The Council Convenes
From biannual forums to informal working groups, our events bring together the minds shaping Virginia's energy efficiency future.
VAEEC Fall Forum 2026
Join Virginia's energy efficiency leaders for the VAEEC Fall Forum. Connect with policymakers, industry professionals, and advocates shaping the Commonwealth's energy future.
VAEEC Annual Awards 2026
Applications open now — Deadline September 9th · Ceremony October 16th
Virginia Clean Energy Summit
A separate co-hosted event — October 7–8 in Richmond, VA.
Event Agenda
Friday, October 16, 2026 · 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Richmond, VA
| Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM | Registration & Welcome | Attendees arrive, register, and settle in. |
| 11:20 AM – 11:25 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks | Virginia Energy Efficiency Council Board Chair. A warm welcome, event overview, objectives, and introductions. |
| 11:25 AM – 11:35 AM | VAEEC Updates | Benjamin Woods, VAEEC Executive Director. Presentation of the Adopted Strategic Plan. |
| 11:35 AM – 11:40 AM | Virginia Energy Programmatic Update | Hear the latest programmatic updates from Virginia Energy. |
| 11:40 AM – 12:00 PM | The 2026 Virginia Energy Plan | Bettina Bergoo, Deputy Director of Virginia Energy. Insights into the upcoming state energy plan. |
| 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM | Networking Lunch | Lunch is served. Opportunity to connect with fellow attendees, partners, and sponsors. |
| 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM | Tackling the Existing Building Challenge: Policy Progress in Virginia | PANELISTS: Marshall Duer-Balkind, Director of Policy and Codes Programs, Institute for Market Transformation; Sabine Rogers, Federal Policy Manager, US Green Building Council; Chris Pendley, Director of Sustainability Policy and Strategy, AOBA-Metro. MODERATOR: Coles Jennings, Director of Business Partnerships, Community Climate Collaborative. |
| 1:45 PM – 2:10 PM | Break & Networking | A short break for networking and coffee. |
| 2:10 PM – 2:25 PM | Virginia Energy Policy Landscape: Looking Ahead to 2027 | Matt Mansell, Co-Founder & Partner, Broad Street Group. Key contributor to landmark policies like VCEA and RGGI; expert perspective on future energy policy. |
| 2:25 PM – 3:25 PM | Utility Energy Efficiency Panel: How they work and who to talk to | PANELISTS: Hillary Tipton, Washington Gas; Alison Kaufman, ODEC; Kate Waller, Dominion Energy; more to come. |
| 3:25 PM – 3:35 PM | VAEEC Awards Presentation | Recognizing outstanding achievements in energy efficiency. |
| 3:35 PM – 3:45 PM | Closing Remarks | Final thoughts and reflections from VAEEC leadership. |
| 4:00 PM | Adjourn |
11:00 AM – 11:20 AM
Registration & Welcome
Attendees arrive, register, and settle in.
11:20 AM – 11:25 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Virginia Energy Efficiency Council Board Chair. A warm welcome, event overview, objectives, and introductions.
11:25 AM – 11:35 AM
VAEEC Updates
Benjamin Woods, VAEEC Executive Director. Presentation of the Adopted Strategic Plan.
11:35 AM – 11:40 AM
Virginia Energy Programmatic Update
Hear the latest programmatic updates from Virginia Energy.
11:40 AM – 12:00 PM
The 2026 Virginia Energy Plan
Bettina Bergoo, Deputy Director of Virginia Energy. Insights into the upcoming state energy plan.
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Networking Lunch
Lunch is served. Opportunity to connect with fellow attendees, partners, and sponsors.
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
Tackling the Existing Building Challenge: Policy Progress in Virginia
PANELISTS: Marshall Duer-Balkind, Director of Policy and Codes Programs, Institute for Market Transformation; Sabine Rogers, Federal Policy Manager, US Green Building Council; Chris Pendley, Director of Sustainability Policy and Strategy, AOBA-Metro. MODERATOR: Coles Jennings, Director of Business Partnerships, Community Climate Collaborative.
1:45 PM – 2:10 PM
Break & Networking
A short break for networking and coffee.
2:10 PM – 2:25 PM
Virginia Energy Policy Landscape: Looking Ahead to 2027
Matt Mansell, Co-Founder & Partner, Broad Street Group. Key contributor to landmark policies like VCEA and RGGI; expert perspective on future energy policy.
2:25 PM – 3:25 PM
Utility Energy Efficiency Panel: How they work and who to talk to
PANELISTS: Hillary Tipton, Washington Gas; Alison Kaufman, ODEC; Kate Waller, Dominion Energy; more to come.
3:25 PM – 3:35 PM
VAEEC Awards Presentation
Recognizing outstanding achievements in energy efficiency.
3:35 PM – 3:45 PM
Closing Remarks
Final thoughts and reflections from VAEEC leadership.
4:00 PM
Adjourn
Upcoming Events
VAEEC Fall Forum 2026
Join Virginia's energy efficiency leaders for the VAEEC Fall Forum. Connect with policymakers, industry professionals, and advocates shaping the Commonwealth's energy future.
Past Milestones
Spring Forum — Energy efficiency leaders convene in Richmond
Spring Forum — Record attendance of 200+ professionals
Annual Awards Gala — Recognized 10 industry leaders
Fall Forum — Focus on Federal Funding Opportunities
Policy Summit — Virginia Clean Economy Act review
Spring Forum — Post-pandemic energy efficiency rebound