b'Businesses already are adapting to a warming climate, which is bringing bigger and more destructive wildfires, longer and deeper drought and more frequent rain-on-snow events that cause flooding. Some of the consequences include higher insurance bills, the need to use more energy and costs for making buildings more fire-resistant. Business owners (and residents) can take steps that both save money and help solve the underlying cause of the growing climate crisis, by reducing the use of energy, fossil fuels and other sources of greenhouse gas emissions.Many small steps, taken together, can make a difference. Green Business Network Sierra Business Council can help small B usinesses thatbusinesses lower energy billstake steps toward environmental sustainability can use ZERO-INTEREST FINANCINGthat status to attract ENERGY SERVICEScustomersand a statewide program showsASSIST WITH FUNDING OPTIONS business owners how to get there. SUCH AS ZERO-INTERESTThe California Green Business Network offers guidance to business owners wantingS mall business owners can get help when they make investments to lower to save money on energy, water, garbagetheir energy use. The Sierra Business Council offers free services that show collection and other bills. By implementingpeople how they can reduce their utility bills and get help with the cost of environmental sustainability practicesthose investments.recommended by the network, businessesThrough the councils Sierra Nevada Energy Watch program, business owners also can improve employee wellness andcan get a free audit of their energy use, look for ways to lower that use, and find productivity with steps such as using less-toxicrebates that offset energy-saving improvements. Some improvements also may cleaning products.qualify for zero-interest financing of the costs up-front.Business owners wanting to see whatEnergy-saving improvements commonly include upgrades to heating, practices might work for them can get helpventilation, air conditioning and insulation, replacing doors and windows, roof through the Sierra Business Council, says therepairs and new lighting.SBCs Green Business Coordinator Katey Ford, Every business owners situation is different, and the improvements and financial based in Truckee. options vary accordingly, says SNEW Program Manager Sam Ruderman, based in Several businesses in eastern Nevada CountyTruckee.So many buildings still have outdated and inefficient light fixtures that already are on board, and on the western slope, BriarPatch Food Co-op in Grass Valley is thecan easily be replaced by LEDs for the interior and exterior, Ruderman adds.first to become certified through the GreenFourteen counties, including Nevada, Placer, Yolo and Sierra, are part of the Business Network. BriarPatch SustainabilitySNEW program. The Public Purchase Program charge, a small monthly fee paid by Coordinator Lauren Scott encourages businessall Pacific Gas and Electric Co. account-holders, pays for the program. owners to check it out. The (networks) surveySNEW helps both governmental agencies and businesses: Nevada City replaced questions cover a vast scope of operationalthe heating system for the mens and womens showers at the Pioneer Park pool details and will likely shed light on newwith high-efficiency, hot-water heat pumps, says Sierra Business Councils Katey opportunities for any business, Scott adds. Ford. In El Dorado County, the transit authority upgraded its lighting. Savings are More than 60 percent of Americanin the thousands of dollars yearly, SNEW reported.consumers care about whether businessesSmall- to medium-sized businesses that use less than 500,000 kilowatt-hours per engage in sustainable environmental practices,year of electricity qualify for the program. (Homeowners are not eligible as of this according to a 2021 study by global strategy andwriting, but the program may expand in the future, Ford says.)pricing consultants Simon-Kucher & Partners.Working with SNEW, a vetted energy contractor comes to the business and Around 40 percent of younger shoppers arelater sends a written report outlining areas where energy could be saved and willing to pay more for sustainable productshow. With help from SNEW and the contractor, the business owner learns and services, the survey found. about resources available to make those improvements, including financing CALIFORNIA GREEN BUSINESS NETWORK opportunities such as rebates.WWW.GREENBUSINESSCA.ORG Many energy-saving upgrades may qualify for a zero-interest loan that comes 16 Nevada County Business Focus'