The Department of Commerce’s Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative (SMI) has just launched its newly revamped Sustainable Business Clearinghouse! This expanded tool, found at sbc.trade.gov, includes close to 900 federal and state-level programs and resources designed to assist companies in their sustainable business efforts. Users can search programs by provider type, location, sustainability issue, industry sector and type of assistance or search programs by keyword.Examples of valuable programs/resources included in this tool: Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program – Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology: http://www.mep.nist.gov/
With affiliates in every state, the MEP provides U.S. manufacturers with customized technical assistance and training on a range of topics, with a goal of making U.S. industry more competitive. Services relating to sustainability include sector-specific “lean and clean” assessments, technology implementation assistance and waste minimization training.
Industrial Technologies Program – Department of Energy: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/index.html
DOE’s Industrial Technologies program works with U.S. industry to improve industrial energy efficiency and environmental performance. The program invests in high-risk, high-value R&D projects, conducts on-site energy efficiency assessments for U.S. companies, and disseminates best practices in the field of energy management.
Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE): http://www.dsireusa.org/
Run by the North Carolina State University NC Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is a user-friendly source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. It has a searchable database of state and federal programs that can be organized by state, industry sector, or incentive type.
Source: U.S. DOE, Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency (DSIRE)
