Energy incentives available from Idaho Power for new commercial construction

In last week’s column, I briefly touched on an energy efficiency program that Idaho Power Co. is about to initiate for its commercial customers.

The new Building Efficiency Program for commercial construction is to be released this week.

The program will provide financial incentives to businesses that incorporate energy efficient features in new commercial construction projects. The program will pay out incentives of up to $20,000 for projects in Idaho Power’s service area.

The incentives are designed to cover about half the cost businesses incur when they implement features that decrease the energy use of a building’s lighting and air conditioning systems.

"That’s kind of the criteria we used when we designed the program,"said Idaho Power’s commercial program specialist Curt Nichols.

Jason Kauffman
The Idaho Statesman

Full Story: http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050420/NEWS010502/504200315/1105/NEWS0105.

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Idaho Power Launches Building Efficiency Program for Commercial Construction

BOISE – Idaho Power has introduced the new Building Efficiency program that offers incentives for new commercial construction projects in its Idaho service area.

The program’s goal is to assist builders in improving their project designs by enhancing the efficiency of lighting and cooling systems in new buildings, expansions, or major renovations. Incentives are available for a number of energy-saving project design improvements.

The Building Efficiency program was involved in the company’s 2004 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) as one of several Demand-Side Management programs. These programs are designed to influence customer use of electricity in ways that will help reduce the demand on the electric system, as well as delay the need for building new power plants.

“Designing energy-efficient buildings right from the start will pay benefits for years to come,” said Curt Nichols, Idaho Power’s commercial energy efficiency program manager. “A building built to exceed Idaho’s energy code will use less energy to operate and that keeps the customer’s energy costs down.”

The 2005 Building Efficiency program applies to any small or midsize business that is considering a construction project started after April 15 and completed by December 15.

"It’s just great to see Idaho Power making such a strong commitment to high performance buildings,” said Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg, director of the Integrated Design Lab in Boise. “Between their support of the Integrated Design Lab and now this commercial incentive program, Idaho Power has established itself as a leading advocate for energy effective design at a national level.”

Bruce Poe, the first LEED-accredited (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) architect in Idaho, encourages developers to take advantage of the new incentives from Idaho Power. “They should ‘think out of the box’ instead of blindly implementing a development model that does not incorporate energy efficient design,“ said Poe. “More often than not, mistakes of the past are repeated only because of the feeling of security and predictability in ‘the way we have always done it.’”

For more information on Idaho Power’s new Building Efficiency program, go to http://www.idahopower.com/buildingefficiency or call (208) 388-2323, 1-800-488-6151 outside the Treasure Valley.

Nichols to Manage Building Efficiency Program

Curt Nichols brings over 23 years of experience in commercial, industrial, and institutional energy efficiency to his new position as commercial energy efficiency program manager for Idaho Power. Nichols, a certified energy manager, was previously employed as a project manager with the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance in Portland, Oregon. His background includes energy efficiency management for utilities and government.

Nichols holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Energy Optimization from Oregon State University. The Association of Professional Energy Managers nationally recognized Nichols as 2000 Energy Manager of the Year.

Information Contact:

Anne Alenskis

(208)388-2460

[email protected]

Building Efficiency Frequently Asked Questions

What is Building Efficiency?
Building Efficiency is a new incentive program from Idaho Power to help cover a significant share of the costs of designing and building energy-efficiency features into a commercial construction project.

Who can apply?
This program is targeted to commercial construction projects for small and midsize commercial buildings that are (or will be) on Idaho Power rate schedules 7 or 9.

What projects are eligible?
Only projects that are part of a new building, an expansion to an existing building, or a major renovation started after April 15, 2005 can qualify. Major renovations are projects involving professional design services, review by code authorities, or substantial replacement of two or more building components – building shell, plumbing, HVAC, lighting, or other electrical systems.

How much can I receive?
Incentives are designed to average about half the additional cost of energy-efficiency investments. For 2005, the maximum incentive payment for any one project completed is $20,000.

What measures are eligible?
Incentives are offered for five specific lighting efficiency options and five specific cooling efficiency options. Any project can earn a bonus for commissioning the efficient and effective functioning of the systems installed.

What if I am planning an energy upgrade that’s not on the eligible measure list?
While the current list of eligible measures covers ten options – and two bonuses – Idaho Power’s intent is to expand it in the future (2006 and beyond). If you are otherwise eligible for an incentive this year and have an additional measure that’s not on this year’s list, contact the Building Efficiency program manager to see if it might qualify for some funding as a demonstration project.

What is commissioning? Why does a bonus apply?
Commissioning is an independent, third party verification of the performance of the energy-saving measures you’ve installed. On larger, more complex buildings, commissioning often uncovers installation or calibration errors that will either increase your building’s operating cost or reduce its comfort. Commissioning can correct that – ensuring that you get the energy savings you’re paying for.

What if I’m on Rate Schedule 19?
Rate schedule 19 accounts are eligible for another Idaho Power incentive program. For more details on that program, go to <http://www.idahopower.com/energycenter/energyefficiency/industrialincentive.htm>.

What if I’m located in Oregon?
Commercial construction projects in Oregon are not eligible at this time. Currently, funding for this program comes from Idaho customers only. In the future, we intend to expand this program to Oregon.

How can I participate?
Talk to your team of design professionals about the energy-efficiency options that will work best for your facility. You can learn more – and reserve your place in line for an incentive payment – by submitting an Expression of Interest form. The form is available on line at http://www.idahopower.com/buildingefficiency <http://www.idahopower.com/buildingefficiency>.

When do you need to receive my application?
Applications and supporting materials need to be received no later than December 15, 2005 in order to receive payment under this year’s program. Idaho Power is planning a similar program for commercial construction projects in 2006 and beyond. Expressions of Interest for projects that will not be completed before December 15, 2005 can be submitted anytime.

Why should I use this program?
Energy efficiency pays. The less your business has to pay for electricity, the more funds you’ll have available to spend on other necessities or to add to your bottom line. With Idaho Power’s new incentive program, there’s no better time to add energy-saving features to your commercial construction process.

How much extra time/effort will this take?
This incentive program is designed to be easy to use. The application is a simple “menu” of energy-efficiency measures that you can choose from. This should not take much time or effort and your design professional will be able to help. Of course, Idaho Power can assist you if you have any questions.

Who can help me understand my design/technology options?
Your team of design professionals is a great place to start. They may have designed other efficient buildings. Other building efficiency assistance resources are available, some provided at no cost. For additional energy-related questions, you can also contact an Idaho Power delivery service representative in your area. To reach the appropriate representative, call (208) 388-2323 or 1-800-488-6151 from outside the Treasure Valley. You may also request additional information on the eligible technologies when you submit the Expression of Interest form.

What additional documentation do you need?
A one-page application form along with design performance details, equipment cost invoices, and a commissioning summary report (if you’re applying for the commissioning bonus). Please note that your commissioning agent needs to be pre-approved by Idaho Power if you wish to receive this bonus.

Is there a similar program for existing facilities?
Not at this time. Idaho Power is exploring options to offer incentives for equipment retrofits in existing commercial facilities in the future.

When will this program end?
The application deadline for the 2005 Building Efficiency incentive program is December 15, 2005. However, incentive funds are limited and will be paid on a first-come, first-served basis.

How will my incentive be paid?
Idaho Power will provide you with a check after the work is completed and your application for incentive payment is made. Idaho Power reserves the right to request additional details and/or inspect any project prior to issuing the incentive payment.

Where do the funds for this program come from?
All of Idaho Power’s energy-efficiency programs are funded through the Conservation Charge collected monthly from Idaho customers as approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission in May 2002.

Why is Idaho Power sponsoring this program?
We are committed to offering services and information to our customers to help them use energy wisely. Efficiency programs like this help offset the need to build new power plants and to prevent the company from acquiring power from more expensive sources to meet growing customer demand. Successful conservation programs can delay the construction of new power plants and reduce the company’s generation costs during times of peak use, thus slowing the increase in customer rates.

How can I get additional information?
If you still have questions about the commercial construction Building Efficiency program, contact an Idaho Power delivery service representative in your local office or call the Customer Service Center at (208) 388-2323. If you prefer, you can e-mail questions to [email protected] .

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