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.