PowerOptions Annual Meeting to help nonprofits benefit from Innovative Energy Efficiency Programs
Westborough, March 15, 2010 – More than 200 representatives of nonprofits, state agencies, cities and towns gathered today to benefit from statewide energy efficiency programs discussed at the annual meeting of PowerOptions, the energy buying consortium formed by the Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority (HEFA).
The meeting’s focus was on helping nonprofits and other organizations to take advantage of the myriad of programs available, making sure they get their share of the big pie.
“The Commonwealth is entering an unprecedented time of expanded efforts at tremendous cost,” said PowerOptions President and CEO Cynthia Arcate in her opening remarks. “We will be working with the state and the utilities to ensure that as many of our members benefit as possible from the programs.”
Representatives from NStar, National Grid, Bay State Gas and the state’s Department of Energy Resources participated in a spirited discussion on how institutions can best access programs to help pay for efficiency projects.
Keynote speaker Paul Levy, CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, provided an overview of the changes in the energy market over the last 30 years, with a look at what’s old and what’s new.
“From the very beginning, PowerOptions has positioned its members to benefit in the evolving energy markets,” said HEFA Executive Director Benson T. Caswell. “Today’s meeting is a huge success and will teach nonprofits how to
About HEFA
HEFA is fully self-funded, receiving no tax-payer dollars. HEFA also provides funding for hospitals, cultural institutions, research centers and human service providers, as well as energy procurement services to all nonprofit, state and municipal facilities through PowerOptions®, its energy buying consortium.
Fulfilling its mission to save money for nonprofits, last year alone HEFA provided more than $3.2 billion in low-cost financing, saving nonprofits $600 million in debt service costs. Find out how at www.mhefa.org.
About PowerOptions®
The award-winning PowerOptions® was formed by HEFA in 1996 and operates as a stand-alone nonprofit organization. It is among the largest electricity and natural gas purchasing consortiums in Massachusetts, with $220 million of annual energy commodity purchases and a combined demand of approximately 200 megawatts of electricity and 11 Bcf of natural gas usage. Any nonprofit or public institution in Massachusetts may become a member and participate in this collective purchasing effort. For more information, visit www.poweroptions.org.