Better Buildings, Better Plants Voluntary Pledge Program

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Overview

Cover Page
Form
Calculator
FAQ

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Sheet 1: Cover Page

		OMB Control Number - 1910-5141 Form Exp. Date - 6/30/2019
What are In-Plant Trainings (INPLTs)?
INPLTs are an approach to developing energy efficiency expertise primarily within DOE Better Plants Companies. The purpose of the events is to give hands-on training in a real world environment to energy management staff from multiple plants. Events range from 2 - 4 days (depending on the system type and plant size and complexity) and are led by DOE energy experts who train participants on how to conduct assessments, use DOE tools, develop energy management systems, and implement and replicate energy projects. INPLTs are also intended to expand the level of attendance from beyond a single facility to include: a) multiple facilities of a single company, b) participants from other companies in the Better Plants program, identified as appropriate by the host facility, and c) other resource providers including state agencies, utilities vendors and suppliers identified as apporpriate by the host.
Application Criteria
Criteria #	Description	Why this is important to DOE
1	Number of Trainees	Objectives of the INPLTs are to train multiple participants from the host plant/company as well as from other invited plants /companies on energy efficiency and energy project implementation and replication so that trainees may evaluate and potentially replicate the energy projects in their own facilities. Invited particpants may also inlcude suppliers and vendors.
2	Inviting non-facility external participants such as other Better Plants Partners and utility and state agency representatives	Since the main objective of this event is to build capacity within participating plants on technical aspects of energy efficiency and management, hands-on training within the plant is required. This is accomplished by allowing participants to see first hand energy management best practices that were proven feasible in the host plant for potential replication when they return to their plants. Host plants agree to provide invited participants with this access. In addition, to build practices and/or strengthen relationships between local resources such as utility and state agency representatives so that the host plant may benefit from incentive programs offered by utilities and/or leverage resources that may be available at the State (Energy Office or related agencies.)
3	Information Sharing	One objective of the Better Plants program is to highlight and recognize Partner's actions and accomplishments. DOE may wish to publicize high-level INPLT results through public communication channels such as the DOE's Beat Blog, social media and annual Better Plants progress reports. In doing so, DOE will work with host plants to protect confidential information, but some plant, energy, and savings information may be published in DOE communications material.
4	Annual Source Energy Consumption at Host Plant	This piece of information is essential as it indicates the level of energy use in the host plant where training activities will take place -- generally, the bigger the energy footprint, the more likely the existence of diverse energy practices, projects and training activities. This should not, however, stop Better Plants partners with smaller energy footprints from applying as special arrangements can be made for smaller facilities.
5	Cost Share	Cost share is defined as dollars provided by the host facility to offset the direct costs to the government, which allows DOE to conduct more training events in a given year. Cost share should be provided to fund the instructor(s) time and travel. Expenses incurred in hosting the event (such as providing lunch and meeting space, for example) do not count as cost share for the purposes of this application.

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Sheet 2: Form

Instructions:
1. All applications are due on x/xx/xxx - Selected applicants will be announced on or about x/x/xxxx
2. Work with your Technical Account Manager (TAM) if you need help completing the application.
3. Higher scores will improve the likelihood of approval.
4. DOE will give preference to companies that have not yet hosted an INPLT. Companies that hosted an INPLT through the most recent application round are unlikely to receive one in the following round.
5. DOE will give preference to companies that include cost-share.
6. DOE will only award INPLTs to companies that are current with their Better Plants annual reporting requirements.
7. DOE asks that companies applying for INPLTs be prepared to host an event within six months of being selected.
8. In making selections, DOE is seeking to maintain diversity of companies, company size, industry sector, and topic area.
9. For Treasure Hunt Exchanges, points will be given to applications that specifically call out and plan to perform a "Exchange" with another partner or with another plant belonging to the same partner. Separate applications from both Exchange partners/plants need to submitted; each application should make reference to the other Exchange partner/plant.
10. If awarded an INPLT event, you agree to allow the event to be announced in the DOE produced Better Buildings Better Plants Newsletter and the DOE Advanced Manufacturing Office website under Events Calendars. These announcements would include the event dates, location (city and state) and the host company name.
11.   If awarded an INPLT event, you agree to 1) allow INPLT participants to take a plant tour, and 2) measure plant-level energy use and performance for use as a classroom training case study.
12.   If awarded an INPLT event, you agree to provide pre-INPLT data (system or equipment specific energy consumption and operating data, plant layout, etc.) to energy expert and/or TAM. This information helps energy experts and TAMs in delivering successful pre-INPLT preparation webinar and INPLT event.
13. If awarded an INPLT event, you agree to provide post-INPLT data (INPLT results, recommendation level data, participation related data, evaluation data, etc.) to the TAM. A follow-up will be conducted by the TAM roughly one year after the event to collect implementation data.
14. If awarded an INPLT event, companies are encouraged to work with their TAM and internal corporate communications team to highlight the INPLT successes and outcomes through various mechanisms (such as internal company mechanisms - newsletters, social media, etc- and the DOE's Beat Blog)
Step 1: Please describe your goals for this INPLT, and identify the positive impacts you believe it will have on your corporate energy management efforts (DOE will consider these responses in the evaluation process)
Step 2: Basic Host Plant Information
Corporate Name:			Corporate - City & State:
Plant Name:			Plant Address:
Primary Product:			Plant State:
Industry Type:	Industry		Plant City:
NAICS Code:	NAICS Codes		Plant ZIP:
Step 3: Key Contact Information (Host Plant):
Key Contacts	Name		Office/Cell Phone	Email
Corporate Key Contact Person
Host Plant Manager
Host Plant Engineering Manager
Host Plant Utility Manager/Energy Manager
Step 4: Select Energy System Type(s) in the Host Plant for which Assessment and Training are being requested
			(Drop Down Menu)
Which topic areas are you interested in focusing on during the INPLT? (Please use drop down down menu (Compressed Air - Process Heating - Steam - Pumps - Fans - Treasure Hunt Exchange - Wastewater/Water - Industrial Refrigeration - 50001 Ready)			(Please Select)
			If multisystem, please specify systems -
Step 5: Application Criteria - Your responses will help DOE determine your plant's eligibility to receive INPLT
Criteria			Score Points	Your Selection	Your Score
1. How many total trainees (internal to company, and external, including those from item 2 below) are expected to attend? (Please Note: a) The total number of Trainees may be up to 25 b) Host Site agrees to provide meeting space, meals, and commit portion of internal staff time - these items do not consititute cost-share.)			0-4 = 0 pts. 5-8 = 10 pts. 9-12 = 20 pts. 13-16 = 30 pts. 17-20 = 40 pts. >20 = 50 pts.	0	0
2. Willingness to invite and allow plant access for specific energy systems to non-facility representatives from outside the host plant, including: other Better Plants partners, local utilities, state agencies, vendors, and supply chain companies.			(0 for NO) (15 for YES)	No	0
3. Willingness to share non-proprietary energy system evaluation results and key findings with DOE and the public. (DOE will work with host plants to protect confidential information, but some plant, energy, and savings information may be published in DOE communications material.)			(0 for NO) (15 for YES)	No	0
4. Annual Source Energy Consumption (Host Plant) ….. USE Calculator Tab			(0) < 1 TBTU/yr (5) 1 to 5 TBTU/yr (10) 6 to 10 TBTU/yr (15) > 10 TBTU/yr	0.00	0
5. Cost Share (to cover instructor time--does not include time and expenses incurred on event logistics). Higher scores will be given to host sites that cost share part of the instructor cost or pay for an additional instructor to investigate additonal energy system. (Please Note: Cost share is especially encouraged for companies that hosted an INPLT in previous rounds).			$2001 - $4000 = 15 pts. $4001 - $5000 = 20 pts. $5001 - $6000 = 25 pts. $6001 - $7000 = 30 pts. $7001 - $8000 = 35 pts. $8001 - $9000 = 40 pts. $9001 - $10,000 = 45 pts. >$10,000 = 50 pts.	$0	0
5a) Please indicate intended use of the proposed cost-share, if applicable (select from the drop down menu)			(Please Select, if Applicable)
6. Please indicate if you're applying for a Treasure Hunt Exchange if you're willing to exchange a team of employees with another plant or another partner.			(0 for NO) (15 for YES)	No	0
			Total Score		0
This data is being collected to support the Department of Energy Better Buildings Initiative. The data you supply will be used for developing best practices to facilitate reductions in energy intensity by commercial, manufacturing, and community organizations. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.5 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Office of the Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Policy Development & Implementation Office, IM-22, Paperwork Reduction Project (1910-5141), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC, 20585-1290; and to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA, Paperwork Reduction Project (1910-5141), Washington, DC 20503. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number. Submission of this data is voluntary.

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Sheet 3: Calculator

	Host Plant Annual Energy Consumption (Energy Foot Print)
	Energy Type		Enter Data in Cells below	Calculated MMBTU (Source)
	Annual Electricity Consumption (MWH/year)		0	0
	Annual Electricity Cost ($/year)		$0
	Annual Natural Gas Consumption (MMBtu/year)		0	0
	Annual Natural Gas Cost ($/year)		$0
	Annual Coal Consumption (MMBtu/year)		0	0
	Annual Coal Cost ($/year)		$0
	Annual other Fuel Consumption (MMBtu/year)		0	0
	Annual other Fuel Cost ($/year)		$0
	Total (TBTU - "Source"/yr)			0.00

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Sheet 4: FAQ

	Cost share is characterized as dollars provided by the host facility to offset the direct costs to the government, which allows DOE to conduct more training events in a given year. Primary cost share is a cash contribution provided by the host facility directly to the training instructor which covers in whole (or partially, in conjunction with DOE funds) the cost of the primary assessment and training. Primary cost share is provided in addition to the in-kind resources the host provides during the event. (These in-kind resources includes items such as the venue, food or other related logistic expenses incurred to host the event.) In certain circumstances, secondary cost-share may be considered. Secondary cost share could include; 1) a second systems area in the training (covering the costs of a second instructor), 2) additional technical assistance provided to the plant by the Expert or additional time of the Expert beyond what is charged for the primary assessment and training, or 3) for other items TBD (not to include the essential logistics of hosting the event.) These secondary options will be separately considered on a case by case basis. A drop-down menu is provided in the application to identify if the proposed cost-share is primary or secondary.
FAQ 2	How often can I receive an INPLT?
	DOE will give preference to companies that have not yet received an INPLT. Companies who received an INPLT in the prior round are unlikely to be considered for the very next round.
FAQ 3	If my plant is small, can I still apply to INPLT?
	All plants / companies, regardless of size, are eligible and encouraged to apply for an INPLT. DOE strives to grant INPLT awards to a diverse group of companies and plants. In most cases, small plant awards are shorter in duration than typical INPLT awards (2 days vs. 4 days).
FAQ 4	How are selections made to receive an INPLT?
	In addition to the four scoring criteria shown in the "Form Tab," DOE considers other factors such as geographic location of the host facility and whether the company is current on its annual report. Additionally, DOE seeks to maintain diversity among company type, industry sector, and energy system being assessed.
FAQ 5	What is an Exchange?
	An Exchange, specifically for Treasure Hunts, is where two plants agree to coordinate INPLT events so that teams from each plant will attend and participate in the others event. The teams can be from two different partners or from different plants within a partner organization. These events are encouraged by DOE to promote replication and knowledge transfer beyond one plant. If two partners want to participate, separate applications will need to be submitted by both partners. Within each application, partners should specifically reference the exchange and the other partner within the STEP 1 description box.
This data is being collected to support the Department of Energy Better Buildings Initiative. The data you supply will be used for developing best practices to facilitate reductions in energy intensity by commercial, manufacturing, and community organizations. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.5 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Office of the Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Policy Development & Implementation Office, IM-22, Paperwork Reduction Project (1910-5141), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC, 20585-1290; and to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA, Paperwork Reduction Project (1910-5141), Washington, DC 20503. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number. Submission of this data is voluntary.