Wolf River Builders - Builder News Dec. 2011 Part 6

Residential Program Update

Trade Ally team:

Focus on Energy has exciting changes in store for 2012! Starting soon, Focus on Energy will have expanded offerings to better serve our residential customers and achieve cost-effective energy savings.

Below is some information on the new programs for the next year. This is the first of many communications to come and more details will be available in the coming weeks. Make sure you receive updates on the programs you participate in, please register your email and contact information here.

Prescriptive Incentive Program

Focus on Energy will provide incentives for energy efficient household equipment. This program will build on the success of previous Focus on Energy offerings while continuing to work with trade allies to better serve residential customers. New information about qualifying products and services, incentive levels, and participation requirements effective January 1, 2012 will be provided in the next few weeks.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR ®

The current program model will continue through March 31, 2012 with only slight modifications. This extension of the current program design will allow for a more orderly transition to the new program in April 2012. After that transition period, consultants will be able to perform energy assessments under the new program design, but the program will promote a contractor-driven approach that encourages auditors and contractors to partner together to effectively serve customers. In the coming weeks, a more detailed description of modifications to be effective on January 1, 2012 will be provided. In December, Focus on Energy will be hosting webinars and other meetings to discuss new program design details effective next April, including eligible measures, incentive levels, provision of training and QA/QC.

Low-Moderate Income Programs

Focus on Energy will be offering two different paths for income qualified customers. Beginning in January, increased incentives will be available through the Prescriptive Incentive Program for qualifying customers to receive energy efficient household equipment. In April, Focus on Energy will also offer a comprehensive program for qualifying customers to receive enhanced incentives for building shell improvements.

Multifamily Energy Savings Program

Focus on Energy will continue offering incentives to owners of apartments and condominiums. Beginning in 2012, the new program will offer increased incentives for customers that achieve deeper, more comprehensive energy savings.

Appliance Recycling Program

Focus on Energy will offer cash-back rewards to residential customers who want to recycle their second refrigerators and freezers. This new program will be available to customers beginning in March 2012.

Upstream Lighting and Appliance Recycling

Focus on Energy will continue to partner with retailers and manufacturers around Wisconsin to offer instant discounts and mail-in coupons for ENERGY STAR qualified products such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), clothes washers and more. These offerings will be available at participating retail locations on January 1, 2012.

Focus on Energy thanks you for continuing to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions to your customers. Information and application forms for program available now can be found at Focus on Energy.

Please send any questions on current or new residential program offerings to: focusinfo@focusonenergy.com

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Business Day in Madison: Save the Date

Business Day in Madison will provide a preview into the hottest topics confronting our state and nation.

In 2012, America will decide if we stay the course or go a new direction. Dominating the landscape will be the economy, the price of energy and the elections – the Three E’s of America’s future. Business leaders will have an opportunity to shape the debate that will forge the consensus that will chart the course for our nation.

Speakers will address the elections, economy and energy, and will include Governor Scott Walker as well as the following:

Frank Luntz– Political Pollster; Communications Consultant – “What’s Really on the Mind of America?”, Todd Buchholz – former White House Economic Policy Advisor; Economic Forecaster – “The Economy in the Age of Obama”

Robert Bryce – Sr. Fellow, Manhattan Institute – Center for Energy Policy and the Environment – “Inventing the Future: 5 Reasons to be Optimistic About Future Energy”

Business Day in Madison is Wisconsin’s premier legislative event, bringing more than 1,000 business leaders from major business organization who annually commit to meet with policymakers to discuss the most important issues facing the housing market and our state. WBA, in partnership with the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce invites our members to participate and represent the building industry. For more information or questions contact Mark Nelson at WBA (608)242-5151.

In the past, WRBA members have voted to make a contribution toward the Christmas Crusade for Children program which was run by the Shawano Police Department in conjunction with the local Sheriff’s Department to provide Christmas gifts for needy children in the area. This year they have decided to work in conjunction with the area Toys for Tots program.

The WRBA Board of Directors, at the November board meeting, has decided to again contribute to this cause in the amount of $500.

Dues payments to Wolf River Builders Association are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. However, dues payments may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expense, subject to exclusion for lobbying activity. Because a portion of your dues is used for lobbying by NAHB and WBA, 17% of the total dues or $76.90 is not deductible for income tax purposes. (For affiliate members – the amount is $2.30 that is not deductible.)

Last week, Robert Procter warned me that their email filters occasionally capture hotline calls. In addition, there have been times when a hotline call was misplaced (usually by the weak link in the chain—me!). In order to minimize bad service, please let us know immediately if a hotline call has not been responded to within 24 hours. We recognize that prompt service in these matters is critical, and we hope this reminder can help recover calls that have been missed, misplaced, or overlooked, whether by human or technical mistakes. Thanks for your support. Jerry