As an all-female staff, every month is women’s month for the VAEEC. However, as March comes to a close we want to honor Women’s Month and highlight some of our formidable female leaders on our board. The VAEEC board consists of 14 people including three women: Cynthia Adams, Lesley Fore and Carla Dix. Each of the women on our board offer experience and expertise in leadership, management and technological innovation within the energy efficiency sector. Cynthia Adams is the former chair of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council and current CEO of Pearl Certification, a company that certifies energy efficiency in homes. Carla Dix is Lead Performance Analyst for Warm Wise, Columbia Gas of Virginia’s energy efficiency program. Lesley Fore is the Executive Director of the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) and is one of our newest Board members.
We asked them about what it means to be a female-leader in the energy efficiency sector and why gender diversity is important for our sector to be fully successful. Their responses show varying approaches to the energy efficiency field and offer insight to the challenges of diversifying, how technology has changed since they began their work, as well as advice for women as they advance in the energy efficiency field.
How has the energy efficiency sector diversified since you began working in it and what challenges remain?
Cynthia: My entre into the energy efficiency industry came via my work as a green builder fifteen years ago, and there certainly weren’t many women involved in construction then. The sector has diversified some since I first started, but we have a long way to go. As more women get degrees in engineering and architecture, the number of women in energy efficiency has increased. Some women become supporters of the industry through other professional channels, such as journalism and markeing, which is great. The better we get at talking about the benefits of energy efficiency, the more uptake we can expect to see. I’ll note that when the VAEEC first launched, I was the only woman on the Governance Board. We’ve made good strides since then. Pay equity is yet a challenge; it’s been well-documented through multiple sources that young women in STEM fields earn about a third less than their male counterparts.
Carla: There have been some great new technologies since I began working in the energy efficiency sector. Smart thermostats, for example. These have advanced features, such as occupancy sensors, learning capabilities, and even give users the ability to control their thermostat using a smartphone. Columbia Gas of Virginia received approval to offer smart thermostat rebates in Phase 3 of our energy efficiency program and reached the 3-year participation goal within the 1st year!
A challenge that remains is the ability to engage small business customers to participate in utility energy efficiency program offerings. It has been difficult to reach the decision makers of these businesses to educate them on the value of energy efficiency.
Lesley: I joined the energy efficiency sector in 2010 working for LEAP. While, like most job sectors, there were more men than women, I was pleasantly surprised that there were plenty of women working in this space, though mostly on the less technical side.
As far as challenges, I’ve been aware of a substantive difference in what the men were paid as compared to with similar job responsibilities and titles. At times, I’ve seen women out-performing their male colleagues, but not being equally compensated. Pay discrepancy remains a problem to this day, unfortunately. Another challenge I see in this industry is the lack of African Americans and Hispanics in programmatic or leadership positions. Energy efficiency is a topic that affects us all, no matter race, gender, or background. It would be ideal to see a more diverse cross-section of individuals in this sector representing not only their companies, but also their own unique perspective.
Why does gender diversity in leadership matter?
Cynthia: Gender diversity in leadership matters for the same reasons that cultural and ethnic diversity matter – a team that has different backgrounds and perspectives is better equiped to provide unique and innovative solutions to problems. It’s important as well for our next generation of women to have strong role models to inspire and support their own educational and professional efforts.
Carla: Gender diversity in leadership is important because men and women have different viewpoints, experiences, and insights. Having individuals at the leadership level that possess a wide range of experiences allows for better problem solving, ultimately leading to enhanced business performance.
Lesley: When does gender diversity in leadership ever not matter? Remember the book Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus? Men and women think differently in some respects, and bring different capabilities to the table. Without one, the other is only half complete. As a society, we’re still addressing women’s issues that have existed for centuries, but progress is definitely happening, and working your way up to a leadership position is an example of how that progress is happening.
Is there any advice you can give to women who want to advance as leaders?
Cynthia: All good leaders have good mentors, so my first piece of advice is to find a good mentor. That said, seek out a woman mentor in particular. She’ll be able to give you frank and important advice that speaks to specific challenges women in the workplace must overcome.
Carla: Get involved – take advantage of opportunities for learning, networking, and building relationships with others.
Lesley: You’ll likely have to work twice as hard as your male counterparts. It’s the world we live in. And, ask for what you want. It is easier for men to be heard for the very simple reason that their voices are often deeper and carry further. Even today, in 2018, some women are less likely to express an open in a room filled with men, who seem so comfortable with engaging and sharing their thoughts. You don’t need to be aggressive by any means; just make sure you’re heard. Don’t be discouraged when your input doesn’t seem to take hold. Try and try again.
What’s one thing women who are beginning work in the energy efficiency space should know?
Cynthia: In my experience, the energy efficiency industry isn’t markedly different from another technology industry with respect to gender. Yes, there are fewer women in it, but that doesn’t mean women can’t advance. The hardest thing women must work through from a career perspective is juggling family life with work – especially when children are very young. Preparing and planning for those years is so important when it comes to creating a fulfilling professional and personal life.
Carla: There are some very technical and complex topics you may be involved with – EM&V (evaluation, measurement and verification), cost-effectiveness tests, etc… but don’t be intimidated! It’s great to be involved in the energy efficiency industry.
Lesley: You’re entering a sector where a lot of very smart people have dedicated a lot of time and resources to cracking the nut to increase energy efficiency adoption. It’s proved difficult, but we are making a difference. At the end of the day, making that difference leads my passion to do this work, because we’re helping families, we’re helping businesses, and we’re helping the environment.
Developed on behalf of the Energy Efficiency For All Project, the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation just released a report, Commercial PACE for Affordable Multifamily Housing, looking into the handful of affordable multifamily transactions that have used Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy financing, or C-PACE.
Growth of C-PACE in the US since 2010
In the past seven years, C-PACE financing has grown exponentially across the U.S. In fact, the latest numbers from PACENation show that there has been $521 million in C-PACE assessments funded through 1,157 projects. However, very few affordable multifamily housing stakeholders have taken advantage of this financing mechanism. Therefore, the purpose of this report was to explore whether or not C-PACE can be used to fill a financing gap for energy efficiency in the affordable multifamily buildings sector, and if so, to identify the best practices.
Several theories exist as to why C-PACE has not been commonly used in the affordable multifamily sector. However, the case for using C-PACE in affordable multifamily housing is strong:
- Tax assessment, not a loan
- Off balance sheet
- Based on owner’s equity rather than future income
- Structured to recoup savings to cover costs
- Potential to fill financing gaps
Through cataloging existing C-PACE programs that have either been used by or created for the affordable multifamily sector, the study revealed the following findings:
- There have been few C-PACE transactions within the affordable multifamily housing sector.
- Most of the completed transactions have had relatively simple financing structures.
- Thus far, only one C-PACE deal has been used on a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financed property, and only one deal used on an affordable, multifamily transaction using the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).
- The differences in each state’s enabling legislation have not led to substantive differences for C-PACE program administrators. However, these variations at the local and state level could hinder the ability of capital across state borders.
- There could be difficulties using C-PACE on new construction due to the difficulty of determining the Savings to Investment Ratio (SIR).
Based on these findings, the authors were able to compile best practices and recommendations for using C-PACE with affordable multifamily properties:
For Policymakers and Program Administrators-
- Encourage open PACE program design
- Identify and pursue opportunities with the fewest barriers
- Encourage opportunities in public housing
- Increase and document communication with HUD
- Require cost-effective investments
- Consider local development corporations (LDCs)
- Consider extended financing terms rather than rate buy downs
- Consider potential in USDA properties
For Affordable Housing Stakeholders Implementing C-PACE-
- Consider C-PACE as gap financing
- Prioritize C-PACE for recapitalization, not for mid-cycle retrofits
- Encourage state housing finance agencies involvement
- Continue to document and codify the use of C-PACE in multifamily affordable housing
Energy efficiency improvements in affordable multifamily housing reduces energy burdens for residents and helps preserve this important housing stock. The Commercial PACE for Affordable Multifamily Housing study shows that there are instances where C-PACE could help unlock additional energy savings in multifamily properties. Benefits of C-PACE should not just be enjoyed by the commercial and industrial sectors; there is a lot of potential for C-PACE to benefit the multifamily sector.
Click here to read the entire report.
VAEEC’s C-PACE Efforts
The VAEEC is committed to accelerating the implementation and utilization of C-PACE throughout the Commonwealth. Along with our PACE technical consultant, Abacus Property Solutions, the VAEEC has been intimately involved in C-PACE education and outreach with stakeholders, including localities, property owners and developers, contractors, and lenders, to build a coalition of supporters and to encourage localities to move forward with developing C-PACE programs. Additionally, we have been working with stakeholders to develop a model ordinance and with our Mid-Atlantic PACE Alliance, or MAPA, partners to develop regional guidelines to accelerate the implementation of successful C-PACE programs throughout the Commonwealth and Mid-Atlantic region.
This study found that the high cost of C-PACE financing compared to the low cost of capital through federal or state backed housing loans is a barrier. However, in speaking with the Virginia Housing and Development Authority (VHDA) and other LIHTC experts in the Commonwealth, these low cost loans have specific restrictions that limit the ability to go beyond the standard needs of a building. In this instance, C-PACE can provide financing for measures that cannot be underwritten by HUD or VHDA, such as solar photovoltaics.
Additionally, the study briefly mentions the interaction of C-PACE on new construction and the challenges it can entail. The VAEEC has begun reaching out and working with stakeholders across the country who have experience using C-PACE with new construction to compile a list of best practices and lessons learned. This includes a list of projects that should qualify for C-PACE financing, how to determine the Savings to Investment ratio (SIR), and how to determine what percentage of the construction costs are eligible for C-PACE financing. We will continue this outreach in an effort to provide guidance to stakeholders hoping to use C-PACE on new construction in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.
The VAEEC agrees with the study’s findings about the potential of C-PACE within the multifamily sector. In fact, this is a sector that we intend to focus on more in 2018. We will be working with our members, partners, and stakeholders to increase the awareness and knowledge of C-PACE within the multifamily sector.
To learn more about the basics of C-PACE, view the VAEEC PACE webpage, factsheet, or PACE video.
#VaEEleaders
First Place Winners Include:
- Prince William County Public Schools
- Community Housing Partners
- Northern Virginia Regional Commission/Local Energy Alliance Program
- Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy
Richmond, Virginia (November 2, 2017) – The Virginia Energy Efficiency Council (VAEEC) honored the winners of its 2nd annual Virginia Energy Efficiency Leadership Awards at a reception in Richmond tonight attended by more than 125 people as part of the VAEEC Fall Meeting. Governor McAuliffe received the first-ever Award of Excellence for his leadership on energy efficiency during his tenure as Governor.
VAEEC received more than 45 nominations for the 6 awards which showcase how energy efficiency champions across the Commonwealth are helping businesses, schools, government and homeowners save money on energy expenditures while reducing energy consumption — all while stimulating job growth and our economy.
“The winning entries are proof that energy efficiency has tremendous potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, shrink utility bills, conserve natural resources and reduce pollution,” said Chelsea Harnish, VAEEC Executive Director. “The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy just named Virginia one of three “Most Improved States” in its 2017 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, and these winners reflect the type of innovative, forward-thinking projects that will keep that momentum going in the Commonwealth.”
The ACEEE report together with these Awards follow on the heels of 
VAEEC’s recent report which highlighted energy efficiency as a $1.5B industry in Virginia, supporting 75K jobs.
The winners represent innovative, results-oriented approaches that are saving homeowners, renters, schools, local and state governments — indeed, every one of us as taxpayers — millions every year: From instituting an Energy Management Office for a school district to retrofitting state buildings that house the Governor’s Office and Supreme Court of Virginia to energy performance contracting for a hospital to a certified LEED Gold convention center to weatherization that could save low-income families hundreds of dollars annually.
Winners: 2016 Virginia Energy Efficiency Leadership Awards (Project Summaries below)
Academic
1st Place: Prince William County Public Schools
Submitted by: Moseley Architects
2nd Place: St. Catherine’s School
Submitted by St. Catherine’s School
3rd Place: Fairfax County Public Schools
Submitted by Fairfax County Public Schools
Commercial
1st Place: Schneider Electric
Submitted by DMME
2nd Place: Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center + Damuth Trane
Submitted by Damuth Trane
3rd Place: Brighter Communities
Submitted by Brighter Communities
Local Government
1st Place: Chesterfield County
Submitted by Chesterfield County
2nd Place: Virginia Beach Convention Center
Submitted by the Virginia Beach Convention Center
3rd Place: Fauquier County Government + Brighter Communities
Submitted by Brighter Communities
Low-Income
1st Place: Community Housing Partners
Submitted by Community Housing Partners
2nd Place: Windy Hill Foundation + Brighter Communities
Submitted by Brighter Communities
3rd Place: Richmond Region Energy Alliance
Submitted by Richmond Region Energy Alliance
Residential
1st Place: Northern Virginia Regional Commission + Local Energy Alliance Program
Submitted by Northern Virginia Regional Commission
2nd Place: City of Roanoke + Better Building Works, LLC
Submitted by the City of Roanoke
3rd Place: RIC Design Build
Submitted by RIC Design Build
State Government
1st Place: Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy
Submitted by DMME
2nd Place: Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority
Submitted by Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority
3rd Place: Virginia Department of Corrections
Submitted by the Virginia Department of Corrections
Any person, entity or group who works on energy efficiency in Virginia was eligible for the Awards which were chosen by a Selection Committee, comprised of members of the VAEEC Education and Outreach Committee and additional volunteer members of VAEEC.
The awards were presented by members of the Selection Committee along with VAEEC Board Vice Chair, David Koogler and Harnish. Those in attendance were also treated to the screening of a new series of short videos highlighting VAEEC’s four focus areas: Building Codes, Energy Performance Contracting, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing, and Utility Energy Efficiency Programs.
Watch the videos here.
Earlier in the day, attendees at VAEEC’s Fall Meeting were treated to sessions on a range of topics from smart home technologies to benchmarking to utility programs. Panelists on the closing panel, Hayes Framme, Deputy Secretary of the Commerce and Trade, and Bob Matthias, Assistant to the City Manager in Virginia Beach, addressed the question, “What’s next for EE in Virginia?” as the Commonwealth prepares for a new Governor and new members of the House of Delegates.
Winner Project Summaries
Academic
1st Place: Prince William County Public Schools
Created in 2013, the Energy Management Office (EMO) plans and manages School Division energy use and sustainability, improves environmental and fiscal stewardship in facility use, and educates staff and students in energy and environmentally conscious design. Foundations of Energy Conservation was the inaugural project, focused on: maintaining the comfort and safety of teachers, students, and employees; saving utility dollars to reinvest in school board priorities and energy infrastructure improvements; and fostering a culture of sustainability and conservation. The education of faculty and staff in all the county’s K12 schools was the key to the Foundation phase’s success.
Under the guidance of the Administrative Coordinator, three Energy Education Coordinators worked closely with the teachers and staff at all the county’s schools to help them understand their school’s energy performance, why it was performing that way, and what actions they could personally take to make their school a better performer. Because the EMO tracked energy performance and associated reductions in energy bills at each school, cash rebates were made available to schools with significant performance improvements. Over the first five years of the program, Prince William County Schools distributed $1,800 of rebates back to 95 schools, cut their utility consumption by 20%, and saved $24.4M and 191M kWh of electricity. Perhaps more impressive, the EMO has witnessed the indirect benefit of teachers working what they learned into the academic lessons they teach in the classroom. The Foundations program has matured and the EMO is ready to move into the next phase of energy management, which will focus on student education and behavior modification related to energy conservation.
2nd Place: St. Catherine’s School
St. Catherine’s embarked on a Comprehensive Energy Conservation Plan (CECP) six years ago to determine the most effective approach to affect quantum leap and sustainable energy conservation measures. The result has been the execution of a central heating plant decentralization strategy from inefficient legacy boilers (45% efficiency) to distributed highly efficient energy internet controllable and monitored gas fired boilers rated at 98% efficiency, LED lights throughout campus, the installation of 110 touchless water saving automatic faucets, the implementation of three solar arrays (600 panels – 150 kWh), a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station and the purchase of CNG vehicles. Additionally, the school is currently implementing an internet based system to provide a dashboard for energy monitoring of individual buildings. Since implementation, St. Catherine’s School has seen $122,472 in energy savings.
3rd Place: Fairfax County Public Schools
In 2014, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) partnered with Cenergistic to provide energy management, conservation, and educational services division wide. FCPS then assigned a team of energy specialists, engineers and other experts to analyze each aspect of the operations and infrastructure. FCPS’ goal is to ensure that every piece of equipment, and every system, is optimized for effectiveness and efficiency. All energy savings are tracked through a process of Measurement & Verification using a third-party accounting software, EnergyCAP®, which processes additional factors affecting energy use, such as changes in weather patterns, buildings renovations and new construction, student enrollment capacity changes, equipment or use changes and differences in billing cycles. Since the inception of the energy conservation program, FCPS has seen more than $16M in cost avoidance savings and more than a 20% quantifiable reduction in utility use division-wide. The savings generated through the program allow FCPS to set an example for students and the community by investing one-third of every project dollar into increasing energy efficiency and sustainability efforts.
Commercial
1st Place: Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is implementing a variety of energy conservation measures, including the installation of more than 17,000 high efficiency LED lighting fixtures and more than 500 low-flow plumbing fixtures. The project will impact office, laboratory and warehouse buildings in Richmond, as well as key Department of General Services buildings including the historic Patrick Henry Building, which currently serves as the Governor’s office, and the Supreme Court of Virginia. The older, historic buildings will be retrofitted so they can benefit from modern efficiency measures, while still maintaining their architectural appeal and historic integrity. The project includes six buildings and will result in annual energy and operational savings of $245,000, or $4.1M over the life of the project.
2nd Place: Damuth Trane
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center (SWRMC), a Certified Primary Stroke Center, has 145 licensed beds and features the latest healthcare technologies. In 2014, the hospital partnered with Damuth Trane, a Professional Energy Services company headquartered in Chesapeake, VA, to perform a building energy tune-up that optimized operation of existing facility systems. Advanced building data collection methods, energy analytics, utility bill analysis and a detailed engineering review uncovered substantial efficiency improvement opportunities. Damuth Trane collaborated with SWRMC staff to implement energy conservation measures to building HVAC and control systems.
The project was justified and funded through utility cost avoidance in the operational budget. In 2016, SWRMC documented a 24% reduction in annual building energy consumption, equating to $647,267 in total avoided utility costs, making the project cash-flow positive within the first year. Continuous data collection, automated analytics, web based reporting tools and remote monitoring were instituted to sustain the efficiency gains. This program is repeatable at similar healthcare facilities.
3rd Place: Brighter Communities
Brighter Communities improved existing functions designed to encourage renewable energy technologies, projects and initiatives through implementing a five-phase plan. Phase One saved significant energy in Fauquier County Government and Fauquier County Public Schools. Phase Two used five websites to document aspects of energy conservation and to display key results, recognize participants / volunteers, and educate viewers with innovative “storyboards”. Additionally, the websites capture energy money savings, carbon footprints, kWh usage, and best practice tips for energy conservation programs, processes and metrics. Phase Three publicly recognized 45 local entities at three events for their energy conservation efforts and a new initiative called the Energy Research – Learning Institute. Phase Four increased local business visibility through a new website that increased community support for their products and services. Phase Five will create new energy conservation software linked to a new website, which will combine the other four repositories into one, easy to navigate site (to be released winter 2017). Buildings are already beginning to see energy savings. For example, the Chestnut Forks Tennis and Fitness Club saved over $3,000 in a 90-day period due to energy conservation efforts, timely usage measurements, and a team approach.
Major players in all of these projects and initiatives include Airlie Foundation, Barrel Oak Winery, Brookside Developments, Chestnut Forks Tennis and Fitness Club, Fauquier Livestock Exchange, Pearmund Cellars, Old Bust Head Brewery, Poplar Springs, Red Truck Bakery, SiteWhirks Software Development, and Vint Hill Craft Winery.
Local Government
1st Place: Chesterfield County
To be good stewards of the public trust and responsible protectors of the 
environment, Chesterfield County supports a comprehensive energy management program. The main goal of the program is to reduce energy use while maintaining occupant comfort and productive working environments. In addition to an Energy Management Administrator, instrumental to the program’s success has been procurement of energy management software to monitor cost and use and measure program results.
Initiatives include building use reduction management, large scale lighting retrofits, energy audits of all facilities, rate analysis, energy star submissions, demand response, water use reduction, commissioning, and outreach. Pilot projects include a spray foam insulated unvented roof deck, Nature Neutral Alpen energy-efficient windows, and bi-polar ionization. Education and outreach includes placement of interactive, real-time utility monitoring touch screen kiosks in their 13 middle schools, which allows students to view school energy use in real-time. Chesterfield has also purchased energy auditing and monitoring equipment, and educational materials that can be checked out by teachers and is investigating availability to residents through the library system.
Chesterfield’s energy and building guidelines include LEED certified goals, temperature set points, and energy-efficient behavior expectations and recommendations for employees. A recent LEED certified facility boasts light tubes, large rainwater collection underground cistern, pervious pavement, and an energy model of 24.8% less energy.
Savings and impacts of the program are far reaching, varied, and significant. Over the past five years, the County has seen a cumulative annual savings of more than $1.3M.
2nd Place: Virginia Beach Convention Center
Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2010 and 2015, the LEED® Gold Virginia Beach Convention Center (VBCC) has been committed to energy-efficient operations since opening in 2007. As one of Virginia Beach’s largest buildings, VBCC uses an average of 604,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month. Most recently, VBCC upgraded the lighting in the exhibit hall from metal halide to energy-efficient LEDs and implemented an automated electricity demand response program as part of VBCC’s heating, cooling, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) building controls. The demand response program is designed to limit the building’s peak power supply demand, which in turn lowers the demand placed on the regional power grid.
The program helps VBCC conserve electricity and save money by expanding the temperature set points within the various spaces in the building. Electrical switchgear integration into the building control software provided instantaneous kilowatt usage data. The HVAC controls monitor peak kilowatt usage in real time. At predetermined thresholds, the system automatically adjusts room temperatures by one to three degrees, effectively placing less demand on VBCC’s equipment and using less electricity. Upgrading the lighting and the automated demand response program has reduced the power supply peak demand by 15%, from 2,196 kilowatts to 1863 kilowatts, and saved $20,870 in electricity costs.
3rd Place: Fauquier County Government + Brighter Communities
Fauquier County Government (FCG) devised a 100-hour “volunteer” project to review building utility expenses. This led to the approval of 500 hours of a more in-depth benchmarking program for FCG buildings. Pressure to reduce energy expenses with minimal funding forced innovation and original thinking to revise processes and metrics.
Once building data was benchmarked, FCG began implementing measures to reduce energy use. These included: control changes for non-work hours; timely control system changes to avoid electric utility peak demand charges; and temperature control modifications on holidays. In three years, FCG saved $220,617 in building energy costs. In addition to original average annual costs of about $800K, this represented a savings of approximately 9%.
Low-Income
1st Place: Community Housing Partners
Sun Valley and The Landings are income-qualifying properties located on the outskirts of Radford, VA. Community Housing Partners (CHP) recently acquired the nearly identical properties consisting of 21 duplexes totaling 42 residences. All units use electric-resistance baseboard heating as their primary heat source and window A/C units for cooling.
In mid-2017, at the request of Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to explore opportunities for applying federally-funded Weatherization Assistance Program toward more multi-family properties in Virginia, CHP pooled together resources to conduct a deep-energy retrofit on the properties. Coinciding with Weatherization Assistance Program funds, additional funds were leveraged from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Appalachian Power Company’s (APCo) Low-Income Weatherization Program, CHP Energy Solutions Emergency Home and Accessibility Repair Program, as well as an owner-contribution from CHP.
The scope of work developed would impact nearly all building systems and components: LED lighting, low-flow fixtures, water heater tank and hot water pipe insulation, making the building envelope more airtight, installing floor and attic insulation, and replacing the baseboard heating with a 16 SEER heat pump and air-sealed duct work. Saving estimates produced by the Department of Energy’s National Energy Audit Tool (NEAT) project an average 73% annual heating load reduction for each unit. Based on these projections, annual utility bills savings could amount to nearly $850 per household.
Behind the scenes, administrators and managers balanced the needs and requirements of all stakeholders involved in the project, including property maintenance and management staff, residents, DHCD, APCo, multiple subcontractors, and several stakeholders within the different departments of CHP. The experience learned from Sun Valley and The Landings will be applied to streamline future projects leveraging multiple funding sources.
2nd Place: Windy Hill Foundation + Brighter Communities
Windy Hill Foundation built 12 all-electric workforce housing units in The Plains, Virginia, which were certified EarthCraft. The housing units included two- and three-bedroom floor plans with identical layouts. Key building attributes included geothermal heating / cooling, high R-value insulation, metal roofs, geothermal water heaters, energy efficient windows / doors, and natural water retention / marsh areas on the property.
Energy Efficiency training was provided to residents and utility energy data was collected for 18 months. Energy usage was reduced in most units by 8% with some as high as 22%, indicating that occupant awareness, habits, and knowledge combined with timely results are essential to reducing energy usage.
3rd Place: Richmond Region Energy Alliance
The EnergizeRVA program improves the home energy performance for low-moderate income homeowners and renters, whose family budgets are most burdened by high energy costs, but who do not qualify for other programs. EnergizeRVA trains volunteers and program recipients to install energy savings measures and provides them with information they can use for future improvements. Forty homes participated in the pilot program’s first year, and the program was able to reach it’s goal of achieving an average of 10% energy savings for the entire portfolio. All of the installed efficiency measures have a return on investment of six months to three years and clients can expect to save on average $150 per year on their utility bills.
The lessons learned from this pilot program will be carried forward in future efforts to educate homeowners and help them improve their home’s energy efficiency and comfort, while saving money on utilities.
Residential
1st Place: Northern Virginia Regional Commission + Local Energy Alliance Program
Solarize NoVA is a campaign coordinated with the Local Energy Alliance Program that links home energy efficiency with solar photovoltaic. Since its inception in 2014, more than 4,000 residents and businesses in Northern Virginia have signed up for the program. To date, the program has resulted in: 630 home energy checkups, resulting in 453,600 kWh saved; 15 completed multi-family apartment weatherization projects, resulting in 262,955 kWh saved; as well as 176 contracts for more than 1.3 MW of new solar installed with a contract value of more than $4.2M. All totaled, the efficiency measures and solar installations replace 2.5M kWh of electricity that does not have to be generated by a power plant. The dollar value of the energy saved or produced is $277,003 on an annual basis.
The program has brought together the various local government jurisdictions through the Northern Virginia region to share this important program with residents and serves as a model in the Commonwealth on how government, the not-for-profit sector and the private sector can work together to achieve these results.
2nd Place: City of Roanoke + Better Building Works, LLC
Weatherize Roanoke is a “One Stop Shop” for free, affordable energy efficiency services for homes in the City of Roanoke. Ultimately, the service area was expanded to include the greater Roanoke Valley. The city convened public and private partners as stakeholders to aggregate available services into one program. Providing affordable energy efficiency to middle-income consumers is a longstanding ‘wicked problem’ since most existing building stock is decades old. Creating a public-private strategy bridges these gaps, and Weatherize Roanoke used energy efficiency as a catalyst.
Partnering with Better Building Works helped transform the traditional weatherization program. Their ‘building-as-a-system’ process made energy efficiency a catalyst for water use reduction, indoor air quality and public education. Neighborhood meetings showcased the Weatherize Roanoke website and registration for a free Energy Review. Homeowners received LED light bulbs, water heater blankets, water pipe insulation, low-flow showerheads and customized recommendations for home performance. On average, homeowners saved $78, 583 electric kWh, and 381 natural gas Therms a year. The City saw a 128% return on investment (in dollars to the local economy) at year one.
This project demonstrates how communities can broaden utility-sponsored programs through diversifying stakeholders beyond the traditional low-income focus.
3rd Place: RIC Design Build
This 1924 Museum District rowhouse underwent a top-to-bottom renovation, enhancing and preserving its historic features while improving both functionality and energy efficiency for a new century of family life. Improvements included the conversion of a dark, damp basement and an unconditioned sun porch into fully-finished and conditioned spaces, adding 800 square feet of living space within the home’s original footprint. Elsewhere, interior partition walls were removed, an original skylight was restored and insulated glass doors were added on each floor to bring natural light into the home and decrease the need for daytime artificial lighting. Energy Star appliances and new light fixtures were installed throughout and a new HVAC system was added for a whole-house upgrade in energy efficiency. After completion of the renovation, the Energy Score was improved from 40,000 kWh per year to 17,000 kWh. This project illustrates the value of pairing aesthetic improvements with energy-saving upgrades, and integrating comfort and sustainability into a thoughtful renovation.
State Government
1st Place: Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy
The VirginiaSAVES Green Communities Program was enabled by Governor McAuliffe in 2015 by Executive Order 36. The program was developed to utilize Virginia’s full allocation of Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs) issued by the US Treasury. It has done so, by providing subsidized low-cost financing to school districts, commercial, industrial, non-profit, institutional and local government borrowers without adding debt to the Commonwealth. The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy (DMME) developed the program in partnership with program administrator CleanSource Capital, and conduit bond issuers Virginia Small Business Financing Authority and Virginia Resources Authority. Virginia Community Capital leads outreach and marketing efforts to connect project developers and clients with the program opportunity. Private sector lenders and energy services contractors are also vital partners.
To date, VirginiaSAVES has closed loans for 12 large energy performance contracts, across the Commonwealth. Clients include private businesses, local governments and educational facilities and projects encompass over 130 buildings with nearly six million square feet of conditioned space. Building retrofits financed through the program have guaranteed energy cost savings of $63.9 million over the life of the projects, which will help these organizations enhance their financial stability by reducing operating costs, improving cash flow, and freeing up resources for other investments that will benefit their communities. Annual greenhouse gas emissions from these projects will be reduced by over 16,000 metric tons. The projects will also create 755 jobs, with priority given to utilizing local contractors to perform the work, creating a “ripple effect” in local communities.
The success of VirginiaSAVES also positions Virginia well for potential future allocations of QECBs, and may open up new opportunities for bond financing of energy efficiency projects using other sources.
2nd Place: Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority
In 2014, the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority (BRRJA) entered into a guaranteed energy savings contract with Honeywell. The $3.9M project has a 15-year savings guarantee and was designed to create energy efficiency and taxpayer savings among all five of the BRRJA jail facilities in Central and Southside Virginia, while creating a full project payback timeframe of eleven years and nine months. BRRJA will continue to reap this financial reward well into the future. Years of fiscal responsibility by the Authority’s Board of Directors afforded Blue Ridge the opportunity to pay for the project out of reserve money. Financing the project would have meant lost opportunities to include more Energy Conservation Measures in the project. BRRJA chose to maximize its energy savings potential by avoiding loan interest.
Almost half of the overall project cost was devoted to lighting and water retrofit upgrades. Communicating water conservation systems were installed in the Lynchburg and Halifax jails. BRRJA is pleased to include that the Amherst jail is LEED Silver certified! Guaranteed energy and operations savings from Honeywell totaled $334,568 in year one and is projected to increase by 2.5% annually for the 15-year life of said guarantee. Completing the energy savings project aided the BRRJA in fulfilling its overall mission of supporting the criminal justice system by operating its centers in a manner that produces a safe and secure environment for the public, staff, and inmates.
3rd Place: Virginia Department of Corrections
The Department of Corrections’ (DOC) Greensville Correctional Center is Virginia’s largest prison, housing approximately 3,000 inmates. Efficiency improvements at the boiler plant will save $231,410 the first year. The project will also install LED lighting to replace existing yard lights, leading to $48,261 in savings the first year. DOC plans to re-invest that savings in electrical system replacements that are crucial to prison’s operation, but which could not be funded by capital.
The Virginia Energy Efficiency Council is excited to announce a new member benefit: the VAEEC Membership Directory. This member-only tool is password protected and hosted on the VAEEC website.
The following speakers provided attendees with an overview of Commercial PACE, including its status across the Commonwealth, case studies, and its value proposition for the area, as well as the development and status of Arlington County’s PACE program:
On November 18th, the Arlington County Board approved the County’s PACE
As a part of the 
The recent election in Virginia had the 
VAEEC will continue to advocate for the Governor elect to build on the progress being made by Governor McAuliffe — who we recently honored with an Award of Excellence for his leadership and support of energy efficiency in the Commonwealth — on carbon regulations, which include a 5% carve out for EE programs.
