Whether you’re part of a business, nonprofit or public sector agency, there’s a lot to think about on a day-to-day basis—business operations, customer satisfaction, budgets, employee performance and more. Here in Oregon, more than 65 organizations are moving energy management to the top of the list.

Organizations are prioritizing energy management and enjoying the benefits of reduced energy costs by working with Energy Trust of Oregon’s Strategic Energy Management initiative. Through this year-long initiative, facility managers and employees are gaining the tools, experience and know-how to reduce energy use in their facilities, helping to save energy and money.

Unlike a typical equipment upgrade, SEM looks at how building occupants and staff use energy. SEM focuses on no- and low-cost operations and maintenance improvements, identifying opportunities to replace aging equipment and behavioral changes that deliver energy savings over the long term. Energy Trust also provides cash incentives to participants based on the energy they save.

Each participant has access to SEM energy experts, known as energy coaches, who run a series of workshops and site visits to help energy leaders learn how to identify energy waste in their operations. During the workshops, each organization establishes energy reduction goals, an energy policy, an energy management plan and occupant engagement strategies to increase awareness about energy use.

Participants report successful energy savings of up to 20 percent in the first year. The savings from SEM are so significant that most organizations re-up for another year, often more.

These businesses recognize that, just like quality, safety or productivity, creating a culture of energy efficiency in an organization is an ongoing commitment.

Congratulations to all the Oregon energy leaders:

Learn more about SEM and get started today. Visit www.energytrust.org/commercialsem, email energymanagement@energytrust.org or call 1.866.605.1676.