Energy-efficient buildings save lives during extreme weather events: Department of Energy

Meeting or exceeding current codes can improve habitability by up to 140% during extreme heat events, a report found.

By Joe Burns • July 26, 2023

DOE commits $150M to contractor-training grants, expanding residential energy efficiency efforts

The program will attract new workers to the energy efficiency industry, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2023

$90M for greener building energy codes awarded by DOE

“Modernizing energy codes is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses and make communities more resilient to extreme weather events,” the Energy Department said.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 17, 2023

Oregon plans to install 500,000 new heat pumps by 2030. Who’s going to do the work?

The state plans to train and provide technical assistance to developers, builders, contractors, technicians and others on installing energy-efficient appliances. 

By Kavya Balaraman • July 13, 2023

Energy efficiency ‘crucial’ to decarbonization, even with low levels of building electrification: ACEEE

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy analyzed five grid regions in the U.S. and found efficiency could reduce customer costs up to $19 billion annually per region by 2050.

By Robert Walton • July 12, 2023

Scottsdale, Arizona, OKs commercial green code to boost energy efficiency, other building attributes

The code, which the Scottsdale City Council voted on last December, also intends to mitigate environmental impacts, protect natural resources and boost the resiliency of buildings. 

By Nish Amarnath • July 11, 2023

Emcor bolsters energy efficiency operations with ECM acquisition

The transaction brings specialized retrofit services and $60 million in estimated 2023 revenue to the engineering and construction company.

By Joe Burns • July 10, 2023

US electric vehicle goals will require up to $127B to install 28M chargers by 2030: NREL

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory expects there will be 30 million to 42 million electric vehicles on U.S. roads in 2030, requiring a rapid infrastructure buildout.

By Robert Walton • July 5, 2023

Strengthening the power sector’s approach to climate risk

As U.S. braces for hurricane season and a warmer than average summer, resilience of the electric sector is top of mind.

By Morgan Scott, Director of Climate READi, EPRI • July 3, 2023

California greenlights $4.3B funding for energy efficiency, targets underserved and rural communities

The funding will support energy efficiency efforts from 2024 through 2027. Regulators also approved a forecasted budget of another $4.6 billion from 2028 through 2031.

By Kavya Balaraman • June 30, 2023

To improve multifamily housing energy efficiency and resiliency, HUD offers $4.8B for retrofits

Implementing the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program “will provide much-needed funding to reduce water and utility costs,” HUD Assistant Secretary for Housing Julia Gordon said.

By Mary Salmonsen • June 23, 2023

FlexCharging rolls out managed EV charging solution designed for smaller utilities

Aimed at cooperative energy providers, FlexCharging’s managed charging platform eases customer sign-ups and uses a virtual submeter to keep costs down, said CEO Brian Grunkemeyer.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2023

How the customer experience is driving the next generation of residential offerings

Transform your residential offerings to meet customer expectations, by building upon a foundation of putting customer needs first and using data to individualize the customer experience.

June 20, 2023

New York launches $10M electrification, efficiency program for commercial, industrial projects

The incentives target businesses working to cut energy use and emissions on an “accelerated timeline,” the state said.

By Robert Walton • June 14, 2023

Washington regulators conditionally approve Puget Sound Energy’s 63% clean electricity by 2025 target

The interim target is part of Puget Sound Energy’s first-ever clean energy implementation plan, required by state legislation passed in 2019.

By Kavya Balaraman • June 9, 2023

Cities, states increasingly base building performance standards on carbon emissions: report

The number of jurisdictions adopting standards has nearly doubled since 2020, with legislation enacted in three states and nine localities, says a new report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 8, 2023

As states differ on the benefits of Bitcoin, is there a solution to its climate and power-system impacts?

Bitcoin miners’ 24/7 electricity need and financial focus raise red flags for climate activists about increased fossil fuel use, but some miners are starting to see a new solution in clean energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 8, 2023

Virtual power plant grid participation can grow with new business models, market rules: Guidehouse

Growth of virtual power plants will require system operators and regulators to develop supportive market frameworks, according to Guidehouse.

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2023

US residential heat pump sales pass gas furnaces for first time as interest in efficiency tech surges: IEA

The International Energy Agency also said in its report, Energy Efficiency - The Decade for Action, that electric vehicle sales in the U.S. rose 55% last year.

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2023

California’s 7 GW load shift goal is ‘starting gun’ for dramatic expansion in flexible demand

The goal is “essentially the counterpart to the renewable portfolio standard” for load flexibility, according to Cisco DeVries, CEO of OhmConnect.

By Kavya Balaraman • June 6, 2023

3 steps to improving demand response participation for income-qualified customers

Clean energy is necessary for all communities, addressing energy equity is crucial for utilities.

June 5, 2023

Bipartisan group of senators warns DOE not to make transformer shortage worse with new efficiency rule

The Department of Energy is “open to exploring both supply- and demand-side solutions to encourage further manufacturing of distribution transformers,” an agency spokesperson said.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2023

Treating power demand like supply in wholesale markets could boost grid reliability, lower prices: ESIG

Aligning grid needs with demand will become more important as renewable penetration increases and widespread electrification occurs, according to the Energy Systems Integration Group.

By Robert Walton • May 31, 2023

As Texas eyes new gas power plants, ‘probably the most important bill for grid reliability is effectively dead’

The likely failure of a bill to expand energy savings targets for investor-owned utilities is a “significant disappointment,” said Cyrus Reed, conservation director of the Sierra Club’s Lone Star Chapter.

By Robert Walton • May 22, 2023

South Carolina could save electricity customers up to $362M a year by joining RTO: The Brattle Group

The current Southeast Energy Exchange Market is limited in benefits compared to a regional transmission organization, the consulting firm said in a report to a legislative committee.

By Diana DiGangi • May 15, 2023