This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Salt Lake City is accepting applications from local businesses for its Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund.

The fund is designed to work with incentive and rebate programs from Rocky Mountain Power and Questar Gas to provide business owners with low-interest loans from $5,000 to $35,000 to fund energy-efficient equipment upgrades and building retrofits.

Administered by the city's Community and Economic Development Department, the loan fund aims to help businesses reduce their energy usage, cut down on their carbon emissions and positively impact their economic bottom lines.

The loans are designed to be virtually cash-flow neutral for participating businesses. The goal is for loan funds to be paid back with the savings created by the efficiency upgrades.

Potential projects include lighting and heating and air conditioning system upgrades, the purchase of energy efficient restaurant equipment, such as ovens and refrigerators, and programmable thermostats. The city said preference will be given to energy saving projects over renewable energy projects.

For more information and to apply for a loan visit: http://www.slcclassic.com/slcgreen/e2/business/rlf.htm.