Baltimore Energy Initiative Loan Program

Baltimore Energy Initiative Loan Program is sponsored by City of Baltimore, Reinvestment Fund, and Healthy Neighborhoods. Provides low-interest financing to help Baltimore City nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses implement energy-saving building improvements to lower utility bills, improve comfort, and reduce energy waste.

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Launched by the City of Baltimore in 2014, the Baltimore Energy Initiative (BEI) is a citywide effort to help lower energy bills and improve comfort by expanding and streamlining energy conservation programs—pairing education and outreach with practical solutions, targeted neighborhood improvements, and other strategies that reduce energy burden and extreme-heat impacts.

In partnership with the City of Baltimore, Reinvestment Fund and Healthy Neighborhoods provide low-interest financing that helps eligible nonprofits and small businesses upgrade building systems—such as lighting, HVAC, and other efficiency measures—so they can reduce operating costs over time, improve building performance, and reinvest savings back into their missions and communities.

Projects must be located within Baltimore City and in an eligible area (specifically in New Markets Tax Credit–eligible census tracts or Baltimore Main Streets Districts). The BEI Mapping Tool is available to confirm whether the building’s location qualifies. BEI supports nonprofit organizations, for-profit small businesses, and certain real estate project developers.

Tier 1 Borrowers include: Nonprofits that provide at least 50% of their services to families with incomes at or below 80% of area median income. For-profit small businesses that meet the SBA definition of “small business” and are located in an eligible geography.

Tier 2 Borrowers include: Nonprofit or for-profit small-business real estate developers in an eligible geography and whose projects provide new neighborhood amenities, address widespread vacancy, or include affordability commitments (at least 50% of housing serving residents at or below 80% of area median income). For more information on Tier 1 and Tier 2, please refer to the Program Guidelines and Instructions .

BEI can finance energy measures across four project categories: Limited energy retrofit or equipment replacement in an existing, occupied building Extensive whole-building energy retrofits in an existing building Energy measures in substantial building rehabilitation or reconstruction projects Energy measures in new construction projects Eligible measures include (but are not limited to) building envelope improvements, HVAC and controls, lighting and controls, domestic hot water systems, ENERGY STAR equipment.

Distributed generation, such as solar PV, is also eligible when the generation is part of a broader building energy project. Nonprofits may use up to 20% of the loan amount (capped at $50,000) for certain non-energy improvements tied to enabling the energy upgrades. Under BEI Loan Program, Reinvestment Fund provides loans between $150,000 and $2,000,000 , with financing up to 90% of eligible energy project costs .

If you are interested in a loan less than $150,000, please contact Healthy Neighborhoods . BEI capital — priced at 4. 0% — is combined with other Reinvestment Fund capital to offer a single, blended loan for eligible projects.

The borrower’s interest rate is the blended rate across all sources and will be higher than the BEI component rate. Loans typically have up to 7 years terms . Energy Savings, Analysis, and Reporting Expectations BEI requires projects to meet specific energy performance requirements depending on the project type.

Specifically, a 15% improvement threshold is required for retrofit scopes, and code-based modeling standards set the minimum performance requirements for substantial building rehabilitation/reconstruction projects as well as for new construction. Energy analysis must be prepared by qualified professionals, and the BEI Loan Program uses technical review to confirm savings estimates are reasonable.

BEI loan recipients must also participate in ongoing impact tracking, including benchmarking/reporting via ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and providing access to building energy consumption data for a defined period before and after project completion. Review the Program Guidelines and Instructions and then submit the Initial Financing Request Form .

After review, Reinvestment Fund staff will follow up to discuss eligibility, project readiness, and next steps. Where to send the Initial Financing Request Form: Email the completed form to BEI@reinvestment. com .

Program Guidelines and Instructions Initial Financing Request Form List of Energy Measures Spreadsheet Mapping tool (to confirm eligible geography) Email questions to BEI@reinvestment. com .