Welcome to the PACE newsletter! Each month, we share resources to help Boulder County businesses save money, promote environmental health, and improve climate impact and sustainability. | |
Louisville's Tilt Pinball Gearing Up to Go Electric | |
 | |
Tilt Pinball, located off Main Street in Louisville, is a tenant in a building that is participating in PACE's Building Energy Plan incentive, which provides up to $20,000 per property to create a plan for electrifying your commercial building. Tilt hopes to transition to all-electric equipment: as their equipment ages, they see this as a proactive step toward reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency. "I'm hoping to learn how much energy we currently use and how more efficient electrical equipment can decrease our overall energy usage," shared co-owner Mark Oberholzer.
Last year, Tilt upgraded their refrigerator and ice maker through PACE's Refrigeration and Restaurant Equipment Grant. The process was seamless and professional, which is part of what inspired the team to go further with a Building Energy Plan. Says Oberholzer, "the vendor PACE used was great to work with, and once we pulled the trigger, everything moved pretty quickly. The delivery and install guys were professional and they removed the old equipment. It was a painless process and having more reliable equipment has given us great peace of mind."
For businesses on the fence about going electric, Oberholzer advises, "it's always worth exploring these options, especially given the incentive programs that are available." Interested in upgrading your equipment or getting a building energy plan? Reach out to info@pacepartners.com to get started.
| |
Create a Sustainability Plan with
Xcel Energy's Empower Sustainability | |
|
Empower Sustainability is an innovative program from Xcel Energy that can help your organization assess your environmental impact and then provide solutions to reduce greenhouse gasses or achieve net-zero energy. They will work with your organization to create a custom sustainability plan.
The program includes three steps:
- An assessment to help define your goals and objectives. A custom pathway to develop your sustainably plan will be created to align with your specific needs
- An evaluation to determine which Xcel programs and resources can be used to help you meet each of your goals
- An implementation plan which is reviewed on an ongoing basis to continue to meet your needs
Organizations are not required to participate in all three steps.
If you are interested in participating, please reach out to the PACE team at info@pacepartners.com.
| |
Connecting Youth and Green Business Mentors | |
|
Creating a “Green Economy” – an economy in balance with Earth’s living systems -- depends on empowering today's youth to be part of the process. Three Boulder County high school students are developing a Green Business Mentorship program (an ALL Careers initiative) that seeks to connect environmental understanding with ALL careers – not just those few usually thought of as “environmental careers.”
The program is looking for local businesses that are "going green" to participate in an evening program that includes short presentations by business representatives, a panel discussion, and informal networking time.
Wednesday, April 24, 6:30 pm. Lafayette Public Library 775 Baseline Rd. in Lafayette
This program will further these student efforts by providing real-world context to this conversation. Students, teachers, parents, members of the business community and the public are invited! Reservations are not required!
Please direct any questions to Martin@EntrepreneurialEarth.com.
| |
|
Gearing up for the spring landscaping season? Try it without the smell of gasoline! We have re-opened applications to our landscaping equipment electrification fund for 2024--and 31 businesses have already received vouchers this year alone.
Landscaping businesses can apply TODAY to receive 70% funding for upgrading gas equipment to electric, up to $30,000. Fill out the application here to get started.
| |
|
Clean Fleet Vehicle and Technology Grant Program
to reopen in March
| |
|
The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) is reopening their Clean Fleet Enterprise’s (CFE) Clean Fleet Vehicle and Technology Grant Program, a statewide competitive application process for upgrading fleet vehicles to EVs and other clean fuels.
To apply, fleets will provide background information on their current fleet make-up, indicate the level of planning that has occurred for fleet transition, and provide financial information on vehicles and/or technology the fleet plans to acquire. Visit the CDPHE website for more information.
| |
Throwing Out Hazardous Waste | |
|
Did you know that businesses in Boulder County have access to programs that help them safely dispose of materials that cannot go in the trash? Using these programs protects our environment, our waterways, and the people who handle our waste and recycling.
You can participate in the Hazardous Waste Disposal for Businesses program at the Hazardous Materials Management Facility (HMMF) for light bulbs, cleaners, pesticides, paint, auto fluids, batteries, and more. Use the Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials at Eco-Cycle for electronics, plastics, Styrofoam, and packaging material. Contact them to learn about special bulk rates for businesses, easier payments, hard-to-recycle hauling services, and free recycling training.
| |
Efficiency Works Business Advising and Assessment Services | |
|
Efficiency Works Business energy advisors can conduct free, no-obligation assessments of your business’ energy and water systems and provide a report of recommended efficiency upgrades, including available incentives. If you already have a project in mind, an energy advisor can help maximize your energy savings and facilitate the incentive process for free. Your business may also qualify for free energy and water saving product install for instant utility cost savings, including high efficiency lighting, faucet aerators, refrigerator door gasket replacement and condenser coil cleaning service.
Advising and assessment services are available to commercial electric customers of Longmont Power & Communications. Begin your journey by visiting the Efficiency Works advising and assessments page here or contact the Efficiency Works Business team at EWBusiness@franklinenergy.com.
| |
Are You Passionate About Sustainable Transportation? Become a Workplace Commute Ambassador! | |
|
If you are interested in sustainable transportation options in your workplace, consider joining Commuting Solutions’ Workforce Commute Ambassadors (WCA) program. Commuting Solutions is a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering innovative transportation options that connect commuters to their workplaces, businesses to their employees, and residents to their communities.
The WCA program supports employees to encourage their colleagues to use transportation options such as carpooling, transit, cycling, vanpooling or teleworking. They offer networking opportunities that provide resources, updates from regional transportation partners, and tools to support them in promoting sustainable transportation within their workplace. To find out more about becoming a Workplace Commute Ambassador contact Marisa Kaplita at marisa@commutingsolutions.org.
| |
Latino Chamber of Commerce Presents:
Empowered Women Celebration on March 27 | |
The Empowered Women Group Celebration organized by the Latino Chamber is a significant event designed to highlight and acknowledge the accomplishments of women in our community. The focus is on recognizing the contributions of women across diverse sectors, including business, education, healthcare, and more. This celebration aims to create a platform that not only honors these achievements but also emphasizes the importance of supporting women-owned businesses.
Learn more and buy tickets to the event here.
| |
Boulder County's Climate Innovation Fund
Now Open For Applications | |
Boulder County is now accepting applications for Climate Innovation Fund grants, aiming to award a total of $550,000 to projects focused on carbon dioxide removal and landscape resilience and restoration. Individuals, teams, and organizations are encouraged to submit short-form proposals for regional projects designed to effectively remove and securely store carbon dioxide and deliver measurable benefits to our community's resilience and environmental health in response to climate change impacts.
The application period for short-form proposals is now open and will close March 21, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MT. Visit Boulder County's Climate Innovation Fund webpage for more details and to apply.
| | | | |
