For local government staff interested in ways to increase energy efficiency, ENERGY STAR offers periodic Energy Management Web Conferences periodically, usually on the third Wednesday of the month from 1:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. Eastern.  Each web conference is structured around a different energy management topic that provides a starting point for discussion.  The Web conferences are convened for the benefit of ENERGY STAR Partners and provide a forum for sharing successful energy management practices.

The web conference upcoming on December 4 @ 1-2:30PM EST will provide a resource for energy managers looking to address the obstacle of access to capital in making energy efficient upgrades. The presentation, entitled "PACE Financing for Commerical & Industrial Energy Projects" will highlight Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing, a tool that many jurisdictions have used to provide commerical and industrial building owners with low-cost, long-term private sector financing for water conservation, renewable energy, and energy efficiency improvements through an assessment of the property. These investments are repaid with the energy savings accrued, avoiding the need for internal capital investment, and the assessment is transferable if the property is sold.

Many states, including Texas, Connecticut, Florida, California, and others have passed legislation authorizing commercial and industrial PACE programs.  However, passing legislation is only the first step, and only a handful of states and localities are implementing PACE programs.

This ENERGY STAR partner web conference will look at the status of PACE programs in the United States and the implications for energy managers.  Joining us will be:

·         Andrew Mangan, Executive Director of the United States Business Council for Sustainable Development, which is leading several initiatives to establish PACE programs in the US; and,

·         Charlene Heydinger from Keeping PACE in Texas, a coalition of commercial and industrial companies that is working to develop a turn-key PACE program model for Texas and other states.

Registration

Pre-registration for this web conference is recommended. Register here.   

For more information about ENERGY STAR Web Conferences and Networking events, please visit here.