Small Town News

Energy Efficiency workshop geared at saving money

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Saving on the cost of energy can affect profits, which in turn could help retain small businesses in a community. That message, along with presentations on the ways and means of realizing those savings, was the purpose behind the Sept. 8 Energy Efficiency workshop in Holyoke.

The Workshop, held at the Peerless Theatre, drew representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Agency, the Nebraska Municipal Power Pool and its affiliate the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, the Governor's Energy Office, Highline Electric Cooperative, the Town of Haxtun and the City of Holyoke.

Sponsored by the Phillips County Economic Development Corporation, the event also drew area business owners. PCED executive director Nici Bishop welcomed those attending and explained that presenters from the various resource providers would fill the first hour talking about the benefits available to small businesses. The second hour allowed for one-on-one visits between business owners and provider representatives.

Jim Keeler, Economic Development Manager for NMPP, took the stage first to explain his role with NMPP over the past eight years. He said his job is to promote economic development through the retention of existing businesses. Toward that end, NMPP promotes energy efficiency, working with USDA Rural Development in Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas. Growing interest indicated a need to hold workshops to let companies know what funds are available and how to obtain those funds.

He noted that Wednesday's workshop was the seventh so far. He said the turnout to the meetings is usually low, but word spreads them, bringing in more applications for energy audits and grants.

Cheryl Scofield, Northeast Area Director for USDA Rural Development, explained that MEAN provides the energy audits, which usually cost around $5,000, free of charge. Once the audit is completed, eligible businesses can participate in a program called Rural Energy for America Program. The program is open to any small business as well as agriculture producers, with grant funds available for either renewable energy projects or energy efficiency improvements. She said the program is not available for small community facilities such as the Peerless building, which operates as a profit business but owned by a non-profit. However, she said there is another program available for those kinds of projects.

REAP funds 25 percent of an eligible project. The business owner must provide 25 percent for the project and the remaining 50 percent could come from a loan, which USDA Rural Development could guarantee. "Most businesses are doing these improvements anyway, so it is a great program," said Scofield. She added that more information is available at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia/rbs .html, "which is a very user friendly web site." USDA Rural Development would also help with the application, she said.

Keeler said that if a business is serious about finding out about the program, MEAN energy auditor, Bob Mead, could come to the business to do a "walk through" to give an idea on the estimated savings a business could expect with the improvements.

Scofield said REAP funds projects quarterly in Colorado, but the deadline for applications is Oct. 1 each year. She said the same rules apply for both energy efficiency projects and renewable energy projects.

Local business owner Roy Pfaltzgraff, III asked whether the grants would affect available tax credits. Scofield said USDA is okay with a business getting both.

For his part, Mead said a business should contact their town's municipality,in Haxtun,Town Superintendent George Michael and in Holyoke, City Manager Mark Brown, to request a walk through. Projects that could improve energy efficiency include windows and doors as well as other renovations.

Once he did the walk through, he could move forward and begin the process to determine if the business qualified. If it would, NMPP would contact USDA. If it does not qualify, he could go back and take a second look, he said.

He said NMPP also gives token funding to businesses that change out old inefficient lighting for energy efficient lighting. He said anyone who obtains power from MEAN could apply for up to $2,500 per project. More information is available at www.nmppenergy.org.

Denis Herman of the Tri- State Rural Electric Association and Highline Electric Cooperative said Tri-State/Highline does some of the same things that NMPP/MEAN does, but they also give rebates for renewable energy projects and energy efficiency projects. Appliance rebates could apply to any Star appliance such as air conditioners, refrigerators,freezers, washers and dishwashers. He said the program offers between $70 and $80 thousand, with about $60 thousand of that going to irrigation.

There is also a commercial lighting program available through Tri-State, he said. Tri-State would do a walk through, but does not do energy audits, preferring to leave those to private businesses, one of which Pfaltzgraff owns and operates. Pfaltzgraff explained that he first became a dealer for wind turbines about three years ago. This spring he added solar energy, and when he discovered that the area lacked anyone certified to perform energy audits and bringing someone from the Front Range was costly, he decided to become certified. He said his interest is energy efficiency and renewable energy, where figures show that there is a $5 savings for every $ 1 spent. "You can save a lot of money by spending just a little bit," he said.

Rich Mullaney, who is with Colorado State University Extension's energy efficiency and conservation program, explained what visitors could expect to find on w'ww.re-chargecolorado.com. HesaidCSU created his job with funding from the American Reinvestment Act of 2009 this past May. He travels four northeastern Colorado counties serving as a liaison between the communities and the GEO.

He also explained the Smart Energy Living Pyramid, which calls for conservation as the first step in energy efficiency. "Look at things like turning off the lights and gadgets, turn down the thermostat." He said the next step is lighting and insulation. "Only when you do that, should talk you about renewable," he said.

He pointed out that the GEO site gives places to find grants and loans for energy projects and suggested "pan caking," which means finding more than one source of funding for any given project. The site offers an action planner for residential, commercial, contractors and retailers.

There are some rebates available, which can be found on the GEO web site.



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© 2011 Haxtun-Flemming Herald Haxtun, Colorado. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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