Rebates

The lab network serves as a technical resource of credible and unbiased information and education to facilitate energy efficient design to achieve high-performance buildings. Each lab provides access to information, tools, and resources on integrated design and other high-performance building practices and a variety of advisory services that include integrated design process and methods, climate analysis and appropriate building responses, daylighting and electric lighting, and modeling (daylighting and energy performance).

Xcel Energy offers Energy Design Assistance (EDA) to qualified Colorado business customers. EDA gives customers a comprehensive approach to energy and cost savings for businesses considering new construction or renovation projects. EDA services can be tailored to the unique needs of each business. Featured services include: energy consulting services and predictive energy modeling, free to participants; enhanced services, including help toward a green building certification and early analyses in areas such as daylighting, lighting, massing, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); construction rebates for a package of whole building energy opportunities from envelope, lighting, and cooling to unique opportunities

Northwest Public Power Association offers a number of training sessions and seminars designed for residential, commercial, and industrial customers to reduce energy consumption.

Xcel Energy offers Energy Design Assistance (EDA) to qualified Colorado business customers. EDA gives customers a comprehensive approach to energy and cost savings for businesses considering new construction or renovation projects. EDA services can be tailored to the unique needs of each business. Featured services include: energy consulting services and predictive energy modeling, free to participants; enhanced services, including help toward a green building certification and early analyses in areas such as daylighting, lighting, massing, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); construction rebates for a package of whole building energy opportunities from envelope, lighting, and cooling to unique opportunities

Financial incentives for building owners and design teams are available for participating in the Integrated Design Assistance Program. The program is based on the Architecture 2030 Challenge® and provides design, construction, and performance incentives. New construction and major renovation projects can participate. Participating project teams set a Target Energy Usage Index (EUI) early in the project using Energy Star® Target Finder and then design and build to that target. A year's worth of post-occupancy EUI data is collected to confirm the Target EUI is achieved.

Administered by California utilities, Savings by Design encourages high-performance, non-residential building design and construction and a variety of solutions to building owners and design teams. Owner incentives help offset the costs of energy efficient buildings. Design team incentives reward designers who meet ambitious energy efficiency targets. Design assistance supports integration of innovative design technologies into new construction projects. Energy design resources offer analysis tools, training, and in-depth information on efficient technologies and strategies. Savings by Design participants can save money by reducing operating costs; increase comfort, health, and productivity for building occupants; and conserve natural resources.

The Pacific Energy Center (PEC) offers educational programs, design tools, advice, and support to create energy-efficient buildings and comfortable indoor environments. Most of PEC's efforts are focused around commercial buildings; however, other departments offer advice and information for residential buildings. PEC services include assistance in daylighting and shading analysis of physical building models to optimize envelope design; advice on site orientation, glazing, shading, daylighting, and electric lighting systems; electric lighting system demonstrations and discussion of the pros and cons of different approaches to electric lighting, in particular buildings and building types; identifying applicable incentive programs for energy-related measures, including the

In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which has authority over mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, directed these enterprises against purchasing mortgages of homes with a PACE lien due to its senior status above a mortgage. Most residential PACE activities subsided following this directive; however, some residential PACE programs are now operating with loan loss reserve funds, appropriate disclosures, or other protections meant to address FHFA's concerns. Commercial PACE programs were not directly affected by FHFA’s actions, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not underwrite commercial mortgages. Visit PACENation.org for more information about PACE financing and

In June 2008, the City Council of the City of El Paso enacted the Sustainable Design Standards for City Buildings policy (see Ordinance 16911, updated in July 2012 in this resolution). All new City buildings over 5,000 square feet in size are required to be designed, contracted, and built to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification level and strive for a higher level of certification (gold or platinum) when possible. Future major renovations and non-occupied City buildings will also be designed, contracted, and built to include as many principles

In March 2011, the City Council of Kansas City adopted a policy that the design, construction, and operation of new facilities of any size and renovations in which the facility affected has at least 5,000 square feet of space must conform to the Gold Rating or higher of the most recent version of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

Each contract for applicable projects must contain provisions sufficient to require the designer and constructor to comply with the LEED Gold Standard at a minimum and submit documentation to USGBC