The Maui News

Hawaii Energy has extended the application deadline for its EmPOWER Grant program to Oct. 29.

The grant program is designed specifically for nonprofits and small businesses who are pursuing energy efficiency projects at their facilities to cut back on energy use, increase resiliency and ultimately, reduce their operating costs. Applications are now available, and eligible organizations can now apply for up to two grants per facility.

To be eligible for the EmPOWER Grant, applicants must:

• Be a commercial rate schedule account holder of an electric utility on the island of Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Hawaii or Oahu where the electricity-saving energy efficiency measure is being installed.

• Fall into one of the following categories: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, small businesses with electric rate Schedule “G”, small business with a less than 5,000-square-foot facility or a restaurant.

Organizations may apply for up to two grants per facility, of up to $5,000 each, which may cover 100 percent of eligible energy efficiency projects. Hawaii Energy encourages all applicants to submit as early as possible, as funding is limited and application materials require additional correspondence with third-party contractors. Eligible energy efficiency project expenses include:

• New energy efficient equipment that qualifies for a Hawaii Energy incentive.

• Parts, accessories and other materials necessary for installation.

• Labor for old equipment removal, site preparation and installation of energy efficiency measure(s).

• Shipping costs for equipment and materials.

• Taxes for the above items.

In addition to the EmPOWER Grant application, applicants must also complete and include a Hawaii Energy Commercial Incentive application, an IRS form W-9 and obtain and include itemized quotes from one of Hawaii Energy’s Clean Energy Ally contractors. Application documents and a full list of eligible equipment are available at HawaiiEnergy .com/for-business/empower-

grant. A full list of Clean Energy Ally contractors can be found at amplifyincentives .com/HawaiiCEA/Search/FindMyContractor.

Grant awards will be disbursed after all required documentation has been submitted, verified and approved by Hawaii Energy.