Section 1 - APPLICANT AND PROJECT SITE INFORMATION

Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program

Fiscal Year 2026 Application

For State Agency Applicants (only)

Thank you for submitting an application to the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program (“Lawton Loan Program” or “Program”) implemented by the Maryland Energy Administration (“MEA”). The Lawton Loan Program finances investments that improve the energy efficiency of stationary facilities and their operations.[1] State Agencies are eligible to apply under this Program for zero-interest loans.

Lawton Loans are structured so that repayment schedules are tied to actual savings generated by the energy efficiency improvements—known as energy conservation measures or “ECMs.” Eligible ECMs may include, but are not limited to: lighting retrofits; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades, and related mechanical measures and controls; building management information systems; and specialty equipment upgrades or replacements (such as lab hoods, refrigeration motors, etc.). The energy efficiency project may combine multiple ECMs so that a single bundle of projects demonstrates the capacity to pay for itself through reduced energy expenses within the expected useful life.[2] For multiple ECMs, MEA will then use the simple payback of all of the measures in aggregate to determine the term of the loan. Loan terms may not exceed 15 years. For a state agency, the measures in aggregate must also have a simple payback of 15 years or less. State agencies may also obtain a Lawton loan for financing that is incremental to an energy performance contract (EPC), thereby expanding the number and variety of projects provided by the EPC.

Lawton Loans can be made for ECMs that retrofit or replace existing equipment/fixtures in existing facilities, or for the installation of energy-efficient equipment/fixtures in facilities that have yet to be constructed. Replacement and retrofit projects can receive funding for up to 100% of the total project cost, less any applicable rebates, incentives, and other leveraged funding sources. New construction projects can receive funding for up to 100% of the incremental cost of the ECMs. “Incremental Project Cost” means the difference between the proposed project’s total cost, minus (1) all applicable rebates, incentives, and other leveraged funding sources, and (2) the total cost of a project that would have included code-minimum measures or other activities required by regulation or law.

New in FY26, no new fossil fuel systems will be financed, except on a case by case basis in situations where electrification cannot be utilized. Please contact MEA prior to applying to discuss any potential project that may involve this situation.

All applicants, including state agencies, must submit a complete application package. As application eligibility will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis based on the date the complete application is received by MEA, please carefully read the following pages of the application package and provide all required information. Incomplete or incorrect information will delay the review process, so be sure to check that all necessary fields are complete and that all required attachments are provided in the initial application package prior to submission. Reviews of the proposed project’s energy savings generally take approximately 45 days to complete, but this timeframe may vary based on the volume and complexity of loan applications. MEA may request additional or clarifying information during its review and will provide in writing its determination of whether or not the project will be funded with a Lawton Loan. State agencies do not bear an application fee, but will have a 1% administration fee folded into the first repayment made for any loan awarded under this Program.

**Before filling out an application, interested potential applicants should review the entire FY26 Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program funding opportunity announcement to gain a complete understanding of how the Program operates, as well as all of the eligibility requirements.**

**To aid in the completion of this application, a checklist of application requirements is included on the last page of this document**

[1] Solar Array projects are not eligible.
[2] The expected useful life of an individual energy measure will typically be based on the most recent version of the Mid-Atlantic Technical Reference Manual (TRM) available at https://neep.org/mid-atlantic-technical-reference-manual-trm-v9.

Please carefully read the following sections and provide the requested information. If you are submitting an application electronically, please email all required documentation to Lawton.MEA@maryland.gov. Applications may also be submitted via USPS. If mailing a physical copy of the application, please forward the application package to the following address:

Project Eligibility

All proposed energy efficiency projects must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a Lawton Loan.

☐ The energy efficiency project will be installed on or in a facility owned or leased by the applicant Agency.

☐ The energy efficiency project will be located within the State of Maryland.

☐ The aggregate simple payback does not exceed 18 years.

REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST: Please provide all information requested in the following sections. Incomplete or missing information will result in delayed processing of the Application package.

	Documents Needed
Complete and accurate FY26 Lawton Loan Application Workbook (this workbook)
12 consecutive months of Utility Bills supporting the information in the Energy Baseline tab(Facility Retrofit projects only)
Utility Baseline Estimation Documentation supporting the information in the Energy Baseline tab (Incremental Improvement projects only)
Energy Savings Summary Spreadsheet
Energy Savings Supporting Documents
IRS Form W9
Energy Efficiency Project Feasibility Study -OPTIONAL
Energy Audit of the facility to receive upgrades- OPTIONAL
Completed Utility Rebate Applications for any ECMs eligible for utility rebates- OPTIONAL

Please provide an explanation in the box below if you selected "Unavailable (explain below)" for any of the required application documents above.
File Upload

Cancelof

PROJECT SITE INFORMATION

Project Site Information Only
Official Name of State Facility or Complex:*
Name your Project
Number of Buildings and Floor Area Involved in the Project:*
Total No. of Buildings: Total Floor Area (sq. ft.):
Type of Structure

Existing StructureNew Construction
Type of Facility
e.g. office building, warehouse, etc.
General Condition of Project Site (Existing Structure(s)) Only:
Describe the general condition of the building(s) to receive the proposed ECMs in the space below. Include the age of the structure(s) and condition of any existing energy-consuming equipment or fixtures to be replaced.
Project Site Address*

Project Site Address (Not Headquarters)

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
County*
County where Project Site is located
Congressional District*
Find your Congressional and Legislative Districts at: https://maryland.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=177afa87a67746a4ac5496b2d0897fb7
MD Legislative District:*
Legislative Boundaries Web Application- https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/3585d7300d12489ca0c4a4e14dbe2e49/
Project Site Historical Status:*
Properties located in historic districts as designated by the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties (MIHP) and/or the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) must undergo a historical preservation review to determine if the installation of the project creates an adverse impact to the historical significance of the property. If an adverse impact is created, MEA will be unable to grant funding to the project in accordance with Maryland State law. To check the historical status of the project site, MEA recommends using the Maryland Historical Trust's MEDUSA map locator tool, available at: https://mht.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Property Owned by the Applicant? If project site is leased by the Applicant organization, please provide the name of the lessor and the term of the lease.
Owned or Leased?
If leased, 
Name of Lessor:
Term of Lease:

PROJECT SITE ENERGY BASELINE

Instructions: The following information should be for the entire project site (all buildings). For projects in facilities yet to be constructed, the energy consumption and cost assumptions for the first stabilized year of operation should be modeled assuming that standard, code-minimum equipment/fixtures are installed.
Select your electric utility provider # 1:*
Total Electricity Consumption (kWh) from Previous Year
For new construction: Enter first stabilized year of operation) for the entire site
Projected Annual Electricity Savings from Proposed Project (kWh):
Select your fuel utility/provider # 1:
Select your fuel type:
Non-Electric Fuel Consumption from Previous Year
Specify fuel type – e.g. MMBtu, gallons of propane, etc.) for the entire site
Projected Annual Non-Electric Fuel Savings from the proposed project
Specify fuel type – e.g. MMBtu, gallons of propane, etc.)
Total Energy Costs from Previous Year
Total Electric Costs: $
Total Non-electric Costs: $
For new construction: costs modeled for first stabilized year of operation)
Total Projected Annual Energy Cost Savings
Total Electric Savings: $
Total Non-electric Savings: $
Total Savings (Electric + Non-electric): $

PROJECT NARRATIVE

In 700 or fewer words, please describe the energy efficiency / energy conservation project. Include information on the following:
What is the motivations for pursuing the project?*
Please provide a general description of the project components (energy conservation measures (ECMs) and/or activities)*
Please provide the total annual kilowatt-hours (kWh) and/or million British thermal units (MMBtu) saved
(or avoided, if an Incremental Improvement project)
Please provide the total percent and cost of annual energy baseline saved/avoided
Project Timeline: *
Expected Project Start Date: 
Procurement of Materials/Equipment/Contractor(s):
Begin Installation/Construction:
25% Project Completion:
50% Project Completion:
75% Project Completion:
Complete Installation/Construction:
Project Commissioning:
Expected Project End Date:
If you anticipate any risks that could affect the proposed project timeline, please detail them in the space below. Do not consider inadequate funding a risk for this purpose: Please provide a project timeline which includes expected completion dates of specified milestones. The template below may be used, modified as necessary, or an alternative project schedule may be provided (such as a Gantt chart).

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Instructions: Provide ALL INFORMATION REQUESTED in the following tables for each energy conservation measure (ECM) or activity. If you require additional tables, please enter the supplementary ECM/activity tables in the space provided to complete and include with the application package. For Retrofit and Replacement Projects Identify the type of existing equipment/fixtures, and model number(s), if available. For New Construction Projects Identify the type of equipment/fixtures used for the baseline assumptions. If the operational schedule of the equipment to be replaced does not adhere to a standard 12-monthtimeframe (e.g. seasonal operations only), please leave the Hours of Operation sections blank in the tables below and instead attach a description of the typical operational schedule for a 12-month timeframe.
ECM / Activity #1:*
Expected Useful Life
What is the expected useful life of the ECM (in years)? This information should be obtained from the most recent version of the Mid-Atlantic Technical Reference Manual (TRM)available at https://neep.org/mid-atlantic-technical-reference-manual-trm-v9.
Existing or Baseline Hours of Operation
Mon. – Fri.:
Saturday:
Sunday:

Proposed Hours of Operation
Mon. – Fri.:
Saturday:
Sunday:
EXISITING EQUIPEMENT: Describe the Existing Equipment (Facility Retrofit projects) OR Code-minimum Equipment Used for Modeling (Incremental Improvement projects)*
Specify type – kWh, MMBtu, gallons of propane, etc.EXISTING EQUIPMENT- (Specify type – kWh,MMBtu, gallons of propane, etc.)
NEW EQUIPMENT: Describe the Existing Equipment (Facility Retrofit projects) OR Code-minimum Equipment Used for Modeling (Incremental Improvement projects)*
Specify type – kWh, MMBtu, gallons of propane, etc.NEW EQUIPMENT
Projected Annual Energy Cost Savings
COST savings from new equipment vs previous equipment
Projected Annual Energy Savings
ENERGY savings from new equipment vs previous equipment. Specify type – kWh, MMBtu, gallons of propane, etc.
ECM / Activity #2:
Skip if no additional ECM's
ECM #2 Technical Information
ECM #2
Existing or Baseline Equipment Description:
Existing or Baseline Hours of Operation
Mon. – Fri.:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Proposed New Equipment 
Proposed Hours of Operation:
Mon. – Fri.:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Projected Annual Energy Savings:
Projected Annual Energy Cost Savings:
What is the expected useful life of the ECM (in years)?:Skip if no additional ECM's
ECM / Activity #3:
Skip if no additional ECM's
ECM / Activity #4:
Skip if no additional ECM's
Do you have more ECM's or Activities to include? Include additional details here:
ECM #3
Existing or Baseline Equipment Description:
Existing or Baseline Hours of Operation
Mon. – Fri.:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Proposed New Equipment 
Proposed Hours of Operation:
Mon. – Fri.:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Projected Annual Energy Savings:
Projected Annual Energy Cost Savings:
What is the expected useful life of the ECM (in years)?:

ECM #4
Existing or Baseline Equipment Description:
Existing or Baseline Hours of Operation
Mon. – Fri.:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Proposed New Equipment 
Proposed Hours of Operation:
Mon. – Fri.:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Projected Annual Energy Savings:
Projected Annual Energy Cost Savings:
What is the expected useful life of the ECM (in years)?:

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Instructions: Please provide below the amount of funding the applicant Agency is requesting from the Lawton Loan Program. This amount cannot exceed the total cost of the energy efficiency project (for retrofit and replacement projects) or the difference between the total cost of the proposed energy efficient equipment fixtures and the total cost of the assumed baseline equipment/fixtures (for new construction projects) and must be net of any anticipated utility rebates and other leveraged sources of funding (private donations, grants, etc.).
LAWTON LOAN REQUEST*
Please provide below the amount of funding the applicant Agency is requesting from the Lawton Loan Program. This amount cannot exceed the total cost of the energy efficiency project (for retrofit and replacement projects) or the difference between the total cost of the proposed energy efficient equipment fixtures and the total cost of the assumed baseline equipment/fixtures (for new construction projects) and must be net of any anticipated utility rebates and other leveraged sources of funding (private donations, grants, etc.).
Is this project a multi-year project?

Yes - We WILL be applying for additional Lawton loan funds next fiscal year for this project.No - We WILL NOT need to apply for additional Lawton loan funds for this project.

PROJECT COSTS: Please provide an itemized list of all equipment, evaluations, and labor expenses that the requested Lawton Loan would fund, in whole or in part, in the table below. If a cost is an estimate, this can be noted in the line-item description.

	Cost	Description
Total Equipment
Total Engineering and Design
Permitting
Installation / Labor
Commissioning Costs
Other (Specify):
Other (Specify):

PROJECT FUNDING SOURCES: Please list all sources of other funds leveraged for the energy efficiency project – utility rebates, grants, other loans, agency self-supplied capital, etc.

	Amount	Interest Rate
Estimated Utility Incentive(s)
Estimated MEA Grant(s)
Estimated Tax Credit(s)
Estimated Traditional Financing
Estimated C-PACE
Estimated Value of Donated Labor
Estimated Cash / Equity
Additional Estimated Leveraged Funds
Other

PROJECT SIMPLE PAYBACK: To calculate simple payback, divide the Total Project Cost (before the deduction of any leveraged funds) by the Total Annual Energy Cost Savings. The simple payback of the combined project plus interest costs will determine the repayment schedule of the Lawton Loan. The measures in aggregate must have a simple payback of 15 years or less. The term of a zero-interest loan to a State Agency will be equal to the calculated simple payback for the project, plus one additional year to enable one full year of avoided energy savings to accrue.

	Amount
Total Project Cost
Total Annual Energy Savings
Project Simple Payback (years)

Applicant Agency Certification and Signature

Instructions: Please carefully read the following terms, conditions, requirements, and restrictions and indicate your acknowledgement, attestation, or certification of each.
By signing the Lawton Loan Application Form at the bottom of this page, you are certifying the following information is true and correct to the best of your knowledge, information, and belief:

1. The individual signing this Application Form on behalf of the applicant State of Maryland Agency is the Authorized Representative of the applicant Agency with legal authority to apply to the Lawton Loan Program on behalf of the applicant Agency.

2. The applicant Agency possesses the legal authority to carry out Lawton Loan Program activities and will do so in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

3. I understand that a person may not make or cause to be made any false statement or report in any document required to be furnished to MEA for use in any agreement relating to financial assistance.

4. A person applying for or benefiting from financial assistance under the Lawton Loan Program may not knowingly make or cause to be made any false statement or report for the purpose of influencing the action of MEA on an application or for the purpose of influencing the action of MEA affecting financial assistance already provided.

5. I understand that any person who violates these terms shall be subject to the following penalties: (1) immediate cancellation of the Lawton Loan and acceleration of the terms of financial assistance provided by the Lawton Loan Program; and (2) subject to charges and, upon conviction, subject to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year or both.

6. I understand that the applicant Agency must adhere to all Lawton Loan Program Regulations, found in the Code of Maryland Regulations, Title 14, Subtitle 26, Chapter 01.

I authorize MEA to contact the utilities serving the project site designated in this Lawton Loan Program application to obtain energy use data necessary to approve and monitor any loan awarded based on this application.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the individual signing this Application package has caused this document to be duly executed on this ______ day of ____________________________, 20___.

** For state agency projects, this could be a representative from the Maryland Department of General Services.
Name of Authorized Representative*

First NameLast Name
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Email of Authorized Representative
example@example.com
Signature of Authorized Representative*

Powered by Jotform SignClear
**NOTICE** Last Chance to Upload Documents Before Submission

Refer to page 2: REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST
Cancelof
Should be Empty:

Section 1 - Agency Administrative Information

For Energy Performance Contract (EPC) Only

PROJECT SITE INFORMATION

PROJECT SITE ENERGY BASELINE

PROJECT NARRATIVE

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Applicant Agency Certification and Signature