The State Of Minnesota PBEEEP is a program offered through the Department Of Administration, Real Estate & Construction Services (ADMIN/RECS). PBEEEP addresses energy efficiency in public buildings across Minnesota through a targeted Retrocommissioning/Recommissioning (RCx) and Retrofit focus. Energy affecting and energy consuming equipment, systems, and operations practices are evaluated to identify energy conservation opportunities that result in cost savings for the project site. Projects participating in PBEEEP follow a 4-phase project process: screening, investigation, implementation, and verification. A key component of PBEEEP is that the program provides State Agencies the opportunity to utilize co-funding through a combination of stimulus funding and lease-purchase financing without the need to have budgeted for this work in advance.

Program Overview

See the PBEEEP State Fact Sheet for a more in-depth overview on PBEEEP.

PBEEEP Feature Highlights

  • Retrocommissioning/Recommissioning (RCx) and Retrofit focus that primarily identifies low-cost, quick payback items to improve operations and energy use
  • Comprehensive technical services and support that assures quality of work through technical standards and guidelines and control throughout the project process through organizational structure.
  • Funding mechanisms that include initial costs (screening and investigation) paid through stimulus funds. Remaining project funds are then paid through tax-exempt lease purchase financing where payments are set up to ensure budget-neutral/budget-positive for the loan term.
    Details on the funding mechanisms for State Agencies participating in State PBEEEP will be available here. Look for information soon.

PBEEEP Organization

The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) has been engaged by the State Of Minnesota, Department Of Administration to develop and administer PBEEEP. CEE is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that works to promote public interest through the responsible and efficient use of natural and economic resources. CEE will be the quality assurance provider and day-to-day administrator of the program. Providers will manage individual projects and work with CEE and the Project Manager designated by the Department Of Administration, Real Estate & Construction Services.

Program Framework

PBEEEP Application
State Agencies submit PBEEEP applications for public building projects at www.pbeeep.org.
Sites are screened by Providers or by in-house staff. Screening outputs a documented account of energy use, equipment, systems, and operations practices at the site.
Investigation, which entails a detailed analysis and study of the site, results in a list of actionable items for Implementation, with costs, savings, and payback estimates.
Measures approved at the close of Investigation are Implemented. Standard financing agreements are made between the Agency and Financial Institution.
Implemented measures are Verified by the Provider via functional test, visual inspection, or other approved means, to ensure savings are realized. Project is closed out.
Program supports on-going Tracking and monitoring of energy use.

Reports

PBEEEP reports contain information on program performance and project outcomes. Information detailed on these reports include:

  • Energy saved
  • Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reductions
  • Jobs created / retained
  • Project costs
  • Projects by phase
  • Projects by agency
Among the PBEEEP projects to-date, none are yet at the reporting stage. As these projects progress, select milestones will generate detailed project reports. Watch this space for available reports.

Program Information for
 State Agencies

Agency Orientation

Webinar Video
Windows Media Player, available free, is required to view these.

Webinar Slides

Program Information for
 Providers

PBEEEP Services will be provided by Engineering Firms currently on the State Department of Administration, Real Estate & Construction Services' (ADMIN/RECS) Master Roster for Energy Engineering Services.

The RFP for Registered Engineers to Provide Energy Engineering Services was posted by ADMIN/RECS in the State Register (33 SR 1278) on January 20, 2009. The RFP closed on February 5, 2009.

Provider Orientation

Webinar Video
Webinar Slides

Provider Guides & Forms

Quality assurance is integrated throughout PBEEEP in the form of technical standards, guidelines, and formal program processes. Please refer to the Provider Guides to learn more about the four-phase process for PBEEEP projects.
PBEEEP was made possible with funding from the U.S. Department Of Energy and the Minnesota Department Of Commerce, Office Of Energy Security.