Outreach

Business Survey

BLUER is surveying businesses in the Borough to catalog energy-efficiency and conversion measures they are already taking, and to characterize the challenges businesses face in reducing emissions. This will help BLUER create viable initiatives and support businesses as we embark on our emission-reduction efforts. Take the online survey. Also, if you have any tips, ideas, or issues of concern, email us to share your thoughts.

Industrial Assessments

Industry is a critical component of our community, and energy efficiency in industry is of utmost importance to all of us. One way that industry can optimize productivity, reduce waste, and save energy is through an industrial energy assessment (or audit). BLUER learned that industrial audits can be performed locally via the Mid-Atlantic Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) completely free of charge. The IAC is sponsored by the US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Industrial Technologies Program (more info).

What is an industrial assessment? An industrial assessment is an in-depth evaluation of a plant site, its facilities, services and manufacturing operations. Teams of faculty and students from the University of Delaware perform them at no cost, and participants receive a report that outlines recommended energy efficiency improvements, waste minimization and pollution prevention opportunities, and resulting productivity improvements.

These industrial assessments have resulted in an average $55,000 in annual savings for small- to mid-sized manufacturers. It’s also great for upper-class and graduate engineering students. They receive hands-on training and gain knowledge of industrial process systems, plant systems, and energy systems—making them highly attractive to employers.

Architects/Developers

BLUER is working to support our development community by helping ensure they have the information needed to construct new buildings to ENERGY STAR standards. For more information on West Chester’s ENERGY STAR ordinance for new construction, see [WC ENERGY STAR Ordinance Press Release].