Saving jobs another incentive for businesses to go green

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November 7, 2009

Seminar teaches area businesses how to be energy efficient.

By K.O. Jackson The Kokomo Tribune Sat Nov 07, 2009, 09:54 PM EST

Saving energy saves money, and saving money saves jobs.

That’s the message Bill Bissmeyer brought to the B&B; Energy Seminar: Energy/Cost Saving Opportunities for Commercial and Municipal Facilities.

The seminar was held Tuesday afternoon at Half Moon Restaurant and Brewery in Kokomo.

Bissmeyer, chairman of the Indiana Green Tint Initiative, told the audience of the many money-saving incentives available.

To drive the point home, Bissmeyer wore a green blazer to the event.

“We can become more energy efficient. The government wants us to, and we can save two jobs. Two jobs, saves two families. We are not going around the state in our green sports coat pretending we won the Masters. If you are looking to save energy in your building, there has never been a better time than now to do so, and let the government help facilitate the plan.

“The government wants to help [save energy and money] because they want to keep factories competitive and open.”

Bissmeyer spoke of the money available from the 2005 Energy Policy Act, or EPAct. It provides incentives for energy-efficient new projects or upgrades for businesses.

Businesses participating in EPAct can receive tax deductions for using energy-efficient products. The breaks vary from 60 cents per square foot to $1.80 per square foot.

“If you use [EPAct] for your heating and lighting systems,” said Bissmeyer, “you will have one paid for free. That’s an incentive that saves money and energy.”

Earlier this year, an official from Logansport-based Small Parts Inc. contacted Bissmeyer about reducing the plant’s carbon footprint and saving energy.

With increasing energy costs, plant manager Brian Rawlings said his 50-year-old custom metal stamping and manufacturing/assembly company initially spent more than $100,000 to refit the 160,000-square-foot facility with energy-saving equipment.

Now, the company is reaping an average monthly savings of $13,000 on its energy costs.

“We’ll have it all paid off by January or February,” said Rawlings, after his company was awarded the Green Tint Award at the seminar.

“They were the first around here to step up to the plate to do this,” said Bissmeyer. “They are being a leader in going green and saving energy.”

In addition to Bissmeyer’s presentation, Pat Denis of B&B; Energy made presentations concerning saving energy with better lighting in plants, warehouses, shops and offices, as well as utilizing wireless control systems for energy savings.

However, all the presentations returned to the idea that saving energy saves jobs.

“There is a company where 40 percent of its electric bill was from lighting. There are grants and rebates available to reduce these costs,” said Denis, adding his company travels the state advocating green technology for businesses.

“When people are upgrading their shop areas, they need to upgrade their office as well. The office savings will not be as dramatic, but it makes sense.”

• K.O. Jackson can be reached at 765-854-6739 or via e-mail kirven.jackson@kokomotribune.com

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Seminar teaches area businesses how to be energy efficient.

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