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SPEER's Industry & Policy Workshop: September 19-20

This year's SPEER Industry + Policy Workshop will be held in Austin at the Archer Hotel on September 19-20th.  Join us in the Lone Star state for insightful discussions and presentations encompassing:

• Consumer’s role in resiliency: shifting demand with energy efficient policies and residential demand response programs
• Heat pump research insights & a deep dive into estimated energy requirements (EER) and their impact on heat pump adoption
• Navigating DERs policy implementation and VPP expansion 
• Overcoming skill gaps in local governments as they prepare their communities for a clean energy future and build resiliency

Head over to our registration page to save your spot and browse sponsorship opportunities! Interested in sponsoring our rooftop happy hour reception or providing attendees with a company-branded custom welcome gift? We got you covered. If caffeine is more your thing we invite you to sponsor a coffee and snack break. The SPEER team looks forward to seeing you in the fall!

Upcoming Webinars

Building a Sustainable Future: Affordable Housing Innovations

May 14 at 10:30 AM CST

At Levven, our mission is clear: making homes more affordable to build, purchase, and operate. We are excited to invite you to our upcoming webinar, where we will explore innovative strategies to reduce the costs and environmental impact of homebuilding. Our experts are passionate about developing products that not only save time and materials but also enhance the value delivered to all stakeholders involved in the homebuilding process. This webinar will provide valuable insights for builders, tradespeople, and anyone interested in the intersection of affordability and sustainability in the housing industry. Join us to find out how Levven is making a difference in the world by making essential shelter affordable and environmentally friendly.

Speakers:

• Sean Vo, National Director of Sales and Strategic Partnership, Levven Electronics
• Vanessa Wright, Sustainability Manager, Levven Electronics

Catch a Recap

Our region’s peak energy demand is driven by residential and small commercial heating and cooling, but new advancements for heat pumps, including variable speed systems, may provide necessary energy reductions during the hottest summer days and coldest winter nights. However, adoption in Texas and Oklahoma is not where it needs to be yet to effectively reduce peak demand.

Unable to attend our recent webinar on the Implications of EER Requirements on Heat Pump Adoption in Texas and Oklahoma? Head over to our YouTube channel to watch the recording as we reviewed the efficiencies gained by these systems, discussed the EER issues that remain, and looked forward to policy implications for this transformative technology. With federal and state incentives available and additional funds from the IRA likely, there are concerns with the EER requirements and its impacts to heat pump adoption policy.

New SPEER Blogs

2024 Texas IOU Energy Efficiency Plan & Report Blog

Annually on April 1st the Texas investor-owned utilities (IOU) are required to file their energy efficiency plan & report (EEPR) to the Public Utility Commission of Texas. We’ve crunched the numbers for the 2024 calendar year reports and published a blog with our impressions.

"Energy Efficiency & the 2024 Solar Eclipse" Blog

Texans’ eyes were pinned to the sky for April's total solar eclipse, where parts of the state were dipped into near-darkness for almost two minutes. At the same time, many were holding to see how Texas’ electrical grid would fare during this exceptional event, where solar output dropped below 1% during the eclipse’s peak. As we reflect on the event, dive into SPEER’s new blog to see how renewables are providing record energy supply, and the relation between the 2024 eclipse and energy efficiency in the state of Texas.

New "Oklahoma: Powering Forward" Newsletter

We are excited to announce a new newsletter from SPEER focused on the latest energy developments in Oklahoma! In this edition we will cover policy, legislative advocacy, grant opportunities, climate action plan adoption, the changing landscape of building codes, and ways local governments are driving efficiency forward. If you are interested in getting on this distribution list and receiving this newsletter, or one of SPEER’s other four newsletter options, you can update your preferences here.

PUC Questions for Comment: Review of Energy Efficiency Planning

Earlier this year the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) staff filed a memo to provide implementation updates on the blueprint for wholesale electric market redesign. This included an open item with regards to setting higher performance standards for energy efficiency programs. Last month, questions to the efficiency docket became public. SPEER encourages the public and interested parties to provide written comments to Docket 56517: Reviewing Energy Efficiency Planning by noon on May 23. This review aims to scope existing rules and implement Senate Bill (SB) 1699 from the 88th Legislative Session. If you’re interested in discussing further or have questions, please contact our State and Local Policy manager, Noah Oaks:  Noaks@eepartnership.org.

ACEEE Scorecard Released

Which U.S. cities have made the most progress toward increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions? The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy recently released their 2024 City Clean Energy Scorecard, which ranks 75 of the largest cities on these metrics, identifies the best-performing cities, the most improved, those with substantial room for improvement, and makes recommendations for making further progress. Find out which cities are leading the way and where your city ranks.

DOE Better Buildings Campaign

"As an inaugural partner in the Better Buildings Commercial Heat Pump Accelerator, SPEER is demonstrating a commitment to leadership and collaboration,” said Maria Vargas, Director of U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Initiative. “We are thrilled to work together on this important initiative to drive greater energy efficiency in our nation’s buildings.”

Read the presss release.

2024 North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Construction Code Survey

Our friends at the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) are conducting a Regional Code Adoption survey to collect essential data regarding the adoption of building codes and the implementation of regional amendments recommended by the Regional Codes Coordinating Committee (RCCC). This initiative aims to standardize model building codes across North Central Texas, promoting uniformity and enhancing regulatory compliance. By participating in this survey, stakeholders can contribute to the development of more efficient and effective building regulations. The insights gathered will help streamline processes and ensure that local construction standards meet the highest levels of safety and efficiency.

We invite you to take a moment to complete this important survey which should only take 10-15 minutes of your time. Thank you in advance!

What We're Reading

Decarbonizing the U.S. Economy by 2050: A National Blueprint for the Buildings Sector - U.S. Department of Energy



TEPRI Community Voices in Energy Survey Statewide Report - TEPRI