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Hey there!
As the sun shines brighter and temperatures rise, it's time to embrace the summer spirit! Whether you're planning a getaway or enjoying the warmth from your backyard, we've got some important updates and exciting events lined up for you.
Summer Energy Insights: With the mercury climbing, we're all in for some warmer days ahead. Keep an eye out for higher electricity bills as buildings crank up the AC. But fret not, we've got tips and tricks to help you stay cool while keeping your energy bills in check.
Air Quality Alert: Along with the summer heat, comes the occasional ozone alert. We're here to keep you informed and equipped with ways to maintain healthy air quality in your community.
Webinars to Keep You Engaged: Get ready to mark your calendars! This summer, we're hosting a series of webinars to dive deep into topics like community resilience, West Texas perspectives, and how utilities can better engage with you. Stay tuned for more details!
So, let's make this summer one to remember! Stay connected, stay informed, and most importantly, stay cool.
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In this newsletter:
- SPEER Events
- Mark Your Calendar: Exciting CELC Webinars Ahead
- Spotlight on CELC: Member Events and Updates
- Secure the Funds: Latest Grant Opportunities Available
- What We're Reading: Insights and Inspiration
- Career Moves: Hot Opportunities and Job Openings You Should Know
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Calling All Local Governments to SPEER's
Industry + Policy Workshop 2024!
Join us in Austin at the Archer Hotel on September 19-20 for this year's SPEER Industry + Policy Workshop! This event is packed with insightful discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities aimed at advancing energy efficiency and sustainability across the region.
Special Local Government Session:
We're hosting a dedicated session for local governments, focusing on:
- Tax Rebates and Grant Opportunities: Learn about upcoming funding mechanisms that can support your community's energy projects.
- Funding Mechanisms: Explore various avenues to secure financial support for energy initiatives.
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CELC Meeting: Join us for a casual meeting to discuss our newly funded programs and discover ways to get involved.
Workshop Highlights:
Our agenda includes a variety of topics crucial for local governments and energy professionals:
- Consumer's Role in Resiliency: Discuss how energy-efficient policies and residential demand response programs can shift demand and enhance resilience.
- Heat Pump Research Insights: Learn about the estimated energy requirements (EER) and their impact on heat pump adoption.
- Navigating DERs Policy Implementation and VPP Expansion: Understand the intricacies of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) policies and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) expansion.
- Overcoming Skill Gaps: Address local governments' challenges in preparing their communities for a clean energy future and building resiliency.
Take advantage of this opportunity to connect with industry experts, policymakers, and peers in the energy sector.
Register Today!
You can just head over to our registration page to save your spot. The SPEER team and I look forward to seeing you in the fall.
Let's work together to build a sustainable and resilient future. See you in Austin!
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Local Governments: Special Membership Offer from SPEER!
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Are you already a Community Energy Leadership Coalition Member? Local governments can now join SPEER for only $250 and enjoy full member benefits!
The South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER) is dedicated to promoting energy-efficient building systems and products in Texas and Oklahoma. By becoming a member, you join a diverse coalition of over 60 entities, including utilities, contractors, engineers, developers, and government bodies, all working towards a sustainable and healthy environment.
Why Join SPEER?
Membership Benefits:
- Events & Conferences:
- Enjoy discounted rates.
- Network with industry leaders and peers.
- Presentation Opportunities:
- Share your expertise in our webinars and panel discussions.
- Local Impact:
- Engage in initiatives that reduce energy consumption and promote sustainability in your community.
- Policy Advocacy:
- Influence policy development to support and enhance energy efficiency.
- Professional Development:
- Access our upcoming on-demand energy courses specifically designed for local governments.
Special Membership Offer:
Take advantage of our 18-month membership special available until 8/31, extending your benefits through 2025. Your participation and support are vital to advancing our mission and creating a sustainable future.
Join SPEER today and be part of the energy efficiency revolution!
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Mark Your Calendar: Exciting CELC Webinars Ahead | |
Instant Solar Permitting with SolarAPP+ | |
SolarAPP+ is an online tool created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to produce code compliant residential solar permits instantaneously. SolarAPP+ reviews residential solar and storage applications for building, fire, and electrical code compliance, processes payments, and ultimately issues permits. Because of the extensive code compliance checks performed by SolarAPP+, the tool allows jurisdictions to ensure safe solar installation in their communities. SolarAPP+ can also be customized to be compatible with your existing permitting process. During this presentation, we will first go over an introduction of the tool and its benefits, as well as explaining the steps to adopt SolarAPP+ in your jurisdiction. Then, we will walk through a technical demonstration of an actual project within SolarAPP+, showcasing what contractors see when submitting for a SolarAPP+ permit. Ultimately, SolarAPP+ is meant to streamline the residential solar permitting process, which saves staff time and produces safe, code compliant solar project approvals instantaneously.
Date: Jun 13, 2024
Time: 10:30 AM
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Building Operations, Workforce Training, and Navigating Federal Grant Requirements
Join us to learn more about the Building Operator Certification (BOC) a program addressing the need for maintenance staff training as new technologies enter the market.The field of building operations and facility management are evolving rapidly due to factors such as benchmarking, grid enhancing technologies (GETs) and a swiftly retiring workforce. Renowned for its comprehensive curriculum, BOC is an ideal choice for meeting various federal government grant training requirements in energy efficiency.
BOC is the nation’s leading training and credentialing program for building engineers and maintenance personnel, and is now aligned with an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) - ISO 17024. Graduates make their buildings more comfortable, efficient, environmentally friendly, and save $10,000 annually in utility bills thanks to skills they master in classes.
In this webinar, we will discuss the following:
- Gain insights into the comprehensive curriculum of the BOC program.
- Understand how BOC meets federal government grant training requirements in energy efficiency.
- Review case studies and examples of how BOC graduates have improved building performance.
Speakers:
Melanie L Danuser, M.P.A., LEED Green Associate
Director of Education & Training
Date: July 11th
Time: 1:00 pm CST
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Share Your Expertise: Call for Webinar Presenters | |
Unleash your knowledge! We're seeking passionate experts to lead our upcoming webinars. If you're an industry leader with insights to share, we want to hear from you. Join us in inspiring and educating our community. Submit your proposal now! | |
Spotlight on CELC: Member Events and Updates | |
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City of Austin: Call for Professional Feedback on 2024 Code Updates
The City of Austin seeks professional insights and expertise on the upcoming 2024 codes. Your professional feedback is essential to ensure these codes effectively address the needs of our growing city.
Public Comment Period:
We encourage professionals to engage in this process and contribute their valuable perspectives. Help us shape the future of Austin!
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ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Webinar
Join AACOG, NCTCOG, and WCTCOG for an online webinar on the EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and discover how this web-based tool enables property owners to track and assess energy and water consumption across their building portfolios. The session will feature a live demonstration from the EPA, showcasing how to add properties, input usage details, and generate comprehensive reports. Attendees will also hear from local government entities about effectively utilizing the tool for benchmarking, verifying savings, and identifying underperforming buildings.
When: Thursday, June 20th from 10-11:30am CT
Register here
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Building Code Roundtable
AACOG invites you to participate in our upcoming roundtable discussion to explore the latest changes to the 2024 building and energy codes. Attendees will have the opportunity to voice their concerns, ask questions, and consult code experts for assistance with adherence. This workshop is a great opportunity to make sure you're up-to-date on important developments directly impacting operations.
When: Thursday, July 11th from 2-4:00pm
Where: 2700 NE Interstate 410 Loop, Suite 101, San Antonio, TX 78217
Register here
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New PACE Program Guide
The new version of the TPA Texas PACE Program Guide is now live! The document aligns with Keeping PACE in Texas and industry best practices, and provides additional details for ease of use including:
· HUD project guidance
· Property development status
· Post-construction financing
· Capitalized interest / interest-only terms
· Amendment and partial release processes, and
· Eligible measures
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Secure the Funds: Latest Grant Opportunities Available | |
Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs Coming Soon
The State Energy Conservation Office has submitted an early application to the Department of Energy to initiate the administration of $690 million for the Home Energy Performance-Based, Whole House (HOMES) Rebate Program and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program. While no immediate action is required, potential applicants should stay informed about updates from SECO and be aware of new program timelines. These programs aim to offer residential energy efficiency and appliance electrification rebates to Texans.
For more information about these programs and timelines, visit SECO’s Inflation Reduction Act Rebates and Tax Credits webpage and watch our recent state and federal rebates webinar.
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EECBG Application Deadlines Extended!
The deadline to apply for EECBG Program formula grants and vouchers has been extended. For local governments, it is now October 31, 2024. For Tribes, it is May 31, 2025.
https://www.energy.gov/scep/energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-program?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
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Community Change Grants Program - $2 billion
Deadline: November 21, 2024
Eligible entities: Federally-recognized Tribes, local governments, higher education institutes, community-based non-profit organizations
EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Community Change Grants Program - $2 billion. This IRA grant program invests in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to respond to environmental and climate justice challenges.
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DOE Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW)
Deadline: Full applications due July 23, 2024
Eligible entities: All domestic applicants
DOE Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) - $50 million. This opportunity aims to build foundations for DOE’s Office of Science (SC) research through traineeships at academic institutions that have been historically underrepresented in the SC portfolio, including TCUs.
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What We're Reading: Insights and Inspiration | |
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Career Moves:
Hot Opportunities and Job Openings You Should Know
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Nominate Now: Be a Part of Shaping the Future of Texas Energy Services!
The Texas Energy Services Coalition is on the lookout for exceptional individuals to lead the charge in the next phase of energy innovation. Nominations are open for the next three months, closing on August 12th. After submissions, we'll embark on a democratic journey with a voting process to ensure the best candidates represent our vibrant community. Have someone in mind or keen to throw your hat in the ring? Contact me for more details and let's power up together! Sauckland@eepartnership.org
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Energy Analyst- Greenlink
NESTA Executive Director - National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA)
Belinda Jacobs at bjrockgirl11@gmail.com or Missy Holzer, PhD at missy.holzer@gmail.com
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