To supplement the information contained in this earlier post, ENERGY STAR has put together some more details about the transition from plaques to building decals.
There will also be an informal webinar hosted on June 1st (see our events calendar for informaiton on that), which will be archived and available for viewing on the ENERGY STAR recorded training page after June 6th.
Additional information on the transition is summarized below:
- Applications electronically submitted before June 1, 2011, will still receive a plaque.
- EPA will provide instructions for creating a glass plaque out of the decal, or a traditional bronze ENERGY STAR plaque can be purchased from EPA’s third-party plaque manufacturer for $199 each, plus $25 for shipping (through 1/27/12, when this may change).
- Printer-ready artwork and instructions will be available for download on the ENERGY STAR website for buildings to make decals of their own, if desired.
- Each building (only those submitted after June 1, those submitted before will still receive the bronze plaque) will receive 2 identical decals. Additional decals are not available for purchase at this time.
- Both decals will either be the etched or blue/white, it is not an option to select one of each.
Contact at buildings@energystar.gov with additonal questions.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Call for Applications: USGBC Students Regional Chair
USGBC Students seeks to train a small group of Regional Chairs to assist USGBC in advancing campus sustainability and green building goals through student engagement. Primary responsibilities of this volunteer position will include the recruitment, training and facilitation of the activities of USGBC student groups. This is an exciting opportunity for someone committed to sustainability and green building, and who sees influencing the student demographic as a critical pathway toward change. Learn more.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Process Convenient for LES Customers to Receive Energy-conservation Incentives
Customers wanting to take advantage of the financial incentives offered by Lincoln Electric System’s Sustainable Energy Program will find the process geared toward convenience, said J. Todd Hall, LES vice president of consumer services.
The Sustainable Energy Program provides customers financial incentives to help defray the cost of increasing the energy efficiency of their homes or businesses.
“The process is a partnership between customers, contractors and LES,” Hall said. “Customers can visit http://www.les.com/ to view a list of participating contractors who will provide an LES Green Credit on their bill, when eligible equipment and/or services are purchased.”
Hall said the process is simple and easy for customers:
To reserve funds, the registered contractor submits a customer-signed preauthorization form to LES.
LES encourages customers to get multiple bids to compare prices before they select a contractor.
If the project is approved, the contractor receives a confirmation number and is qualified for reimbursement.
Within 30 days following the confirmation, the contractor must complete the project and submit a reimbursement form to LES with a copy of the sales receipt clearly indicating the credit amount provided to the customer, purchase date and itemized cost, materials and service rendered.
To confirm the program’s guidelines are followed, LES reserves the right to inspect any project before or after its completion.
“We designed the program to be as convenient for the customer as possible,” Hall said. “The Sustainable Energy Program is about energy efficiency, so in keeping with that theme, we designed an efficient customer participation process.
“LES encourages customers getting multiple bids, to ensure the most effective use of the consumer’s and program’s money,” Hall said.
Of the $2 million in financial incentives originally available in February, nearly $1 million have been reserved, Hall said.
“There is still time left for customers interested in saving money and energy,” he said. “But remember, funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so customers should act fast.”
You may be interested in reading these articles:
“LES Pays Businesses to Save” describes LES’ financial incentives for businesses.
“LES Smart Energy Forum Discusses Energy Efficiency Lighting Projects for Businesses” provides information about energy savings from lighting projects by Pfizer, and Union College.
Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis and interested customers should contact participating contractors or your LES Account Executive. Just click on his or her photo to the left of the article for phone and email.
The Sustainable Energy Program provides customers financial incentives to help defray the cost of increasing the energy efficiency of their homes or businesses.
“The process is a partnership between customers, contractors and LES,” Hall said. “Customers can visit http://www.les.com/ to view a list of participating contractors who will provide an LES Green Credit on their bill, when eligible equipment and/or services are purchased.”
Hall said the process is simple and easy for customers:
To reserve funds, the registered contractor submits a customer-signed preauthorization form to LES.
LES encourages customers to get multiple bids to compare prices before they select a contractor.
If the project is approved, the contractor receives a confirmation number and is qualified for reimbursement.
Within 30 days following the confirmation, the contractor must complete the project and submit a reimbursement form to LES with a copy of the sales receipt clearly indicating the credit amount provided to the customer, purchase date and itemized cost, materials and service rendered.
To confirm the program’s guidelines are followed, LES reserves the right to inspect any project before or after its completion.
“We designed the program to be as convenient for the customer as possible,” Hall said. “The Sustainable Energy Program is about energy efficiency, so in keeping with that theme, we designed an efficient customer participation process.
“LES encourages customers getting multiple bids, to ensure the most effective use of the consumer’s and program’s money,” Hall said.
Of the $2 million in financial incentives originally available in February, nearly $1 million have been reserved, Hall said.
“There is still time left for customers interested in saving money and energy,” he said. “But remember, funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so customers should act fast.”
You may be interested in reading these articles:
“LES Pays Businesses to Save” describes LES’ financial incentives for businesses.
“LES Smart Energy Forum Discusses Energy Efficiency Lighting Projects for Businesses” provides information about energy savings from lighting projects by Pfizer, and Union College.
Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis and interested customers should contact participating contractors or your LES Account Executive. Just click on his or her photo to the left of the article for phone and email.
MCC Green Bike Photos and Program webpage!
MCC Fort Omaha Campus now has a bike-sharing program called Green Bikes.
Check out photo's from MCC's stellar Green Bike event launch yesterday (Tuesday, May 17, 2011)!
https://www.facebook.com/MCCnebraska?ref=ts#!/media/set/?set=a.10150177741788882.327409.107355948881
This event could not have happened without the support from so many community partners. To name a few:
* Live Well Omaha
* Community Bike Project
* City of Omaha
* Douglas County Health Department
More details on the program at:
www.mccneb.edu/green/greenbikes.asp
Check out photo's from MCC's stellar Green Bike event launch yesterday (Tuesday, May 17, 2011)!
https://www.facebook.com/MCCnebraska?ref=ts#!/media/set/?set=a.10150177741788882.327409.107355948881
This event could not have happened without the support from so many community partners. To name a few:
* Live Well Omaha
* Community Bike Project
* City of Omaha
* Douglas County Health Department
More details on the program at:
www.mccneb.edu/green/greenbikes.asp
Lincoln-Lancaster County Environmental Leadership Awards Breakfast
Please honor those who are dedicated to protecting our environment, our health and our quality of life. The awards ceremony will recognize environmental leadership in sustaining and improving air, land, and water quality and protecting public health.
The 2011 Lincoln-Lancaster County Environmental Leadership Award Recipients are:
Business and Industry – ServiceMaster Professional Building Maintenance of Lincoln
Agriculture – Walt Bagley, Prairie Pines
Community Organization – Marcia Mueting, Pharm.D., R.P., Nebraska MEDS (Medication Education and Disposal Strategies)
Government – Nebraska Environmental Trust
Education – Bob Kuzelka
Individual Citizens – Adam Hintz, Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso; and Marilyn McNabb
The Lincoln and Lancaster County Environmental Leadership Awards Breakfast will be held on Friday, June 3, at the Nebraska Champions Club, beginning at 7:30 a.m. and concluded by 9:30 a.m. Pre-paid reservations of $15 per person are due by Thursday, May 26. Obtain a reservation form at www.lincoln.ne.gov keyword: awards.
Thank you for helping us celebrate these local environmental protection efforts!
The 2011 Lincoln-Lancaster County Environmental Leadership Award Recipients are:
Business and Industry – ServiceMaster Professional Building Maintenance of Lincoln
Agriculture – Walt Bagley, Prairie Pines
Community Organization – Marcia Mueting, Pharm.D., R.P., Nebraska MEDS (Medication Education and Disposal Strategies)
Government – Nebraska Environmental Trust
Education – Bob Kuzelka
Individual Citizens – Adam Hintz, Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso; and Marilyn McNabb
The Lincoln and Lancaster County Environmental Leadership Awards Breakfast will be held on Friday, June 3, at the Nebraska Champions Club, beginning at 7:30 a.m. and concluded by 9:30 a.m. Pre-paid reservations of $15 per person are due by Thursday, May 26. Obtain a reservation form at www.lincoln.ne.gov keyword: awards.
Thank you for helping us celebrate these local environmental protection efforts!
Monday, May 9, 2011
ENERGY STAR will no longer supply free plaques
It always seemed like only a matter of time before the cost to produce and ship the 8 lb metal plaques became too much for the free program to bear. Though, as the email states, this change is not only in response to the "resource requirements associated with producing and shipping" the current ENERGY STAR plaque, it's also the result of requests for a more versatile recognition option for certified buildings.
So all buildings who submit after June 1, 2011 will receive the new decal in lieu of the traditional plaque.
According to the ENERGY STAR Commercial & Industrial team, "EPA will offer these new, professional-quality decals that are better suited and more adaptable for the many different types of buildings in our partners’ portfolios. EPA will no longer provide the ENERGY STAR plaque, thereby freeing up resources and allowing us to concentrate those resources on providing energy efficiency and program support to our partners. We are working with our supplier to explore the possibility of enabling our partners to purchase plaques on their own. We will send more details as they become available."
The new decal will include the ENERGY STAR certification mark, along with text indicating that the building is an "ENERGY STAR Certified Building". There will be two decal options available, the traditional blue and white or one with an 'etched look'. A third option, with no decal, will include a certificate of achievement only. A preview of these decals is included below. Contact buildings@energystar.gov with questions.
So all buildings who submit after June 1, 2011 will receive the new decal in lieu of the traditional plaque.
According to the ENERGY STAR Commercial & Industrial team, "EPA will offer these new, professional-quality decals that are better suited and more adaptable for the many different types of buildings in our partners’ portfolios. EPA will no longer provide the ENERGY STAR plaque, thereby freeing up resources and allowing us to concentrate those resources on providing energy efficiency and program support to our partners. We are working with our supplier to explore the possibility of enabling our partners to purchase plaques on their own. We will send more details as they become available."
The new decal will include the ENERGY STAR certification mark, along with text indicating that the building is an "ENERGY STAR Certified Building". There will be two decal options available, the traditional blue and white or one with an 'etched look'. A third option, with no decal, will include a certificate of achievement only. A preview of these decals is included below. Contact buildings@energystar.gov with questions.
2007 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) will not be Released
EIA regrets to report that the 2007 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) has not yielded valid statistical estimates of building counts, energy characteristics, consumption, and expenditures. Because the data do not meet EIA standards for quality, credible energy information, neither data tables nor a public use file will be released. In the interim, EIA will develop key energy indicators for commercial buildings in collaboration with EIA’s forecasting staff for the Annual Energy Outlook.
Factors contributing to this outcome include the use of a cheaper but experimental survey frame and sampling method by EIA’s prime contractor, design errors in the construction of the method and selection of common building types, and an inability to monitor and manage its use in a production survey environment. EIA has reviewed and introduced significant changes in its procurement and project management standards that will prevent this type of loss in the future.
As reported in the EIA Press Release, "Immediate Reductions in EIA's Energy Data and Analysis Programs Necessitated by FY 2011 Funding Cut" (http://www.eia.gov/pressroom/releases/press362.cfm?src=email), work on the 2011 CBECS has been suspended at this time.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
May is Bike Month
Spring is here and May is a perfect month to enjoy Nebraska on a bicycle. There are many opportunities for you to be fit and active while bicycling. You can either ride to work or schools, check out your local park, neighborhood or trail and enjoy a ride today!
May has been designated as national Bike Month and May 16th-20th as Bike to Work Week. To help support these national efforts here in Nebraska, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission have teamed up to promote these events. Whether you are at a school, worksite, or local public health department, here are several tools to help you promote your local events.
Here are several resources from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission:
1.Nebraska Bike Safety Brochure
2.Draft Local Press Release
3.Nebraska Physical Activity Brochures (See website: http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/NAFH/BeActive.htm)
More information
May has been designated as national Bike Month and May 16th-20th as Bike to Work Week. To help support these national efforts here in Nebraska, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission have teamed up to promote these events. Whether you are at a school, worksite, or local public health department, here are several tools to help you promote your local events.
Here are several resources from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission:
1.Nebraska Bike Safety Brochure
2.Draft Local Press Release
3.Nebraska Physical Activity Brochures (See website: http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/NAFH/BeActive.htm)
More information
FREE "Easy Energy & Materials Savings" Booklets Available
The Nebraska Business Development Center is offering your business a valuable FREE booklet of case studies from Midwest businesses, including general information and helpful resources about easy, proven projects businesses can do to save money and increase efficiency. This booklet serves as an excellent tool for you to assist both your business and business partners in saving energy, conserving resources and increasing profits. The booklet helps illustrate the savings other businesses have been able to achieve and covers savings in five proven areas: lighting, water, solvents, packaging and compressed air. You can download a copy of the book at http://nbdc.unomaha.edu/energy/energy_book.pdf. Please email Jenna Matthey at jmatthey@unomaha.edu with the number of booklets you wish to keep at your workplace and distribute to your clients/partners. Be sure to indicate the address to which you would like the booklets sent. You can expect to receive the booklets in about three weeks.
Weatherization Training | Metropolitan Community College | Starting May 9, 2011
Metropolitan Community College (MCC) is proud to offer Weatherization Training classes at our new Weatherization Training Center.
You may qualify for Tuition Assistance through the NE Dept. of Labor's SYNERGY Energy Sector Training Grant. Please contact Nina Rogers at the Omaha Career Center to see if you qualify. Phone: 402-595-3022. To receive tuition assistance you must enroll in the SYNERGY program before registering for class.
We are a qualified training provider as outlined by the reEnergize program. Both Weatherization Installer I and Weatherization Installer II must be taken to receive full Weatherization Installer Training.
We are currently offering:
Weatherization Installer I
* This class covers building science theory and construction methods as well as exercises and techniques for installation of weatherization materials. This course will focus on hands-on application of blower doors, combustion safety, building science, safety, and hand/power tools. Includes basics of mobile home and multi-family weatherization.
Weatherization Installer II
* Theory, methods, and techniques for installation of weatherization materials. This course will focus on demonstration and hands-on application of weather-stripping (air sealing), insulation, mechanical ventilation, caulking, and door and window installation. Includes more difficult weatherization procedures such as basements and crawl spaces.
To Register call: 402-457-5231
Weatherization Installer I SNRG 1120 (Section Y3)
May 9 - 13, Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
MCC Weatherization Training Center
5626 Sorensen Parkway, Omaha
Class size: 12
Cost: $212 + books
Weatherization Installer I SNRG 1120 (Section Y13)
June 13 - 17, Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
MCC Weatherization Training Center
5626 Sorensen Parkway, Omaha
Class size: 12
Cost: $212 + books
Weatherization Installer I SNRG 1120 (Section Y23)
July 11 - 15, Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
MCC Weatherization Training Center
5626 Sorensen Parkway, Omaha
Class size: 12
Cost: $212 + books
Weatherization Installer II SNRG 1121 (Section Y13)
June 27 - July 1, Monday - Friday, 8am – 5pm
MCC Weatherization Training Center
5626 Sorensen Parkway, Omaha
Class size: 12
Cost: $212 + books
You may qualify for Tuition Assistance through the NE Dept. of Labor's SYNERGY Energy Sector Training Grant. Please contact Nina Rogers at the Omaha Career Center to see if you qualify. Phone: 402-595-3022. To receive tuition assistance you must enroll in the SYNERGY program before registering for class.
We are a qualified training provider as outlined by the reEnergize program. Both Weatherization Installer I and Weatherization Installer II must be taken to receive full Weatherization Installer Training.
We are currently offering:
Weatherization Installer I
* This class covers building science theory and construction methods as well as exercises and techniques for installation of weatherization materials. This course will focus on hands-on application of blower doors, combustion safety, building science, safety, and hand/power tools. Includes basics of mobile home and multi-family weatherization.
Weatherization Installer II
* Theory, methods, and techniques for installation of weatherization materials. This course will focus on demonstration and hands-on application of weather-stripping (air sealing), insulation, mechanical ventilation, caulking, and door and window installation. Includes more difficult weatherization procedures such as basements and crawl spaces.
To Register call: 402-457-5231
Weatherization Installer I SNRG 1120 (Section Y3)
May 9 - 13, Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
MCC Weatherization Training Center
5626 Sorensen Parkway, Omaha
Class size: 12
Cost: $212 + books
Weatherization Installer I SNRG 1120 (Section Y13)
June 13 - 17, Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
MCC Weatherization Training Center
5626 Sorensen Parkway, Omaha
Class size: 12
Cost: $212 + books
Weatherization Installer I SNRG 1120 (Section Y23)
July 11 - 15, Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
MCC Weatherization Training Center
5626 Sorensen Parkway, Omaha
Class size: 12
Cost: $212 + books
Weatherization Installer II SNRG 1121 (Section Y13)
June 27 - July 1, Monday - Friday, 8am – 5pm
MCC Weatherization Training Center
5626 Sorensen Parkway, Omaha
Class size: 12
Cost: $212 + books
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