State Energy Program | Ohio Department of Development

The Ohio Department of Development’s State Energy Program (SEP) helps businesses, manufacturers, nonmanufacturers, nonprofits, colleges/universities, local governments, and others implement energy efficiency improvements to lower energy use and costs.

Energy efficiency measures must reduce utility energy usage by at least 15 percent, as shown by an ASHRAE Level II energy audit.

The SEP consists of two programs:

Energy Efficiency Program for Manufacturers and Nonmanufacturers (EEPM/NM) – Audit Support

Eligible Applicants

Small businesses, small-to-medium-sized manufacturers, school districts, nonprofits, and local governments are eligible to apply for the program. Manufacturers applying for the program will participate in energy planning specifically for manufacturing. 

Please contact one of our approved energy auditors for additional information on the EEPM/NM audits. Our auditors walk applicants through the grant process and will provide full funding information based on audit requirements.  

Participating Energy Audit Contractors for Manufacturing Sectors

Graphet Inc. (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Melisa Adrien
431 Ohio Pike Suite 203-N, Cincinnati, Ohio 45255
Office: (513) 474-4870 ext. 208; Cell: (513) 560-0033
madrien@graphet.com
graphet.com

Go Sustainable Energy, LLC (Columbus, Ohio)
Greg Raffio, PE
5701 North High Street, Suite 112, Worthington, Ohio 43085
(614) 285-5785
graffio@gosustainableenergy.com
gosustainableenergy.com

JCC Energy-Solutions, LLC (Akron, Ohio)
Jack C. Ciesa, P.E., M.B.A., C.E.M.
President
(330) 285-5491
jack@jccenergysolutions.com
jccenergysolutions.com

Energility, LLC (Columbus, Ohio)
Justin Kale, CEM
Director of Opportunity Development
4400 N. High Street, Suite 300, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 746-9276
justin@energility.com
energility.com

Participating Energy Audit Contractors for Non-Manufacturing Sectors

Plugsmart/Ameresco (Columbus, Ohio)
Jarret Kelley
Director of Engineering
640 Lakeview Plaza Blvd Suite J, Worthington, Ohio 43085
Cell: (614) 230-7256; Office: (800) 518-5576; Fax: (800) 518-5576
jkelley@ameresco.com
plugsmart.com

Heapy Engineering (Dayton, Ohio)
Stephanie L. Drenten Ferro, CEM, CxT
Project Manager, Building Optimization Practice
(937) 224-0861 ext. 4514; Cell: (216)-296-0752
sldrenten@heapy.com
heapy.com

Trane U.S. Inc (Columbus, Ohio)
Sydney McCurdy PE, CEM, LEED AP 
Account Manager 
(614) 473-3400
sydney.whitehead@trane.com
Trane.com

The following auditors not participating in EEPM/NM have funding remaining in the Energy Efficiency Program for Ohio Communities Audit Support (EEPOCAS). For further program information, visit the EEPOCAS website. 

Sol design + Consulting (Cincinnati & Cleveland, Ohio) 
Sanyog B. Rathod, AIA, CPHC, LEED AP + Homes 
President & CEO 
Cell: (513) 939-8400; Cincinnati: (513) 455-8228 ext. 700; Cleveland: (216) 201-9027; Fax: (513) 455-8227 
sanyogr@solconsults.com 
www.solconsults.com 

Ohio Energy Efficiency Program (OEEP) – Implementation funds for energy efficiency retrofits

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants can be Ohio manufacturers, non-manufacturers, nonprofits, school districts, colleges and universities, local units of government, or any combination thereof. Priority will be given to projects that have not been previously funded by Development’s Office of Energy and Environment (OEE) in the past two years.

Grant Funding

Total funding available is $800,000 and grants will be awarded in the range of $100,000 to $200,000.  

Eligible Efficiency Measures

Requested funds must meet applicable state and federal guidelines and may only be used for the purchase and installation of energy efficiency measures and not for any other expenses such as personnel, consultants, energy audits, travel, equipment, or overhead/indirect costs.

Energy efficiency measures to be installed must be “materials” such as thermostats, sensors, automated controls, lighting fixtures, LEDs, doors, windows, panels, insulation, vents, motors, etc. and not equipment as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy as “tangible property with a per unit cost of $5,000 or more AND a useful life of one year or more.”  

How to Apply

Eligible and fully complete applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. Development reserves the right to reject any and all applications as well as to revise, amend, extend, or discontinue this program. All measures for which funding is awarded must be installed no earlier than Development’s acceptance of the application and no later than July 31, 2025. Every project will be subject to a site visit by Development.  

APPLY NOW

A new account set-up will be required for access if one does not already exist.

Documentation Needed for Application

An applicant applying to the program must already have an ASHRAE Level II audit that is less than two years old. The audit must be signed and stamped by a licensed Ohio Professional Engineer/Architect, with a signed Engineer/Architect Certification form. No cost share is required. The audit must contain or be supplemented by the Technical Energy Audit Summary Table attached to the application by the applicant, which itemizes: 

• Energy efficiency measures to be installed. 
• Program costs. 
• Projected savings in terms of energy usage percentage reduction and energy dollar costs reduction. 
• Projected payback periods. 

The energy efficiency measures for which funding is requested must result in a reduction of at least 15 percent of utility energy usage and have a simple pay-back period of 15 years or less based on energy cost savings alone.  

Applicants who need to have a new ASHRAE Level II audit performed may go through an OEE approved auditor.  

Additional Funding Opportunities

If your business, school district, nonprofit organization, or local government has completed an ASHRAE II energy audit that is less than two years old and needs additional assistance implementing the efficiency measures, the Energy Loan Fund and Energy Loan Loss Reserve programs are available.  

Before you conduct an energy audit, here are a few easy tips from the U.S. Department of Energy to improve your energy use:

• Turn off lights when not in use or when natural daylight is sufficient. This can reduce lighting expenses by 10-40 percent.
  
• Maximize daylighting. Open or close blinds to make the best use of natural daylight and take advantage of skylights or other natural daylight sources to reduce lighting during daytime hours.
  
• Enable the power management function on office computers, which automatically puts monitors to sleep when not in use.
  
• Activate sleep settings on all printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners, and multifunction devices so that they automatically enter a low-powered sleep mode when inactive.
  
• Plug electronics into a “smart” power strip that lets you designate which electronics should always be on, and which ones do not need power when they’re not in use.
  
• Perform monthly maintenance of heating and cooling equipment to guarantee efficient operation throughout the year.
  
• Set back the thermostat in the evenings and other times when the building isn’t occupied.

More tips can be found at the ENERGY STAR webpage.

State Energy Program Guidelines

Overview

The Ohio Department of Development (Development) connects companies and communities to financial and technical resources to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy costs. In support of its mission, Development provides grants through state funding resources for eligible projects demonstrating a reduction in energy usage and associated costs, and the creation and/or retention of jobs.

The Ohio Energy Efficiency Program (OEEP) provides grant funds to Ohio businesses, nonprofits, and public entities to complete energy efficiency and advanced energy projects. Projects are evaluated on technical criteria that will result in significant energy and cost savings.

Interested entities should review the program guidelines to determine the eligibility of their project. A project is defined as all eligible work related to the installation and implementation of eligible Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs) and includes adherence to the program requirements of the Ohio Energy Efficiency Program.

Development reserves the right to fund any grant application in full or in part, to request additional information to assist in the review process, to reject any or all grant applications responding to these guidelines and to re-issue the guidelines and accept new grant applications if Development determines doing so is in the best interests of the State of Ohio. Issuing these guidelines does not bind Development to approve any grant application. Any commitment of funds in respect to these guidelines will be subject to availability of funds. These guidelines are not a contract or commitment of any kind on behalf of Development. Development administers these guidelines and reserves the right to adjust these guidelines for whatever reason it deems appropriate. Grant awards are a minimum award of $100,000, up to a maximum of $200,000.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants can be manufacturers, non-manufacturers, nonprofits, school districts, colleges and universities, local units of government, or any combination thereof. All applicants must be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State either as an Ohio entity or as a foreign (non-Ohio) entity qualified to do business in the State of Ohio. Priority will be given to applicants who have not received funding from Development’s Office of Energy and Environment (OEE) programs within the past two years. Applicants may not apply for funds for the same project using different OEE programs (ex: applicant may apply and be granted OEEP funds and therefore would be ineligible for the Advanced Energy Fund).

Eligible applicants must submit an American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Level II energy audit during the application process that is less than two years old.

Development offers grant funds for the ASHRAE Level II energy audit to help identify potential energy savings. Manufacturers are encouraged to enroll in the Energy Efficiency Program for manufacturers, a multi-phase program designed specifically for manufacturers to identify and implement EEMs.

Similarly, Development also assists non-manufacturing commercial businesses, local governments, and nonprofit institutions to plan, assess, and implement cost-effective energy efficiency improvements to buildings and facilities. For more information on these Energy Efficiency Programs, visit https://development.ohio.gov/business/redevelopment/energy-efficiency-program.

Eligible Projects

The eligible project for this program will be energy efficiency retrofits on existing buildings that have received an ASHRAE Level II energy audit. The energy audit must be less than two years old and show a minimum of 15% utility energy use reduction (gas & electricity) and maximum 15-year payback.

Eligible projects may receive a minimum award of $100,000 up to a maximum award of $200,000 for the purchase of energy efficiency measures.

Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to, the purchase of:

• Energy efficiency retrofits* for existing buildings or facilities adding energy efficient equipment, such as:
  • Insulation (as applied to building envelope, steam or hot water system, ductwork, equipment, etc.).
  • Light emitting diodes (LED) lighting or other energy efficient lighting technologies, including daylighting techniques.
  • Energy management demand control systems, occupancy sensors, and night setback.
  • Heating, venting and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades, including air handler supply air reset.
  • High-efficiency boilers, chillers, and burners, including variable speed drive air compressors and chillers.
  • Weather-sealing.
  • Permanently fixed ENERGY STAR appliances.
  • Replacement of windows and doors with energy efficient windows and doors.
  • Process heating and cooling equipment and systems.
  • Steam traps.
  • Waste heat recovery equipment.
  • Other energy efficient equipment such as pumps, fans, motors, variable frequency drives, high energy efficiency water treatment equipment (when part of a qualified project), ice storage for peak demand reduction, air handling unit economizers, etc.

*Retrofits do not include new construction and expansions of buildings or facilities. For historic structures, it may be necessary for the retrofits to maintain the building’s historic character (e.g., replacement of windows and doors with appropriate designs) and this would be determined through consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office.

Eligible Costs

Requested funds must meet applicable state and federal guidelines and may only be used for the purchase of energy efficiency measures.

Energy efficiency measures to be installed must follow and meet all applicable federal guidelines. Energy efficiency measures to be installed must be “materials” such as thermostats, sensors, automated controls, lighting fixtures, LEDs, doors, windows, panels, insulation, vents, motors, etc. and not equipment as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy as “tangible property with a per unit cost of $5,000 or more AND a useful life of one year or more.” For a full list of eligible federal costs, please visit the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) website. State Energy Program federal guidelines in the CFR are contained in 2 CFR Part 200 as amended by 2 CFR Part 910, 10 CFR Part 420 and other procedures applicable to this regulation as DOE may, from time-to-time, prescribe for the administration of financial assistance.

Eligible costs must follow all federal compliance standards including, but not limited to:

• BABA
• Davis Bacon
• NEPA
• Historic Preservation
• Waste Stream Compliance

Inelligible Costs

Funding CANNOT be used:

• For any work related to the construction of a new building, an addition or an expansion project.
• To conduct or purchase equipment for research, development or demonstration of energy efficiency or renewable energy techniques.
• For non-energy-related alteration or upgrades or repair of a building or structure.
• To subsidize utility rate demonstrations or state tax credits for energy conservation or renewable energy measures.
• To purchase land, a building or structure or any interest therein.
• For projects that would require but have not yet completed environmental impact statements.
• Personnel
• Consultants
• Labor to install equipment
• Energy Audits
• Travel
• Overhead/Indirect costs
• Non-BABA compliant equipment

For a full list of ineligible federal costs, please visit the Code of Federal Regulations website.

Matching Funds

Utilizing matching funds is strongly encouraged but not required.

Minimum Project Requirements

Utilizing matching funds is strongly encouraged but not required.

• All projects must demonstrate a minimum of 15% utility energy use reduction from existing conditions as a result of the EEMs or process improvements being implemented. ASHRAE is the industry standard for energy audits, and all applicants must provide an ASHRAE Level II audit, certified by an engineer/architect duly licensed to practice in the State of Ohio, for review so that the energy savings potential of each project can be determined. Information on ASHRAE can be found at www.ashrae.org. The final decision on audit level and acceptability (ASHRAE Level II will be determined by Development.
• All projects must result in a simple payback period of 15 years.
• The project must be installed in Ohio.
• Entities must be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State and remain in good standing to conduct activities in the State of Ohio for the duration of the grant.
• The applicant must be the property owner or hold a long-term secured lease agreement with the property owner. The property owner must be an eligible entity.
• Expenses incurred prior to the term of the grant agreement are not eligible for reimbursement unless otherwise approved by Development.
• Project equipment must NOT be ordered, purchased, or installed prior to having an executed agreement with Development or unless otherwise approved by Development.
• All project components must be new or remanufactured parts with a minimum of a one-year warranty.
• Each applicant must meet all applicable state and federal permitting requirements. For any project selected, the applicant will be responsible for obtaining the appropriate permits and providing copies of the permits to Development as a required benchmark in the project timeline.
• The applicant must execute all documents required by Development.

Application Evaluation Criteria

Each application will be reviewed based on information received and will include scoring in key priority areas identified in the following table. The scoring process will be used as a tool to assist in final project award decisions by Development.

Scoring Criteria	Energy Project Maximum Points:
Project information (overall project and specific energy efficiency proposals and descriptions/cost estimates/commitment letters/sources and uses of funds, etc.)	25
Less than 15-year payback	15
Greater than 15 percent utility savings	15
Achieving environmental compliance (stated estimated amount of CO2 to be avoided due to the project)	10
Project readiness (evidence attached, e.g., lease agreements, site readiness, available constructions documents, etc.)	20
Project match (evidence required to receive credit)	5
Supporting documentation (resume of key project’s staff persons/similar past project’s experience, etc.)	10
Total Points:	100

Documentation Needed for Application

Each fully completed application will be reviewed after the application deadline has closed. Development staff will contact successful applicants when review process has been complete. A select amount of funds will go to DACs with remaining funds being available for other eligible applicants.

The following documentation must be submitted to be considered a fully completed application:

• An ASHRAE Level II energy audit less than two years old, signed by a professional engineer or registered architect, and shows a 15 percent utility energy use reduction. Development reserves the right to accept or reject an ASHRAE Level II energy audit report.
• Engineer Certification of Audit signed and stamped by a professional engineer or registered architect.
• Technical Energy Audit Summary Table.
• Current Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Certificate.
• Current Secretary of State Certificate.
• Breakdown of energy efficiency measures to be installed:
  • Price per unit
  • Number of units to be purchased
  • Does unit to be installed follow BABA compliance?
    • If no, please provide a completed BABA waiver and program staff will send to DOE for approval.

Application Process

In order to access the application, individuals will be required to login using an existing OH|ID or create a new OH|ID, which provides users with secure access to State of Ohio services and programs. For more information on creating an OH|ID, please click here.

Upon submission of a complete application, the applicant will receive an email from Development confirming that the application has been received. Submission of a complete application does not ensure the applicant will be awarded. If funding remains available at the time the application is filed, Development staff will review the application to determine eligibility. If Development determines an application is ineligible, or the documentation attached does not meet the requirements, the applicant will be notified via email that the application has not been accepted for funding.

Awards will be given until funds are depleted.

Eligible applicants will be required to provide the following on each application:

• Project Name
• Applicant Name/Type of Applicant
• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number
  • Please note, if the eligible applicant needs a UEI number please apply on Sam.gov as early as possible. Development is not responsible if application process is slowed due to wait time on UEI.
• Federal Tax ID (FEIN)
• Applicant Address (Street Address, City, County, State, ZIP)
• Contact Information
  • Contact Name
  • Contact Details (Email, Phone Number)
  • Contact Type (Primary, Secondary, etc.)
  • Required to submit contact information for:
    • Application Preparer
    • Consulting Engineer/Architect
    • Point of contact for reimbursement process
• Project Information
  • Provide a brief description of the organization’s history, mission, scope of services, and place in the community.
  • Provide a brief description of the overall energy efficiency project that will utilize the program goals. Describe how these savings help to advance and sustain the applicant’s goals.
  • Expected project start date.
  • Expected project completion date.
• Energy Efficiency measures
  • Technical Energy Audit Summary Information – Energy Efficiency Measures to be installed.
  • Upload ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit that is less than two years old and shows a 15 percent utility energy use reduction.
  • Upload signed Engineer/Architect Certification.
• Costs
  • Budget Table
    • Project Site
    • Building Address
    • County Location
    • Energy Efficiency Measure(s)
    • Requested Development Funding Amount(s)
    • Leveraged or Matching Funds (if applicable)
  • Total Requested Funds
  • Total Project Cost
• Documentation
  • ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit
  • Technical Energy Audit Summary Table
  • Signed Engineer/Architect Certification
  • Current Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Certificate
  • Current Secretary of State Certificate
  • A copy of the IRS determination if applying based with nonprofit status
  • Other supporting documentation
• Authorized representative signature(s)

If an eligible applicant is awarded grant funding, a grant agreement will be issued and must be returned for internal approval. Eligible applicants awarded funding must follow compliance requirements as outlined in these guidelines and in the grant agreement.

Reimbursement Requests

Once an application has been approved by Development to receive a grant award, Development will notify the eligible applicant of the process to receive grant funds. Eligible applicants may submit funding reimbursement requests as needed but must submit all reimbursement requests within 45 days of project completion.

The following documents will be required for reimbursement requests:

• Technical documentation completed (Zoning and code inspector’s approval certificates, if required by the jurisdictional officials)
• Cost of materials
• Invoice on contractor letterhead
• Proof of payment

Development is not responsible for the delay in reimbursement if all required documents are not submitted.

An Ohio Supplier ID is required for disbursement. If the eligible applicant does not currently have an Ohio Supplier ID, the business will be required to register for an Ohio Supplier ID at Supplier.Ohio.gov. Businesses will only be able to receive an award once a valid Ohio Supplier ID matching the FEIN/SSN provided in the application has been obtained and is verified by Development. Applicant businesses that need assistance obtaining an Ohio Supplier ID or need to make changes to an existing Ohio Supplier ID should visit: www.Supplier.Ohio.gov/wps/portal/sp/suppliers/help-center.

Maintenance of Records

Successful eligible applicants will be required to submit quarterly progress reports to Development outlining the percentage of work completed, detailed explanation of work completed, any issues with project timeline, and other beneficial information detailing work. Documentation for quarterly reports will be provided with the grant agreement. Inaccurate or late reporting may delay reimbursement requests, as determined by Development.

If awarded funds, an eligible applicant shall establish and maintain for at least three years after the expiration date or any earlier termination date its records regarding the signed grant agreement, the grant funds and the project, including, but not limited to, financial reports, documentation of expenditures of grant funds, job creation and retention statistics, and all other information pertaining to the performance of its obligations under the signed grant agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following record types shall be subject to the retention periods indicated for each: (i) real property and equipment records shall be retained for three years from the date of the disposition or replacement or transfer of the real property or equipment; (ii) if grantee is required to report program income after the period of grant support, records concerning such income shall be retained for three years after the end of the fiscal year in which the income is earned; and (iii) indirect cost rate computations or proposals, cost allocation plans, and any similar accounting computations of the rate at which a particular group of costs is chargeable shall be retained for three years after (A) the date of submission to the federal government for negotiation if the computation or proposal is negotiated or (B) the end of the fiscal year (or other accounting period) covered by the computation or proposal if not submitted to the federal government for negotiation. If any audit, dispute, litigation, or negotiation is pending when the applicable retention period would otherwise expire, grantee shall maintain such records as may be relevant to such matter until it is finally resolved.

Eligible Applicant Certification

Providing the signature of a duly authorized representative on an application, an applicant is certifying to Development and the State of Ohio that each of the certifications is true as of the date of signature and that each of the documents submitted are accurate and appropriate for the project requesting funds. By providing a signature on an application, the applicant also acknowledges that any person who knowingly makes a false statement to obtain an award of financial assistance may be required under Section 9.66(C) of the Ohio Revised Code to repay such financial assistance and shall be ineligible for any future economic development assistance from the State of Ohio, any state agency, or political subdivisions. Also, any person who provides a false statement to secure economic development assistance may be guilty of falsification, a misdemeanor of the first degree, pursuant to Section 2921.13(F)(1) of the Ohio Revised Code.

Public Records Information

Public Records Information, documents, or other materials submitted to Development as part of an application are public records unless a statutory exception exists under Section 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code or other relevant law that exempts the information, document, or other material from public release.