PACE Newsletter | July 2023

July 2023

Welcome to Partners for a Clean Environment's (PACE) newsletter. PACE is your one-stop shop for business sustainability in Boulder County. This newsletter is emailed once a month and shares ways your business can save money and energy through sustainability and climate action initiatives.

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Funding for Solar Installation: Available Now!

Growing Gardens in North Boulder recently installed a 35kW solar array, with help from PACE and the City of Boulder. By stacking a PACE rebate on top of nonprofit solar grants from the county and the city, Growing Gardens received $47,000 in funding towards their project!

Vanessa Keeley, Growing Gardens' Executive Director, shared that their PACE advisor, Tom, "...was honestly the entire reason our project went so smoothly. He is so knowledgeable and inspiring. He offered lots of assistance along the way and was always available for questions. The PACE program was so helpful and seamless, that we are looking at next steps to electrify more of our appliances to further decrease our carbon footprint."

Several rebates, grants, and other forms of financial assistance are available to help Boulder County businesses set up solar arrays. Private businesses, nonprofits, and multi-family housing may all be eligible. Read more on available opportunities here or contact your PACE advisor at info@PACEpartners.com or 303-786-7223 for more information!

In the next step of their electrification journey, Growing Gardens is working on an electrification feasibility study with their PACE advisors. Keep an eye on future newsletters for a look into this process and reach out to your PACE advisor if you’re interested in starting your own! More information on building electrification studies through PACE can be found here.

Seeking your Thoughts! Survey on Composting Containers

PACE is exploring a new program to help get composting containers to restaurant kitchens and other back-of-house food service spaces, and we’d love your feedback! Please fill out this 3-minute survey to share your thoughts.

Happening in August: “Climate Action for Business” Online Course

The next session of Climate Action for Business from the Leeds School of Business at CU Boulder is coming up on August 22-23.

Designed for people and companies who are just getting started on their climate journey, this online course will help you learn the basics to create a company climate action plan. Developed in collaboration with Project Drawdown, this course includes an intro to the GHG Protocol, Science-Based Targets, CDP and TCFD, stakeholder engagement, and more. Start the application process here.

PACE staff are looking forward to attending this training, and would love to see some local businesses in the (online) crowd!

Mark Your Calendars:

Reduce and Reuse Showcase is Saturday, July 29!

Boulder County’s Resource Conservation Division has announced the 2023 Reduce and Reuse Showcase, which will take place Saturday July 29 at 1:00PM. The showcase will highlight local businesses leading reuse innovation and is a great event to attend if you are interested in exploring bringing reusables into your business.

More details and a registration form can be found at this link.

Is your business already rocking reusables? The Resource Conservation Division would love to highlight your efforts at the Showcase. Please contact Chandra at cvalenza@bouldercounty.org if you are interested!

Reminder: Styrofoam Container Ban coming January 2024

Starting on January 1, 2024, Colorado businesses will no longer be allowed to provide Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) containers for beverages and ready-to-eat food, per the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act.

Local governments may charge fines for violations, with increasing severity for repeat offenses. Find more details from the Colorado General Assembly here.

Resources and Relevant Incentives from City of Boulder:

Up to $2000 for Reusable Solutions
Subsidized Reusable Takeout Containers with DeliverZero
Up to $1000 for Reusable Cups for Venues with r.Cup

Resources and Relevant Incentives from City of Lafayette:

Up to $1000 for Reusable Solutions

Please reach out to your PACE advisor for assistance with any incentives or resources at info@PACEpartners.com or 303-786-7223, or visit our waste reduction page here.