Seven businesses become Mpower ChaMpions

Monday, April 20, 2009

From the spring newsletter of Sustain Dane:

Sustain Dane and the Mpower partners have announced the selection of seven area businesses into the Mpower Business Champions program. These local businesses collectively employ over 783 individuals and occupy over 539,800 sq ft of building include Webcrafters Inc., Great Big Pictures Inc, Sergenian's Floor Coverings, The Payroll Company, Capital Insurance Companies, designCraft Advertising and JJR.

The participating businesses are very enthusiastic about the opportunities the program will bring them. . . .

The effort is made possible through a two-year grant from the EPA and sponsorship from several area organizations including MG&E and Alliant Energy. Each of the Mpower Business Champions will receive one-on-one assistance to take significant steps towards reducing their carbon footprint including:

+ Training from various Mpower partners including MG&E, Alliant Energy, Madison Water Utility and UW-Extension SHWEC on how to incorporate sustainability into business practice with an emphasis on green building, environmentally preferable purchasing and energy and water conservation.
+ On-site energy audits and assessments, including a findings and recommendations report provided by Focus on Energy.
+ Direct access to MadiSUN Solar Agent to provide a wide array of technical, financial and policy information related to solar energy options through the City of Madison.
+ Use of the Energy Stewards software program from Rapid Improvement Associates to trackenergy use history, action performance tracking and online forums to learn from other business participants.
+ On-site waste audit and assessments, including recommendations to stream line their waste handling procedures and help determine what recycling options are available provided by Waste Management.
+ Support to develop and empower employee-based teams to take actions in their daily lives to reduce the environmental impact of their household through the EnAct program.
+ Assistance from the Madison Area Metropolitan Planning Organization in developing a transportation demand management plan to provide a comphrehensive set of commuter options for employees.
+ The chance to be featured by Mpower Madison media partners WKOW and in web-based case studies.