BernCo program boosts clean energy
The Bernalillo County Commission last week unanimously approved an ordinance that will allow commercial property owners to get approved loans for renewable and energy efficiency improvement projects.
The commission’s approval created the Bernalillo County Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy financing program, also known as C-PACE.
The program will facilitate loans made by qualified lenders to commercial property owners to finance renewable energy production and distribution facilities and energy efficiency improvements.
“This makes Bernalillo County the first in the state with this type of program and puts us on the cutting edge of business enhancement and assistance to those business owners who want to run a more cost-effective operation and cut down on the carbon footprint,” Commission Chairman Steven Michael Quezada said in a statement.
CLEAN BILL: Bernalillo County Treasurer Nancy Bearce told commissioners last week that her office received a clean bill of accounting health — a fully compliant and clean internal audit, which was completed in January.
Local accounting firm REDW conducted the internal audit using selected processes of the county’s investment policy and found the Treasurer’s Office to be in full compliance with established policies and laws.
“This audit reflects the strides the Bernalillo County Treasurer’s Office makes every day to ensure that all applicable rules and regulations are followed,” Bearce said in a statement. “The proper and transparent investment of taxpayer dollars is a primary concern of our office.”
As a result of the testing, REDW did not identify any reportable observations.
PROMOTIONS: Albuquerque Fire Rescue promoted 22 of its members to higher ranks during a ceremony last week. Among those was new Deputy Chief Adam Eakes, who will replace recently retired Chief Gil Santistevan after his 30 years of service.
AFR also honored several members of the department who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve the community. Members from Fire Station 5 were recognized for rescuing a person from a residential fire on July 6.
Others honored were off-duty first responders who witnessed a cardiac arrest and were able to resuscitate the victim who is alive today because of their efforts.