Now that the General Assembly session has ended, the VAEEC has switched its attention to several of our other priority programs, including the building code update process currently taking place here in Virginia. Southeast Energy News just had a good summary of this process that quoted VAEEC Board member Andrew Grigsby extensively.
There are myriad important ways for you to support strong building codes in Virginia.
Public Comment Period Now Open and Webinar Available for Support
The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) recently opened a public comment period seeking comment on the current draft code regulations that will run through May 26 (an extension from the original deadline of April 21).
We will be holding a members-only webinar on Thursday, April 20 at 12pm that will include:
- Update on proposals we support
- Key messaging points to consider for your comments
- Overview of VAEEC’s draft comments
- Q&A and on-the-spot feedback
Comments can be submitted through the Commonwealth’s Town Hall website.
Support Proposals in Person
On April 11th, the stakeholder workgroup, which is open to anyone to participate, will be meeting to discuss all of the energy proposals currently being considered for inclusion in the code update. Any member of the public can attend and speak in support of proposals that are being presented. We encourage anyone who is interested in this topic to attend to show your support for the following proposals* to require:
*You need to register on the DHCD website to view these and other proposals that are currently being considered.
There will also be a public hearing at the May 15th Board of Housing and Community Development meeting. The meeting will begin at 10am. We strongly encourage anyone who wishes to attend this meeting to get there early as seating is very limited.
Board Nominations Open
Finally, as we mentioned in previous communications, there will be one open seat on the Board of Housing and Community Development. We are seeking candidates who have a strong building science background and who live in congressional district one, which runs from Poquoson to Manassas (check here to see if you live in this district). If you are interested in being on the board and qualify for this seat, please email me at Chelsea@vaeec.org with your resume. We will be submitting the name(s) of our potential candidates to the administration in late spring.
VAEEC values each of our members and strives to design our programs and services in a way that best meets their needs while advancing energy efficiency throughout the Commonwealth. At the beginning of this year, we sent out a membership survey to provide all 80+ members with an easy way to voice their feedback, ideas, suggestions, and concerns.
Meetings: Length and Location
A few questions focused on our biannual meetings, which occur each year in the spring and fall. We were particularly curious if members wanted the length of these meetings to be extended and if the location should rotates throughout the state. The vast majority (80%) of survey respondents voiced that they would attend these events if they were extended to four hours, while 42% chose six hours, and 16% chose three hours. Several respondents commented that the Fall Meeting, which was three hours long, felt too rushed. (As a result, our Spring Meeting on May 19 will run 11am-3pm).
For location, 68% stated that they would attend the biannual meetings if the location rotated throughout the state. However, we received many comments stating that it would depend on the location and the length of the meeting. Several respondents suggested that the meetings stay in central Virginia (Fredericksburg, Williamsburg, Petersburg, and Charlottesville areas) in order to keep travel time at a minimum for those coming from different ends of the state.
Focus Areas
Another question focused on our members’ interest in VAEEC programmatic work. Respondents were asked to rank their interest between utility programs, building codes, benchmarking/data access, and Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing. Utility programs came in first, with building codes and benchmarking/data access at a close second and third, and PACE was ranked fourth.
When asked if there are other services that members would like their membership to include, 58% of respondents chose opportunities to present at our biannual meetings or webinar series. A member-only resource section on the website came in second at 50%, followed by more sponsorship opportunities at 8%. One comment that we found to be particularly helpful was to share the summary of the member round robins at the biannual meetings or to have a way for members to submit written report outs to share with other members. Other comments centered on legislative priorities, such as coordinating with elected officials, the Virginia Municipal League, and the Virginia Association of Counties.
Engagement
As far as VAEEC engagement goes:
- 95% of our responding members attend VAEEC events
- 79% percent read our monthly e-newsletters and other emails
- 58% visit the VAEEC website
- 47% percent of respondents participate in our webinar series and follow us on social media.
A few respondents wrote in that they also engage with VAEEC through collaboration on specific projects.
Finally, a humbling 100% of respondents voiced that they would be willing to recommend VAEEC membership to colleagues or others in the Virginia energy efficiency industry. VAEEC thrives on the participation of our members, so we are thrilled to hear that those who responded are pleased with this partnership. Here are a couple of testimonies that were shared:
“VAEEC is the place to go for ‘across-the-board’ energy expertise specific to Virginia. I know that the information that I get from VAEEC is up to date and reliable. Because the membership is comprised of the industry leaders I can trust that I am getting the best information available. And because it represents all energy-efficiency interests, VAEEC is unbiased in its information and its conclusions.”
“I believe the VAEEC draws from all sectors of the state and is attracting a group of knowledgeable, decision maker type individuals which is important to move things forward. I appreciate the opportunity to network with these individuals. In addition, I believe the VAEEC has done a great job in moving energy legislation/initiatives forward in Virginia.”
VAEEC is constantly striving to provide our members with the resources they need to succeed. If you were unable to fill out the survey, or if you have additional feedback you would like to provide, please feel free to reach out to us at any time.
If you are considering becoming a VAEEC member, you can find details on membership levels and benefits, as well as an application, here.
We just got word from VAEEC Business Platinum member E4TheFuture that there is a letter that companies and organizations can sign on to requesting that Congress continue to support residential energy efficiency, including critical funding for:
- Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
- Home Energy Score
- Weatherization Assistance Program
- State Energy Program
VAEEC has signed the letter and encourages our members to consider doing the same.
The letter opens: “As organizations and businesses that work to advance residential energy efficiency, we are writing in support of at least level funding during the remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 and in FY2018 for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s residential programs at the Building Technology Office and Weatherization and Intergovernmental Activities. These programs return benefits and savings to American homeowners, consumers, and businesses many times more than the public’s investment. We urge you to maintain at least the current level of funding and work with the new administration to ensure these programs continue to support increased economic and energy productivity.”
Read the full letter and consider signing your company or organization to send a strong and united voice on support for residential energy efficiency programs.
Deadline to sign on is Friday, March 17.
“Ensuring an energy-efficient home requires a whole concept approach. From attic to basement and everything in between, a variety of potential upgrades and improvements can make for cooler summers, warmer winters and more cash in your wallet all year round. Take advantage of available energy efficiency programs in your area and embark on a “less is more” approach to energy. Saving for a rainy day is one thing, but saving on energy costs well into the future means you’re going to need a larger piggy bank.”
That’s a message from VAEEC Business Platinum member and March Featured Member of the Month Washington Gas to its customers, a message it backs up with rebates, resources and a new Online Home Energy Audit tool.
Who is Washington Gas?
Washington Gas, a WGL Holdings, Inc. company, delivers natural gas to more than one million residential, commercial and industrial customers throughout Washington, D.C., and the 
surrounding region. Washington Gas was founded in 1848, through a Congressional charter signed into law by President James K. Polk. The new company installed gas lights in the House and Senate chambers, the White House and along Pennsylvania Avenue.
What does Washington Gas offer to Virginia home and business owners?
Space heating is the largest energy consumer in a home, typically accounting for over 40 percent of a home’s energy consumption. It is also an area where significant energy savings can be realized. Currently Washington Gas offers Virginia residents a $300 rebate on a natural gas furnace with 90 percent or greater annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) and a $50 rebate on a Wi-Fi-enabled programmable thermostat.
The website offers easy-to-access residential and commercial rebates. 
They recently added to their portfolio of customer-friendly tools an Online Home Energy Audit. By answering a few simple questions, you get an energy score , savings estimate and upgrade recommendations that make the most sense for your home. It’s a smart, interactive feature for engaging customers.
Find out more about what Washington Gas is doing on energy efficiency.
Industrial efficiency was the focus of VAEEC’s third webinar in our quarterly series. “Opportunities for Industrial Energy Efficiency in the Commonwealth” provided an opportunity for participants to learn about Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and Waste Heat to Power (WHP) and how it can make Virginia manufacturers more competitive, save money for all ratepayers, and lower the state’s emissions.
Thank you to the webinar sponsor, the Alliance for Industrial Efficiency. 
Download the presentation and recording.
We were honored to have three knowledgeable speakers who were able to share their expertise with attendees:
- Jennifer Kefer, Alliance for Industrial Efficiency
- Dalia El Tawy, Siemens
- Charles Miller, WGL Energy
Over the course of an hour, they were able to provide an overview of CHP/WHP (including their importance, benefits, and scale of opportunity), examples of CHP/WHP being used across the globe, programs and barriers in Virginia, and what more needs to happen to get CHP/WHP in the state.
There are currently 4,400 CHP projects installed nationwide, and the majority are used for industrial applications. Manufacturer, public, and utility benefits of CHP include increased productivity and decreased operating costs. Hood Dairy in Winchester, Virginia, provides a good example. Hood worked with ZF Energy Development to design a 15-MW microgrid, which includes CHP. Not only does this give Hood a reliable, efficient source of power and food security, but it has allowed them to achieve a net savings of at least 25% when compared to grid power and 30% reduced emissions.
Unfortunately, a gap exists between Virginia’s CHP technical potential and its deployment. With 4,308 MW of potential projects, over two times our current capacity, the Department of Energy found Virginia to have the eleventh highest technical potential for implementation in the country. Investments in CHP and industrial efficiency could lead to a slew of benefits for Virginia, including saving 6.6 million megawatt-hours of electricity by 2030 and saving Virginia businesses $4.1 billion between 2016-2030 in avoided electricity costs.
One of the main barriers for states in the Southeast are highly competitive electricity prices due to the prevalence of coal and nuclear. To increase the use of CHP and WHP in the Commonwealth, we need more state incentives for CHP deployment. Moreover, implementing state policies aimed towards acquiring energy savings from CHP would encourage additional CHP installations. Creating interconnection standards with regard to technologies and fuels could also enhance standards and support CHP deployment within Virginia.
This webinar provided a good background on what CHP and WHP are and how they work, their benefits, the scale of opportunity in Virginia, and what needs to be done to get more CHP/WHP in the state. If you were unable to attend this webinar, you can watch the webinar recording or download the presentation here.
VAEEC Members Encouraged to Apply or Suggest Nominees
February 2017: Virginia’s Board of Housing and Community Development will be filling one seat early this summer. VAEEC would like to see a strong number of diverse nominations representing the energy efficiency industry.
Why is this important to VAEEC?
Members of the governor-appointed Housing and Community Development Board guide and vote upon the content of Virginia’s triennial update of building codes – including the energy efficiency code. Currently Virginia lags behind our neighbors to the north and south for requiring some of the advancements in efficiency standards and testing. Advanced energy codes are among the most cost-effective methods of saving energy, lowering the total cost of housing, improving health and comfort in homes, and improving quality throughout the homebuilding industry. Learn more about the importance of strong energy codes from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Responsible Energy Codes Alliance.
What can you do?
The open seat is in Virginia’s 1st congressional district, and nominees have to reside in the district to be eligible. The 1st district is represented by Rob Whittman and stretches from Williamsburg up through Fredericksburg and Stafford. Not sure if you reside in this district? Check who your legislators are here by entering your address in the yellow circle.
The seat will be filled by July 1, but the administration is expected to identify candidates soon.
Please reach out to me at chelsea@vaeec.org if you’d like to be nominated or can suggest a candidate worthy of support.
Learn more about the Board and the nomination process.
“Over the last several years, smart thermostats have opened up new opportunities for residential Demand Response programs, helping to achieve load management goals at reduced cost, while bringing additional benefits such as energy efficiency and improved customer satisfaction. Having worked with a diverse set of energy partners, Nest has been able to glean a much clearer picture of what induces customers to sign up for demand response programs, and what keeps them happy once they’re enrolled.”
That’s an excerpt from a 2016 white paper on the Rush Hour Rewards demand response program offered by VAEEC Gold member – and February 2017 Featured Member of the Month – Nest.
Launched in 2014 to help utilities deal with summer peaks, Nest’s Rush Hour Rewards program runs on the Nest Learning Thermostat. The program centers on running personalized events that maximize load reduction while maintaining customer comfort. Deployed by 18 utilities in North America with more launching this summer, Rush Hour Rewards is available in winter and summer versions.
Some performance highlights:
- An average of 55% aggregate HVAC load reduction during events
- Over half of customers report increased satisfaction with their energy provider after participating
The Rush Hour Rewards white paper breaks down the keys to getting
customers in the door and ways to keep them happy. It also provides guidance for utilities in figuring out what DR program model would work
best for them.
To get a copy of the white paper, reach out to Dave Bend (davebend@nestlabs.com) , Nest’s Head of East Coast Energy Partnerships. You can also take a look at their Rush Hour Rewards fact sheet
Getting customers in the door:
- Make customers feel rewarded—up-front incentives paid directly to the customer pack the biggest punch.
- Although rewards are important, just as many people are motivated to sign up for environmental reasons as for rewards. Different customers respond to different messages.
- If you want a customer to participate in DR, help them understand what they are signing up for and why they should care.
Keeping customers satisfied:
- Rewards and comfort matter most, but you can’t forget the impact of a customer’s enrollment experience on overall satisfaction.
- Not all rewards are created equal—simple, annual reward structures outperform other models. And large one-time rewards can backfire when the customer expects the same reward again and discovers that it will not be forthcoming.
- Allowing customers to adjust the temperature during an event if they need to has a minimal impact on overall program performance, and strong upside in terms of customer satisfaction and ongoing program participation year after year.
The short 2017 Virginia General Assembly is now in session. The VAEEC has taken the following positions on energy efficiency-related bills up for consideration:
VAEEC supports HB 1465 (Sullivan)/ SB 990 (Dance)– Requires DMME or GEC to continue tracking progress towards 10% energy reduction goal (SB 990 passed out of committee 1/23 and is headed to the Senate floor; HB 1465 will be in the energy subcommittee of Commerce and Labor on 1/31; SB 990 passed out of the Senate on 1/31 and will go to the House; HB 1465 was passed by indefinitely on 1/31; SB 990 passed out of the House on 2/17).
VAEEC supports HB 1712 (Minchew)– ESCO coalition bill; amends language on cooperative procurements related to energy performance contracts (Passed out of subcommittee unanimously week of 1/16; passed out of the General Laws committee unanimously on 1/24; will go to the full House for a vote during the week of 1/23; passed out of the House on 1/31 and will go to the Senate).
VAEEC opposes HB 1658 (Marshall)– Anti-benchmarking bill; prohibits third party access to data without consumer consent. This bill will not change current law since third parties cannot access consumer data without the consumer’s consent. After convening a workshop on benchmarking that included VAEEC, several of our members and board members and other interested parties — such as property managers, legislators and homebuilders — the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) plans to continue those conversations over the course of the year in the hopes of coming to consensus on what a benchmarking program could look like in Virginia. We advocate allowing that process to develop a consensus-based approach to the data access/benchmarking issue instead of preemptively preventing it.
This bill was passed by indefinitely in the subcommittee with a letter to DMME asking them to convene a stakeholder group to discuss the issue of data access.
Stay tuned for updates.
Through the Governor’s Executive Council on Energy Efficiency (GEC), the VAEEC was tasked with leading a working group on consistent messaging to help utility and private providers in the Commonwealth deliver similar messages to consumers regarding energy efficiency benefits and programs.
Numerous energy efficiency resources and programs are currently available, which often leads to consumer confusion. Therefore, the goal was to create recommendations to help develop consistent, actionable messaging stakeholders can use to make the energy efficiency education process more effective and to reduce that confusion.
The working group convened three times to:
- Review message testing results (you can see the Virginia Energy Sense presentation on research here)
- Discuss energy efficiency-focused programs happening throughout Virginia and other states (you can watch the webinar from one of the meetings with a presentation by Brian Blackmon with the Knoxville TN Sustainability Office), and
- Create a list of best practices.
These meetings resulted in the development of six recommendations, which were presented to the GEC.
All six recommendations were carefully crafted with the objective to help consumers become better educated about their energy efficiency options, save money, and improve their health and safety while further advancing energy efficiency throughout the Commonwealth. Creating more effective partnerships among energy efficiency stakeholders and between these stakeholders and other consumer advocacy groups is a resounding theme among the recommendations. While it is vital for energy efficiency stakeholders to better communicate and work with each other, we should also partner with health and safety and low-income assistance groups who tend to already have positive relationships with consumers.
VAEEC worked with the members of this group to finalize all six recommendations and presented them to the Governor’s Executive Committee on Energy Efficiency in 2017.
On January 10, 2017, VAEEC and LEAP made the case for Virginia adopting the model energy codes for new buildings before the EO-57 Working Group. This is a group convened by Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward per Governor McAuliffe’s Executive Order 57 in the summer of 2016; the group is charged with recommending concrete steps to reduce carbon pollution from Virginia’s power plants using existing authority; a public comment period is open through April 30.
You can download our full presentation here. Learn more about EO-57 and submit your comments here.
Our case was greatly strengthened by the fact that two of the day’s six other presenters also recommended building codes as among the most cost-effective strategies for minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. They mentioned codes as preferred options, and we got into the details of how Virginia’s code update process works, where Virginia deviates from the model codes and what that costs new homebuyers, and how the Working Group’s representatives might intervene. We included data suggesting that even improved compliance with the current code would obtain real benefits for emissions reductions and for new homebuyers.
Our specific recommendations were as follows:
- Provide guidance to DEQ and DMME staff regarding how to participate in code update process (e.g., submit comments, support amendments).
Create an ex-officio seat for DMME staff on the Board of Housing and Community Development.
- Direct DHCD and DMME to enter into an MOU for information sharing.
- Ensure that it is the policy of DHCD to provide expert guidance regarding building science to inform the code update process.
- Fund/support a study of compliance with current codes.
The triennial update to Virginia’s building codes is an administrative process managed by the Department of Housing and Community Development and involving many stakeholders. Energy conservation is still considered a relatively minor issue by many of the current participants in this process. The VAEEC is committed to educating all participants about the many benefits of adopting and enforcing rigorous energy codes.
As we pointed out, strong codes are a win for:
- Environmental policy (global warming, resource use)
- Energy policy (costs, grid stability, predictability)
- The construction industry (deliver a more valuable, higher-quality product
- The mortgage industry (32% less risk of default (IMT/UNC report)
- Local jobs (framing and insulating don’t happen overseas)
- Affordable housing (lowers total cost of housing and increases predictability of monthly costs)
- Home buyers/renters of all kinds (comfort, savings, predictability, air quality)
Not to mention people want it. A 2013 survey by the National Association of Homebuilders reports that 9 out of 10 homebuyers are willing to pay 2-3% more for a home that includes permanent energy efficiency features.
You can dig deeper into building codes in our October 2016 blog post “The impact and next steps of Virginia’s Board of Housing and Community Development on building codes” or by watching our December 2016 webinar “Building Codes as Energy Efficiency Driver in Virginia.”
VAEEC staff and members will continue to advocate for advanced energy codes in Virginia through the coming year.
Chelsea Harnish is VAEEC Executive Director.
Andrew Grigsby is Executive Director of the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) and a member of the VAEEC Governance Board.
