The Truckee Donner Public Utility District is continuing efforts to help local business owners save on energy bills by covering part of a lighting upgrade cost. This includes a “last chance” opportunity to receive a rebate to replace old, inefficient T12 fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballast lighting with new, cost-effective fixtures.

Fluorescent T12 lamps and magnetic ballast started being phased out by federal regulatory bodies as of July 2, 2010. The TDPUD’s commercial lighting rebate program covers one-third of the cost for businesses to upgrade to high-efficiency T8 lamps and electronic ballasts or better. By switching out the old T12 lights with more energy efficient lights, businesses can reportedly see as much as 33 percent in energy savings, which can translate to hundreds of dollars of savings per year.

This rebate program on T12s is being phased out this year. After Dec., 31, 2012, the TDPUD will no longer be able to provide rebates on T12s. The total commercial lighting rebate limit is $10,000 per customer. If a proposed project cost is greater than $30,000, businesses can contact the TDPUD conservation staff to discuss rebate opportunities.

The TDPUD has helped 75 local businesses and agencies invest in cost-effective lighting projects by providing more than $250,000 in rebates in the last three years. These 75 combined projects will continue to save more than $250,000 per year. That translates to 2 million kilowatt-hours of energy saved.

The TDPUD offers many commercial lighting programs which help businesses be energy smart and save money. Commercial TDPUD customers can draw upon any of these four programs to save precious cash each month:

· Commercial Lighting Rebate Program: Replacing old fluorescent tube lights and magnetic ballast lights is not only energy smart, but it saves money. This program allows businesses to upgrade to a wide variety of high-efficiency commercial lighting. Contact the TDPUD to learn more or to find out if your commercial lighting project qualifies.

· Business Green Partners: The TDPUD offers free screw-in CFL and LED lights for Truckee business owners to install themselves.

· LED EXIT Sign Retrofit Program: Available to any TDPUD electric business customer, this program offers a free exit sign light retrofit. This includes free installation by a TDPUD contractor to replace exit sign incandescent or fluorescent lights with high-efficiency LED Lights.

· LED Building Accent Lighting Program: The TDPUD will provide free LED light bulbs to Truckee businesses to replace accent lighting on store windows, roof eaves or trim. Businesses interested in this program should contact the TDPUD, which offers free LED replacement bulbs for these strands.

For more information on these and other money-saving conservation programs, contact the TDPUD Conservation Department at (530) 582.3931.