See how high-efficiency equipment helped the nonprofit earn more than $60,000 in incentives.
Savings at a Glance
By participating in the BGE Combined Heat and Power program, Columbia Association was able to take advantage of financial incentives to install a combined heat and power system in a 24-hour sports complex.
In 1967, a forward-thinking developer broke ground on a brand-new community 20 miles south of Baltimore. The development would be a complete city with a sound economic base and housing to match the incomes of those who work there. Further, it would respect the land, provide for the growth of its residents and make a profit. Now, 50 years later, Columbia, Maryland, has about 36,000 homes and apartments and is living up to its founders’ aspirations, topping Money magazine’s 2016 list of the best places to live.
The organization charged with preserving the small city's enduring appeal is the Columbia Association (CA), a nonprofit public service corporation. CA serves a community of about 100,000 residents and operates three fitness clubs, two golf clubs, an ice rink and more than two dozen pools.
"Intrinsic in our operations is a progressive view toward sustainability," says Jeremy Scharfenberg, CA's energy manager. That’s one of the reasons the association has been an active participant in BGE's Smart Energy Savers Program® for years, investing in upgrades to improve the community's energy efficiency and save money.