In my last post, I let you know about a new energy-efficient mortgage program called Michigan Saves. It's pretty cool, but it's only for residential properties. Suppose you own a commercial building and you want to make some energy improvements. If you're in Ann Arbor... well, you're in luck.

Ann Arbor is pioneering a new state-enabled program called PACE, which stands for Property Assessed Clean Energy. Through this program, an energy contractor will:

• come look at your building and provide an energy audit;
• suggest ways to lower your costs with the highest payback energy-efficient improvements;
• hire trades to do the improvements;
• and guarantee that the money you spend on those improvements will be made up in energy savings over time.

The city provides the capital to fund this work, while the cost of the improvements are assessed against your property. You pay the city back over time as you pay your property taxes: Property assessed.

With the right improvements, you can save through lower energy bills because you are consuming less energy: Clean energy.

So it's good for you, good for the planet and it's good for the region, as the program will create jobs, stimulate the economy and lower the operating costs for local businesses.

I am going to get up to PACE right here and on this PDF. Then I'm going to contact Wendy Barrott at wbarrott@a2gov.org or at 734-794-6430, ext. 43724.

Linda Lombardini lives and works and owns residential and commercial property in Ann Arbor. She's as green as she can be and wants to keep pace with energy improvements. You can contact her at Linda@TrilliumRealtors.com.