The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on January 26 published a final rule that amends the public housing operating fund regulations to reflect recent statutory changes regarding energy performance contracts for public housing properties. The rule allows for (1) The maximum term of an energy performance contract (EPC) between a public housing authority (PHA) and an entity other than HUD to be up to 20 years, and (2) the extension of an existing EPC, without reprocurement, for as long as 20 years, to permit additional energy conservation improvements. The increase in the maximum EPC term, previously 12 years, will permit longer payback periods for energy conservation measures. The final rule, unchanged from the proposed rule, is effective February 25, 2009.  read more…