Populus participates in Xcel’s ENERGY STAR for New Homes programs and several of our clients have homes that are currently enrolled in the program.  There has been a recent change to the Xcel ENERGY STAR for New Homes program (the exclusion of PV from the HERS Score) that has caused many of our clients (especially our Boulder clients where the rebate standards are higher) to no longer qualify for rebates or to qualify for substantially lower rebates.  All Populus clients, regardless of whether they receive Xcel rebates, receive complimentary framing inspections and infrared thermography through participation in the Xcel ENERGY STAR for New Homes program.

If you have questions about the Xcel ENERGY STAR for New Homes program or changes to the program, we encourage you to attend the BGBG’s Brown Bag tomorrow where you will have the opportunity to meet Todd Gamboa, who administers the program on behalf of Xcel Energy.

For more information, or to register, visit the BGBG’s website.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

Ballot Issue 1B will authorize up to $85 million in additional bonding capacity for the ClimateSmart loan program. So far, there have been two successful rounds of ClimateSmart Loans. Approximately 650 property owners borrowed $10 million for solar and energy efficiency improvements – lowering their utility bills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and saving jobs in the local construction industry. And we anticipate the first round of commercial loans late this fall. The model has been so successful that three other counties have placed the program n the ballot this fall, and Denver is expected to vote on a similar program next spring. As with the original finance district, there will be no tax increase – the only people who will pay are those who choose to participate. Issue 1B will allow us to continue this pioneering financing program  and will allow us to work with other counties and cities outside of Boulder County to jointly issue bonds, lowering the costs and interest rates for everyone. This program is good for property owners, good for the environment, and good for our economy

Ballot Issue 1C will allow Boulder County to make use of a new federal program, the Qualified Energy Conservation Bond program, which allows local governments to borrow money interest free, to pay for deep energy retrofits to public buildings. 1C will allow the county to issue up to $6.1 million in bonds in order to add solar hot water, biomass heating, solar PV, reflective roofs, efficient lighting, and efficient chillers to buildings like the jail, the Justice Center, and other energy intensive public facilities. This will be a win – win – lowering energy costs, generating investment in green collar construction in Boulder County, and reducing fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. There will be no tax increase – the County will simply pay off the bonds out of general fund revenues that would have been going to pay utility bills.