Take action to extend the 1603 Treasury Program!

Please take a moment to contact your Senators and urge them to include an extension of the successful 1603 Treasury Program in the payroll tax package that Congress is currently negotiating. Be sure to remind them that a failure to extend the 1603 Treasury Program will hurt businesses and stifle job creation.

Keep Solar Growing in the U.S. in 2012

Kent,

When Congress adjourned last year without passing critical clean-energy legislation, we knew we’d have another chance in early 2012. And now it’s here.

Congress is back in Washington and members are actively negotiating the details of a bill to extend the payroll tax holiday beyond the end of February. There’s also a good chance they may include additional job-creating measures like the 1603 Treasury Program. This bill provides the best chance we have right now to extend this job-creating program and prevent further harm to America’s fast-growing solar industry.

Click here to tell your Senators to pass an extension of the 1603 Treasury Program immediately!

Our message hasn’t changed: The 1603 Treasury Program has been a resounding success, making it possible for businesses across the U.S. to install over 22,000 new solar energy projects since 2009. The program has also leveraged over $22 billion dollars in private investment for all different types of renewable energy, creating thousands of new jobs over the past several years. An independent analysis shows that extending this program for another year will create over 37,000 jobs in solar energy alone.

For more background on the 1603 Treasury Program, please visit SEIA’s website.

Your efforts helped us demonstrate that Americans of all political persuasions support more solar energy, and set the stage for success this year.

Negotiations in Congress are at a critical juncture, so join your fellow solar advocates across the country and keep the momentum going for more solar in 2012!

B. Manning Feraci
Vice-President of Legislative Affairs, SEIA

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
Home Efficiency Rebate Program Closure on February 17, 2012
to New Applicants

The Home Efficiency Rebate Program will be closed to new applicants on Friday, February 17, 2012.  They will not accept any new application reservations for rebates after 5:00 p.m. on that date.  The following restrictions will apply to those applications:

1. You will have 30 days to complete your selected project items from the date you are approved
2. No deadline extensions past that initial 30-day period will be allowed
3. You must redeem the rebate in the system by your 30-day deadline to avoid rebate cancellation
4. You must mail your claim information to DMME’s Division of Energy as soon as possible after you redeem the rebate in the system, but no later than March 30, 2012.
5. Any rebate claims received that are postmarked after March 30, 2012 will be returned to the sender and no rebate will be issued for that claim.

An applicant who is currently in the “approved” status is encouraged to redeem your rebate in the system by your 30-day deadline, as only very limited time extensions will be allowed on a case-by-case basis.  Once you are in the “payment pending” status, you should mail in your claim to us by mid-March 2012, and no later than March 30, 2012.

Written by Mr. Anthony E. Smith, president and chief executive of Secure Futures. Secure Futures designs, develops and co-finances distributed solar solutions with and for tax-exempt entities to reduce their electricity costs and to protect against future grid price increases through 15 to 25 year solar power purchase agreements (SPPAs).

12 Steps To Going Green:

1.Recycle-Put a separate container next to your trash can or printer, making it easier to recycle your bottles, cans, and paper.

2.Turn off the lights-Earth Hour happens only once a year, but you can make an impact every day by turning off lights during bright daylight, or whenever you will be away for an extended period of time.

3.Make the switch- Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) use only 20-30 percent of the energy required by incandescents to create the same amount of light, and LEDs use only 10 percent, helping reduce both electric bills and carbon emissions.

4.Turn on the tap-Fill up your glasses and reusable water bottles with water from the sink.

5.Turn down the heat-Turn down your thermostat when you leave for work, or use a programmable thermostat to control your heating settings.

6.Support food recovery programs-Go through your cabinets and shelves and donate any non-perishable canned and dried foods that you won’t be using to your nearest food bank or shelter.

7.Buy local-Instead of relying exclusively on large supermarkets, consider farmers markets and local farms for your produce, eggs, dairy, and meat. Food from these sources is usually fresher and more flavorful, and your money will be going directly to these food producers.

8.Get out and ride-If available, use your city’s bike share program to run short errands or commute to work.

9.Share a car-Join a car share program! As of July 2011, there were 26 such programs in the U.S., with more than 560,000 people sharing over 10,000 vehicles.

10.Plant a garden-Plant some lettuce in a window box. Lettuce seeds are cheap and easy to find, and when planted in full sun, one window box can provide enough to make several salads worth throughout a season.

11.Compost-If you are unsure about the right ways to compost, websites such as HowToCompost.org and organizations such as the U.S. Composting Council, provide easy steps to reuse your organic waste.

12.Reduce your meat consumption-You don’t have to become a vegetarian or vegan, but by simply cutting down on the amount of meat you consume can go a long way.

http://landover.wusa9.com/news/environment/87003-12-steps-going-green-2012

SAVE THE DATE!  Thursday, January 19, 2012

 Have your business’ voice heard in Virginia’s General Assembly!

http://vasierraclub.org/LobbyDay2012.htm

Washington Post Opinions Read More About Dominion Power’s wind and Solar Facade.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dominion-powers-wind-and-solar-facade/2011/12/29/gIQAB1d8QP_story.html

The Voluntary Solar Resource Development Fund, created by the General Assembly in 2011, establishes a revolving loan fund to be administered by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME).   The Fund will be fueled primarily by donations from customers of investor-owned electric utilities.  DMME is also authorized to accept donations from other citizens and groups.

The Fund will create a source of money from which loans are made for eligible solar energy projects. As loan repayments are made, funds become available for new loans.

DMME is prohibited from issuing any loans until July 1, 2012.  The first year of the program will be used to collect donations and grow the fund from which loans can be made, and to develop the loan program terms and conditions.  DMME may delay the issuance of loans if there is an insufficient balance in the fund.  Once the program commences, DMME is required to loan funds to applicants in the order that their completed applications are received.

Eligible projects include the acquisition, installation, and operation of eligible solar equipment at residences, structures operated by nonprofit organizations, or commercial establishments.

To make a contribution, please click here.

For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions.

Kent Baake, President of Continuum Energy Solutions has been influential in the recent progress of solar legislation in Virginia. Governor Bob McDonnell recently signed into law a number of green energy bills passed by the General Assembly. Baake was at the Capital earlier this year backing a solar resource development fund. It creates a voluntary fund for homeowners to contribute to and finance solar power installations.

The loan program will promote economic development and the production of clean, renewable energy at no cost to the state. Baake said the bills’ passage encourages more residents to try solar finding savings and energy cost reductions. Continuum Energy Solutions has seen business in efficiency and solar grow in the past year.

Among the measures receiving the Governor’s signature was his legislation to provide a $500 tax credit for each green job created in the Commonwealth; a measure establishing the Universities Clean Energy Development and Economic Stimulus Foundation; the creation of the Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority; and legislation rewarding investor-owned electric utilities for using wind energy.

Joining the Governor at the bill signing were a number of Democratic and Republican legislators. Attending from the Senate were Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach),Don McEachin (D-Richmond), Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach). From the House of Delegates, the Governor was joined by Mark Keam (D-Vienna), Chris Stolle (R-Virginia Beach), Ron Villanueva (R-Virginia Beach), John Cosgrove (R-Chesapeake), Paula Miller (D-Norfolk), Bob Purkey (R-Virginia Beach) and Matthew James (D-Portsmouth). Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Doug Domenech also spoke at the bill signing. In addition to the public officials in attendance, a number of environmental and energy industry organizations were in attendance including Continuum Energy Solutions President, Kent Baake.

Donate to the Virginia Voluntary Solar Resource Development Fund

The Edison Academy of Alexandria, VA hosted its 12th Annual Awards Program for business and community partners, as well as outstanding Academy students on Wednesday, May 25, 2011.  IEC Chesapeake and chapter member, Continuum Energy Solutions of Alexandria, VA, received the Edison Academy Partners of the Year Award for their workforce development outreach initiatives to the students of Edison Academy.  Specifically, IEC Chesapeake addressed electrical students of the Academy to discuss post secondary electrical apprenticeship training, different career opportunities within the industry, and coordinating field trips to the IEC Chesapeake Chantilly facility for classroom interactive and hands-on lab exercises.  Several presentations/demonstrations on Solar/Wind energies were also provided through the Renewable Energy Awareness Project in conjunction with Continuum Energy Solutions with approximately 450 Academy students, faculty, and guests in attendance.