Energy Special Improvement Districts and PACE Financing

Recently enacted Ohio Senate Bill 232 (SB 232) represents a major expansion of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) renewable and advanced energy financing authority in Ohio. Caleb Bell, attorney in the Public Finance and Green Strategies groups at Bricker & Eckler LLP will discuss how PACE programs permit owners (including residential, commercial, industrial, non-profit, and governmental owners) of real property to form Special Energy Improvement districts (Energy SIDs). Energy SIDs can assist in financing advanced and renewable energy projects using special assessment financing tools previously available to only governmentally-owned projects.

Caleb's practice emphasizes local government bond finance, community-based economic development, and energy finance. He advises clients on a variety of Ohio's economic development programs, including special improvement districts, and has been actively involved in drafting the portions of HB 1 and SB 232 relating to Energy SIDs. Caleb is a graduate of Otterbein College and obtained his J.D. at Georgetown University Law Center.