FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

08-15-11 1055AM

The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) has launched the Energy Upgrade Bay Area Information Call Center (855-464-8484) to help homeowners gain access to up to $4,000 in rebates and incentives to reduce energy and water use through the Energy Upgrade California Program.

ABAG has partnered with the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma plus a team of public and private partners to implement this comprehensive community-residential building retrofit program in the Bay Area.

Homeowners and contractors are encouraged to use the program’s Bay Area Information Call Center to learn about energy upgrade programs available in Bay Area cities, towns and counties. Call Center staff will help homeowners learn more about energy-efficiency programs to retrofit poor insulation, duct-system leaks, inefficient lighting and heating, and how to qualify for rebates and incentives. Contractors can also learn how to achieve program certification and green workforce training.

Residential energy use is attributed to more than 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the region. Home energy efficiency is critical because homes lose energy through air leaks, poor insulation, inefficient heating/cooling equipment, and old appliances and lighting. The Bay Area Information Call Center is part of the Bay Area’s multi-layered approach to climate protection. For more information, call 855-464-8484 to learn how to improve the environment through home energy efficiency upgrades.

Energy Upgrade California is a collaboration of the California Energy Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission, and utilities and municipalities throughout the state, including ABAG. For more information, visit www.energyupgradeca.com.

###