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LINCOLN - With Lincoln Electric System (LES) customers receiving incentive credits at the current rate, funds in its Sustainable Energy Program (SEP) could be committed as early as late May, said Vice President of Consumer Services J. Todd Hall.

The $1 million Sustainable Energy Program provides credits to help residential and commercial customers become more energy efficient through the purchase and installation of money-saving equipment. The total amount available currently stands at about $300,000, Hall said.

An additional $100,000 have been set aside for two other programs, he said. LES will use $50,000 to partner with elementary schools to engage students in energy efficiency. Another $50,000 have been set aside for one or more grants to business customers for project design assistance and/or developing and implementing innovative measures to improve energy-intensive processes. Business customers on a General Service Demand or Large Light and Power rate are eligible to apply for the grant. Grant judging criteria and an online application are available at les.com. Application deadline is June 1.

Hall said customers should contact contractors participating in the LES program, which are listed on les.com or available by calling 473-3270. Contractors will provide an immediate credit, called an LES Green Credit, when eligible equipment is purchased. LES customers with accounts in good standing are eligible for an incentive credit, he said.

The program offers credits for the following:

• Whole-House Sealing and Insulation - Residential customers in existing homes with no wall insulation and minimal attic insulation can qualify for up to 50 percent of the project cost up to $1,000 to seal penetrations and upgrade insulation to current code standards. Customers also may qualify for a federal tax credit.
• High-Efficiency Heat Pump and Central Air Conditioning - Residential and small- to mid-sized commercial customers are eligible for incentive credits when replacing existing cooling systems. Heat pumps with a SEER rating of 15-16.99 qualify for a $150 per ton credit and $500 per ton for a SEER rating of 17 or higher. Air conditioners with a SEER rating of 17.00 or higher qualify for a $250 per ton credit. Replacement projects are limited to 50 tons. Customers also may qualify for a federal tax credit.
• Commercial and Industrial Lighting Retrofit ¿ Incentive credits of up to $75 per fixture are available for customers reducing energy consumption and costs associated with lighting.

Large commercial and industrial customers can receive incentives for achieving energy and peak demand savings by replacing air conditioning/chiller, retrofitting efficient motors and variable frequency drives, auditing and upgrading compressed air systems, installing or upgrading an energy management system and undertaking systems commissioning. A custom program is also available for consideration of other peak demand and energy-efficiency measures, he said.

Customers with questions or who want contact information for participating contractors may go to www.les.com, call 473-3270 or e-mail GreenTeam@les.com.