Michigan Energy Office offers discount for public building operators to attend certification program in Marquette that reaps big energy savings
Michigan Energy Office offers discount for public building operators to attend certification program in Marquette that reaps big energy savings
LANSING, Mich. – (RealEstateRama) — Graduates of the building operator certification (BOC) program in Michigan have proven to save an average of $10,800 annually on electric bills of the buildings where they implement changes, according to the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, making trained public building operators valuable partners in meeting Michigan’s new aggressive energy waste reduction goals.
To spur more interest among public building operators – leading to added energy savings – the Michigan Energy Office (MEO) is offering a discounted tuition for public building operators interested in participating in an upcoming training at Northern Michigan University beginning on August 10. This is the first time the training will be offered in the Upper Peninsula.
Michigan’s new energy laws put a priority on energy waste reduction programs to meet Michigan’s future energy needs by cutting electric demand.
“To jumpstart energy savings at public buildings, the Michigan Energy Office is offering a $400 discount off the tuition for the training program,” said Valerie Brader, executive director of the Michigan Agency for Energy (MAE), of which the MEO is part. “Adding to the army of trained public building operators in Michigan is a worthwhile investment that will reap significant savings for years to come. Facilities with BOC graduates are proven to save energy, have lower energy bills and offer improved comfort for occupants. Public building operators who work in Michigan are encouraged to apply for tuition assistance.”
BOC training includes nearly 74 hours of classroom and project work (7.4 CEUs) in building systems operation and maintenance. Each course in the series is completed in a one-day training session offered every other week, except BOC 1001 Energy Efficient Operation of Building HVAC Systems, which is a two-day course. To complete the series, participants must pass a test at the end of each training day and complete five assigned projects. Unless otherwise noted, training begins at 8 a.m. and ends by 4 p.m. Space is limited. Early registration is encouraged.
Individuals interested in the MEO tuition discount and other tuition discounts should email Haley Keegan at ">
The Alliance calculated its estimated average annual per participant energy savings to be 100,500 kilowatt-hours per year, equivalent to $10,800 annually at national electricity rates. The savings per credentialed operator ranges from over $3,000 to nearly $19,500 per year.
The MEO provides technical and financial assistance to public and private sector organizations, to lower energy costs and reduce energy waste. MEO’s programs promote adaptable, affordable, reliable, and environmentally protective energy options, including energy efficiency and renewable energy. MEO is largely funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and is part of MAE.
For more information about MAE, please visit www.michigan.gov/energy or sign up for its listservs to keep up on MAE matters.
