iCast Offers “Green-Button” Service for Boulder County Residents Enrolled in Climatesmart™ Loan Program

iCAST, a Colorado nonprofit dedicated to promoting sustainable development using a triple bottom-line approach, today announced a simple one-stop program to help commercial and residential property owners in Boulder County qualify to obtain financing for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements.

iCAST’s “Green Button” service is designed to cut the hassle and streamline applications for residents interested in participating in Boulder County’s $40 million ClimateSmart Loan Program. The full-service program oversees all aspects of the efficiency upgrade, from energy audits, bids for all products and services, installation of energy conservation and renewable energy systems and monitoring of savings.

In addition, iCAST’s unique service model provides real-world experience and green collar job training for a corps of Colorado students enrolled in the iCAST program who are seeking careers in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

“For Boulder County residents, we can streamline the move to energy efficiency—and help train tomorrow’s green energy leaders,” said Ravi Malhotra, Chairman of iCAST. “It’s a win-win for the community and future generations.”

In 2008, Boulder County voters approved Ballot Measure 1A, which established a “Clean Energy Options Local Improvement District” allowing Boulder County to sell bonds to fund up to $40 million in commercial and residential energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements.

The Boulder County program is the largest such loan program in the country, and is at the forefront of a growing state and national trend among communities that are seeking to improve energy efficiency in their neighborhoods. Berkeley, Calif. has already enacted a smaller $1.5 loan program, and 40 other communities across the country are considering such a plan including the state of Colorado.

“We applaud the foresight of Boulder County voters and we stand ready to put their smart decision into action,” said Chris Stoneman, VP of Operations at iCAST” No other community in the country has committed to making such an impact on energy efficiency.”

iCAST’s program will guide commercial and residential property owners through the ClimateSmart Loan Program’s application and qualification process, which includes:
• Getting a home energy audit, as loan acceptance priority will be given to property owners who have done a home energy audit using a blower-door test.
• Attending a workshop, which take place across the county through March 28. http://www.conservationcenter.org/e_climatesmart.php?form_id=23
• Getting a project bid and submit it with the loan application. Bids will help determine loan amounts an applicant will receive if approved for a loan. Bids with energy efficiency work will receive another priority point.
• Submitting loan applications by April 10 2009


About iCAST
iCAST (International Center for Appropriate & Sustainable Technology) helps communities use their local resources for their benefit. Our projects foster economic viability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility in under-served communities—and a new vision for their future. A 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization based in Lakewood, Colorado, iCAST partners with organizations to help local citizens in the community development process. And we offer a unique service learning model for students to receive credit for working on these real-world projects. to promote sustainable development using a triple bottom-line approach that promotes environmental stewardship, economic viability and social responsibility.