The Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, which is managed by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and the Berks County Community Foundation, will distribute a total of nearly $200,000 in funding ranging from $2,000 to $50,000, depending on the scope of the projects.
Grant funding is prioritized for nonprofits, but commercial and industrial organizations also may apply. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Eligible applicants must be located in and/or serve residents in territory served by Met-Ed or Penelec in Pennsylvania.
(Source: Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Penna., 14 Jan., 2020)
Contact: Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, www.metedpenelecsef.org; Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, 814-536-7741, www.cfalleghenies.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Energy Eficiency Funding, Energy Efficiency Grants,
The program will provide up to $100,000 funding to both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations proposing energy efficiency programs that directly benefit Delmarva Power customers whose households earn 60 percent, or below, of the Delaware State median income.
Program details will be made available in early 2020. (Source: Delmarva Power, Cape Gazette, Dec., 2019) Contact: Energize Delaware, Tony DePrima, Exec. Dir., 302-883-3048, www.energizedelaware.org; Delmarva Power, www.delmarva.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Delmarva Power, Energy Eficiency, Energize Delaware,
Insight is available as a feature of the Arc platform and provides information on the design attributes of LEED certified buildings within a specified geographic region. Using the tool, project teams can compare and rank potential sustainability strategies to see how they stack up against the performance of other buildings.
Insight leverages the depth of the existing LEED data to aid designers and builders in adopting smart, practical and achievable sustainability strategies.
Insight can be leveraged by LEED and green building teams to improve the design -- and eventually performance -- of their buildings by encouraging the implementation of best practices during the design and construction stage. Insight helps green building and LEED project teams identify practices that could improve building performance and eliminate those that pose a risk to their long-term investment.
(Source: USGBC, Milehigh CRE, 20 Nov., 2019) Contact: US Green Building Council, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News LEED Certification, U.S. Green Building Council, Energy Eficiency,
These two CEMEX plants have been repeatedly certified by the EPA's ENERGY STAR® program for their conservation efforts. This year's recognition marks nine consecutive years of ENERGY STAR® Certification for CEMEX's Miami Cement Plant, while the Brooksville South Cement Plant has achieved the certification seven out of the last eight years.
(Source: CEMEX, USA PR, 10 Oct., 2019) Contact: DOE Energy Star®, www.energystar.gov; CEMEX USA, www.cemexusa.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News ENERGY STAR, Energy Eficiency, CEMEX,
The 43-square block Golden Triangle currently hosts 63 LEED-certified buildings -- representing 42 pct of the total built area in the BID. (Source: Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, citybizlist, 7 Oct., 2019)
Contact: Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, Leona Agouridis, Executive Director, (202) 463.3400, feedback@goldentriangledc.com,
www.goldentriangledc.com; US Green Building Council, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News US Green Building Council, LEED Certification, Energy Eficiency,
Founded in Germany for residential buildings, the standard, which helps designers design ultra-energy-efficient buildings by using passive heating and cooling systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help mitigate climate change.
According to the International Passive House Association, the Passive House standard is relevant and useful to any climate.(Source: International Passive House Association, Journal of Commerce, Facilitiesnet, 15 Aug., 2019) Contact: International Passive House Association, www.passivehouse-international.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Passive House, Energy Eficiency,
The IRP includes 80 megawatts of energy storage and 72 percent more renewable generation by 2024, all supported by batteries.
The plan also adds 2,260 MW of new solar, wind and biomass energy to the company's energy mix.
The plan also includes energy efficiency targets 15 pct higher than previous IRPs while adding new energy-saving initiatives for residential and commercial customers. Further, through an income-qualified initiative, the program will provide greater financial assistance to households which are historically underrepresented in energy efficiency programs.
(Source: Georgia Power, Com. Property Exec., July, 2019)Contact: Georgia Power, Wilson Mallard, Renewable Energy Development Dir., (404) 506-6526, www.georgiapower.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Georgia Power, Renewable Energy, Energy Eficiency,
Developed in 1990 by BRE Global, BREEAM is internationally recognized as the most comprehensive and holistic environmental assessment method with over 2,250,000 registered projects and 565,000+ certified buildings worldwide across more than 83 countries.
Focusing on assessing and rating the performance of existing buildings, BREEAM USA In-Use has been adapted from BREEAM In-Use International to reflect differences in American standards and practices while still providing the global comparability. (Source: BRE Global, American Assets Trust, Yahoo, 16 July, 2019) Contact: American Assets Trust, www.americanassetstrust.com; BRE Global, www.bregroup.com/about-us/bre-global; BREEM USA, www.www.breeam.com/usa
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Eficiency,
The funded projects covered a number of sectors including domestic, industrial, agricultural, tourism, places of worship and schools. Around 128 schools were funded for energy saving projects including heating upgrades, insulation, energy-saving lighting systems (LED bulbs), cooling, solar panels, general maintenance and others.
The fund also provided 50 pct of the cost of installing 22,000 solar water heaters for citizens, and offered a full grant for solar water heaters and LED bulbs and installations in 3,500 homes of poor families and royal grant housing units.
The fund also installed 1,600 residential electric power generation systems, solar cells in 483 religous shrines, distributed some 50,000 LED bulbs with plans to distribute an additional 250,000 bulbs through electricity companies.
(Source: Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ammon, 26 May, 2019) Contact: Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, +962 6 580 3060, https://jordan.gov.jo
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Eficiency,
The coalition, led by the Alliance to Save Energy, includes leading manufacturers of windows, air conditioners, insulation and other components alongside environmental and efficiency advocates such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES), and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
The proposed tax incentives call for broadly supported improvements to the expired 45L tax incentive for high-efficiency new home construction and the 25C tax incentive for homeowner efficiency improvements -- installing insulation, replacing windows, or purchasing high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment. The improvements include strengthening the efficiency level that must be met to receive the incentives, while also increasing the dollar value of the incentives.
The coalition also called for extending the 179D incentive for efficiency improvements in commercial buildings. (Source: Alliance to Save Energy, PR, May, 2019)
Contact: Alliance to Save Energy, (202) 857-0666, www.ase.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Alliance to Save Energy, Energy Eficiency,
"This proposal would take an axe to innovation in our energy sector, cutting critical research funds and energy efficiency investments that have a proven track record of reducing energy costs for consumers and businesses" said Jason Hartke. "We look forward to working with Republicans and Democrats in Congress to fight for these programs in the coming months."
Hartke added that there is no room for complacency, because this is an existential threat to the backbone of energy efficiency and all of its many economic and environmental benefits. Even if the endgame for the administration is more modest cuts negotiated with Congress, that is still a major threat. These programs are among the smartest investments the federal government makes, and they should be made stronger, not weaker." (Source: Alliance to Save Energy, PR, 12 Mar., 2019) Contact: Alliance to Save Energy, Jason Hartke, Pres., (202) 857-0666, www.ase.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Alliance to Save Energy, Energy Eficiency,
The paint significantly reduces carbon emissions. One square meter of the Smart Paint is equivalent to one tree in absorbing carbon dioxide. The paint can also reduce power consumption by up to 25 pct because of its insulation capabilities.
Going green is a key priority for the ministry and its sustainability initiatives including: recycling asphalt at construction sites; using new technology in developing roads; and installing power-charging stations for electric vehicles at government premises," according to the Ministry.
(Source: UAE Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Feb., 2019) Contact: UAE Ministry of Infrastructure Development, +971 2 626 2630, www.moid.gov.ae
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Eficiency, Energy Storage,
Corning's Global Energy Management (GEM) program researches and implements projects at the company's various manufacturing plants worldwide to meet energy-saving objectives including: manufacturing process innovation, facility design, and maximizing energy efficiencies in the plant and through improved supply chain initiatives. Since Corning created its GEM program in 2006, it has won recognition as an Energy Star Partner of the Year every year since 2014, delivering more than half a billion dollars in savings, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2.3 million metric tons.
Corning Incorporated is an American multinational technology company that specializes in specialty glass, ceramics, and related materials and technologies including advanced optics, primarily for industrial and scientific applications. (Source: Corning Inc., Zacks, 21 Jan., 2019) Contact: Corning Inc., www.corning.com/worldwide/en.html; EPA Energy Star, www.energystar.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Eficiency, EPA Energy Star,
The EU support is aimed at implementing the programs that include the provision of non-refundable grants to the apartment building co-owners associations for taking energy efficiency measures, technical support for the apartment building co-owners associations in preparation of applications to the Fund, as well as assistance in the training of energy auditors who will work in all the regions of Ukraine. (Source: UKRINFORM, 17 Dec., 2018)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Eficiency,
In a letter to the Commission, three dozen business owners cited the return on investment, the creation of local jobs and reduced energy waste attributed to energy efficiency. According to the letter, since 2010, energy saving programs implemented by TEP and Arizona Public Service Company (APS) deliver approximately $3.90 in benefits for every $1 invested by ratepayers. Additionally, the APs and TEP energy-saving programs have cut energy waste by delivering demand savings greater than eight 100MW peaker power plants.
(Source: US PIRG, PR, 11 Dec., 2018) Contact: US PIRG, Aaron Kane
(602) 252-9227, https://uspirg.org; Arizona Corporation Commission, www.azcc.gov; Tucson Electric Power, (520) 571-4000, www.tep.com;
Arizona Public Service Company, www.aps.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News US PIRG, Energy Eficiency, Tucson Electric Power,
METRON offers an energy intelligence platform that collects, aggregates and analyses in real time all types of data generated by industrial systems, while interfacing directly with external data such as those from energy markets or weather forecasts. The artificial intelligence engine developed by METRON allows manufacturers to effectively reduce their energy consumption and improve their environmental footprint.
The METRON-EVA® (Energy Virtual Assistant) platform provides real-time mapping of all energy flows and visual management of energy performance indicators. Through machine learning algorithms and dedicated knowledge bases, it allow s companies to identify in industrial processes, non-intuitive optimization levers and to support their implementation to generate the expected gains. By interfacing directly with energy markets or decentralized energy assets such as renewable energies, factory operations can be optimized in real time according to production and market context.
Founded in 2013, METRON
is active in ten countries and has operational centres in Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.
(Source: Metron, PR, 22 Oct., 2018) Contact: Metron, Vincent Sciandra, CEO , +33 (0)1 40 28 65 65, info@metronlab.com,
www.metronlab.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Eficiency,
The government's 2017 Clean Growth Strategy challenged UK businesses to improve their energy efficiency -- productivity by 20 pct by 2030, and the report argues distributed energy technologies could help companies achieve around half of that target. The reports says the deployment of distributed energy technologies in just half of organizations across the three sectors could achieve savings of 9 megatonnes per year of carbon dioxide equivalent for a total of 137MtCO2e by 2030.
The government's independent Committee on Climate Change has warned the UK is currently off track to meet its binding emissions goals for the late 2020s and early 2030s.
(Source: Centrica, Business Green, Oct., 2018) Contact: Centrica, www.centrica.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Centrica, Carbon Emissions, Energy Eficiency,
Highlighting innovative and high-impact sustainability initiatives from STARS-rated institutions -- UCSB holds a STARS Gold rating for sustainability impact areas related to academics, engagement, operations and administration.
In existing buildings and new construction, UCSB is committed to the US Green Building Council's LEED green building rating system with more than 278,000 square feet currently certified as either LEED Platinum or Gold. UCSB also has an indoor air quality policy, a green cleaning policy and is ranked fifth, earning 69 pct, compared to an average of just 16.9 pct for institutions of comparable size in sustainable investments.
AASHE's STARS is the leading tool for measuring higher education sustainability performance. With nearly 800 participating institutions, it is the most thoroughly vetted and extensively tested system of its kind. (Source: UC Santa Barbara, Sept., 2018) Contact: UC Santa Barbara, Shelly Leachman, (805) 893-8726, shelly.leachman@ucsb.edu, www.ucsb.edu; AASHE, Meghan Fay Zahniser , Sustainable Campus Exec. Dir., https://stars.aashe.org; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, LEED Certification, USGBC, Sustainability, Energy Eficiency,
In London alone, the programme has supported the retrofit of over 600 public sector buildings, reducing carbon emissions by 149,000 tCO2 and saving these organizations £7.1 million per year.
Energy savings is t the heart of RE:FIT program. By entering into contract, the delivery of energy reductions is guaranteed thus pproviding a strong business case for taking action and assurance that financial savings will be achieved.
Through ongoing measurement and verification provided as part of any RE:FIT contract, organizations receive annual energy reports demonstrating savings. This is reported in line with the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol, an internationally recognized reporting method.
As well as reducing energy consumption and costs, delivering a project using RE:FIT has a number of important additional benefits, such as better management practices; improved maintenance activities; and enhanced brand and stakeholder reputation.(Source: Mayor of London RE:FIT Program, Public Sector Executive, 6 Aug., 2018)Contact: Mayor of London RE:FIT Program, +44 0 20 7983 4000 www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/energy/energy-buildings/refit/refit-framework
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Eficiency,
The CRC is a mandatory carbon emissions trading scheme that applies to large UK business and public organizations. The CRC was aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions from large non-intensive energy users that, over the course of a year, used more than 6,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of certain electricity and had at least one half-hourly meter settled on the half-hourly electricity market. Under the CRC, participant organization were required to: collate information and report on its energy supplies; purchase and surrender allowances equal to the CO2 emissions it generated; advise the Environment Agency on changes that could affect that organisation's registration; and maintaine a record of its energy consumption and supplies.
The CRC scheme was widely criticized for adding an administrative burden to non-energy intensive companies such as large offices and hotels.
The Climate Change Levy (CCL) will be increased from April 2019 to compensate and to "cover the cost of CRC abolition in a fiscally-neutral reform." (Source: Latham & Watkins LLP, Blog, 30 July, 2018) Contact: Latham & Watkins LLP, www.lw.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News UK Energy Efficiency, Energy Eficiency,
The display energy certificates show 10 Victoria Street, in Westminster, which the department leases and operates, uses twice the amount of electricity a typical office of that type. Its offices at Apex Court in Nottingham, Cheylsemore House South in Coventry, and Buckingham Palace Road in central London, also received the lowest possible G rating on their certificates. Only one building the department leases, The Observatory in Chatham, received an A rating, and the department's headquarters, at 1 Victoria Street, scored below average, with an E rating.
According to BEIS, it has saved £104 million in the last financial year through efficiency measures. Apparently, there is still room for improvement. (Source: Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, BBC, June, 2018)
Contact: Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, www.gov.uk/.../department-for-business-energy-and-industrial-strategy
More Low-Carbon Energy News Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Energy Eficiency ,
The loan has been made through the EBRD's €85 million Green Economy Financing Facility for the Western Balkans, according to an MKF Partner statement. The funds will be lent to individuals, residents' associations, suppliers of green energy and others to finance thermal insulation of buildings, replacement of windows and doors, purchase of pellet and biomass boilers, solar collectors, heat pumps, economical lighting and other energy efficiency measures.
MKF Partner is an active lender to micro and small enterprises in Bosnia.
The EBRD has invested over €2.1 billion in more than 150 projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina to date. (Source: European Parliament, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 2 April, 2018) Contact: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, +44 (0) 207 338 6000, www.ebrd.com;
MKF Partner, www.partner.ba
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Energy Eficiency,
EES program grants are awarded through a competitive process and must be used solely for energy and operational cost saving and solar installations.
The EES program grants state public higher education institutions, local government facilities, state agencies and K-12 public school districts:
Under the terms of their agreement, JGBC will offer several green building training opportunities to HTU students, conduct joint research efforts, and connect HTU's student with contractors and consulting firms in the green building sector. The agreement will also be available to graduates from other Jordanian universities and practicing green building and energy efficiency professionals.
The JGBC heads a network of 14 councils in 14 countries in the MENA region. (Source: MENAFN, Jordan News Agency, 20 Nov., 2017)Contact:
Jordan GBC, +962 6 552 0893, www.jordangbc.org; Al Hussein Technical University, +962 580 569 406, www.alhussein.jo
More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Building, Energy Eficiency,
President Trump's spring budget proposal has threatened to eliminate the entire $50 million funding for ENERGY STAR but House of Representatives passed its budget bill, which proposes to cut the ENERGY STAR budget by 40 pct.
Canada joined ENERGY STAR in 2001, and expects to spend spend approximately $10.5 million to run its side of the program this year.
The ENERGY STAR program is the basis for almost all of the energy-efficiency programs run by Canadian provincial energy efficiency and climate change programs aimed at cutting nearly 30 million tonnes of carbon-equivalent emissions over the next 13 years .
(Source: ENERGY STAR, Canadian Press, Various Media, 1 Oct., 2017)
Contact: ENERGY STAR, www.energystar.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News ENERGY STAR, Energy Eficiency,
The company is committed to reinvesting the energy efficiency savings in onsite renewable energy.
(Source: Jackson Family Wines, Energy Manager, 17 July, 2017) Contact: Jackson Family Wines, (707)544-4000, www.jacksonfamilywines.com; Tesla Powerwall, www.teslamotors.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Eficiency, Tesla Power Wall, , Energy Storage,
Madison's energy assessment program is based on a model designed by Sustainable Jersey, a nonprofit provider of tools, training, and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs.
(Source: Madison Environmental Commission, Ciel Power, Madison Eagle, 5 June, 2017) Contact: Ciel Power, (201) 632-3463, www.cielpower.com/madison; New Jersey Clean Energy Program, (866) 657-6278), www.njcleanenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Eficiency,
The utility, which has money each year for incentive programs including a lighting rebate and HVAC rebate, would not require additional funding from the city for the new program.
The Water and Light Advisory Board has approved further development of the new incentives program which is still in its conceptual stage.
(Source: Columbia Water & Light, Columbia Tribune, 4 June, 2017) Contact: Columbia Water & Light, Tina Worley, Utility Services Manager, John Wulff, Key Accounts Energy Management, (573) 874-7325, www.como.gov/WaterandLight
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Energy Eficiency Incentive,
As part of its service, Fairbanks secured $727,000 in Eversource and National Grid utility incentives for MGH by engineering and implementing numerous LED lighting and advanced controls retrofits in buildings on its main campus, in addition to other efficiency enhancements in its facilities throughout Boston.
(Source: Fairbanks Energy Services, 7 Feb., 2017) Contact: Fairbanks Energy Services, Shannon Shea, (781) 658-3266, shannon.shea@fairbanksenergy.com, www.fairbanksenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Fairbanks Energy Service, Energy Eficiency, Energy Efficiency Incentive,