1. (a) The authority will evaluate and rank grant applications, with priority given to applications representing eligible communities based upon each of the following criteria:

   1. (1) the cost of electricity and heating energy in the community;
   2. (2) the demand for energy in the community due to climate;
   3. (3) whether or how recently financial assistance from state or federal agencies has been provided to implement end-use energy efficiency measures in public buildings and facilities in the eligible community;
   4. (4) the amount of community matching resources offered to support the grant project;
   5. (5) whether cost efficiencies may be achieved by awarding and implementing a village energy efficiency program grant in conjunction with another energy, energy efficiency, or energy conservation program, or in conjunction with the timing of other community activities, such as replacement schedules for large pieces of community equipment;
   6. (6) the equitable geographic- and population-based distribution of village energy efficiency program grants, evaluated based upon the distribution of grants over the prior five years;
   7. (7) the administrative capability of the applicant, including past performance on any previous grant awards.
2. (b) If more than one eligible applicant representing an eligible community submits an application to receive a village energy efficiency program grant, the authority will award not more than one grant with respect to the community. To evaluate the multiple applications with respect to the community, the authority may meet with the eligible applicants and with other members of the community. Nothing in this subsection precludes competing eligible applicants and the community from agreeing to cooperatively develop and implement a grant project.

3. (c) The authority, before approving an application between competing eligible applicants, will consider factors relevant to achieving the purposes of the grant, including the

   1. (1) ability of each applicant to represent the interests of the whole community to develop an effective work plan and implement energy efficiency and conservation measures to maximize cost savings from the community's use of electricity and heating energy;
   2. (2) views of members of the community respecting the competing applications;
   3. (3) ability of each eligible applicant to manage its debt and other finances; and
   4. (4) administrative capability of each eligible applicant, including past performance on any previous grant awards.

(Eff. 6/30/2013, Register 206)

Authority: AS 44.83.080