Rebates, Incentives Offer Ways to Save

Most processors likely are familiar with the Advanced Manufacturing Office, part of the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The AMO forms partnerships with industry, small business, universities, regional entities and other stakeholders to identify and invest in emerging clean energy technologies.

At one time, the AMO produced a database of state, local and regional incentives and resources by city or zip code. However, it has been replaced by the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (www.dsireusa.org). DSIRE is reportedly the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. It is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University and is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. It is a much improved and content-rich site that every manufacturer should check out.

Within its database, which is updated monthly (archived versions stored on the site for reference) they describe how anyone can qualify for incentives for reducing energy consumption available at the state, local, utility and non-profit levels, including rebates, waived fees, tax credits and loans. You can start by searching by location (state, zip or federal). I found it more useful to click on the “Programs” menu, and then use the filter function to find all those programs that apply to industrial equipment. (Other filters let you choose by specific technologies such as boilers or combined heat and power.) When I searched, the industrial equipment category included 489 results, including financial incentives such as rebates and loans as well as regulatory policy initiatives. Opportunities exist in each state.

While the database isn’t housed on the AMO site anymore, a lot of other good material is. One such resource is the list of research and development projects. The next-generation manufacturing process page describes projects focused on:

• Low and high temperature processes.

• Reactions and separations.

• Waste heat minimization and recovery.

• Sustainable manufacturing.

In times when business is booming, it can be hard to find the time to research new business opportunities. But when are you going to be better able to fund growth?

Linda Becker is associate publisher and editor of Process Heating magazine. Linda also serves as publisher and editor of Process Cooling, PH's sister publication. A veteran of the manufacturing beat, she has more than 20 years experience covering processing operations. She holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Wisconsin.