June 28, 2022 – Winooski, VT – As businesses throughout the country face mounting challenges from supply chain issues, to worker shortages, to mounting fuel costs, there is one bright spot for New York businesses. NYSERDA has committed to extending and expanding its Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program to help New York businesses lower their energy usage and costs. This 4-year program, which is fully funded by NYSERDA, will be offered to commercial and industrial businesses throughout the state of New York, with a focus on disadvantaged communities (DAC).

Following a thorough RFP process, NYSERDA has selected Cascade Energy and VEIC to implement this program that will run from 2022-2025. NYSERDA’s SEM offering is designed to be a flexible program for plant and facility executives and engineering staff to receive free training to reduce facilities and manufacturing energy costs.  NYSERDA has engaged the leading SEM coaches from Cascade Energy and VEIC who have been bringing New York businesses the benefits of SEM for the last 5 years. Over this period VEIC helped leading New York businesses to achieve an average of 10% energy savings.

”We are thrilled to continue working with NYSERDA and businesses throughout New York to provide hands-on support in lowering energy use and therefore energy costs. We’ve seen some great results over the last five years of implementing this program and look forward to building on that in the coming years” Greg Baker, VEIC Principal Consultant

Unlike energy efficiency incentives, SEM takes a holistic approach to energy management to address the many aspects of your everyday business operation that impact energy use, from technical to behavioral. Participants of the SEM program get a dedicated energy coach who will provide support in evaluating all facets of their business to identify low-to-no costs energy improvements that will build over time. SEM engages stakeholders and staff to create learning opportunities and build buy-in around energy and environmental goals. This holistic approach allows businesses to walk away from their participation with an energy management roadmap that will move them towards their environmental goals while providing immediate savings.

“It was eye-opening how much we could improve with projects that are little- to no-cost. The elements that we learned through SEM have been hardwired into our shutdown procedures and the crews have embraced the change.” Senior Process Engineer, H&V

Over the course of the pandemic, VEIC and Cascade retooled the SEM program to allow for virtual participation. Despite having to shift to a new model of implementation, businesses achieved sustaining benefits from their participation. SEM is an example of NYSERDA providing hands-on support to New York businesses so they can achieve their clean energy goals and is one of the many ways New York is exhibiting leadership in achieving its nation-leading climate plan.   

VEIC is a sustainable energy company on a mission to generate the energy solutions the world needs. For over 30 years VEIC has been working with governments, utilities, foundations, and businesses across North America to develop and deploy clean energy services that provide immediate and lasting change. With expertise in energy efficiency, building decarbonization, transportation electrification, and new approaches for a clean and flexible grid, VEIC brings innovative solutions to the market. VEIC is nationally recognized for developing pilots and programs that optimize energy use, reduce energy burdens for low-income customers, and advance new technologies. In addition to our full-service consulting business, VEIC administers three large-scale sustainable energy programs: Efficiency Vermont, Efficiency Smart, and the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU). veic.org.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority NYSERDA offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been advancing energy solutions and working to protect the environment since 1975.