Posts Categorized: National Initiatives
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Workforce Advancements in Energy Efficiency: Heat and Frost Union Apprenticeships
by Aileen Villa
Concentrated efforts in transitioning to clean energy from fossil-fuel-based systems are increasing rapidly. As we make this transition and work toward more advancements in clean energy, building up the energy efficiency workforce is a top priority.
As a newcomer to the energy efficiency industry (coming up on my one-year anniversary of entering the field soon!) with a background in labor justice, I was very drawn to workforce development initiatives across the sector.
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#EEDay2022: Big Advantages, No Regrets
by Carol Harley
October 5 is your chance to be in this year’s big campaign that proclaims energy efficiency’s powerful and lasting benefits. Why raise your voice? Lots of reasons! It’s fun to join the unstoppable force of efficiency (EE) and be among its fans and advocates. It’s free. And it’s meaningful. Join us to celebrate positive news and help advance EE as a powerful force for good.
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Non-Energy Benefits of Distributed Energy Resources
What I learned during my internship at E4TheFuture
by Owen Connolly
Prior to my summer internship, I had some knowledge of the clean energy industry, but knew nothing about distributed energy resources (DERs) and the benefits they can provide. The valuation team of Julie Michals and Shayna Fidler quickly brought me up to speed on the National Standard Practice Manual for the Benefit-Cost Analysis of Distributed Energy Resources (NSPM for DERs), as well as the Database of Screening Practices (DSP). While the DSP provides details on state cost-effectiveness practices for energy efficiency, my task was to research where and how states are valuing other DERs – with a focus on non-energy benefits (NEBs).
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#EEDay2020: More Vital Than Ever
by Carol Harley
Looking for an opportunity to raise your voice for positive change? It’s coming soon! Everyone can get on board with “Save Money. Cut Pollution. Create Jobs.” Please help us spread the word!October 7 marks a 5-year milestone of the big annual campaign E4TheFuture helped to establish, proclaiming energy efficiency’s powerful benefits. Everybody knows saving energy saves money. This year’s campaign can inspire a very broad audience: Everyone who lives in a home, goes to school, and/or works in a building.
Act Now. It’s free to Join!
Visit Energy Efficiency Day and join your voice to hundreds helping to promote the massive benefits of EE. Please shout out loud about EE’s power to effect positive change. Read More -
Veterans Show Leadership in Energy Efficiency Employment
by Pat Stanton
“If you can low crawl through cold wet mud under concertina wire while live fire shells whiz above your head,” says Rhett Major, “working in a crawlspace or attic is pretty much a piece of cake.” A veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard, Rhett now thrives in his energy efficiency career. He is one of more than 230,000 vets who have chosen similar paths. Read More
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Momentum Builds for Energy Efficiency
Workforce Unites to Accelerate Positive Change
by Pat StantonIf “energy efficiency” conjures light bulb rebate programs in your mind, you may be surprised to discover the strength of the energy efficiency industry — and how it continues building. Professionals who provide efficiency services and products are EE pros now gaining a voice and an identity. Read More
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Sowing the Seeds of Change
REEOs report on NSPM developments in their region
by guest authors Cyrus Bhedwar, Greg Ehrendreich, Samantha Caputo, and Elizabeth Titus
Two years ago, the National Standard Practice Manual (NSPM) debuted and began to bloom. With spring upon us once again, we asked several of the regional energy efficiency organizations (REEOs) for their key insights thus far on interest, use, and application of the NSPM in their respective regions. Representatives from three REEOs share their perspectives below and discuss progress on states’ efforts to review cost-effectiveness testing practices using the NSPM framework.
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Gliding into the New Year. . .
New Case Studies & Resources Help States to Apply the NSPM
by Julie Michals
Finding the “sweet spot” in skate skiing requires maximizing the efficiency of your glide. This requires balance – shifting your weight from one foot to the other to stay on top of your skis – as well as engaging your core, lifting your poles high, and keeping your head up so you can see what the trail brings ahead. Along with building endurance, mastering the glide makes it easier to ski up the mountain at a smooth pace, with the reward of a fast and fun descent awaiting on the other side. It takes time and patience to learn proper skate skiing technique, which I continue to work on despite years of practice. Read More
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Local Staying Power: EE Jobs in Rural America
by Audrey Bragg
Energy Efficiency Jobs in America shows that energy efficiency (EE) jobs drive energy employment, representing nearly 35% of all U.S. energy-sector workers. One may assume that most of these opportunities are in major cities, as rural areas offer fewer job options in general. However, certain industries create a larger number of local jobs providing employment for Americans outside metro areas. These jobs can transform people’s lives and be fulfilling careers.
EE is one of these vital industries, offering 2.25 million jobs.[i] You may not realize, but EE jobs are everywhere. In fact, 99.7% of U.S. counties have energy efficiency jobs. Yes, 3,000 out of 3,007 counties employ EE workers. Read More
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Staying Cool with the NSPM: States Wade into Deeper Waters
by Julie Michals
It’s been over a year since NESP published the groundbreaking National Standard Practice Manual (NSPM). After months of ongoing state outreach to build understanding of the NSPM, stakeholder interest is intensifying. Some jurisdictions are “dipping their toes in,” while others are venturing from shallow to deeper waters. New developments in NSPM awareness and application show states taking the NSPM from theory to practice around the country. Read More
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Taking Stock: NSPM Makes Quiet Inroads
by Julie Michals
The year 2017 will likely be remembered as an exciting one for our U.S. electricity industry. Developing technological advances, innovations, and emerging opportunities — largely in the distributed energy area – plus tackling regulatory barriers and testing new policies, programs, rate designs, are among the year’s headlines. Add the federal energy regulatory/political frenzy (aka FERC NOPR), and 2017 became a whirlwind of change and challenges.
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Making the Case for Energy Efficiency
by Pat Stanton
It can be tough to get the ear of a policymaker. One of the best ways is by sharing stories of how their work can affect real people. Our “Faces of EE” initiative collects photos and testimonials of energy efficiency workers across the U.S. Faces of EE promotes the fact that “EE” means more than clean air and a stable grid; it means jobs and economic growth.
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United We Work: Together, a Force for Good
by Steve Cowell
The business case for energy efficiency is well-proven. Compelling evidence shows that EE prevents energy waste and lowers costs — in homes, and in commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. EE serves as a “baseload plant,” by reducing overall energy use. It’s reliable and resilient. And energy efficiency is an economic turbocharger. A key aspect of economic benefit is the massive jobs boost from the EE sector. My team is spearheading Faces of EE to introduce energy efficiency’s 2.2 million U.S. workers.
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Pollinating a Framework for Cost-Effectiveness Testing
by Julie Michals
Bees and pollination have been on my mind lately. Summer months bring the enjoyment of sampling honey at the local farmers’ market, but more importantly, I’ve learned new things about bees from my daughter’s recent robotics team project — specifically, how much bees matter to humans and how their vitality is at issue.* As I observe bees moving from plant to plant in my garden, their process reminds me of the pollination we humans practice with sharing information. I’ve been in the thick of such a process for a few months, spreading the word about the recently published National Standard Practice Manual (NSPM).
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Revealing the Faces of America’s Energy Efficiency Professionals
by Pat Stanton
I am eager to tell you about a new initiative, “Faces of EE,” that highlights energy efficiency professionals. Join us to help reveal the unsung heroes of a largely invisible workforce. Our aim is to bring a well-documented message to policymakers and the public: Strong, non-partisan energy efficiency policies can expand a vital workforce in every community nationwide. Together we can keep building positive momentum for jobs that capture superb ROI.
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#EEDay2016: Why Start Now?
by Carol Harley
October 5 marks a national milestone: the big inaugural campaign proclaiming energy efficiency’s powerful benefits. Why now? Energy efficiency (EE) fans and advocates may think you’ve heard it all before: “Saving energy saves money”, “The most efficient megawatts are the ones not used”, “Efficiency helps businesses thrive”. Beyond slogans, campaign organizers seek to convey the massive magnitude EE now delivers. So join us to celebrate EE’s good news and to lift the veil on EE’s power.
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Health Benefits of Residential Energy Efficiency
by Julie Michals
E4TheFuture recently commissioned Tohn Environmental Strategies to perform a review and analysis of recent literature documenting residential building energy efficiency-related health impacts. Ellen Tohn’s research team* surveyed 25 studies that relate specifically to energy efficiency (EE) improvements. We will soon share these detailed results.
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National Energy Efficiency Registry Gains Momentum
by Pat Stanton
During the past few months I have been energized by the great work happening to create the National Energy Efficiency Registry (NEER). More than 150 experts have been reviewing the NEER’s draft principles and operating rules to be released for public comment in the spring of 2017. You’re invited to learn more and get ready to add your voice!
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NREL’s ResStock Analysis Takes Large Scale Residential Energy Upgrade Modeling to a New Level
by Susan Buchan
Residential building stock has one unifying trait: it’s different everywhere. Houses vary by climate zone, age, fuel type, construction practices, occupant behavior – just about everything. These variations have long hampered the accuracy of predicting savings for existing homes. With support from the U.S. Department of Energy, researchers at NREL are developing ResStock – a computer model that increases the granularity of analysis for the entire U.S. residential housing stock to an unprecedented level.
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Recent Articles
- Empowering Change: Advocating for Diversity in the Energy Efficiency Industry
- Workforce Advancements in Energy Efficiency: Heat and Frost Union Apprenticeships
- The U.S. Energy Efficiency Workforce: Deep-Dive Annual Insights
- #EEDay2023: Energy Efficiency Everywhere All at Once
- Unparalleled Opportunities Arise for Energy Efficiency Job Growth: Report