Applications

Who can receive a Flex Your Power Award?

When are applications due?

When are winners notified?

If I've won an award before, can I apply again?

What are the categories? How are they defined?

What do I do if our program falls into more than one of the entrant categories? Should I submit an application for each?

We have a renewable energy program. Is it eligible for a Flex Your Power Award?

How do I calculate my energy savings?

If I'm applying for an award in the Innovative Products and Services category, does my product have to be on the market? Can it be a pilot project?

What kind of recognition or endorsement will energy award winners receive? Are award winners going to receive media recognition?

Which websites will run congratulatory advertising?

Can my application narrative be longer than is prescribed in the award announcement?

What happens to the information that we submit? Will it become public?

Scoring Criteria/Selection Process:

Who will be on the awards selection committee?

Will my organization be judged against other organizations of similar size or financial resources?

Q: How will we be judged if we started our program a few years ago and are very efficient now? Won't our savings be less dramatic than those whose baselines were many years ago?

Award/Recognition:

How many awards will be presented?

Title 24 and Government Standards

Does taking action to meet government mandated efficiency standards such as those in Title 24 qualify for an award?

Water Savings

Do water conservation programs qualify for a Flex Your Power Award?

Applications

Q: Who can receive a Flex Your Power Award?

A: Any organization doing business in California is eligible for an award. Organizations may not nominate programs that receive Public Goods Charge funding; however, utilities and other organizations may submit applications for programs not funded by the public goods charge or for efficiency upgrades in their own facilities.

Q: When are applications due?

A: March 15, 2007.

Q: When are winners notified?

A: Early April, 2007.

Q: If I've won an award before, can I apply again?

A: To ensure that we can recognize a range of leaders in California, previous award winners may only reapply each year under different categories and in the same category every third year.

Q: What are the award categories? How are they defined?

• Energy Efficiency – Efforts to reduce total energy (electricity and/or natural gas) consumption through the installation of energy-efficient equipment, lighting and/or appliances or through the completion of energy-efficient building retrofits or new construction projects.

• Education and Leadership - Making significant efforts to educate employees and/or the general public about energy efficiency or demand response/conservation.

• Innovative Products and/or Services - Developing and/or widely offering new and effective products or services that promote energy efficiency and/or demand response.

• Demand Response – Efforts to reduce “peak” power consumption by shedding or shifting electricity demand.

Q: What do I do if our program falls into more than one of the entrant categories? Should I submit an application for each?

A: Submit only one application, even if you have taken measures in more than one category. Comprehensive programs are strongly encouraged. Please clearly identify each of the categories under which your program falls and provide all relevant information for each.

Q: We have a renewable energy program. Is it eligible for a Flex Your Power Award?

A: Renewable energy is vital to the state's long-term energy plans; however, only renewable projects that are incorporated into an overall energy efficiency program are eligible. A stand-alone solar project, for example would not be considered. Solar used as part of a peak demand implementation would be considered.

Q: How do I calculate my energy savings?

A: Here are a few options:

• If your energy savings stem from a large retrofit project or technology upgrade, check with your energy contractor or equipment distributor.
• Contact your utility – an account representative will be able to help you review your records and calculate your savings.
• Use energy calculators available from ENERGY STAR.

Q: If I'm applying for an award in the Innovative Products and/or Services category, does my product have to be on the market? Can it be a pilot project?

A: Pilot projects that have completed a successful beta test are eligible.

Q: What kind of recognition or endorsement will energy award winners receive? Are award winners going to receive media recognition?

A: Flex Your Power will recognize award winners in congratulatory advertisements. Award winners may receive additional exposure through media coverage of the awards ceremony. Additionally, award winners and their programs will be recognized on www.FlexYourPower.org and other Flex Your Power publications.

Q: Which websites will run congratulatory advertising?

A: Ads will appear in major online news publications.

Q: Can my application narrative be longer than is prescribed in the award announcement?

A: No. Application narratives are not to exceed 750 words.

Q: What happens to the information that we submit? Will it become public?

A: Information submitted by award winners may be used in Flex Your Power’s publications as well as in Flex Your Power’s congratulatory advertising. Although in the past most organizations have welcomed the exposure associated with receiving a Flex Your Power Award, we realize that certain applicants may wish to submit information for judging consideration only. When submitting an application, please indicate all information that should remain private. No applicant information will be published or released without prior approval.

Scoring Criteria/Selection Process:

Q: Who will be on the awards selection committee?

A: Experts from state agencies, industry associations and the public and private sectors.

Q: Will my organization be judged against other organizations of similar size or financial resources?

A: Yes.

Q: How will we be judged if we started our program a few years ago and are very efficient now? Won’t our savings be less dramatic than those whose baselines were many years ago?

A: We want to recognize long-standing and strong energy conservation and efficiency programs. Judges will take into account all relevant information, including the start date of your program. As long as a significant portion of your efforts occurred in 2006, you can apply.

Award/Recognition:

Q: How many awards will be presented?

A: We will present approximately 50 awards and honorable mentions, depending on the applicant pool.

Title 24 and Government Standards

Q: Does taking action to meet government mandated efficiency standards such as those in Title 24 qualify for an award?

A: No, to qualify for an award applicants must have taken action that goes above and beyond any state, federal or local government efficiency requirement.

Water Savings

Q: Do water conservation programs qualify for a Flex Your Power Award?

A: Yes, but these water savings must be translated into energy savings in order to qualify for a Flex Your Power award. Water delivery is the single largest use of electricity in the state, so saving water saves energy.