COH offers cash to green buildings

Part of stimulus funds

Alex Wukman, Jan 09, 11.

The City of Houston announced that it will use the remainder of a $23 million stimulus grant it received in 2010 to offer incentives to help commercial building owners improve energy efficiency. According to a press release issued by Green Houston, the proposed projects are geared toward already existing commercial structures and require owners to be able to reach a minimum goal of 15 percent energy savings in order to be eligible for the program. However, the City is encouraging applicants to attempt to reach a goal of 30 percent energy savings through its Green Office Challenge initiative. “The City will provide incentives to offset 20 percent of the up-front implementation costs (labor and materials), with the incentive ranging from $20,000 to $200,000 maximum per building upon completion of the project,” reads the press release.

The city spent much of the $23 million grant improving the efficiency for 21 city-owned buildings and on some affordable housing units,reports the Houston Chronicle. The City of Houston has stated that it will commit approximately $3 million from its grant as seed funding for the program and that at least 60 percent of the total awards will also be set aside for projects under $500,000 in order to ensure owners of smaller buildings have a chance at the funds.

The City of Houston will host an informational meeting for the program on Friday, January 21 at 9 am at the Green Building Resource Center, located at 3300 Main. Energy Efficiency Incentive Program applications will be accepted after the informational meeting. Applications can be downloaded from the Green Office Challenge website.