NSSC Accepts Award for Northwestern Training-Network Partner
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council, whose Building Operator Certification program trains and certifies facilities operations and maintenance personnel to achieve cost-saving energy efficiency, has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy with a 2018 Energy Star Award of Excellence.
Kenneth P. Hellberg Jr., building performance specialist for Pennsylvania College of Technology’s National Sustainable Structures Center, traveled to Washington, D.C., on April 20 to accept the award on behalf of the nonprofit and its training network. NSSC is licensed to administer the BOC program in the mid-Atlantic region.
“The Energy Star Awards highlight the innovative and continuous energy-efficiency efforts of industry leaders,” Hellberg said.
Since 1992, the Energy Star program has been responsible for saving consumers and businesses more than $450 billion in energy costs, and the brand is widely recognized and respected in the U.S.
BOC offers personnel at industrial and commercial facilities the improved job skills and knowledge to transform their workplaces into more comfortable, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly spaces. Instruction includes benchmarking building performance through Energy Star’s Portfolio Manager software tool and specifying purchase of Energy Star products and equipment.
The EPA and DOE honored the council for its BOC direction and for support of the City of Seattle’s benchmarking ordinance through the Energy Star Portfolio Manager Help Desk. NEEC coordinates and provides hands-on energy workshops, drop-in sessions, and extensive email and phone support to help customers meet that city’s requirements.
“The awards are both inspiring and motivating, and it’s great to see that NEEC and its BOC program are recognized as leading the way in energy-efficiency training.” Hellberg remarked.
“In an industry undergoing rapid transformation, Energy Star remains a trusted name in promoting energy-efficient equipment and practices, and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council is honored to be a long-term partner,” said Kerry Meade, its executive director. “Our work supporting the City of Seattle in its successful energy benchmark program and NEEC’s ongoing training of building operators rely on Energy Star to underpin success.”
Building Operator Certification is the premier, nationally recognized, competency-based training and certification program for facilities managers, operators and maintenance staff who wish to broaden their knowledge of a building’s total performance. The national program is administered through a network of licensed providers in 37 states and Washington, D.C., who have certified more than 16,000 building technicians across a variety of climate zones.
It is estimated that a BOC-credentialed operator saves an average of 100,500 kilowatt hours of electricity each year. For the 686 operators who earned the credential during 2017, that equates to the energy consumed by 5,500 households over the entire year.
“The 2018 Energy Star award winners have demonstrated real leadership, showing how American families and businesses can save energy, save money and reduce air emissions,” noted Bill Wehrum, EPA’s assistant administrator for air and radiation.
NSSC operates under Penn College’s Workforce Development & Continuing Education department and provides hands-on building science and energy-conservation training. It is the licensed administrator of BOC training for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
For more information, visit NSSC or call 570-327-4768.
For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.
Kenneth P. Hellberg Jr., building performance specialist for Pennsylvania College of Technology’s National Sustainable Structures Center, traveled to Washington, D.C., on April 20 to accept the award on behalf of the nonprofit and its training network. NSSC is licensed to administer the BOC program in the mid-Atlantic region.
“The Energy Star Awards highlight the innovative and continuous energy-efficiency efforts of industry leaders,” Hellberg said.Since 1992, the Energy Star program has been responsible for saving consumers and businesses more than $450 billion in energy costs, and the brand is widely recognized and respected in the U.S.
BOC offers personnel at industrial and commercial facilities the improved job skills and knowledge to transform their workplaces into more comfortable, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly spaces. Instruction includes benchmarking building performance through Energy Star’s Portfolio Manager software tool and specifying purchase of Energy Star products and equipment.
The EPA and DOE honored the council for its BOC direction and for support of the City of Seattle’s benchmarking ordinance through the Energy Star Portfolio Manager Help Desk. NEEC coordinates and provides hands-on energy workshops, drop-in sessions, and extensive email and phone support to help customers meet that city’s requirements.
“The awards are both inspiring and motivating, and it’s great to see that NEEC and its BOC program are recognized as leading the way in energy-efficiency training.” Hellberg remarked.
“In an industry undergoing rapid transformation, Energy Star remains a trusted name in promoting energy-efficient equipment and practices, and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council is honored to be a long-term partner,” said Kerry Meade, its executive director. “Our work supporting the City of Seattle in its successful energy benchmark program and NEEC’s ongoing training of building operators rely on Energy Star to underpin success.”
Building Operator Certification is the premier, nationally recognized, competency-based training and certification program for facilities managers, operators and maintenance staff who wish to broaden their knowledge of a building’s total performance. The national program is administered through a network of licensed providers in 37 states and Washington, D.C., who have certified more than 16,000 building technicians across a variety of climate zones.
It is estimated that a BOC-credentialed operator saves an average of 100,500 kilowatt hours of electricity each year. For the 686 operators who earned the credential during 2017, that equates to the energy consumed by 5,500 households over the entire year.
“The 2018 Energy Star award winners have demonstrated real leadership, showing how American families and businesses can save energy, save money and reduce air emissions,” noted Bill Wehrum, EPA’s assistant administrator for air and radiation.
NSSC operates under Penn College’s Workforce Development & Continuing Education department and provides hands-on building science and energy-conservation training. It is the licensed administrator of BOC training for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
For more information, visit NSSC or call 570-327-4768.
For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.