Deadline to submit applications for 2013 ENERGY STAR Certification is approaching

If you are interested in earning a 2013 ENERGY STAR certification, please note that to be considered for 2013 ENERGY STAR Certification, applications must be submitted within EPA’s Portfolio Manager by Midnight EST Friday, November 15, 2013. EPA cannot guarantee 2013 ENERGY STAR Certification for any application that is incomplete or has an error that requires action on the part of the applicant. As you may know, the year listed on the ENERGY STAR certification is based on the calendar year during which your application is approved, regardless of the period of performance of the application. Only applications that are received by November 15, 2013 and approved by December 31, 2013 will be awarded the 2013 ENERGY STAR.

Without exception, any application received after November 15, 2013 will not be processed until January 2014 and will therefore only be eligible for 2014 ENERGY STAR certification. 

 

We encourage you to pursue certification for your eligible properties and apply now! For more information on applying, view this step-by-step guide “How to apply for the ENERGY STAR” or join an upcoming webinar to understand the value of the ENERGY STAR certification, see the step-by-step process of applying, and gain tips to help your property get from application to award. 

If you have questions, please visit  www.energystar.gov/buildingshelp

MEEA's Building Operator Certification Training Program begins on Sept 12, 2013

Investing in education of facility staff, through a program like Building Operator Certification (BOC®), reduces energy costs while increasing occupant comfort.  BOC covers a variety of building management technologies, but the emphasis is to recognize practical, no-cost/low-cost solutions, working with existing building systems, to improve energy performance. BOC also trains O&M staff to develop a preventive maintenance program that improves the building environment and prolongs equipment life. Class topics include EE Operation of Building HVAC systems, Energy Benchmarking, Efficient Lighting Fundamentals, Common Opportunities for Low-Cost Improvements and more. The BOC training series consists of eight training days over the course of four months. Each class is from 8am-4pm.

The next training series in the Chicago area begins on September 12^th in downtown Chicago. Click here to view the schedule and to register. Students that successfully earn the BOC certification may be eligible for a $500 rebate available through a grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Illinois Energy Office.

Contact Eric Roach at 312-784-7277 or eroach@mwalliance.org for more information.

BOC in Illinois is administered by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance in partnership with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Illinois Energy Office, ComEd, Nicor, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas.

ComEd is offering "Zero T12 Reward" bonus incentives

Between August 28, 2013 and May 15, 2014, Smart Ideas for Your Business^®  is offering "Zero T12 Reward" bonus incentives to eligible ComEd electric delivery service customers who use Smart Ideas standard incentives to replace or retrofit all T12 fixtures in their buildings.

Bonus incentives will be calculated on a per-lamp basis. Bonuses for T12 lamps that are removed as part of a Smart Ideas indoor lighting project are: 

• $2 for each 2-foot or 3-foot T12 lamp
• $3 for each 4-foot T12 lamp
• $4 for each 8-foot T12 lamp
• $0.50 for each stock lamp

To be eligible to receive a Zero T12 Reward, a Smart Ideas Pre-Approval Application for an indoor retrofit or replacement project must be submitted with a completed Zero T12 Reward Coupon to SmartIdeasBiz@ComEd.com by April 1, 2014. All T12 lamps within a customer's facility, including all T12 lamps in stock, must be removed and recycled. The T12 lighting project must be finished and a complete Final Application submitted by May 15, 2014. A recycling receipt must be submitted with the Final Application. Additional terms and conditions apply.

To find out more about the Zero T12 Reward, call us at 855-433-2700 or send an email to SmartIdeasBiz@ComEd.com

Upcoming Portfolio Manager Webinars

Portfolio Manager is currently undergoing a comprehensive update and will be hosting a series of webinars to introduce and demonstrate the core functionality of EPA’s new ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. Attendees will learn how to: navigate the new Portfolio Manager; add a property and enter details about it; enter energy and water consumption data; share properties; generate performance reports to assess progress; and respond to data requests. Click here to view webinar dates and times.

ComEd announces PY6 Energy Efficiency Program

ComEd announced its energy efficiency programs have saved customers more than $400 million on their electric bills over the past five years. The company recently launched the sixth year of its Smart Ideas® energy efficiency programs with more than $56 million in incentives to help customers conserve energy and spend less on electricity.

Click here to read the press release.