The question is if there is enough time before the credits expire…RESNET’s Washington representative Carl Chidlow reports that a group of Senators led by Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) chairman of the Senate Energy Committee and member of the Senate Finance Committee, John Kerry (D-MA) member of the Senate Finance Committee and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) chairwoman of the Senate Environment Committee are working to include clean energy incentives in an anticipated tax extenders package.

The credits, including the $2,000 credit to builders for energy efficient homes are scheduled to expire at the end of 2011.

It remains to be seen whether this effort can pass the House and Senate and signed by President Obama by December 31, 2011.  If it does not, the group of Senators are making it a priority to have the legislation pass in early 2012 with the possibility of a retroactive extension as was done in 2010.

This activity is being pushed by a coalition of more 750 businesses and organizations, including RESNET who has issued an appeal for action on a tax extenders legislation. We’ll update you as more information becomes available.

THE DECEMBER 2011 GREENDRINKS WILL BE ON TUESDAY, 13 DECEMBER, AND WILL BE A HOLIDAY FAIR. The December Greendrinks will take place at Stadium Nissan, at 1045 6th Ave S – just south of the International District (1 block from light rail), beginning at 5:30pm. Huge thanks to presenting sponsor BECU, a locally-owned community credit union, and to Urban Visions, for providing the venue.

We have over 25 vendors participating in the holiday fair, offering a variety of different ways of thinking about giving. Frogbox will be collecting shoes for Redeeming Soles as well as collecting toys for the Claire Beckett Guild. The event will also feature vendors, music from Seattle’s greenest bluegrass band, food and drink, and fun with other Greendrinkers. We’ll also have Dante’s Inferno Dogs rejoining Greendrinks after a much-too-long hiatus, and Seattle Goodwill will be giving out free Chinook Books (50 paper, 50 mobile) to the first 100 people through the door. And, we’ll once again have Greendrinks pint glasses for sale!

Green Lunches

Intimidated by big groups? Next Friday, 16 December, join up to five other Greendrinkers for a Green Lunch, in which small groups of people are randomly matched and thus able to grab lunch together. You select the time & venue, but meet other Greendrinkers with which to enjoy your meal! Click here to sign up by next Wednesday, 14 December.

Sponsors
Thanks, as always, to our ongoing sponsors: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, Badger Mountain Winery, The Essential Baking Co, Tonnemaker Family Orchard and Chaco Canyon Cafe. If your company is interested in joining this list, please email info (at) seattlegreendrinks.org; we’d love to have you!

We have scheduled a BPI training opportunity in Spokane, WA.  The dates are January 23, 2012 to January 27, 2012.  The cost for the training:  $1,100.00.  Written Exam: $200.00 (BPI re-test $150.00).  Field Exam: $400.00

 This class is designed for people interested in working in the growing field of retrofit home performance market.  Evaluating existing homes and developing cost effective retrofit strategies to improve energy efficiency presents different challenges than the new home market, and the training and certifications differ.  This course will focus on the BPI Energy Analyst Standards with both classroom and hands on field components as preparation for the BPI Written and Field Exams.

Early registration is advised to access the on-line self-study. For an advanced opportunity to be well prepared, the Saturn Training Curriculum and on line access will be provided upon confirmed registration and payment.

This is your link to registration: http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1002797

Hello HVAC service techs / installers,

The Cut Energy Bills at Home Act has been introduced in the Senate with bipartisan support. If passed, the bill would create a new 25e tax credit — the first residential performance-based tax credit given to homeowners who make energy efficiency improvements. The proposed bill would provide performance-based tax credits of up to $5,000 per project for homeowners who install qualified energy efficiency measures. To learn more about the bill, download our 25e Fact Sheet.

Our growing energy company is looking for an experienced HVAC crew lead holding a Journeyman refrigeration mechanic license, to start Ductless Heat Pump (DHP) division.  Successful applicant will be expected to perform all aspects of design and installation of DHPs including load calculations, estimating, system design, and installation and commissioning.  When required, applicant should be able to work by themselves efficiently. We are looking for intelligent, hard-working people to create a positive work environment, provide the highest level of customer service, and maintain quality control in the field.

3yrs + experience with DHPs is essential. Preference given to individuals holding additional qualifications such as:

·         Understanding of how efficient mechanical systems fit into the larger picture of a whole house energy retrofit

·         Gas Piping License

·         BPI Heating Professional certification

·         PTCS Heat Pump certification

·         Experience with and ability to install high efficiency natural gas furnaces, and central heat pumps

Interested individuals should email Corey Fitch <corey@soundhomeperformance.com> with a resume that includes relevant experience and references.

Energy–efficient buildings can save owners money in the long run, but using the latest and greatest green technology can be prohibitively expensive. Today, we look at affordable options for green building everything from homes to office buildings. What are the approaches, tools and materials that make sense for builders on a budget? How are local builders getting creative to meet energy–saving goals? Are renovations and remodeling good compromises? Is it possible to reach that lofty goal: an energy–neutral or even energy–generating building without breaking the bank?

For the full story or to listen to the interview click here.

From RESNET:

On November 81, 2011, Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Jeff Bingaman D-NM), and Diane Feinstein (D-CA) introduced the “Cut Energy Bills at Home Act”. This bill creates a new performance-based existing homes tax credit (25E). RESNET applauds this bill and these Senators’ consistent leadership on energy efficiency.

The Cut Energy Bills at Home Act provides a $2,000 credit for home energy efficiency retrofits to the homeowner for a 20% improvement in home energy efficiency. For every additional 5% improvement, the homeowner is eligible for an extra $500, up to $5000. The legislation specifically recognizes RESNET standards for certified Home Energy Raters to verify the credit, accredited software programs to model and calculate the energy savings and RESNET Energy Smart Contractors to install the improvements.

RESNET was part of the coalition which worked with Senators Snowe, Bingaman, and Feinstein in drafting this legislation. RESNET feels strongly that a performance-based model, a model which allows the consumer to decide how to best retrofit a home, is good public policy and deserving of support. This is just one more step toward the revitalization of our industry and a more energy efficient America. This also reflects the added credibility that RESNET has in Washington.

RESNET will be working with its strategic allies in urging that Congress take action on this bill.

For more information including the legislative language and news release from Senator Snowe click on Cut Energy Bills at Home Act

RESNET also urges you to contact your states’ Senators to encourage them to join Senator Snowe, Senator Bingaman, and Senator Feinstein in co-sponsoring the Cut Energy Bills at Home Act.

Please RSVP: If you are planning to attend, please RSVP by following this link:

http://nwebgseattle.wufoo.com/forms/winter-celebration-rsvp/

Join us for a fun evening celebrating the hard work we’ve all been doing to make this world a stronger and healthier place. We’ll provide some light refreshments and wine/beer. You provide the stories, warmth and comraderie! We will also be sharing the celebration with members of Passive House Northwest and Home Performance Washington.
Join us for our annual winter celebration party!

Hope you can make it!

Thanks to Greenhome Solutions for letting us gather at their space!

More Info http://www.northwestenergystar.com/hvac-design-time-constrained-world-seattle-wa