Yesterday, legislation was introduced that would create consumer rebates for irrigation system retrofits; the Irrigation Association asks that you learn more about this bill and call your senator to ask them to support these rebate provisions. During the past year, the Irrigation Association worked tirelessly with allied stakeholders and members of Congress to ensure that water-efficiency incentives were included in the Home Star Retrofit Act of 2010 and that the services of WaterSense-labeled irrigation professionals are part of a proposed retrofit program. 
 
The Home Star Retrofit Act of 2010 was introduced as part of the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act of 2010, a highly-anticipated energy bill which faces an uphill battle in the United States Senate this week. While principally about the Gulf oil spill and related regulations, the legislation also contains a consumer-based rebate program, focusing on creating jobs through incentivizing the purchase of energy- and water-efficient products and services.
 
The Silver Star rebate program, if passed by Congress, will rebate the consumer $150 for services rendered to an existing irrigation system by a WaterSense-labeled irrigation professional, if the cost of the service (not including the cost of products used during the retrofit work) totals $300 or more. The Irrigation Association supports this provision of the legislation and urges Congress to include this portion of the rebate program in the final bill.
 
Also included in the Home Star Retrofit Act of 2010 is a rebate program to incentivize the consumer to reduce whole-home water use by 20 percent, known as the Gold Star rebate program.  While the IA supports efficient irrigation technology, products and services to help the homeowner achieve this reduction in water-use, not enough information is provided in the legislation regarding the nuances of the Gold Star program for the IA to support this provision. Once more information is available on the metrics that will be used to administer this rebate program, the IA will provide that information to the industry.
 
Due to the quick timing of this bill, the IA urges you to contact your senator by calling the Senate switchboard at 202.224.3121 and convey the following message regarding theHome Star provisions of the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act of 2010:

• Support the water efficiency rebate measures contained in the Silver Star program.

• The Gold Star program needs to be clearly defined in the legislation and administered in a way that the program creates jobs through promoting efficient irrigation technologies, products and services, while achieving a 20 percent reduction in whole-home water use. 

As this bill moves through the legislative process, the IA will work with legislative staff directly and in cooperation with allied organizations to retain the Silver Star rebate language and to advocate for Gold Star rebate program language that is more specific and aligned with the interests of the IA membership.

Any questions regarding the Home Star Retrofit Act of 2010, or any other legislative initiative of the IA, please contact IA’s Federal Affairs Director John Farner at john@irrigation.org.

25 rolls 1″ x 300′ NSF $46.00 each

25 rolls 1″ x 300′ Non-NSF $44.00 each

Talk to your BISCO representative for other sizes and quantities.

Offer good until August 6th, 2010

New tools have been developed for Solar Sync that will aid in training, water savings estimation, and installation. These new tools include:

• Solar Sync Application Chart – Shows the compatible controllers and the details of using Solar Sync with each Solar Sync watering.

• Savings Calculator – Excel based calculator that estimates the annual water savings potential for a project using Solar Sync

• Recommended Seasonal Adjustment by Location – Aids in installation of Solar Sync by providing a recommended seasonal adjustment value for each month of the year for different locations throughout the US.

• Installation Detail Drawings – Provided for all compatible controllers in DXF, DWG and PDF format

For more on the Solar Sync, click here.

Water is limited, and although there is plenty of fresh water in the world, people often live in the areas with the least amount of water available. A great deal of electrical energy and natural gas are required to treat, move and supply water. Any conserving actions we take will reduce the costs of energy production, both financially and environmentally.

Heathly landscapes are our assets, and using the correct amount of water ensures that plants are given the best opportunity for sustained growth.

From new installations to the upgrading of older systems, Hunter has the proven products you need to do the job right. Cutting-edge engineering, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, and impeccable quality measures ensure that our products make your world a more beautiful place.

Click here to learn more…

Support an industry campaign to promote water conservation through advanced technology and practices

The Irrigation Association named July Smart Irrigation Month to promote efficient watering practices, technologically advanced irrigation products, and water conservation. Smart Irrigation Month is an opportunity to draw attention to water-saving products, practices and services. Whether you’re in agriculture, landscape or golf course irrigation, whether you’re a manufacturer, distributor, dealer, contractor or grower, and no matter how large or small your business, you can take part in Smart Irrigation Month.

With growing demands straining water resources everywhere, it’s important to promote water-saving products, adopt “best practices” and educate customers about how to do more with less. Smart Irrigation Month is the perfect time for the industry to promote a history of innovation and drive public awareness of the value of irrigation – from crop production to functional green spaces.

Visit www.smartirrigationmonth.org to learn the benefits of supporting Smart Irrigation Month and to discover ideas that will help highlight products and practices making the most efficient use of water.

Free water……

There is no such thing.

Free on-site evaluation……

There is such a thing.

Bryan Sanderson, the manager of BISCO’s Water Management Department, can assist you by evaluating your existing irrigation systems and practices and help you chart a course towards long terms savings.  Water bills, energy bills and labor bills all come into play with your irrigation system.  Budgets for 2010 and beyond are tight and getting tighter.

BISCO can help.

An on-site visit can assess your irrigation control system, field componenets and discuss your current irrigation practices.  We listen to your needs and facility requirements.  BISCO can then format guidelines to assist you in developing an efficient and cost saving water management program.

To set up an on-site visit,

call Bryan Sanderson at

(781) 690-1156

or email at

bsanderson@biscoirrigation.com

Get Smart Seminar

& Product Showcase

March 23^rd, 2010

Four Points, Sheraton

Norwood, MA 

8am – 4pm

$25 per attendee

Smart Technologies, Smart Savings, Smart Profits

 Tradeshow Registration

Come visit us and learn what’s new for the upcoming season! Continue to grow your business with new product lines, new services and new ideas!

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
The Redhook Ale Brewery
Portsmouth, NH
11am – 2pm

Register TODAY online or call Megan Lally at (800) 225-8006!

Tradeshow Registration