Business Energy Advisors program in Tompkins County expands to help nonprofits

ITHACA — Tompkins County’s Business Energy Advisors (BEA) program is expanding to provide specialized energy-consulting services for nonprofit organizations. The new initiative adds to the BEA program’s existing services, offering additional support to help nonprofits in existing buildings plan cost-effective energy upgrades, reduce operating costs, and access financial incentives, per the Tompkins County announcement. Tompkins County believes the BEA program has “long been a trusted resource” for commercial businesses, municipalities, manufacturing facilities, and multifamily properties, guiding energy planning for new construction and major renovations. With the new expansion, nonprofits in Tompkins County can access customized consulting services designed specifically to meet their needs and resource constraints — while the BEA program continues to serve all other sectors as before. To learn more about the program, visit: https://tcgov.co/bea.

About the nonprofit service

The nonprofit-focused services include two “flexible” consulting options. The first option is an Enhanced BEA – Energy System Design, a full-service offering that includes technical specifications, contractor-bid guidance, and an informed list of energy incentives. This program is “ideal” for nonprofits planning a major renovation and/or heating system upgrade, Tompkins County contended. The second option is a Heating System Bid Review, a streamlined review of contractor proposals with expert feedback on energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and best-fit systems. “These new services ensure that nonprofits, often operating with limited resources, can make informed decisions that lower energy costs while supporting their mission,” Hailley Delisle, sustainability coordinator for Tompkins County, said in the announcement. “We’re proud to help these vital community organizations become more sustainable.” Participating nonprofits will benefit from free support from energy consultants; help in identifying grants, rebates, and incentives; and customized energy-system design recommendations. Nonprofit organizations located in Tompkins County with existing buildings are eligible to participate in these new offerings. Meanwhile, the broader BEA program remains fully available to commercial businesses, multifamily properties, manufacturing facilities, and municipalities considering energy-related construction or renovation. Program participants will benefit from personalized energy goal setting, technical feasibility studies, and comprehensive energy options reports.