Susan Roeder, corporate affairs manager for Andersen Corporation, Jane DeAustin, director of government affairs for the Central Minnesota Builders Association (CMBA), Mike Koenig, sustainability manager for Andersen Corporation, and Maureen McDonough, director of corporate communications and public affairs for Andersen Corporation attended the 2010 Minnesota Chamber of Commerce dinner.
The annual event gives businesses like Andersen a chance to learn more about policy priorities for the upcoming Minnesota legislative session. Last year, Andersen worked with lawmakers to help develop several sustainability initiatives including Project ReEnergize, a nationally recognized program to help people use a federal program to make their homes more efficient.
Project ReEnergize was implemented in 2009 using $2.5 million in funds from the federal 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide rebates to homeowners for energy efficiency upgrades. Since the program launched, it has helped retrofit 1,400 homes in Minnesota with 8,700 energy-efficient windows. The success of Project ReEnergize has led to its use as a potential model for the federal Home Star program.
Project ReEnergize is another example of Andersen’s commitment to not just advocating for sustainable principles, but collaborating with public and private sector groups to help develop programs and policies that produce real results.
The Central Minnesota Builders Assocation, a local nonprofit trade association affiliated with the Builders Association of Minnesota and the National Association of Home Builders, helped in the creation and roll out of Project ReEnergize. The nonprofit’s more than 550 members are involved in all phases of the Central Minnesota building industry and work to foster a healthy business environment for the building industry.
Andersen is excited about the possibilities the 2010 legislative session could bring for sustainability initiatives.
