Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category
Idaho Energy and Green Building Conference
Friday, October 14th, 2011
Beginning next Wednesday the Association of Idaho Cities, in collaboration with the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, the Idaho Office of Energy Resources and the US Green Building Council Idaho Chapter, is hosting the Idaho Energy and Green Building Conference in Boise at the Doubletree-Riverside Hotel. The conference provides a great opportunity to learn about policy and best practices for energy efficiency and green building.
The USGBC Idaho Chapter is hosting a Green Building Reception at the conference Wednesday evening from 5:30-8:30 which is free and open to the public. Join us for an update on the Chapter’s activities, networking, food, drinks and music. We’ll also hear from Rep. George Eskridge, the co-chair of the Interim Energy Committee, which is charged with updating Idaho’s 2007 Energy Plan.
Download the reception flyer for more details. Here is the summary:
Green Building Reception
At the Idaho Energy and Green Building Conference
Wed Oct 19th
5:30-8:30pm
DoubleTree Riverside Boise
Join us for food and drinks, music and a short program
Program:
- Free Food, no-host bar & Live DJ music
- USGBC Idaho Chapter update and Wells Fargo Presentation
- Rep. George Eskridge presents on the Idaho Energy Plan update
- Music from the Vinyl Preservation Society of Idaho
free and open to the public
Tags: Conference, Education, Energy Efficiency, Energy Plan, Free Event, Green Building, Networking
Posted in Articles, Conferences, Events, News | No Comments »
Greening Your CC&Rs: Strategies for Improving the Sustainability of your Neighborhood
Friday, October 14th, 2011
Kelsey Nunez, Boise attorney and Chair of the Advocacy and Public Policy Committee, will present the newly released document, “Greening Your CC&Rs: Strategies for Improving the Sustainability of your Neighborhood” at the Idaho Chapter of the American Planning Association Conference this week in Moscow.
This year’s conference is focused on local food and planning, and the “Greening Your CC&Rs” document has helpful analysis on individual and community scale food production, the impact neighborhood associations can have, and how to make needed changes.
With special thanks to the Bullitt Foundation for their supportive grant, the USGBC-Idaho Chapter is looking forward to working with our members to enhance sustainability at all levels of our community. Contact Kelsey for more information or to get involved at kelseynunez@givenspursley.com
To download the report click HERE.
Tags: CC&Rs, food, Gardening, Neighborhood, Public Policy, sustainability
Posted in Articles, Conferences, News, Reports, USGBC Idaho | No Comments »
State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
The Idaho State Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP), commonly known as the Appliance Rebate Program, will have $1.3 million to distribute as rebates for residential citizens who replace a working appliance with a new ENERGY STAR appliance. (The Program should start sometime in March)
- When will the rebate program begin?
The target launch date is late March 2010. This is an estimate; the exact launch date will be publicized with a press release and on the program website when it is finalized.
- Will the rebates be retroactive? For example, if I buy a qualifying appliance before the program launches, will I be eligible for the rebate?
No. Qualifying appliances must be purchased after the program launches.
- Which ENERGY STAR appliances will be rebated and how much are the rebate amounts?
|
ENERGY STAR Appliances to be Rebated |
Efficiency Standard |
Rebate Amount |
|
Clothes Washers |
ENERGY STAR |
$75 |
|
Dishwashers |
ENERGY STAR |
$50 |
|
Refrigerators |
ENERGY STAR |
$75 |
|
Room air conditioners |
ENERGY STAR |
$25 |
|
Electric heat pump water heaters |
ENERGY STAR |
$150 |
|
Gas storage water heater |
ENERGY STAR |
$150 |
|
Solar water heaters (electric back-up) |
ENERGY STAR |
$150 |
|
Solar water heaters (gas back-up) |
ENERGY STAR |
$150 |
|
Air source heat pumps including ductless |
ENERGY STAR |
$250 |
|
Oil furnaces |
ENERGY STAR |
$110 |
|
Gas furnaces |
ENERGY STAR |
$125 |
|
Oil boilers |
ENERGY STAR |
$300 |
|
Gas boilers |
ENERGY STAR |
$200 |
- Where can I find a list of ENERGY STAR appliances?
The list of ENERGY STAR appliances is available at www.energystar.gov.
- What are the eligibility requirements to qualify for a rebate?
In order to qualify for a rebate, citizens must:- » an Idaho resident
- » buy a new, qualifying ENERGY STAR appliance to replace a working appliance
- » buy from a store located in Idaho
- Do I have to buy from specific retailers?
No, citizens may buy from any Idaho appliance retailer. Retailers do not need to do anything to be enrolled in the program.
- How can I make sure that the appliance I replace gets recycled?
Ask. Many retailers will pick up your old appliance when they deliver the new one. The federal minimum for recycling requires that all hazardous materials, which occur in refrigerators and air conditioners, be safely disposed. To make sure your old appliance is recycled beyond the federal minimum, ask your retailer:
-
- Will my old appliance be decommissioned so it can’t go back on the electric grid?
- Will the steel and plastic in my old appliance be recycled? The answer to both of these answers should be “yes”.
- When the program launches, where can I get a rebate form?
Rebate forms will be available through this website when the program launches.
- How long will the program last?
The program will last until funds are exhausted. Rebates will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Can this program be used in conjunction with other appliance efficiency incentive programs so I can receive multiple incentives on the same purchase?
Yes, if the appliance purchase meets the eligibility requirements for each program. The federal government is offering a 30% tax credit (up to $1,500 per year) for specific residential efficiency improvements. This program is not administered by the State of Idaho, but more information is available at www.dsireusa.org.Many local utilities also offer energy efficient appliance purchase incentives. Check with your utilities for similar opportunities.
- When more information is available about the Idaho Appliance Rebate Program, where will it be posted?
This webpage is the best source for the most current information.
- Who can I contact with more questions about the Idaho Appliance Rebate Program?
Stacey Donohue
Idaho Appliance Rebate Program
Office of Energy Resources
Stacey.Donohue@oer.idaho.gov
(208) 287-4911
Last Modified: Friday, February 12, 2010
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NRDC-Smarter Cities/ Boise, Idaho
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Green Building
In 2008, Boise created the Excellence in Green Building Construction awards to encourage environmentally sound construction as a part of the mayor’s charge to make Boise the most livable city in the country.
Please visit this link for the full story http://dev.smartercities.org/cities/boise-id
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BEPI Highlights Banner Bank Building
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
When the Banner Bank building, Boise, ID, opened up in 2006, it was given a platinum level LEED certification. Years later, the building’s developer is getting another award called the Phoenix Award.
“What the award was essentially granted for was our long term commitment to environmental responsibility,” says Gary Christensen, building developer.
As an office building ages, new tenants move in and office space gets renovated. The Banner Bank building was designed to make that process easier. The developer and builders employed a modular system where offices can be easily transformed and rewired in a small time frame.
http://www.bepinfo.com/ViewArticle.aspx?aid=100216003&from=gateway&cce=20927
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