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The exhibit area was a mass of slow moving people as they worked their way from booth to booth learning about all the latest resources for sustainability. The event, dubbed Greening the Office, was sponsored by the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum.
On display were a variety of green cleaning products, a unique source for free trade coffee that also offered a recycling program, and various providers of renewable and energy efficient technology.
One booth that caught my eye was brightly lit with LED bulbs used to seamlessly replace inefficient office fluorescent tubes without changing the fixture. The booth was swamped with people learning about the financial benefits of LED technology.
I was intrigued with the product and wanted to learn more as I exchanged business cards with the salesperson. After looking at my card he inquired about EAG and the services we provide. After discussing our offerings and EAG’s desire to offer the best in energy saving technologies I mentioned our work with Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). I noted that one of the key benefits of PACE is that it makes energy efficient upgrades affordable. He was very intrigued but a new group of people were waiting to hear about his product and I had a seminar to attend. We didn’t get a chance to talk again.
“I need to understand PACE better!”
Two nights later I received a call from the LED salesmen that began with “Do you have a few minutes to talk? I need to understand PACE better!”
That question initiated a 45 minute conversation that was punctuated with a variety of rapid fire questions. “Where does the financing come from…what is covered…does it include LED…what else can qualify for the program…how can I get more information….what size projects qualify…how does it make projects cash flow positive, etc, etc?”
The caller was amazed that he wasn’t aware of PACE but by the end of our conversation clearly understood how the program makes energy efficiency projects affordable. He could envision it being used to launch many future LED retrofits.
PACE Makes Energy Efficiency Affordable!
As the callers questions illustrate, there is a significant educational process involved with the implementation of Property Assessed Clean Energy. His questions are typical of those brought up any time PACE is introduced. But when those questions are answered effectively, and people truly understand the power of PACE, making the decision to reduce wasted energy is easy. When the decision is easy, energy efficiency projects launch!
Energy Efficiency Increases Bottom Line
Providing PACE education and assisting in the launch of energy efficient renovations are an important component of The Energy Alliance Group of Michigan (EAG). As a leader in clean energy PACE project development, EAG is committed to expanding PACE in every county in Michigan.
With the expansion of PACE in mind a panel discussion has been organized for anyone interested in energy efficiency. Are you looking to upgrade your facilities but concerned about the expense, lack of capital and lengthy payback periods? Are you an architect, consulting engineer, contractor or vendor involved with energy efficient designs and upgrades that are difficult to justify from a building owner’s financial perspective? Please join us at Keeping PACE with Energy Efficiency in Michigan for information on how to overcome these barriers and achieve an immediate improvement in cash flow through Michigan’s PACE finance program, tax credits, incentives, utility choice programs and new energy efficient technologies.
If you’re interested in registering for this free event click HERE.
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