Going Ever-Greener in Washington
Steve Stackhouse-Kaelble (Dec/Jan 09)
The state of Washington is moving quickly into the future with mandates for more use of renewable energy and a greater-than-ever emphasis on efficiency. In Tacoma, the municipal utility is trying to help make the transition successful. Tacoma Public Utilities offers businesses a range of rebates and incentives for businesses striving to boost their energy efficiency. Some yield immediate savings, offsetting the cost of installing higher-efficiency products.
There are programs for industrial users whose processes employ compressed air systems. Evergreen Options helps connect users with power from non-polluting wind or solar plants. The Bright Rebates initiative helps fund conversion to more energy-efficient lighting. And the New Construction Program, launched in 2008, offers cash incentives and expert assistance that can be worth up to 100 percent of the incremental costs of energy-efficiency measures.
