http://ctcleanenergy.wistia.com/medias/w8g3aaabw2

How PACE tax lien financing can accelerate large scale adoption of energy efficiency investment

http://www.srmnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/Whitepaper_CT_PACE_Final_01-15-13.pdf

 TRUMBULL, CT – JANUARY 17, 2013 – Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc. (SRS), the industry leader in on-demand building energy assessment and proprietary benchmarking software, today announced it is sponsoring a new whitepaper: Underwriting Energy Efficiency Financing in the Innovative Connecticut PACE Program. The paper is authored by Anthony J. Buonicore of Buonicore Partners and co-authored by Jessica Bailey, Director of Connecticut’s Commercial & Industrial PACE program and Kerry O’Neill, a director of the Clean Energy Finance Center. Published by Building Energy Performance Assessment News (BEPAnews), this new report is the tenth in its Critical Issues Series and is available at no cost.

 The paper describes the unique approach taken by Connecticut’s PACE tax lien financing program to jump start energy efficiency investments in the commercial and industrial real estate (CRE) market.  It also describes how Connecticut’s PACE program has incorporated innovative technical and financial underwriting standards to insure that stakeholders can have a high degree of confidence in projected energy savings.   (download paper).

Brian McCarter, SRS CEO said “SRS is proud to sponsor this research paper that describes how Connecticut’s new PACE program represents the cumulative experience and best practices developed from other operating PACE programs nationwide”.  He added, “The CT PACE program underwriting process is expected to provide the proving ground for large scale adoption of energy efficiency investment that other programs around the country may chose to emulate”.  

About Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc. (SRS)

SRS, an industry leader in on-demand building energy performance assessment and proprietary benchmarking software, delivers Sustainable Real Estate Manager^® a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) workflow platform enabling building stakeholders across the entire energy retrofit life cycle, from project development to recurring measurement and verification.  Its Peer Building Benchmarking^™ database contains over 125,000 buildings nationwide encompassing 20 property types comprising 3.3 billion square feet, over $7.8 billion in annual energy costs and $635 million in annual water/sewer costs and has reinvented public and commercial real estate’s energy efficiency benchmarking best practice.  For more information, visit www.SRMnetwork.com.

For More Information Contact:

Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc.

Brian J. McCarter

Chairman & CEO

(203) 459-0567

http://pacenow.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Lender-Support-Study-12.11.pdf

PACENow is pleased to release the Lender Support Study, which surveyed national, regional and local mortgage lenders whose interests in buildings could be affected by PACE financings. PACE programs in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and San Francisco retained PACENow to develop and implement the survey, with grant support provided by the Urban Sustainability Directors Network.

Survey goals included gauging lenders’ awareness and understanding of PACE, educating them, addressing their concerns, and developing insights that will enhance efforts to gain their support for individual PACE projects. Click here to download the study that summarizes the findings of interviews conducted with 35 individuals representing 25 different lending institutions.

Key findings and recommendations:

• Surveyed lenders generally expressed no blanket opposition to PACE. Their right to consent to projects is of paramount importance to them, but they appear open to approving projects that benefit their customers and improve the value of their collateral. Lender partnership and education from the start is the key in improving probability of lender consent.
• Lenders support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in concept, but have little firsthand experience financing them and are wary of underwriting the resulting projected savings and benefits. Education based on standard industry data and results from comparable projects is necessary to increase ease of approvals and create streamlined the processes.
• Lenders understand property taxes and assessments and factor them into underwriting models decisions. There was broad acceptance of PACE as an assessment, which limits lien exposure only to unpaid assessments, distinguishing it from a loan.
• Complexity in applications contributes to increased costs and may make some projects economically unfeasible. The size and scope of a PACE assessment should determine the degree of supporting documentation. A simple, streamlined approval process for small projects (representing less than 3% of building value) should be developed with the lender community.
• Consistency of programs across states and the nation, standardization of data sources, and creation of project related insurance policies will improve the consent process as lenders (and PACE finance providers/investors) can create national approval platforms and review projects with fewer resources.
• Existing commercial mortgage lenders have only an indirect revenue benefit from providing consent. As such, applicants have the onus of making the approval process easier for lenders until revenue streams across banks are properly aligned or existing mortgage lenders begin to provide PACE financing.

RE: EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY

Underwriting Energy Efficiency Loans in the
Innovative CT C-PACE Program

Finally a deal the CRE industry can’t refuse

Date: January 10, 2012
Time: 1:00 PM EST
Presentation: 1 Hour
Q & A: 15 Minutes

Presented by Anthony J. Buonicore, P.E., Managing Director, Buonicore Partners, LLC, CT C-PACE Program Administrator

Moderator: Brian J. McCarter,CEO, Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc., C-PACE Program Data Management Platform Provider

PACE tax-lien financing programs enable participating local governments to allow the costs of energy improvements on commercial and industrial properties to be repaid over many years through an assessment invoiced on the owner’s property tax bill. Similar to a sewer tax assessment, PACE loans are secured by a lien on the owner’s property. Packaged correctly, this type of financing can effectively offer commercial real estate owners, operators and managers a deal that is difficult to refuse!

The compelling benefits enabled by C-PACE include:

• projects can be financed with no capital outlay;
• total project cost, including up-front costs, can be financed;
• under typical leases, tenants pay the tax lien expense and realize energy cost savings;
• lower operating costs due to increased energy efficiency;
• tenants experience positive cash flow at project completion;
• new equipment increases in the property’s asset value;
• a “greener” building with lower net operating costs will be attractive to future tenants;
• the tax obligation (which is attached to the property) transfers upon sale to the new owner.

Learn about the C-PACE program by attending this webinar!

Key topics:

• PACE programs and financing considerations
• Connecticut’s C-PACE Program
• Power of PACE in the CRE market
• C-PACE innovation
• Technical Standards
• Loan Underwriting
• Importance of a common data management platform to meet the underwriting needs of all deal interdependent stakeholders

Who should attend?

• Commercial building owners and operators
• Property and facility managers
• Energy consultants
• Contractors
• Energy auditors
• ESCOs
• Project developers
• Building engineers & architects
• Bankers and financiers
• Attorneys

REGISTER Today!

https://www.bepanews.com/WebinarRegistration.aspx

SRS Platform Improves ESCO Productivity Across the Entire ESPC Lifecycle

 TRUMBULL, CT – November 5, 2012 – Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc. (SRS), the industry leader in cloud-based building energy performance assessment and proprietary benchmarking software, today announced SRS’s participation at the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) meeting in New Orleans, LA on November 7, 2012.

SRS will showcase its work with leading ESCOs who are leveraging its Software-as-a-Service platform to increase their productivity across the entire energy savings performance contract (ESPC) lifecycle from project development through measurement and verification. 

 In project development, the SRS service is used to make far more efficient both Preliminary Assessment and Investment Grade Audit workflows. For Preliminary Assessments, ESCO project development teams incorporate SRS’s Peer Building Benchmarking Database of over 125,000 buildings to illustrate for potential customers how their buildings compare with their actual peers. As a result ESCOs using the SRS platform provide building owners with actionable data to accelerate energy efficiency investment decisions and increase ESCO project win rates.

 For Investment Grade Audits, ESCO project developers use the SRS platform to determine an optimized bundle of energy conservation measures (ECMs), to project energy savings and to calculate key financial metrics.  All calculations are virtually instantaneous and are performed in a technically-sound, transparent methodology consistent with industry best practices and standards (ASHRAE, ASTM, IPMVP).

 For post construction measurement and verification (M&V) analysis,  ESCO M&V teams turn to the SRS platform for better visibility on project M&V data, thereby increasing workflow efficiency across the entire M&V reporting period. This includes state of the art reporting of actual versus projected savings performance analytics consistent with IPMVP methodology.

 SRS CEO Brian J. McCarter noted that “SRS, through its broad-base of clients encompassing ESCOs, energy auditors, lenders, property owners and managers is at the forefront of this exciting new industry sector enabling productivity gains across the entire ESPC lifecycle”.  He added, “Sharing new “best practices” developed by working with the leading energy efficiency service providers assures the continuous evolution of our industry.  Moreover, McCarter said it insures that public and commercial building stakeholder clients maximize their energy and sustainability-related opportunities.”

About Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc. (SRS)

SRS, an industry leader in on-demand building energy performance assessment and proprietary benchmarking software, delivers Sustainable Real Estate Manager^® a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) workflow platform enabling building stakeholders to assess, benchmark and optimize the energy and sustainability performance of their properties.  Its Peer Building Benchmarking^™ module contains data on over 125,000 buildings nationwide encompassing 20 property types comprising 3.3 billion square feet, over $7.8 billion in annual energy costs and $635 million in annual water/sewer costs and has reinvented commercial real estate’s energy efficiency benchmarking best practice.  For more information, visit www.SRMnetwork.com.

Panel to Discuss Emerging Trends in Energy Efficiency Investment Underwriting

TRUMBULL, CT – October 29, 2012 – Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc. (SRS), the industry leader in cloud-based building energy performance assessment and proprietary benchmarking software, today announced CEO Brian J. McCarter will lead a panel presentation at the World Energy Engineering Congress in Atlanta, GA on November 2, 2012.

McCarter’s panel will provide a unique perspective on the emerging best practice for technical and financial underwriting of commercially-attractive energy efficiency investments.  The panel will provide insight from two case studies, Los Angeles Commercial Building Performance Partnership program and the state of Connecticut’s PACE program, where new financing mechanisms supported by best practice underwriting processes are accelerating the energy retrofit investment market.

  “SRS, through its broad-base of clients encompassing energy service companies (ESCOs), energy auditors, property due diligence consultants, lenders, insurers, property owners and managers is at the forefront of this exciting new industry”, noted McCarter.  He added, “Sharing best practices with leading energy efficiency service providers assures the continuous evolution of our industry leading solutions, thereby insuring our commercial and public building stakeholder clients maximize their energy and sustainability-related opportunities.”

 About Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc. (SRS)

SRS, an industry leader in on-demand building energy performance assessment and proprietary benchmarking software, delivers Sustainable Real Estate Manager^® a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) workflow platform enabling building stakeholders to assess, benchmark and optimize the energy and sustainability performance of their properties.  Its Peer Building Benchmarking^™ module contains data on over 125,000 buildings nationwide encompassing 20 property types comprising 3.3 billion square feet, over $7.8 billion in annual energy costs and $635 million in annual water/sewer costs and has reinvented commercial real estate’s energy efficiency benchmarking best practice.  For more information, visit www.SRMnetwork.com.

For More Information Contact:

Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc.

Brian J. McCarter

Chairman & CEO

(203) 459-0567

 http://www.srmnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/Whitepaper_Portfolio_Energy_Monetization_Final_07-09-12.pdf

TRUMBULL, CT – JULY 10, 2012 – Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc. (SRS), the industry leader in on-demand building energy assessment and proprietary benchmarking software, today announced it is sponsoring a new whitepaper: Key Steps to Monetizing Building Portfolio Energy Savings Opportunities.  Published by Building Energy Performance Assessment News (BEPAnews), this new report is the ninth in its Critical Issues Series and is available at no cost.

The paper discusses how, for the first time, commercial building stakeholders have a full suite of low cost tools to screen properties across their portfolios in a technically sound and consistent manner. The paper’s recommended eight step process incorporates leading industry standards and best practices to prioritize buildings by the monetary value of the potential energy savings. As a result building owners and managers are equipped with a logical, compelling investment strategy that maximizes energy efficiency investment return.  (download paper).

Brian McCarter, SRS CEO said “SRS is proud to sponsor this research paper that provides commercial building stakeholders with the insight needed to deploy a new standardized methodology for evaluating, prioritizing, and selecting buildings for energy efficiency improvements”.  He added, “This approach insures that the limited funds available to meet the pent-up demand for energy consuming equipment replacement across building portfolios will be used to capture the maximum financial return on invested capital. It is precisely these key steps that provide stakeholders with the confidence to accelerate long delayed capital improvements”.

About Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc. (SRS)

SRS, an industry leader in on-demand building energy performance assessment and proprietary benchmarking software, delivers Sustainable Real Estate Manager^® a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) workflow platform enabling building stakeholders to assess, benchmark, measure and verify the energy and sustainability performance of their properties.  Its Peer Building Benchmarking^™ database contains over 125,000 buildings nationwide encompassing 20 property types comprising 3.3 billion square feet, over $7.8 billion in annual energy costs and $635 million in annual water/sewer costs and has reinvented public and commercial real estate’s energy efficiency benchmarking best practice.  For more information, visit www.SRMnetwork.com.

For More Information Contact:

Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc.

Brian J. McCarter

Chairman & CEO

(203) 459-0567

MCCARTER TO ADDESS CARBON WAR ROOM’S ENERGY TECHNOLOGY FORUM

Presentation of 5 Key Steps to Monetize Building Energy Savings Opportunities

TRUMBULL, CT – May 2, 2012 – Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc. (SRS), the industry leader in on-demand building energy performance assessment and proprietary benchmarking software, today announced CEO Brian J. McCarter will address the Carbon War Room’s Energy Technology Deal Day Forum in Washington, D.C. on May 3, 2012.

McCarter’s presentation will provide a unique perspective on the 5 key steps needed for building stakeholders to identify and capture the energy efficiency “hidden assets” in their properties.  The presentation will address the key roles of the multiple interdependent stakeholders in the process of successfully unlocking the full-potential of energy savings across real estate portfolios.

“SRS, through its broad-base of clients encompassing energy service companies (ESCOs), energy auditors, lenders, insurers, property owners and managers is at the forefront of this exciting new industry”, noted McCarter.  He added, “Sharing best practices with leading commercial real estate energy efficiency professionals assures the continuous evolution of our industry leading solutions, thereby insuring our commercial and public building stakeholder clients maximize their energy and sustainability-related opportunities.”

About Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc. (SRS)

SRS, an industry leader in on-demand building energy performance assessment and proprietary benchmarking software, delivers Sustainable Real Estate Manager^® an Internet-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) workflow platform enabling building stakeholders to assess, benchmark and optimize the energy and sustainability performance of their properties.  Its Peer Building Benchmarking^™ module contains data on over 120,000 buildings nationwide encompassing 15 property types comprising 3.3 billion square feet, over $7.8 billion in annual energy costs and $635 million in annual water/sewer costs and has reinvented commercial real estate’s energy efficiency benchmarking best practice.  For more information, visit www.SRMnetwork.com.

#   #   #

For More Information Contact:

Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc.

Brian J. McCarter

Chairman & CEO

(203) 459-0567

MCCARTER TO LEAD UNDERWRITING ENERGY EFFICIENCY LENDING PANEL

AT SUSTAINABLE PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS CONFERENCE

Panel to Discuss Emerging Best Practice for Underwriting Energy Efficiency Loans

TRUMBULL, CT – May 1, 2012 – Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc. (SRS), the industry leader in on-demand building energy performance assessment and proprietary benchmarking software, today announced CEO Brian J. McCarter will lead a panel presentation at the RTM Sustainable Property Transactions Conference in Boston, MA on May 2, 2012.

Meeting attendees will include leading commercial real estate transaction professionals from the lending, legal, insurance and consulting communities.  McCarter’s panel will provide a unique perspective on the emerging best practice for underwriting commercially-attractive energy efficiency loans.  The panel will provide insight from two case studies, Los Angeles Commercial Building Performance Partnership program and PACE Commercial Consortium programs in Sacramento, CA and Miami, FL, where new financing mechanisms supported by best practice underwriting processes are accelerating the energy retrofit investment market.

 “SRS, through its broad-base of clients encompassing energy service companies (ESCOs), energy auditors, property due diligence consultants, lenders, insurers, property owners and managers is at the forefront of this exciting new industry”, noted McCarter.  He added, “Sharing best practices with leading property transaction professionals assures the continuous evolution of our industry leading solutions, thereby insuring our commercial and public building stakeholder clients maximize their energy and sustainability-related opportunities.”

About Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc. (SRS)

SRS, an industry leader in on-demand building energy performance assessment and proprietary benchmarking software, delivers Sustainable Real Estate Manager^® an Internet-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) workflow platform enabling building stakeholders to assess, benchmark and optimize the energy and sustainability performance of their properties.  Its Peer Building Benchmarking^™ module contains data on over 120,000 buildings nationwide encompassing 15 property types comprising 3.3 billion square feet, over $7.8 billion in annual energy costs and $635 million in annual water/sewer costs and has reinvented commercial real estate’s energy efficiency benchmarking best practice.  For more information, visit www.SRMnetwork.com.

#   #   #

For More Information Contact:

Sustainable Real Estate Solutions, Inc.

Brian J. McCarter

Chairman & CEO

(203) 459-0567