Energy Audits and Financial Incentives
Friday, 24 October 2008 13:26
Several greenhouse businesses received financial incentives for energy conservation and renewable energy systems this year. More funding is available and now is a good time to find out if you qualify and how to apply.
www.dsireusa.org is a comprehensive source of information on federal, state, local and utility incentive programs. The following are some incentives for CT and MA that apply to greenhouse and nursery operations.
Connecticut
To help sort out what is available for Connecticut growers, John Bartok, UConn compiled a good fact sheet on Federal and Connecticut Incentives for Greenhouse Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy. It includes contacts for the USDA Rural Development Section 9006 Loan and Grant Programs for Energy Efficiency and Energy Generation, Energy Programs as part of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency fund, and many others. For details see: http://www.umass.edu/umext/floriculture/fact_sheets/UConn/08energy_resources.pdf
Massachusetts
Phase 2 of the Mass Farm Energy Program (MFEP) will provide energy audits, renewable energy assessments, and/or provide incentives for implementation of audit recommendations, including those recommended by public utility programs. MFEP audits, assessments, and consultations will be paid at 75% with the applicant responsible for the remaining 25%. Incentives for implementation will be based on energy savings. Although the emphasis of Phase 2 is energy conservation and efficiency, there will be some funding opportunities for renewable energy projects, especially those projects that are not eligible for other programs. Some fundable energy saving technologies for greenhouses include: electronic temperature controls, thermal blankets, automatic or manual, sidewall/foundation wall insulation, energy efficient ventilation fans & associated tight sealing louvers, lighting, higher efficiency heating systems, higher efficiency refrigeration systems including heat recovery and IR layer of polyethylene.
See the Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D website to learn more about the MFEP Energy Audits & Incentives: http://www.berkshirepioneerrcd.org/mfep/energy.php
Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D will also offer technical assistance and grant writing assistance to at least 25 farmers interested in the 2009 funding for USDA-Rural Development's Section 9007: Rural Energy for America Program (formerly called the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program). This program pays 25% of the cost of energy projects through grants and can also provide guaranteed loans.
Contact information:
Berkshire-Pioneer RC&D (grant writing, energy audits and financial incentives):
Ann Gibson at 413-256-1607,
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Darlene Monds, 413-256-1607,
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USDA-Rural Development's Section 9007: Rural Energy for America Program (grants and loan programs for energy generation and energy efficiency)
Rural Development Area Office
Tina Smith, University of Massachusetts
Leanne Pundt, University of Connecticut
Paul Lopes, University of Massachusetts
