FY25 Decarbonizing Public Schools Program App Final

FY25 Public Schools Decarbonization Program Application

We HIGHLY encourage you to carefully read through the Program's Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) before filling out an application. Please reach out to schools.mea@maryland.gov with any questions or concerns.
Link to MEA website. FOAs can be found under Program Documents
LEA Name: *
Address (as it appears on LEA's W-9)*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
YesNo
YesNo

Primary LEA Contact

This is an LEA staff member who will be responsible for overseeing the continuation of the activities outlined in the FY25 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) after the award’s performance period ends.
Primary Contact's Name*

First NameLast Name
Title*
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

LEA Signatory Authority

This is an LEA officer with the authority to commit the LEA to execute the grant’s requirements (e.g., Chair of the Board of Education, Chief Financial Officer, General Manager, etc.). This individual should have sufficient authority to identify, authorize, and provide the necessary resources to perform the activities listed in the FOA.
Signatory Authority's Name*

First NameLast Name
Title*
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

LEA Secondary Contact

This is an alternate LEA employee familiar with the project(s), which may also include a third party.
Secondary Contact's Name*

First NameLast Name
Title
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Project Information
Project Site Name*
*Project Street Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
*If this project will have multiple locations, provide the main project site address and list additional addresses in the project site description box later in the application.
AOI 1: Capacity Building Grants for Energy Management & Net Zero Energy Portfolio PlanningAOI 2: Energy Efficiency CapitalAOI 3: Solar on SchoolsAOI 4: Net Zero Energy Schools
Links to AOI FOAs for the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program:

AOI 1 (Capacity)

AOI 2 (EE)

AOI 3 (Solar)

AOI 4 (NZE)

AOI 1: Capacity Building

Capacity Building Grants for Energy Management & Net Zero Energy Portfolio Planning
Link to the FOA for AOI 1
Category 1: Energy Data Management Support for K-12 SchoolsCategory 2: Support for Implementing Net Zero Energy (NZE) elements into the LEA's Portfolio approach to facility construction and renovation, including the LEA's Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP)
Describe the Project Site(s) in the box below. Please describe how the LEA intends to implement and achieve the goals of the selection in the above Project Category section. (250 words or fewer)*
Describe how the proposed project(s) will address the competitive application criteria as described in the FOA. Demonstrate how the proposed project(s) will show the greatest energy reduction and greenhouse gas savings per dollar spent. (200 words or fewer)*
Category 2 Applicants Only
Describe how the proposed project(s) systematically approach net zero energy (NZE) opportunities across all future school construction and renovation initiatives as described by the three tiers in the FOA. Tier 1’s objective is to conduct a comprehensive analysis to identify and evaluate NZE potential for new builds and major renovations, developing stringent NZE policies and design criteria to ensure every project is aligned with NZE goals. Tier 2 extends the effort to partial renovations and additions, focusing on energy-efficient building envelopes and HVAC systems. Tier 3's analysis will pinpoint prospects for renewable energy generation and cleaner energy solutions, leveraging solar opportunities and innovative financing like PPAs and EaaS. (300 words or fewer)

Please upload a Grant Implementation Plan as described in the FOA*

Cancelof

Please upload a Grant Implementation Plan based on the tier(s) you are applying for. Please see the FOA for more details*

Cancelof
Please upload a NZE Strategy Report as described in the FOA.*

Cancelof

Financial Information (AOI 1)

Please provide all information regarding the project's funding below.
Grant Request ($)*
Please enter the amount of funding requested from the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program AOI 1. (example: $100,000)
Additional Funding Incentives: (Project funding for AOI 1 is REQUIRED to be combined with other incentives, including the Inflation Reduction Act's Direct Pay incentives for clean energy technologies)
Total incentive reimbursables combined with grant funding may not exceed the project budget.
Total Project Cost ($) *
Please enter the total cost of the project before the consideration of rebates and incentives. (example: $2,030,442)

AOI 2: Energy Efficiency

The Program’s overall intent is to facilitate the electrification of school buildings, enhance energy efficiency, reduce lifecycle costs of school buildings and to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
Link to the FOA for AOI 2
YesNoDo not know
Describe the project site(s) in the box below (250 words or fewer). Please provide information on the Scope of Work for the project site(s). Describe how the proposed project site(s) will enhance energy efficiency and reduce lifecycle costs of school facilities, while reducing GHG emissions, on a portfolio-wide basis.*
Describe how the proposed project(s) will address the competitive application criteria as described in the FOA (250 words or fewer). Demonstrate how the proposed project(s) will show the greatest energy reduction and greenhouse gas savings per dollar spent.*

Financial Information (AOI 2)

Please provide all information regarding the project's funding below. IMPORTANT: MEA will only reimburse up to 75% of the total project cost.
Grant Request ($)*
Please enter the amount of funding requested from the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program AOI 2. (example: $100,000)
Total Project Cost ($)*
Please enter the total cost of the project before the consideration of rebates and incentives. (example: $439,845)

AOI 3: Solar on Schools

This program provides Maryland LEAs with the opportunity to request funding to support the installation and planning of solar arrays on existing school roofs and infrastructure.
Link to the FOA for AOI 3
YesNoDo not know
Describe the project site(s) in the box below (250 words or fewer). Please describe the location of the project and list the low-income or disadvantaged and overburdened census tract(s) served.*
Describe how the proposed project(s) will address the competitive application criteria as described in the FOA (250 words or fewer). Demonstrate how the proposed project(s) will show the greatest energy reduction and greenhouse gas savings per dollar spent.*
Please Upload these Required AOI 3 Specific Documents: _ 1) System Diagram detailing locations, dimensions, and orientations of proposed system on the property. _ 2) Site map exhibiting the location of the system on the property. _ 3) Construction Schedule. _ 4) PVWATTS, PVSYST (or equivalent) document showing expected energy production - A basic electrical schematic of the facility's electrical system (a one-line diagram is acceptable) and where/how the solar array connects to it. _ 5) For a purchased system: calculate the simple payback period. For a 3rd party- owned system: show the cost savings to the site owner over a 15-year period.*

Can attach as individual documents or as a singular PDF
Cancelof

Financial Information (AOI 3)

Please provide all information regarding the project's funding below.
Grant Request ($)*
Please enter the amount of funding requested from the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program AOI 3. (example: $100,000)
Additional Funding Incentives: (Project funding is encouraged to be combined with other incentives, including the Inflation Reduction Act's Direct Pay incentives for clean energy technologies)
Total incentive reimbursables combined with grant funding may not exceed the project budget.
Total Project Cost ($)*
Please enter the total cost of the project before the consideration of rebates and incentives. (example: $637,802)

AOI 4: NZE

This program supports the design, construction, and post-occupancy commissioning of the next generation of Net Zero Energy (NZE) Schools in Maryland.
Link to the FOA for AOI 4
YesNoDo not know
Describe the project site(s) in the box below (250 words or fewer). Please indicate which of the following assistance is applicable to the proposed project site(s). Funding is available for design, construction, and post-occupancy commissioning of incremental costs for net zero energy schools.*
Describe how the proposed project(s) will address the competitive application criteria as described in the FOA (250 words or fewer). Demonstrate how the proposed project(s) will show the greatest energy reduction and greenhouse gas savings per dollar spent.*
Please Upload these Required AOI 4 Specific Documents: _ 1) Scope of work or executive summary detailing LEA goals _ 2) Prospective schedule and plan for LEA design and construction. Detailed notes from LEA or assigned design team on how they intend to meet NZE designs including: Renewable energy production, Building controls, Building envelope and commissioning needs. Please also include: - Modeled construction costs - Capital stack plans to incorporate state, federal, and local funding as applicable - Modeled energy intensity and renewable energy requirements to meet net zero (include current energy usage at existing school to be replaced to show energy savings for LEA)*

Can attach as individual documents or as a singular PDF
Cancelof

Financial Information (AOI 4)

Please provide all information regarding the project's funding below.
Grant Request ($)*
Please enter the amount of funding requested from the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program AOI 4. (example: $100,000)
Additional Funding Incentives: (Project funding is encouraged to be combined with other incentives, including the Inflation Reduction Act's Direct Pay incentives for clean energy technologies)
Total incentive reimbursables combined with grant funding may not exceed the project budget.
Total Project Cost ($)*
Please enter the total cost of the project before the consideration of rebates and incentives. (example: $711,435)

Electronic Communications

Electronic communication provides the fastest and most efficient method of interacting with MEA; therefore, MEA encourages the use of electronic communication for all matters relating to this grant program. Unless the applicant opts out as indicated below, MEA will require the electronic submission and receipt of all documents (including but not limited to the application, the grant agreement, reports, and invoices).
I agree

Please Attach a Signed W-9 *

Cancelof
Signature of Signatory Authority *
Should be Empty:

FY25 Public Schools Decarbonization Program Application

Primary LEA Contact

LEA Signatory Authority

LEA Secondary Contact

Project Information

AOI 1: Capacity Building

Category 2 Applicants Only

Financial Information (AOI 1)

AOI 2: Energy Efficiency

Financial Information (AOI 2)

AOI 3: Solar on Schools

Financial Information (AOI 3)

AOI 4: NZE

Financial Information (AOI 4)

Electronic Communications