Northern Colorado ENERGY STAR® Homes Coalition Awarded Funds to Boost New Home Performance

PRLog (Press Release) - Feb 04, 2010 -
The Northern Colorado (NoCO) ENERGY STAR® Homes coalition has received approval for funding from the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) for the implementation of the ENERGY STAR New Homes program along the Northern Front Range. This competitive grant opportunity is funded through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).

“We’d like to thank the GEO for helping our coalition continue to transform the regional new home market to high-performance construction,” said Fort Collins Energy Services Engineer and NoCO ENERGY STAR Homes program manager Doug Swartz. “The local sponsors are strongly committed to this voluntary program that will raise consumer awareness of the ENERGY STAR brand and what it says about new home performance. This grant from the GEO, combined with NoCO sponsor resources and funding, will help to support the continued development, growth and effectiveness of this effort. We’re excited about the partnership that is growing around this program.”

NoCO ENERGY STAR Homes is a regional program with a focus on high-performance construction for new homes — homes that perform better than conventionally built homes — and encourages home buyers to look for the familiar blue ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR qualified homes provide better comfort, lower energy bills, healthier indoor air and increased durability. These homes also help reduce air pollution.

“We are excited to see our northern Colorado partners investing in the New Energy Economy,” said GEO director Tom Plant. “This grant supports the visionary leadership among utilities, local governments and businesses in the northern Front Range who share the important goal of building homes that save residents money, save energy, protect our environment and build energy security.”

The NoCO ENERGY STAR Homes program provides training and works closely with builders and allied new home professionals to help them meet program guidelines. Please visit http://www.nocoenergystarhomes.org for details about the NoCO ENERGY STAR Homes program. To learn about the program in your area, contact Dave Talbot at 970.690.9669 or dtalbot@nocoenergystarhomes.org.

About NoCO ENERGY STAR Homes: NoCO ENERGY STAR Homes is a collaborative program among public and private-sector organizations, including the Town of Berthoud, City of Fort Collins, Governor’s Energy Office, Home Builders Association (HBA) of Northern Colorado, Larimer County, City of Longmont, Platte River Power Authority, Poudre Valley REA, Town of Severance, Town of Timnath, Town of Windsor and Xcel Energy. The regional program is aligned with the national ENERGY STAR New Homes Program (http://www.energystar.gov) managed by the U.S. EPA and the Colorado ENERGY STAR Homes Program (http://www.coloradoenergystarhomes.com) managed by the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office.  For a list of builder partners and a map of ENERGY STAR qualified homes, visit www.nocoenergystarhomes.org.

About the GEO: The Governor's Energy Office (www.colorado.gov/energy) was created by an Executive Order on April 16, 2007. GEO's mission is to lead Colorado to a New Energy Economy by advancing energy efficiency and renewable, clean energy resources. GEO works with communities, utilities, private and public organizations, and individuals to promote renewable energy such as wind, solar, and geothermal, and energy efficiency technologies in commercial and residential buildings. It also plays an integral role in designing and implementing state energy policy.