5. OPEN FORUM HANDOUT 10-20-2014

Home Browse Search

Documenting results. Sherburne County is able to quantify its savings via the Minnesota B3 Benchmarking tool. The B3 tool allows users to track their buildings' energy use, monitor the performance of energy improvements, and readily identify poor energy performance. It is available for all state, local government, and public school buildings. To add your building to this database, go to the B3 website and click on "Contact Us." Funding. Sherburne County received a $100,000 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The grant was provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2000, the federal stimulus program designed to save energy and create jobs. Financing was aided by a rebate of $2,800 from CenterPoint Energy, Sherburne County's natural gas supplier. Total cost for the boiler upgrade: $301,500. Resources for local government projects. Public institutions seeking energy efficiency improvements are encouraged to consult with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources (DER) and their local gas or electric utility. DER provides technical support to local government units, state agencies, school districts, and institutions of higher learning that are seeking energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. Contact DER to discuss which of its efficiency programs can be of help. Utility representatives can help assess opportunities for efficiency and identify what rebates may help finance projects. Utilities in Minnesota are mandated to achieve an annual energy savings of 1.5 percent of annual retail energy sales. An entry on the Natural Resources Canada website called Installing High-Efficiency Boilers for Heating Plants offers guidelines for purchasing and operating high efficiency boilers. For more on energy efficiency, including information on Minnesota's B3 Benchmarking tool, contact the DER Information Center at ener .info state.mn.us or 800- 657 -3710. 29