Article 3.5. Energy Management Systems of California Education Code >> Division 7. >> Title 3. >> Part 49. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 3.5.

Any community college district may enter into an energy management agreement for energy management systems with any person, firm, corporation, or public agency pursuant to this article. As used in this article, "energy management systems" means solar, energy, or solar and energy management systems.

In determining the lowest responsible bidder for an energy management system pursuant to Section 20651 of the Public Contract Code, the governing board of any community college district shall consider the net cost or savings of each system. For the purposes of this section, "net cost or savings" means the cost of the system to the district, if any, less the projected energy savings to be realized from the energy management system. The governing board may require an independent evaluation of the projected energy savings.

The term of any energy management agreement shall not exceed the estimated useful life of the energy management system, but in no event shall the term exceed 15 years.

(a) The governing board of any community college district may borrow funds from federal or state regulated financial institutions for design and construction costs associated with retrofitting buildings to become more energy efficient. The amount borrowed shall not exceed the amount that can be repaid from energy cost avoidance savings accumulated from the improvement of facilities.
  (b) Any savings association may make loans or advances of credit pursuant to subdivision (a) in an amount not in excess of 5 percent of its total assets. This investment may be in addition to any other investment savings associations are permitted to undertake.