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U.S. Rebates & Incentives Update: September 2019

Published Date

Schneider Electric helps organizations identify, qualify, pursue and obtain energy efficiency incentives. Each month our experts compile important news and notes. Here are your September rebates and incentives from around the U.S.

The 2020 Road to Sustainability is Now Longer

In 2018, the United Nations’ released its updated IPCC Report, which reduced the threshold to avoid the worst impacts of global warming from 2°C to 1.5°C. This change signals the need to drastically reduce carbon emissions is critical for long-term business viability and resilience. Although companies began developing programs to reduce carbon emissions to meet 2020 goals, many companies are not expected to meet their goals based on current trajectories.

Meanwhile, there is a growing consensus that climate change is impacting businesses already, with extreme weather events, power outages and wildfires costing companies millions of dollars. As such, investors are beginning to factor climate risks and company commitments to renewable energy and sustainability into investment decisions. These trends are pushing the corporate sector to voluntarily address their environmental impact. U.S. states are also revising their Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) to include a higher percentage of renewable power in their grid mix.

In the European Union, the Renewable Energy Directive specifies that 32% of energy must come from renewable sources by 2030. As countries level up their renewable energy objectives, future regulation may very well require companies to adopt aggressive carbon reduction programs. Businesses taking a proactive role now will benefit moving forward by being ahead of the curve.

Renewables, PPAs, carbon offsets and renewable energy certificates represent opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of business operations, and energy efficient projects remain at the core of those efforts. Energy efficiency and lower consumption can also provide funds toward those programs and projects, as a successful rebates program can create a reliable source of revenue.

To help your organization move more aggressively — and successfully — toward its 2020 goals and beyond, let Schneider Electric be your guide. For more information on our capabilities, contact a Rebates & Incentives Energy Analyst for assistance or more information.

2019 Utility Funding Announcements

Indiana Michigan Power

Effective August 5, 2019, Indiana Michigan Power has moved HID to LED measures and the 10 Lamp T5HO to LED measures from the Prescriptive Program to the Custom Program, requiring pre-approval. This means its important to start planning early and getting projects into your Energy Analyst as quickly as possible.

Delmarva Power

For a limited time, the Delmarva Power Energy Savings for Business Program will grant automatic pre-approval for Prescriptive Existing Buildings projects expected to receive an incentive under $5,000. Starting now until October 15, Service Providers and customers can benefit from this new process if projects meet the following requirements:

  • Project must be located within the Delmarva Power Maryland service territory
  • Basic project information must be submitted between July 8 - October 15, 2019
  • Final documentation and project details must be submitted by November 15, 2019
  • Project incentives may not exceed $5,000
  • Only one project may be submitted per premise address
  • Project must meet all Terms and Conditions of the Prescriptive program

DTE

The DTE Energy Efficiency Program for Business is offering a special incentive bonus for chains or franchises with multiple locations doing projects under the same tax ID or parent company. This bonus is based on a tier structure, with a higher incentive bonus being paid to more participating locations with the same tax ID or parent company.

The DTE tiered bonus structure is as follows:

  • Paid locations 2-10 will receive a 30% bonus
  • Paid locations 11-20 will receive a 40% bonus
  • Paid locations 21+ will receive a 50% bonus

Consumers Energy

Your company can qualify for a Public Level 2 Rebate with an installation of at least one Public Level 2 Charging Station from PowerMIDrive's approved list. The rebate may be up to $5,000 per charging station. Act fast as funds for this program are going quickly.

Consumers Energy is also encouraging us to submit more projects and is offering bonus incentives through November 30, 2019. Let us know if you have projects under consideration that may qualify.