan.
“It’s going to create energy improvements, jobs and help get this economy going,” said County Controller Rod Dole, who is overseeing the program.
He said property owners should be able to apply for the loans as early as Wednesday.
Property owners will be able to borrow money to install a wide variety of improvements, including but not limited to solar and voltaic units, solar thermal devices, tankless water heaters, energy-efficient windows, attic and wall insulation.
Also eligible are water efficiency technologies that help conserve water, such as low-flush toilets.
Property owners will pay the loan back at 7 percent interest over 5 to 20 years, depending on how much they borrow.
The payments will be assessed on their property tax bills. If the property is sold, the new owner will be responsible for the payments.
The loans are for a minimum of $2,500. Both homeowners and commercial property owners throughout the county can take advantage of the program.
Continues at PD Website (https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090322/ARTICLES/903229965)
Sonoma County to launch energy-efficiency loans this week
Property owners will be first in state eligible to borrow government money
By CLARK MASON ([email protected])
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 3:13 p.m.
Sonoma County property owners are poised to become the first in the state to be able to borrow money from county government for energy-efficiency improvements, and pay it back in installments on their tax bills.
Sonoma County supervisors on Tuesday are set to approve the “Energy Independence Program,” which will allow residential and commercial property owners in the unincorporated areas, as well as all nine cities, to borrow the money for improvements such as solar panels and double-paned windows.
They will have up to 20 years to pay it back, depending on the size of the loan.
“It’s going to create energy improvements, jobs and help get this economy going,” said County Controller Rod Dole, who is overseeing the program.
He said property owners should be able to apply for the loans as early as Wednesday.
Property owners will be able to borrow money to install a wide variety of improvements, including but not limited to solar and voltaic units, solar thermal devices, tankless water heaters, energy-efficient windows, attic and wall insulation.
Also eligible are water efficiency technologies that help conserve water, such as low-flush toilets.
Property owners will pay the loan back at 7 percent interest over 5 to 20 years, depending on how much they borrow.
The payments will be assessed on their property tax bills. If the property is sold, the new owner will be responsible for the payments.
The loans are for a minimum of $2,500. Both homeowners and commercial property owners throughout the county can take advantage of the program.
Continues at PD Website (https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090322/ARTICLES/903229965)