PACE in a Box programs are encouraged to work together to establish self-evaluation protocols, 
to keep up with developing national best practices standards, and to incorporate improvements in a regular evaluation and improvement system.
- PACE in a Box p. 27
July Meetings
Technical Standards Review:  On July 22, 10 am CDT, The Technical Standards Working Group discuss updates to the Technical Standards Manual©. Specifically, Eddy Trevino asks for your feedback regarding the current referencing standards in the Technical Standards Manual (listed below). Please send comments in advance of the meeting to Sarah.Silberman@keeppace.org .  

Loan to assessed value ratio:  On July 28, 10 am CDT, the Underwriting Working Group will take a deeper dive to review percentage (currently 20%), compare best practices in other states, and review factors required for variance. 

Refinancing/Look back provisions:  On July 30, 10 am CDT, the Underwriting Working Group will continue its discussion of the current Look Back provisions in light of the market interest in refinancing qualified PACE measures.  Texas PACE Act requires that qualified measures are intended to save energy or water, etc. Establishing intent is required before measures can be qualified (December 2017 guidance). The call will focus on comparing best practices in other states to determine whether an appropriate limit to the amount of time allotted between installation and refinancing should be established, assuming intent can be established. 

PACE Technical Standards Link: 

Current Reference Standards
  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E2797-11, Building Energy Performance Assessment (BEPA) Standard (data collection and baseline calculations for the energy audit, building asset data);
  • International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) (latest edition);
  • American National Standards Institute/Building Owners and Managers Association (ANSI/BOMA) Z65.3-2009 (gross floor area measurement);
  • ASHRAE Guideline 14-2002 (measurement of energy and demand savings);
  • ASHRAE Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits (latest edition); 
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Life-Cycle Costing Manual, NIST Handbook 135 (latest edition);
  • ASHRAE Standard 202, Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems (latest edition);
  • ASHRAE Guideline 4, Preparation of Operating and Maintenance Documentation for Building Systems (latest edition);
  • ASHRAE Guideline 1.4, The Systems Manual for Facilities; (latest edition);
  • ASHRAE Handbook-2011, Fundamentals, Chapter 39 (Codes and Standards); and
  • ASHRAE Guideline 14, Whole Building Performance Path (2002 edition).
  • ICP EPP - Standard Commercial (Baselining – Core Requirements, Rate Analysis, Demand, Load Profile, Interval Data)
  • ICP EPP - Large Commercial (Baselining – Core Requirements, Rate Analysis, Demand, Load Profile, Interval Data)
  • IPMVP Concepts and Practices for Determining Energy Savings in Renewable Energy Technologies Applications (Pages 4-6)
  • IPMVP Concepts and Options for Determining Energy and Water Savings, 2012 (Section 4)

Other acknowledged resources that may be considered are:
  • The Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) Conservation Tracking Tool; and
  • EPA WaterSense Product Guide.

Background:
Since its unveiling in 2014, 50 local governments have established PACE in a Box model programs serving more than 60% of the Texas population. These programs have facilitated over $110 million in new energy and water efficient investment in Texas. 

We invite you to help keep this model program essential, relevant, and inspired by best practices and experience. To that end, The board of directors of Keeping PACE in Texas asks you to participate in this process to review and update PACE in a Box Section VI, PACE Project Underwriting and Technical Standards , which were last reviewed and updated through guidance issued on December 31, 2017. To review the PACE in a Box program and guidance documents, CLICK HERE . The board encourages interested stakeholders to participate in this process of review and development of 2020 guidance, if appropriate. This process will NOT include matters requiring legislative amendment.

Previous meetings:
  • Underwriting Working Group, June 17
  • Technical Standards Working Group: June 17


For more information, contact Sarah Silberman:  Sarah@keepingpaceintexas.org
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