PACE Newsletter | August 2023

August 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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New Building Electrification Study Incentives

PACE’s Business Electrification Feasibility Study program is now accepting applications! Electrification Feasibility Studies are conducted by a certified engineer to help you understand 1) your existing gas-powered equipment and 2) what it would take to replace any gas-powered equipment with electric equivalents.

Depending on square footage, businesses can qualify for up to 100%* of cost coverage to conduct this energy efficiency and electrification report with local engineering firms.

A list of pre-screened contractors can be found here, though businesses may choose to work with other contractors so long as the study meets the minimum criteria requirements and funds are reserved prior to conducting the study.

*PACE’s incentives will cover the following:

100% of cost for businesses <20,000 sq. ft. as well as nonprofits that serve low-income residents and low-income multifamily housing
80% of cost for businesses between 20,000sq. ft. and 50,000 sq. ft.
60% of cost for businesses >50,000 sq. ft.

Click here to apply for the incentive, and please reach out to your PACE advisor at info@PACEpartners.com or 303-786-7223 if you have any questions.

Burning Up? Drowning in Utility Bills? Start Here!

The summer heat is here! After an unseasonably mild early summer, Boulder County is seeing hotter temperatures that may have you reaching for the thermostat.

If you have an existing HVAC system that is approaching replacement age (or you are considering cooling solutions for the first time), now is a great time to begin taking steps to improve energy efficiency, such as insulation and window upgrades, so that if the time comes and your unit fails, you are set up for success and can install a heat pump. As an added bonus, these upgrades will also help you lower utility costs even if your HVAC and furnace are still going strong.

Unlike traditional furnaces and air conditioners, heat pumps serve as all-in-one air management units that can handle both Colorado winters and summers. Learn more about heat pumps here.

Ready to get started? Contact an advisor today at info@PACEpartners.com or 303-786-7223 to see what steps make the most sense for your business.

eBike Incentives Coming Soon from the Colorado Energy Office

Starting in mid-August, the State of Colorado will be releasing eBike (electric bicycle) discounts for residents. eBikes are a great way to get exercise and save money on a commute, especially for slightly longer distances that may be more challenging on a manual bicycle. We encourage all business owners to share information on the state’s eBike discount program with employees and community members.

The eBike discounts will be available for moderate- and low-income Colorado residents. Applicants who are randomly selected will be eligible to receive up to $1,500 towards the purchase of an electric bicycle. Please click here for more information on rebate amounts, the application process, and eligibility information.

Efficiency Works Business: 50% Bonus Rebates available to Longmont Power & Communications Commercial Customers

Efficiency Works Business is offering a 50% bonus on rebates for efficiency upgrades in the following categories: lighting, food service, grocery, office and appliance, building envelope, cooling, VFDs, and water. To qualify for the bonus efficiency rebates, upgrades must be completed, and all paperwork submitted for payment, by November 15, 2023. Funding for the bonus is subject to funding availability and standard rebate caps. Bonus funding does not apply to custom upgrades, EV infrastructure rebates, new construction or major renovation lighting or envelope projects, or building tune-up rebates.

Rebates are available to commercial customers of Estes Park Power and Communications, Fort Collins Utilities, Longmont Power & Communications or Loveland Water and Power.

For complete details on this offering and to apply, please visit our rebates page here.

To learn more, contact the Efficiency Works Business team at business@efficiencyworks.org.

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.

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
Up to $1500 worth of free reusable takeout container services (e.g., r.Cup or DeliverZero)

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.