The City of San Antonio OEP Launches Small Business Energy Efficiency Program

SAN ANTONIO, July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of San Antonio's Office of Environmental Policy (OEP) has launched the City Lights Small Business Lighting Retrofit Program.  City Lights is funded in whole by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the U.S. Department of Energy. The program is designed to assist small business owners increase lighting efficiency in their businesses and reduce electricity bills.

On average, interior lighting accounts for 43 percent of a businesses' energy consumption.  Making lighting efficiency improvements can dramatically reduce a businesses' energy consumption and utility bills.  Additionally, businesses will see better lighting quality and improved lighting equipment longevity.

This program is open to commercial customers of CPS Energy located within City limits. Customers must have an established nonresidential account under a valid CPS Energy commercial, industrial and/or agricultural rate. The account must have been active for the last 36 months in the same business with the most recent 12 months usage at the current meter. If the business leases their space, a minimum lease term of one year is required. Customers must be in good credit standing with CPS Energy with no disconnect notices in the past 12 months and no deposits pending or on hand with CPS Energy. Facilities must be 15,000 square feet or less and employ up to 50 individuals.

Through participation in the City Lights program, businesses undergo a lighting audit (included as part of program cost) that identifies potential energy and cost saving measures.  Participants then have the option to enter into a zero interest loan agreement for up to $3,000 to fund the installation of the lighting upgrades. These installations are made by the approved contractor, EnerPath. Businesses repay the loans to the City Lights program. Once the loan is paid off, all savings go to the business. 

The City of San Antonio has contracted EnerPath to administer the City Lights Program.  EnerPath deploys large-scale energy efficiency programs nationwide using its award-winning energy efficiency assessment and management software.  Working with utility companies, municipal governments and green-tech partners, EnerPath executes customized programs that make hundreds-of-thousands of homes and small businesses more energy efficient each year. 

For program information, visit www.sanantonio.gov/oep/citylights.asp or contact Liza Meyer, Office of Environmental Policy, at (210) 207-1449.

SOURCE EnerPath