2010 News
Bucks County media contact
Christopher Edwards or Ann Machesic
Commissioners’ Office of Public Information
215-348-6413
pubinfo@co.bucks.pa.us |
NEWS RELEASE
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Bucks County Commissioners Launch EnergyWorks
Program makes low-interest loans available for residential and commercial energy efficient improvements and creates jobs
Doylestown, Pa. (November 9, 2010) - Bucks County Commissioners today announced the launch of EnergyWorks, an initiative designed to empower residents to make smart, energy saving changes in their homes or commercial buildings through low-interest loans and property energy assessments and create jobs.
EnergyWorks is a program of the Metropolitan Caucus, a coalition of senior elected officials from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
“The ability to make our environment healthier while improving the energy efficiency of our residents’ homes and businesses is a principal focus of the EnergyWorks program,” said Bucks County Commissioner Chairman Charles Martin. “As part of the Metro Caucus, Bucks County is proud to offer this comprehensive energy solutions program to local home and business owners.”
EnergyWorks partners, The Reinvestment Fund (TRF), the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, AFC First Financial and the Keystone HELP program, and the Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA), offer the technical and financial expertise to make successful residential and commercial upgrades easy to complete.
“Figuring out how to make your home or commercial building more energy efficient can be a daunting process, but EnergyWorks can help,” said Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia. “A certified EnergyWorks approved building analyst can come to your home or business, review the building’s energy efficiency and make recommendations where improvements can be made to increase energy efficiency and lower energy costs.”
EnergyWorks offers a variety of services to help home and business owners plan for energy savings:
- Homeowner Rebates: Home energy analysis can run $400 or more, but if you move on to make at least $1,000 of energy saving improvements to your home, EnergyWorks can offer you a $300 rebate. As a special incentive for the EnergyWorks launch, free home assessments will be given to the first 20 residential loan applicants in Bucks County. To learn more about the EnergyWorks residential program and apply for an in-home energy assessment, visit the program website at www.EnergyWorksNow.com, or call (215) 609-1052 to speak to a live customer service representative.
- Recoverable Grants for Commercial Building Owners: Many businesses and non-profits know that they want to improve their energy efficiency, but aren’t sure how. EnergyWorks can send a professional building analyst to help create a smart, cost efficient plan. If the building owner takes that plan and moves on to get an EnergyWorks loan, the cost of the analysis will become part of the loan. If the owner decides not to pursue a loan, the energy analysis is theirs to keep for free. To learn more about the EnergyWorks commercial program and apply for an on-site energy assessment, visit the program website at www.EnergyWorksNow.com, or call (215) 574-5850 to speak to a live customer service representative.
Once improvement opportunities are identified, EnergyWorks partners with programs like Keystone HELP and organizations like The Reinvestment Fund and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation to offer loans at interest rates as low as 0.99% (residential) and 3.5% (commercial and industrial) to finance the projects. Homeowners are eligible for unsecured loans of $1,000 to $15,000. Loans for commercial/industrial property owners range from $100,000 to more than $1,000,000. These special low rates are available for a limited time and are subject to change.
One key to having an energy efficient home or business is finding the right contractor you can trust and who is familiar with these types of special improvements. This is why the second component to the EnergyWorks program is job creation. Not only will residential and commercial building owners benefit from the low-interest loans, but local contractors will be put to work, improving the energy efficiency of homes and buildings in each county.
EnergyWorks is just one of several local green initiatives in Bucks County, including the county’s Bucks Employees Green Initiative (BEGIN). The goal of the BEGIN initiative is to promote and institute green policies and practices in the county government, as well to pursue grant funding available to governmental green projects. To learn more about Bucks County’s local green initiatives and to view the full report on the BEGIN initiative, visit the Planning Commission.
“Being good stewards of the environment is not only sound for the planet, it is in many instances the most fiscally responsible option over the long term, as well,” added Commissioner Martin.
About EnergyWorks
EnergyWorks is a comprehensive energy solutions program of the Metropolitan Caucus. EnergyWorks empowers residents to make smart, energy saving changes in their homes or commercial buildings through expert technical assistance and low cost financing. The EnergyWorks program is funded by a grant from the US Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Program to support financing for energy assessments and building energy improvements within Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. To learn more about the EnergyWorks program, visit www.EnergyWorksNow.com.
About the Metropolitan Caucus
The Metropolitan Caucus is composed of a group of elected leaders from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Established in March of 2009, the Metropolitan Caucus focuses on issues of common interest among the five counties with a key focus on improving energy efficiency within their communities and creating local jobs in the green industry.
About EnergyWorks Partners
Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) is a non-profit corporation and national leader in weatherization and energy efficiency installations, whose mission is to help people conserve energy and to promote a sustainable and socially equitable energy future for all in the Philadelphia region. ECA’s services include: budget and energy counseling; bill payment assistance; energy conservation treatments, and energy education. For more information, visit www.ecasavesenergy.org.
Keystone HELP/AFC First Financial Corporation: Keystone HELP is an innovative nationally regarded statewide program of the PA Department of Environmental Protection in partnership with the Department of Treasury that offers low interest loans to homeowners for energy efficiency improvements. AFC First, the administrator of Keystone HELP, is national leader in residential energy efficiency and renewable lending programs through its EnergyLoan program and partnerships with states, utilities, manufacturers and municipalities. AFC programs are offered through a network of over 2,500 approved contractors involved in selling, installing and servicing high efficiency heating, air conditioning, weatherization and “whole house” remodeling and alternative energy related home improvements. For more information, visit www.keystonehelp.com.
Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) is a private, not-for-profit Pennsylvania corporation, founded in 1958 by the City of Philadelphia’s Commerce Department and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce to promote economic development. PIDC’s central strategy is to leverage financing and real estate resources to retain and to grow employment. PIDC also coordinates tax incentive and work force development programs offered by the City and the Commonwealth. For more information, visit www.pidc-pa.org.
The Reinvestment Fund (TRF) is a national leader in the financing of neighborhood revitalization and has invested $1 billion in Mid-Atlantic communities since 1985. As a community development financial institution, TRF finances housing, community facilities and commercial projects. For more information about TRF, visit www.trfund.com.