Columbia Energy efficiency loans ordinance (§ 27-167)
Chapter 27: Utilities · Article III. Water and Light System
In short: Qualified Columbia Water and Light electric customers can get energy efficiency loans, funds permitting: up to $15,000 residential ($30,000 multi-family) and up to $30,000 per meter commercial ($90,000 per property). Rates are 1% (3 years or less), 3% (up to 5) and 5% (up to 10), secured by a deed of trust, with an energy assessment required.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) The city hereby establishes the loan programs listed in this section, subject to the availability of funds for such purposes, for qualified electric customers of the water and light utility.
(b) The following programs are established to encourage the purchase of approved equipment and approved installations:
(1) Residential Energy Efficiency Loans.
(2) Commercial Energy Efficiency Loans.
(c) For purposes of providing electric customer loans, the water and light department shall establish policy and criteria for each program with regard to proper proof of purchase and installation of equipment to insure the integrity of each project. Each proposed project shall be reviewed by the water and light
department to insure that it provides the intended benefits of the program.
(d) Residential loan amounts shall not exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) plus applicable filing fees for deed of trust. Loans for multi-family structures shall not exceed thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00) plus applicable filing fees for deed of trust.
(e) Commercial loans shall be restricted to customers that qualify and shall be up to thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00) per electric meter, but shall not exceed ninety thousand dollars ($90,000.00) per property on which the electric meters are located.
(f) ASHRAE Level II Assessments or investment grade audits shall be required for all commercial loans.
(g) Home performance with Energy Star assessments shall be required for all residential loans.
(h) All loans made under the program shall bear an annual effective interest rate determined by the length of the loan repayment. Interest rate shall be set as follows:
(1) Loan of three (3) years or less .....1%
(2) Loan of greater than three (3) years but not more than five (5) years .....3%
(3) Loan of greater than five (5) years but not more than ten (10) years .....5%
(i) All loans shall be secured by a deed of trust for the property to which the improvement purchased with the loan proceeds is affixed or by a deed of trust on an equivalent property.
(j) The loan documents, note and security interest or deed of trust evidencing the loan shall be in the form approved by the city counselor.
(k) When the owner of property encumbered by a deed of trust securing a loan under this program refinances a loan secured by a first deed of trust on the property, the city manager is authorized to subordinate the city's deed of trust to the deed of trust securing the refinanced loan if the purpose of the loan is:
(1) To obtain a lower interest rate, or
(2) To secure funding for improvements to the property.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 27-167
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.