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U.S. Rebates & Incentives Update: February 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 February rebates and incentives from around the U.S.

Schneider Electric at the World Economic Forum

Schneider Electric joined world industry leaders at the 2019 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Discussions included how the future of energy is being reshaped by technological, social and political shifts. Other topics included global warming, climate change, cybersecurity, electricity demand and the uncertainty for the world economy spurred by trade wars and geopolitical tensions.

Leading companies around the world continue to move forward to help slow global warming. Because the bottom line doesn’t have to conflict with resource efficiency and carbon management, many organizations exhibit the positive effects of social responsibility.

Corporate Climate Action

To better understand what drives corporations to address climate change, Schneider Electric partnered with GreenBiz Research to survey energy and sustainability professionals from global organizations. The findings show public sustainability commitments have significantly impacted conservation measures, such as efficiency improvements and renewable energy procurement.

4 Key Findings from the Research:

  1. Public sustainability commitments are driving action

More than half (57%) of the companies surveyed have made public sustainability commitments and set public goals that seem to be driving action.

  1. Capital for projects is available if there is a demonstrated ROI and executive leadership

Contrary to common perception, capital isn’t the only thing — or even the primary thing — standing in the way of implementing more energy and sustainability projects.

  1. Lack of data isn’t the challenge. Data quality, internal sharing and collaboration are the barriers

Only 22% of companies share all energy and sustainability data across relevant departments. Meanwhile, 21% share no data between departments, a clear area for improvement.

  1. Energy efficiency dominates, renewable energy accelerates and new technologies are gaining traction

93% of respondents are working to be more energy and resource efficient, and renewables are also on the rise. Renewable energy use has increased 12% compared to numbers from similar research conducted in 2018.

We’re Listening

At your request, we are developing a new service that will help you identify how to optimize your energy efficient equipment installations and replacements. This service will drive more energy savings and, in some cases, improved EER and SEER compliance. This can be done in one of two ways:

  1. By examining the historical data and analyzing the best areas of opportunity
  2. By examining the new construction plans and analyzing opportunities to switch equipment to meet the energy incentive standards.

2019 Utility Funding Announcements

PECO Energy

Don’t Leave PECO incentives on the table! You still have time to save on your recent energy efficiency upgrades with PECO. If you recently started (or completed) an energy efficiency project, your organization can apply for PECO incentives on projects underway or completed within the past 180 days. You can also take advantage of incentives set to expire in April 2019.

Kansas City Power & Light in Missouri

As of December 1, 87% of the business energy efficiency rebate funds for KCP&L in Missouri have been allocated. Funds are being exhausted at ~4% per month, which is expected to increase as the utility approaches the end of the cycle and program year, March 31, 2019. The best practice to secure funding is to get your project(s) completed ASAP. (Note: Equipment purchased during this cycle must be submitted for an incentive during this cycle.)

APCO VA

The APCO VA C&I energy efficiency programs have been funded again for 2019. The lighting program for this year is almost identical to last year’s program. The utility has added a separate C&I standard program for other energy efficient measures. See the Virginia Take Charge website for more details.

Projects must be preapproved before construction. Once approved, projects must be completed within 90 days. If the project is not completed within 90 days, you can request an extension, which are reviewed case by case. As with last year’s lighting rebate program:

  • Rebates are based on $.05 per kWh saved.
  • Rebates are limited to $50,000.00 per account per program year. 
  • Rebates are limited to 30% of the total project cost.

All proposed LED lighting fixtures must be DLC-approved or ENERGY STAR-approved.

Duke Energy

2019 funds for Smart $aver Custom projects are fully reserved in the Duke Energy Ohio service territory, and the program is not accepting new incentive applications for review. If program funds become available, additional incentive offers may be extended.

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)

PG&E has included energy efficiency in its operational funding. The filing indicates rebates should move forward separate from the bankruptcy:

As part of the filings, PG&E also filed various motions with the Court in support of its reorganization, including requesting authorization to continue paying employee wages and providing healthcare and other benefits. In the filings, PG&E also asked for authority to continue existing customer programs, including low income support, energy efficiency and other programs supporting customer adoption of clean energy. PG&E expects the Court to act on these requests in the coming days. PG&E also intends to pay suppliers in full under normal terms for goods and services provided on or after the filing date of January 29, 2019.