Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 12, March 20, 2024
(a) A technical feasibility study must have
been performed or updated within one year of the date of submission of a
program application to the department. Updates must include a recalculation of
the paybacks of the original technical feasibility study's proposed energy
conservation improvements, based on current fuel costs.
(b) Technical feasibility studies with
respect to a construction project must be prepared under the supervision of and
stamped with the seal and signature of a registered architect or professional
engineer.
(c) A technical
feasibility study must contain the following information regarding the
wastewater treatment project for which program assistance is being requested:
(1) a detailed description of the improvement
to be implemented, including the daily volume of wastewater to be treated, the
improvement in water quality projected to result from the project, and any
necessary sketches or diagrams;
(2)
a detailed breakdown of project costs;
(3) for projects involving construction, the
proposed construction-to-occupancy schedule and copies of the preliminary
architectural drawings, scope of work and schematics;
(4) energy calculations for the proposed
wastewater treatment project, including:
(i)
simple payback, calculated by dividing the total installed cost of the project
presented in the selected contractor's bid, or in the applicant's schedules and
selected estimate in the case of an in-house project, by the projected annual
energy cost savings. Ongoing operation and maintenance costs, finance charges,
and the cost of preparing and updating technical feasibility studies shall not
be included in the total installed cost;
(ii) a full explanation of the methodology
used in calculating energy savings. The department may provide standard
calculation sheets, which must be used whenever provided. If standard
calculation sheets have not been provided by the department, the methodology
used to calculate energy savings will be reviewed for adequacy and
reasonableness by the department;
(iii) all calculations, including units of
measurement and formulae, of annual fuel use, and annual Btu and energy cost
savings, with all assumptions and parameters clearly presented. The annual Btu
and energy cost savings shall be based on actual consumption records for the
applicant's existing wastewater treatment system for the prior 12-month period,
and shall not include savings from taxes, dollar savings due to switching to
lower cost fuels, and other savings which may be deemed inappropriate by the
department. All formulae and calculations shall be based on generally accepted
engineering standards and practices, and shall be reviewed for completeness and
reasonableness by the department; and
(5) evidence satisfactory to the department
that all applicable Federal, State and local permits, certificates and
approvals have been applied for.
(d) Conflict of interest prohibited. A person
performing a technical feasibility study is permitted to provide construction
management services to a program recipient, but such person may not be involved
in the sale or installation of the proposed wastewater treatment
project.