

ASHRAE
The American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers
Certificates of
Participation
An ownership interest in a mortgage, loan or lease purchase transaction used
to finance capital improvements. Certificates of Participation allow one debt
instrument to be sold to multiple investors in smaller increments, thereby
facilitating the funding. The investment income derived from Certificates
of Participation may be either exempt from or subject to federal taxation,
depending upon the type of entity benefiting from the sale of the Certificates.
Co-generation
The simultaneous production by one energy plant of at least two forms of energy.
Traditionally, co-generation involves the burning of a fuel that generates
electricity. The residual heat remaining from the electricity generation process
is then used for other commercial purposes, such as the heating of water or
the generation of process steam.
Credit Rating
A published ranking, based on detailed financial analysis by a credit bureau
or rating agency of one's financial history, specifically as it relates to
one's ability to meet debt obligations. The highest rating is usually AAA,
and the lowest is D. Lenders use this information to decide whether to approve
a loan or lease purchase transaction and what interest rate level to charge.
ECM
Energy Conservation Measures means a training program, facility improvement
or equipment purchase to be used in a building which reduces energy or operating
costs.
Energy Savings
Performance Contract
A guarantee of energy savings offered by a company proposing to install new
more efficient HVACL equipment in a property. The guaranteed reduced level
of energy use, when translated into lower utility bills and dollars, can be
used to help finance the cost of the installation of the new HVACL equipment.
ESCO
Energy Service Company
FASB 13
A policy statement issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board that
sets forth the requirements that must be met in order for a financial obligation
to be deemed and considered an off-balance sheet operating lease, as opposed
to an on-balance sheet capital or financing lease.
Geothermal Climate
Control System
This technology relies primarily on the earth’s natural thermal energy,
a renewable resource, to heat or cool a building. According to the EPA, it
is the most cost-effective , energy efficient and environmentally friendly
method of heating and cooling a building.
Grant Anticipation
Note (GAN)
A short term debt obligation issued by state and municipal governments or
private businesses in anticipation of the receipt of a future grant awarded
for the successful installation of energy conversation or pollution control
measures.
Green Tag
Another name for Renewable Energy CreditsHVACL
Acronym for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Lighting.
Lease Purchase
Transactions
A contractual financing arrangement in which the lessor, typically a bank
or capital markets investor, purchases the property directly from the manufacturer
and leases that property to the user of the equipment, the lessee.
M & V
Measurement and Verification of an Energy Savings Performance Contract.
Off Balance Sheet
Financing from sources other than debt and equity offerings, such as operating
leases and services agreements.
Renewable Energy
Credits (REC)
One REC (also known as a Green Tag) represents one megawatt hour (MWh) of
renewable energy that is physically metered and verified. Renewable Energy
Credits may be sold by the entities which produced the Credit as a means to
offset the cost of generating renewable energy.
Renewable Energy
Technology
Any technology that exclusively relies on an energy source that is naturally
regenerated over a short time such as the sun, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric,
wave, or tidal energy, or on biomass or biomass-based waste products, including
landfill gas. One megawatt hour (MWh) of renewable energy that is physically
metered and verified is equal to one Renewable Energy Credit. A renewable
energy technology does not rely on energy resources derived from fossil.
Revenue Neutral
Concept whereby, during a specified time, the reduction in utility costs and
the savings in dollars that result from the installation of energy conservation
measures, offset the cost of purchasing and operating the equipment that effectuates
the savings.
Securitization
The process of bundling together and selling various income producing contracts,
such as loans or mortgages, in exchange for a price that equals the discounted
present value of all the income generated from the various contracts over
the terms of the contracts.
Services Agreement
A contract between the owner of HVACL equipment and the end user whereby the
user purchases heating and cooling services from the owner of the equipment,
and the cost of the service is accounted for as an expense. Sometimes used
in lieu of a lease purchase transaction which is often accounted for as a
balance sheet liability.
Special Purpose
Entity (SPE)
A business interest formed by an individual, business or corporation to accomplish
some specific task. SPE’s are typically formed for accounting purposes,
may enter into Service Agreements, Lease Purchase Agreements and other contracts,
and must adhere to certain regulations.
Stipulated Savings
A form of Measurement and Verification that utilizes engineering calculations
and statistical methods to determine the amount of energy being used by newly
installed HVACL equipment, and comparing it to the amount of energy being
used by the equipment being replaced. Stipulated Savings measurements do not
typically involve long term measurement and tracking programs.
Taxable Bonds
A debt instrument issued by entities whose income is not exempt from taxation
by the federal government. Typically private businesses and corporations.
Tax Exempt Bonds
A debt instrument issued by a municipal, county or state government, with
the purpose of raising capital by borrowing, whose interest payments to the
investor are not subject to federal income tax, and sometimes also state or
local income tax.
Tax Credits
The direct dollar-for-dollar reduction of an individual's tax liability; compared
with tax deduction, which reduces an individual's tax liability only in proportion
to his/her tax bracket. Tax credits are frequently awarded by state and federal
agencies for the installation of energy conservation measures.
UtiliTech
Finance Company, LLC
Tel:
501-221-3737
web:
www.utilitechfinance.com