Energy Smart, a one-year-old program helping Minnesota businesses take advantage of rebates and other financial incentives for becoming more energy efficient, is receiving additional funding from Xcel Energy to continue its work for another three years.

“We all need to be more energy efficient; there’s no doubt about that,” said International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce President Betsy Jensen.

The funding plan was recently approved by the Minnesota Office of Energy Security and took effect Jan. 1.

Energy Smart, run through the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Waste Wise program, started as a pilot in 2008. The program is intended to assist businesses that need help taking advantage of energy-efficiency incentives, such as rebates, low-interest loans and grants. Energy Smart provides its assistance to Minnesota businesses at no charge, regardless of energy utility.

“Saving energy is smart business,” said Mark Blaiser, executive director of Minnesota Waste Wise and Energy Smart. “Our team is helping small and midsize businesses that are overworked and understaffed save time and money.”

Energy Smart directly contacted more than 5,000 businesses, most of which were not aware of the opportunities for energy cost-savings. Program staff visited about 150 Minnesota businesses in its pilot year, evaluating operations and recommending steps for savings.

According to Kelly Spors, communications and outreach coordinator for Energy Smart, one of the closest businesses to International Falls to take advantage of the program was the Adventure Inn in Ely.

Spors told The Journal that a typical first step would be a phone consultation and energy checklist, which would indicate if further steps should be taken.

“The bottom line is that this really can have a huge impact on the bottom line for a business,” Spors said.

She noted that, for example, a lighting upgrade can bring a business a return on its investment in two years. She explained that each business sector would have different items that would make them more energy efficient, including lighting, heat and air conditioning, insulation, and high-efficiency motors and pumps, unplugging energy-sucking machines, and installing motion sensors, to name a few. She said that many of the changes that Energy Smart recommends can be low cost or no cost.

“There’s no guarantee that the incentives will be there in five years,” Spors said. “Now’s the time to take advantage.”

Energy Smart also recently launched a blog with energy-efficiency tips, resources, news and information on financing opportunities for businesses. The blog can be found at www.mnenergysmart.com/blog or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mnenergysmart.

“Energy Smart is helping businesses save money in a tough economy,” said Blaiser. “And helping the state meet its mandated energy conservation goals.”

For further information about the program, businesses may contact Jill Curran, Energy Smart program manager, at (651) 292-4653 or jcurran@mnchamber.com.

Jensen said that local businesses could also contact the Falls Chamber at 283-9400.