Miami-Dade County is offering $1 million in commercial rebates to local Miami-Dade businesses for the purchase of new ENERGY STAR appliances or select equipment. The Miami-Dade Commercial Rebate Program is offered to decrease energy consumption and increase savings on local businesses’ energy bills by encouraging the replacement of older and inefficient appliances or select equipment.

Rebates will be available to Miami-Dade County businesses only, on a first-come, first-serve basis, by completing the Green Business Certification Application Checklist.

Rebates are also available to Miami-Dade County hotels that have obtained the State of Florida Green Lodging designation. Hotels interested in participating in the rebate program can request additional information at greenbusiness@miamidade.gov.

The rebate amount will be determined on a case-by-case basis, as is not to exceed $10,000 per application. Complete applications must be submitted and purchases made by August 8, 2012. Program funding is limited, and is made available through the County’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Steps to apply for a rebate
Step 1 -- Green Business Certification Application Checklist

• Complete the Green Business Certification Application Checklist. A "green" passing score is not required to be eligible for a Commercial Rebate. A Commercial Rebate Application will be sent directly to all businesses upon completing the Application Checklist.

Step 2 -- Commercial Rebate Application

• Schedule a verification site visit with County Staff. Also, select eligible appliances or equipment for purchase from the list of ENERGY STAR-qualified equipment.
  
  
• At the time of the Green Business Certification verification site visit, the applicant must submit documentation on the proposed ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances or equipment selected for replacement and purchase.
  
  
• Once approved, the applicant may purchase and install the approved ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances or select equipment. Miami-Dade County reserves the right to make an additional inspection to verify appliance(s) or equipment installation.
  
  
• Recycle or dispose of old appliances or select equipment according to federal and state laws and regulations. Ensure, and provide proof, the old appliance is not resold or put back into service.
  • Refer to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) list of companies that demanufacture and recycle televisions, computers and other electronic equipment. By providing this list, DEP and Miami-Dade County do not endorse specific equipment or companies.
  
  
• Complete the Commercial Rebate Application and gather required documentation for the Commercial Rebate Application Package -- it must include the original receipt of purchase for the ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances or equipment purchased, a completed W-9 form and a copy of the Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax receipt.
  
  Appliance(s) or equipment name and model number must be printed on receipt. Proof of appliance(s)/select equipment disposal is required in application package.

Step 3 -- Commercial Rebate Payment

• Mail completed Application Package to:
  Miami-Dade Commercial Rebate Program
  Office of Sustainability
  111 NW 1st Street, 22nd Floor
  Miami, FL 33128
  
  
• The Application Package is reviewed for compliance, and a rebate check will be issued for the agreed upon amount. The rebate amount is determined on a case-by-case basis.

• Rebate checks are made payable to the business name as it appears on this application form and the Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax receipt. Rebate checks will be mailed within 30 days of rebate approval.

For more information, email greenbusiness@miamidade.gov.