The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and CleanEdison Inc. announced today a partnership to offer a series of certificate-based classes specializing in energy efficiency training. The partnership provides the only class in New York City offering Building Energy Sustainability certification.

Recognizing the need to better equip New York City’s facility operators and building managers with the essential skills in sustainability and energy conservation, the series opens with the course, Building Energy Sustainability Technician Training. The four-day course is for commercial building professionals interested in reducing energy usage in their facilities, which can save energy and money. It will be given in the Great Hall at Cooper Union beginning November 12, 2012, and will be led by Susan Dee, previously of the New York State Energy Office with more than twenty years of instructing experience. Ms. Dee has audited over 100 multifamily and over 50 government and institutional buildings.

Commercial energy auditor training prepares facility managers, property owners, building engineers and others in the industry to find the strengths and weaknesses in the energy usage of a commercial building. On average, building operators who are trained in energy efficiency can save an estimated 72,000 kWh per year in their facilities, equivalent to $12,000 annually at average national electricity rates, according to a study by the Building Operator Certification (BOC) company. This course may be eligible for energy efficiency incentives and rebates in New York State.

At the end of the course at Cooper Union, students who pass the final exam will be nationally-recognized and awarded the Building Energy Sustainability Technician (BEST) Certification by the Association of Energy Engineers.

“Cooper Union is delighted to expand its already diverse range of Continuing Education courses and professional certificate programs by partnering with CleanEdison to engage a new audience,” said David Greenstein, director of continuing education and public programs at The Cooper Union. “The training courses fill an important need in New York City for entry level professionals who are seeking to update their skills and successfully compete in the workforce in the areas of facilities maintenance and operations. This is a win not only for the employees, but also for the building owners who will benefit from significant energy savings and cost reductions.”

"Energy efficiency is an incredibly important part of clean energy, though renewable energy tends to get more headlines," said Avi Yashchin, CEO of CleanEdison. "The energy and cost savings that come from knowing how to operate a commercial building efficiently can be tremendous."

As part of the series, Cooper Union and CleanEdison will also partner to provide courses in Entry Level Solar Thermal and Entry Level Solar Photovoltaic.

About CleanEdison:

CleanEdison Inc. is a national training provider focused on clean technology education, offering online, in-classroom, and hands-on vocational training to building professionals, businesses, postsecondary institutions, and government organizations. To date, CleanEdison has trained and certified thousands of individuals, offering courses in: Energy Auditing, Green Building and LEED, Building Occupant and Management Training, Green Deconstruction and Materials Re-Use, Geothermal, Hybrid Car and Electric Vehicles Technology, Solar and Wind Training.

About Cooper Union:

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a distinguished private college of art, architecture and engineering founded in 1859 by Peter Cooper, an inventor, industrialist and philanthropist.

"On average, building operators who are trained in energy efficiency can save an estimated 72,000 kWh per year in their facilities, equivalent to $12,000 annually at average national electricity rates"