(a) Purpose. The purpose of this subpart C is to implement HUD policies in support of national energy conservation goals by requiring PHAs to conduct energy audits and undertake certain cost-effective energy conservation measures.

(b) Applicability. The provisions of this subpart apply to all PHAs with PHA-owned housing, but they do not apply to Indian Housing Authorities. (For similar provisions applicable to Indian housing, see part 950 of this chapter.) No PHA-leased project or Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program project, including a PHA-owned Section 8 project, is covered by this subpart.

All PHAs shall complete an energy audit for each PHA-owned project under management, not less than once every five years. Standards for energy audits shall be equivalent to State standards for energy audits. Energy audits shall analyze all of the energy conservation measures, and the payback period for these measures, that are pertinent to the type of buildings and equipment operated by the PHA.

Within the funds available to a PHA, energy conservation measures should be accomplished with the shortest pay-back periods funded first. A PHA may make adjustments to this funding order because of insufficient funds to accomplish high-cost energy conservation measures (ECM) or where an ECM with a longer pay-back period can be more efficiently installed in conjunction with other planned modernization. A PHA may not install individual utility meters that measure the energy or fuel used for space heating in dwelling units that need substantial weatherization, when installation of meters would result in economic hardship for residents. In these cases, the ECMs related to weatherization shall be accomplished before the installation of individual utility meters.

(a) The cost of accomplishing cost-effective energy conservation measures, including the cost of performing energy audits, shall be funded from operating funds of the PHA to the extent feasible. When sufficient operating funds are not available for this purpose, such costs are eligible for inclusion in a modernization program, for funding from any available development funds in the case of projects still in development, or for other available funds that HUD may designate to be used for energy conservation.

(b) If a PHA finances energy conservation measures from sources other than modernization or operating reserves, such as a loan from a utility entity or a guaranteed savings agreement with a private energy service company, HUD may agree to provide adjustments in its calculation of the PHA's operating subsidy eligibility under the PFS for the project and utility involved based on a determination that payments can be funded from the reasonably anticipated energy cost savings (See § 990.107(g) of this chapter).

In purchasing original or, when needed, replacement equipment, PHAs shall acquire only equipment that meets or exceeds the minimum efficiency requirements established by the U.S. Department of Energy. In the operation of their facilities, PHAs shall follow operating practices directed to maximum energy conservation.

All energy conservation measures determined by energy audits to be cost effective shall be accomplished as funds are available.

(a) Method of procurement. Energy performance contracting shall be conducted using one of the following methods of procurement:

(1) Competitive proposals (see 2 CFR 200.320(d)). In identifying the evaluation factors and their relative importance, as required by § 2 CFR 200.320(d) of this title, the solicitation shall state that technical factors are significantly more important than price (of the energy audit); or

(2) If the services are available only from a single source, noncompetitive proposals (see 2 CFR 200.320(f)).

(b) HUD Review. Solicitations for energy performance contracting shall be submitted to the HUD Field Office for review and approval prior to issuance. Energy performance contracts shall be submitted to the HUD Field Office for review and approval before award.