Incentives - Green Incentives
Green Incentives
City of Spokane’s SMART Business Recognition Program
Thank you for your interest in the City of Spokane's Business and Development Services' Sustainable Management of Assets, Resources and Technology (SMART) Recognition Program. The SMART Business Recognition Program is designed to encourage Spokane businesses to adopt policies and practices that encourage good management of financial, built, natural and human capital. In partnership with local entities, AVISTA, the Department of Ecology, and Eastern Washington University the program will recognize businesses adopting smart capital management systems, practices and policies.
A business may be recognized by the SMART program on two levels, as a Spokane Sustainable "participant" business or as a Spokane Sustainable "certified" business.
- Participant level is for businesses which commit to changes in their businesses that will ultimately result in better management of assets, resources and/or technology.
- Certified level is for businesses which can demonstrate that they have adopted changes resulting in better management of assets, resources and/or technology.
Ultimately, both levels should lead businesses to a better work environment; a healthier, more productive workforce; more customers; and an increase in the bottom line.
To recognize your achievements, you will receive a Spokane Sustainable Business either participant or certified program decal, in the form of a window cling and an electronic format that can be used on your letterhead and marketing materials. The window cling decals will be provided for each of the following categories upon qualification:
 |  |  |
| Energy Efficiency | Pollution Prevention | Renewable Energy |
 |  |  |
| Waste Reduction/Recycling | Water Conservation | Green Building |
 | ||
| Transportation |
- Innovation (Innovative solutions by category, 3 business total per category we be awarded innovation certification)
Businesses can choose to apply for recognition in any and all categories for which they believe they qualify. To apply fill out the form for the category (i.e. energy efficiency, transportation, water conservation, etc.) and level of participation you feel you qualify. Please note that for the certified level you will need to provide additional documentation to verify your activities.
If you have any questions about the program or the application, please contact Kimberly Powe: kpowe@spokanecity.org
Applications Deadline: Due to weather conditions, we have extended the deadline to Friday January 2nd, 2009 at 5PM. *Absolutely no applications will be considered or reviewed if they are not completed and received before January 2nd, 2009 at 5PM.
Applications can be submitted electronically to kpowe@spokanecity.org or mailed/delivered to:
Kimberly Powe
City of Spokane
Business and Development Services Department
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Spokane, WA 99201
Energy Efficiency Incentives
Rising energy costs can impact a business's bottom line and reduce profits. Cost saving energy efficiency improvements can be important means to improve profitability and make your property more appealing to purchasers and tenants.
Avista has a range of energy efficiency incentives and rebate programs that can help with this. Their Demand Site Management Team will do an on-site evaluation of your current and potential energy options. They have a range of programs, including rebates on certain installations. More information is available on their website
More information about other energy tax incentives for businesses can be found at The Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) website.
Multifamily Energy Incentives
Incentives are available to multifamily developers who install natural gas space and water heating measures rather than electric. Installation of Natural Gas Water Heat qualifies for an incentive of $185 per unit. If Natural Gas Space Heat is installed in addition to Natural Gas Water Heat, an incentive of $375 per unit is available. Natural gas space heat does not qualify as a stand-alone measure. Multifamily is defined as 5 or more units per building and incentives are available for new construction as well as retrofit projects. Supplemental electric heat is allowable in the units as long as the main living area is heated with natural gas. Qualifying water heating applications can either be individual natural gas hot water heaters in each unit or a central natural gas hot water system.
Please see the rebate form for additional terms and conditions. More information can be found on their web site.
Free Business Waste Reduction Assessments
Are you a business owner who is looking at your bottom line? Then find ways to create less waste…
Fees for garbage collection and disposal continue to increase across the country. But much of the general waste businesses are throwing away as garbage could easily be hauled away as recyclable material at much lower cost.
Business waste assessments are offered to Spokane County businesses free of charge. Interested businesses can contact Jim Haynes at 625-6536, jhaynes@spokanecity.org for further information or to schedule a consultation. A full description of this program can be found on the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System web site.
More information on other recycling options can be found here.
Recycling and Reuse Opportunities
- Many construction and demolition materials can be recycled or reused, such as:
- Asphalt
- Building Materials
- Clean Fill Dirt and Rocks
- Concrete
- Scrap Metal
- Sheet Rock
- Wood Waste (including pallets)
A list of places that recycle specific materials, as well as more information on reuse opportunities and salvage services can be found here.
Water Conservation Incentives
While Spokane's water department is one of the most inexpensive utilities in the nation, that doesn't mean we don't need to conserve water in order to be sure there's enough of this essential resource for everyone. The City Council has implemented a water rate system for 2007 that would encourage consumers to use less water in the summer time. This means that residential consumers who use more than 45 units a month would fall into a new rate category. Every unit over the first 45 would cost $0.85. While this is still less than water providers charge on the East and West Coast, it is hoped that this is enough of an increase to encourage everyone to find ways to save water in the summertime. For tips on how you can make sure to stay below the 45 units, visit the Water Stewardship Program website. More information on Spokane's water rates is available here.
The City of Spokane Water Stewardship Program, with the Washington Department of Ecology, Spokane County, and WSU-Spokane County Extension, is sponsoring classes to encourage responsible use of our water resources when landscaping and watering. There is still room available in both classes. For more information click here.
