Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez Announces the Launch of the Miami-Dade Commercial Rebate Program

$1 million in rebate funds available to Miami-Dade businesses for the purchase of ENERGY STAR® appliances

(MIAMI, March 15, 2012) – Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez is pleased to announce the launch of the Miami-Dade Commercial Rebate Program. With $1,000,000 in federal funds available through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, rebates are available to Miami-Dade businesses for the purchase of certain ENERGY STAR® appliances and equipment. Rebates are available to Miami-Dade County businesses, on a first-come, first-served basis, by applying to become certified through the Green Business Certification Program. The rebate amount will be determined on a case-by-case basis, and is not to exceed $10,000 per application. Detailed information on the rebate program and its application process is available at http://green.miamidade.gov, by clicking on the Green Business Rebates tab.

“During challenging economic times, it becomes more important for Miami-Dade County to implement programs like this which assist local businesses in saving money and stimulate our local economy, ensuring a sustainable community and economy,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez.

This program is offered to decrease energy consumption and increase savings on energy bills by encouraging the replacement of older and inefficient appliances. The commercial rebates are being utilized as leverage to increase participation in the Miami-Dade Green Business Certification Program. This certification program is an initiative of the Vibrant Economy goal area in GreenPrint, a communitywide action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut energy, water and fuel consumption, and develop a more sustainable community.

The commercial rebate program is part of the County’s energy efficiency campaign, an award- winning communitywide energy education program managed by the Office of Sustainability that engages residents to gain support for energy conservation, renewable energy, recycling, and waste reduction, and serves as a catalyst for long-term behavior changes resulting in reduced energy usage. This campaign is an initiative of the Water and Energy Efficiency goal area in GreenPrint.

The communitywide energy efficiency campaign is one of 12 projects part of the County’s EECBG program, which includes a mix of energy management projects, citizen outreach and education, sub-grants, pilot/demonstration programs, construction projects, and incentive programs.

For more information, visit http://green.miamidade.gov or email [email protected]