Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program Helping Minnesota institutions, organizations, and small businesses reduce their environmental impact since 2001

RETAP Services Facility Assessments Community Sustainability Assistance

RETAP Facility Assessments Environmental assessments for Minnesota’s institutions, non- profits, and small to midsized businesses Highly qualified engineers and environmentalists Review of HVAC systems, energy use, lighting, water use, waste/recycling, toxicity and stormwater Consideration of systems and operations Written report with recommendations for action Voluntary—not regulatory No charge for services

RETAP Mission and Goal  Mission: To help Minnesota institutions, organizations, and small businesses reduce their environmental impact through energy conservation and waste reduction.  Goal: To provide each client with an onsite assessment, a written report, and follow-up contact encouraging and assisting the client to implement the recommendations identified by the RETAP team.

Typical Assessment 1. Pre-assessment (utility bills, benchmarking using Minnesota and EPA benchmarks) 2. On-site assessment (2-person team) 3. Evaluation of findings 4. Presentation and discussion of written report and recommendations (reductions, savings, rebate opportunities, next steps) 5. Follow-up (in 6-12 months)

RETAP Background Established program – Started 2001 with EPA grant Oversight and financial support now provided by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Team of 16 retired engineers and professionals giving back to Minnesota after distinguished careers in: ⁃ aeronautical physics ⁃ education ⁃ mechanical & electrical engineering ⁃ lighting ⁃ HVAC design ⁃ solid waste ⁃ stormwater management ⁃ and more!

On Site Assessment

Performance Trends

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RETAP Helps Clients Decrease energy use and energy costs. Reduce waste Find waste and toxicity prevention opportunities. Meet state requirements such as B3 energy use benchmarking and the Public Entities Recycling statute (recycle at least 3 materials). Prioritize potential projects and locate applicable financing resources.

“Several team members of RETAP came to our school and spent the better part of a day looking at every aspect of our energy consumption from our old 1959 boilers to the kind of dumpster we use… The beauty of this group of highly intelligent, green-thinking and motivated professionals is they have nothing to sell but good advice and no agenda but to help. I was thrilled with the finds they identified that illustrated what an already great job I was doing, and more impressed with many findings I was clueless to. All this at no cost, it is unreal really. I would highly recommend it to any facility wanting to go green and save energy intelligently and realistically. RETAP rocks! Were’ saving more energy than ever before.” RETAP consultant (left) checks out a client’s boiler --Mitch Carmody, Facilities Manager

Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program Find out more or schedule an assessment at your facility: Michael VennewitzAneka Swanson RETAP Coordinator MPCA