Every year, Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) Small Business Energy Efficiency and Outreach teams partner with local communities across the service area to help small businesses save energy and money.
This past June, PSE partnered with the City of Olympia, the Olympia Downtown Association, and the Thurston County Chamber’s Green Business Program to offer free energy assessments and simple upgrades, such as LED lighting, as well as audits for commercial kitchen equipment and HVAC system rebates, to nearly 100 downtown businesses.
The cities of Tumwater and Lacey have also participated in this program in the past.
Many downtown Olympia businesses reside in older buildings and keeping up with lighting and efficiency upgrades can be expensive.
“The program is designed to help businesses that otherwise may not have the resources or time to participate in our other energy efficiency programs,” said Christine Hoffmann, Thurston County’s Customer Outreach Coordinator. “Now these businesses in our own community can enjoy more comfortable spaces and lower energy bills.”
“The City of Olympia was delighted to partner with PSE on this program. Helping small businesses lower energy costs, supporting our downtown, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions – this is a win from every angle,” said Rich Hoey, Olympia’s Public Works Director.
The installations wrapped up in late September with a grand total of 433,465 kilowatt hours of electric savings and 50 natural gas therms saved, which equates to taking 64 cars off the road or powering 32 single-family homes for one year!
To see the team in action, check out this short video.