Lightening the Load: Promoting Utility Rebates to Boulder's Businesses

Carolyn Brouillard, City of Boulder/Minnesota Environmental Initiative

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Abstract

Boulder is a town of 100,000 people in Northern Colorado. In May 2002, the Boulder City Council passed a resolution to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to seven percent below 1990 levels by 2012. The greenhouse gas emissions inventory indicated that the commercial buildings sector is the largest source of GHG emissions in Boulder. To address emissions in the commercial sector, the city of Boulder’s Office of Environmental Affairs (OEA) participated in Xcel Energy’s Custom Efficiency program between October 2003 and the
program’s conclusion June 1, 2005. The Custom Efficiency Program was a demand-side management (DSM) program that awarded rebates for the installation of energy efficient measures, such as efficient lighting and HVAC upgrades, in order to reduce summer peak electric demand. Through business outreach and contractor education, thirty-eight businesses received rebates totaling $187,000 for energy efficiency projects that will annually save over 1.4 million kWh a year, 1,107 mtCO2e, and $160,000 in energy costs. This level of participation among Boulder businesses had not been seen prior to OEA’s involvement. Important lessons learned include: Dedicate enough staff time; Involve local contractors; and Target everyone.