Businesses in Clark County are learning what it means to be green. Since 2012, 50 businesses have gone through the county’s Green Business program and been certified to claim the distinction.
To get the county’s green seal of approval, businesses must complete assessments in six areas — stormwater, waste and recycling, water and wastewater, toxics, community and energy. Businesses must meet the Green Business requirements in all six areas, including forming a green team that considers improvements and makes recommendations for future improvements.
For larger businesses, just collecting the right data can take several weeks or months. “The larger the business and the more regulated it is, the longer time it takes to collect the data to become one of the county’s certified green businesses,” said Sarah Keirns, sustainability specialist for the county. “Small and less regulated businesses usually can find the same data faster.”
Each year, the county recognizes green businesses from industry, retail and other market segments. This year, New Seasons, Clark College and Canine Utopia are among 10 of the green businesses the county will recognize for their efforts during 2014 at a March 19 showcase and reception at the Fort Vancouver Artillery Barracks.
Not only does the event recognize businesses operating to green standards, it also provides opportunities for peer discussions and sharing ideas about how others handle green challenges, including waste management, employee health and energy conservation, according to Keirns.
For the energy component, the county works with Clark Public Utilities, which offers businesses entering the county program a free facility energy audit. Every local business — from small retailers, dry cleaners and restaurants to large industrial and high-tech companies — has an assigned account manager at the utility. Businesses that want to learn about energy saving programs and incentives the utility offers should call 360-992-3355 to be connected with an account manager.
“Businesses going through the county program are very different from one another,” said Michelle Missfeldt, a key accounts senior manager for the utility. “Often, this is their first exposure to what the utility can offer them for support and incentives. And there’s a lot available.”
Larger businesses are normally more comprehensive in their approach to being green, and further along in the process, because they know wasted resources can affect their bottom line.
“For businesses of any size, we can complete an audit and point out areas businesses can save on energy costs,” said Missfeldt. “It’s not unusual for us to suggest things like replacing refrigeration seals, and making lighting changes, heating or cooling upgrades and ventilation improvements.”
Another way businesses can be greener is to offset their carbon footprint. The utility’s Green Lights program involves a voluntary purchase of renewable energy credits to offset carbon emissions. There is a minimal cost to participate. For a business using 10,000-kilowatt hours per month, the cost to offset 10 percent of the energy used is just $15.
“A portion of contributions to the Green Lights program feeds back into our own community school districts and goes toward the Solar 4R Schools program,” Missfeldt said. Visit www.clarkpublicutilities.com/index.cfm/your-business/green-lights/ to learn more.
Businesses interested in participating in the Clark County green business program for 2015 can go to the county website at www.clarkgreenbiz.com and download the sample assessment questions. Those interested in energy savings can go to the utilities website at www.clarkpublicutilities.com/index.cfm/your-business/business-conservation-programs/ to read how to participate in the energy savings programs and to see the types of incentives the utility offers.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.
