NSSC Accepts Energy-Efficiency Award on Behalf of Industry Partner

Published 06.17.2016

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The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council, national sponsor of the Building Operator Certification program that trains and certifies workers in best practices for energy efficiency, has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with a 2016 Energy Star Award.

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s National Sustainable Structures Center is part of the network of licensed providers nationwide helping to administer the BOC program. Alison A. Diehl, NSSC director, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to accept the award on behalf of the nonprofit and its training coalition.

“EPA does an outstanding job in recognizing industry partners that are achieving real impacts on energy-efficiency efforts,” Diehl said. “We are proud to represent NEEC and the national Building Operator Certification, a program that teaches facilities personnel to improve occupant comfort while maximizing facility efficiency.”



Alison A. Diehl, director of Penn College’s National Sustainable Structures Center, accepts The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council Energy Star award from Jacob Moss, deputy director of the EPA Climate Protection Partnerships Division. (Photo provided)BOC offers personnel at industrial and commercial facilities the improved job skills and knowledge to transform their workplaces into more comfortable, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly spaces. Instruction includes benchmarking building performance through Energy Star’s Portfolio Manager software tool and in specifying purchase of Energy Star products and equipment.

The EPA honored NEEC for Excellence in Energy Efficiency Program Delivery through its BOC program and support of the City of Seattle’s benchmarking ordinance with the Energy Star Portfolio Manager Help Desk.

“The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council’s push to promote Energy Star products is teaching consumers to make smarter and more energy-efficient buying decisions,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said. “NEEC is encouraging Americans to save money, save energy and do their part to reduce our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.”

NEEC coordinates and provides hands-on energy benchmarking workshops, drop-in sessions, and email and phone support to help Seattle customers meet that city’s requirements. For 2014-15, compliance rates reached 99 percent, and a similar compliance percentage is anticipated for the 2016 reporting period.  The Help Desk engages customers in a discussion of energy-efficiency improvements, Energy Star certification, as well as sending referrals to local utility incentive and rebate programs.

Building Operator Certification is competency-based and offered at two levels: The first emphasizes energy-efficient building operation and maintenance practices; the second focuses on preventive maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment.

More than 12,000 building operators have received BOC certification across the United States. The national program is administered through a network of licensed providers in 35 states and Washington, D.C., who train building technicians across diverse climate zones.

NSSC at Penn College is the licensed administrator of BOC training in the mid-Atlantic region (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia). NSSC’s mission is to provide building science and energy conservation training in both the commercial and residential fields. Since its inception in 1985, NSSC has taught more than 17,000 individuals in building-science standards and energy-efficient retrofit techniques.

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.