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TCAAP Energy Integration Resiliency Framework <br />Policy White Paper – Conclusions <br /> <br /> 61 <br /> Assess potential on-site resources: the JDA, City, and County should complete an assessment of <br />the potential for on-site solar PV, solar thermal, and passive solar building design based on street <br />layout and building orientation, as well as community wind potential. The potential to utilize the <br />existing groundwater being treated on TCAAP as an energy source should also be investigated. <br />This could help inform site planning and incentives that could be made available to developers. <br /> Pursue energy efficiency funding opportunities and funding opportunities for innovative clean <br />energy infrastructure: Identifying financing opportunities early will lead to more appealing <br />offerings for developers. Continuing conversations with the Minnesota Department of Commerce <br />and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, local foundations, and <br />the Saint Paul Port Authority to explore funding mechanisms that attract developers, businesses, <br />and future TCAAP residents, is an important immediate-term action. Reaching out to the US <br />Department of Energy and the US Department of Commerce's Economic Development Authority <br />on forthcoming grant opportunities is also an action to take at this time. These financing <br />opportunities could provide the funding needed to make significant progress toward the energy <br />vision for TCAAP. <br />If any of these sources show potential as feasible funding streams, the JDA, City, and County <br />should look for opportunities to structure the Energy Integration and Resiliency Framework - due <br />at the end of March 2015 - such that it provide information that will support application <br />processes. Documentation may include technical feasibility studies or site assessments. <br />Communicating this to the Project Team could help shape TCAAP’s energy framework and help <br />streamline funding opportunities. <br /> Align the County’s land development strategy with the adopted energy vision : As it develops its <br />requests for proposals for site development, the JDA and County could reward potential <br />developers for innovative energy projects in their scoring criteria. This could include rewarding <br />developers for agreeing to install high-efficiency energy systems, renewable energy supply <br />technologies, or agreeing to receive thermal energy from a community district energy system. <br /> Approve energy standards and a process for review: Actions that support the design and <br />construction of energy-efficient, resilient buildings will be an important intermediate action. <br />Before the JDA and County releases development RFPs or responds to inquiries from developers, it <br />will be necessary to have high-performance energy building standards in place. The Project Team <br />recommends that the JDA and County determine if Sustainable Buildings 2030 (commercial) and <br />Minnesota Green Path (residential) or other development guidelin es outside of the zoning code, <br />are going to be included as incentives or requirements for developers. If there are other standards