The Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN), in partnership with its long-term wholesale electric public power utility customers, is developing a commercial lighting program to increase energy efficiency. The program is set to begin April 1.
The MEAN board of directors, at its January board meeting, approved the ENERGYsmart Commercial Lighting Program. The program is open to all Service Schedule M (long-term) MEAN member communities. The board appropriated $75,000 during fiscal year 2009-10 to fund the program.
“The idea behind the program is fairly straightforward,” said Andrew Ross, resource planning engineer. “The most valuable kilowatt can be the one not used. Replacing outdated, inefficient lighting not only helps businesses save money through energy reduction but delays new generation requirement by lowering overall electric load. The program is the first of several being considered that provide incentives to MEAN communities to promote conservation.”
Lighting accounts for about 30 percent of a commercial business’ total energy use. Under the program, qualified upgrades can reduce lighting energy requirements by 30 to 60 percent with a simple-payback in three years or less.
The program includes cash incentives paid directly to commercial customers to help cover the cost of lighting upgrades and replacements. The program covers indoor high bay, fluorescent, area lighting systems and LED exit-lighting fixtures.
The MEAN Services Committee directed staff in September 2008 to begin developing a lighting program. A survey among Service Schedule M customers was conducted in December 2008 to gain feedback on the kinds of conservation/efficiency programs long-term members currently have and would like to see in the future.
Click here for a brochure about the program. If you have questions, contact Andrew Ross at aross@nmppenergy.org or (800) 234-2595.