The Community Energy Challenge: Bringing Energy Conservation to Local Independent Businesses

A joint program between the Opportunity Council and Sustainable Connections, the CEC seeks to motivate residents and businesses to improve energy performance by providing a comprehensive suite of services from a single source. [...] The Community Energy Challenge piloted the program with 20 businesses in its first year and plans to assist 130 additional small businesses in saving energy over the next two years with a projected $178, 726 in annual energy dollars saved. [...] Marketing energy efficiency services in springtime in Washington may also have affected reception of the program as most often energy costs are at the forefront of people’s minds during the heating season in the fall and winter. [...] Rooted in the principles of community-based social marketing, the Community Energy Challenge uses feedback and positive peer pressure to engage businesses and create avenues of social diffusion to spread the message of energy efficiency. [...] Revealing the Savings Potential The central product placed into the hands of the business participant is the Facility Action Plan, which acts as a guide to implementing energy efficiency improvements.