PACE Food Service Newsletter

October 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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Wok and Roll: Colorado Wok's Kitchen Makeover a la PACE

Yuki Chen, owner of Colorado Wok in Lafayette, Colorado, recently worked with PACE's Restaurant Equipment Grant program and transformed her restaurant. Her staff had been dealing with outdated refrigeration units that struggled to maintain consistent temperatures.

PACE helped fund and install more efficient and consistent units, as well as a new prep table that improved storage and efficiency. "The PACE program seemed too good to be true... covering 70% of the costs as well as shipping and delivery is something we’ve never seen before." Yuki shared.

Yuki highly recommends the program, highlighting that it “significantly aids Boulder County businesses by offsetting the expenses of vital equipment.” PACE is now accepting applications for the Refrigeration and Restaurant Equipment Grant; sign up today at this link or reach out at info@pacepartners.com.

Xcel Energy Customers: You Could Qualify for Savings

Xcel Energy commercial customers are charged one of two rate structures based on a demand threshold: Commercial and Secondary General. The Commercial rate charges for energy use based on the kilowatt-hour used. Secondary General is also based on energy, but the rates can often be lower. However, there are sometimes hefty fees associated with demand when your business is in a Secondary General rate.

Several months ago, the demand threshold increased from 25kW to 50kW. This means that more businesses can qualify for a Commercial rate. But... Xcel Energy will not automatically switch businesses from one rate to another. You have to request it. This switch could help you save a significant amount of money.

If any or all of that was confusing- no worries! The next paragraph is key.

To find out which rate your business currently pays, locate a recent bill and look for the rate highlighted in the picture above. Instead of "Residential" you'll see either "Commercial" or "Secondary General" business rates. If you are currently in a Secondary General rate and have a usage under 50kW, contact Xcel Energy at 1-800-481-4700. A representative at the Xcel Energy Business Solution Center will be able to complete a rate analysis to see if the Commercial rate would be more affordable for your business.

Ditch the Disposables!

With composting changes and a styrofoam ban coming up in January, PACE is here to help your business make the switch to reusables! A one-time incentive is available for 70% of project costs (up to $2,000) to help businesses switch to reusables, or try a third-party reusables service like r.Cup or DeliverZero. Eligible items include durable dishware, reusable takeout containers, and dishwashers.

For those times where you need single-use materials, EcoCycle recently published a Sustainable Serviceware Guide to help Boulder County food businesses reduce waste and make easier decisions that follow all the new and upcoming rules including compost requirements, Styrofoam bans, and more.

The City of Boulder also has some great resources, including a Simple Ways to Part with Plastic guide, a Waste Sorting 101 training for staff, and an FAQ page with more detailed information about compost guidelines.

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.

Electrification Studies are Underway - Sign Up Today!

Over 20 businesses across Boulder County are now working with PACE advisors to complete electrification studies. Depending on square footage, businesses can qualify for up to 100% of cost coverage to conduct a study.

Why sign up? Participating businesses work with our PACE advisors, who collaborate with reputable engineering firms that assess your space and make recommendations for energy efficiency, electrification upgrades, financial resources, and more. The resulting report is a great resource that can help you make a plan for upgrading your equipment, avoiding emergencies down the line.

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

Last Call!

Our first countywide solar co-op launched with a bang, filling up just 9 days after opening. Boulder County is considering opening additional spots due to this high demand--don't delay and sign up for the waitlist today. Join us for “Solar 101” information session events on October 25 or November 15, or learn more online and sign up for the waitlist here.

PACEpartners.com | 303-786-7223 | info@PACEpartners.com

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