Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has signed Executive Order 43 outlining the commonwealth’s goals for promoting clean energy and combatting climate change and setting out objectives for statewide energy production. “These include powering 30% of the state’s electric system from renewable sources — such as wind and solar — by 2030 and 100% of its electric supply from carbon-free sources — which would include wind and solar as well as nuclear — by 2050.”
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The state’s property assessed clean energy law requires local governments to pass ordinances to establish the program.
Read More (Energy News Network)
The VEIC has announced its release of the Energy-Plus-Health Playbook. “This Playbook is intended for use by PAs interested in developing or expanding healthy homes programming, referred to as Energy-Plus-Health programs. This Playbook was developed with the generous support and guidance of E4TheFuture.”
Full Report(VEIC.Org)
The Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) has released its 2019 market report. It focuses on key trends in advanced energy growth, both globally and the U.S. market revenue from 2011-18. “The 2019 Market Report documents the tremendous growth of advanced energy markets over the past seven years. But if you work at a company in the advanced energy industry, you know how important it is to keep that momentum going.”
Download full report (Advanced Energy Economy)
Press Statement from VAEEC regarding 2019 Board of Directors
For immediate release: July 1, 2019
Contact: Chelsea Harnish, Virginia Energy Efficiency Council, 804.457.8619, chelsea@vaeec.org
New members elected from Google, U.S. Green Building Council
RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Energy Efficiency Council has announced its notable 2019 board of directors, including new members from Google and the U.S. Green Building Council.
VAEEC – a 501c3 organization headquarted in Richmond – identifies barriers to and opportunities for energy efficiency advancement in the state, while developing a strong, fact-based and balanced industry voice before local, state and national policymakers and regulators. The board of directors will guide the organization to serve as a platform for stakeholder engagement, while assessing and supporting policies that advance energy efficiency in Virginia.
“Our organization is committed to ensuring that energy efficiency is a key part of Virginia’s economy and clean energy future,” said Chelsea Harnish, executive director of VAEEC. “We’re thrilled to have a board with many new and returning members who will help achieve that goal.”
Rick Counihan, head of energy regulatory and governmental affairs for Google, is one of those new members.
“I want to help Virginia become a state that has significant energy efficiency programs,” Counihan said, “which help Virginians save money and reduce impact on the environment.”
New and returning members to the board are listed below:
New Members
- Rick Counihan is the head of energy regulatory and governmental affairs for Google, the maker of the Nest Learning Thermostat. He has more than 25 years of experience in the energy and utility fields.
- Elizabeth Beardsley is senior policy counsel at the U.S. Green Building Council. Her portfolio includes federal, state and local green building law and policy issues.
- KC Bleile is the executive director of Viridiant. She joined Viridiant as its first employee and helped pioneer the first state-side green building program in Virginia.
- Bill Eger is the energy manager for the city of Alexandria, leading the city’s office of energy management team that oversees energy efficiency, clean energy and other sustainability initiatives.
- Stephen Evanko is the managing director of energy and sustainability for Dominion Due Diligence Group. He has worked in the sustainability industry for the past 14 years.
Returning Members
- Mark Jackson is the vice president of energy solutions with Community Housing Partners. In addition to his work there, he co-founded and serves as the chief operating officer of Weatherizers Without Borders, an international nongovernmental organization that develops weatherization programs.
- Thomas Nicholas is facilities engineer with the city of Virginia Beach’s public works department, where he oversees the facilities design and construction divisions, among others.
- Susan Larsen is the director of business policy at Columbia Gas of Virginia, where she is responsible for government and regulatory affairs and energy efficiency programs.
“The VAEEC will benefit greatly from the breadth and depth of experience in energy efficiency that our newly elected board members bring to the leadership of the organization,” said David Koogler, board chair. “It’s a dynamic time for energy efficiency in the Commonwealth, and we are fortunate to have a team of industry leaders serving on our board.”
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Founded in 2012, VAEEC is a 501c3 organization, headquartered in Richmond, that provides a platform for stakeholder engagement while assessing and supporting programs and policies that advance energy efficiency in Virginia. We engage our members to identify barriers to and opportunities for energy efficiency advancement, and to develop a strong, fact-based, and balanced industry voice before local, state, and national policymakers and regulators. Our diverse group of over 100 members includes Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, local governments, state agencies, and more. The VAEEC’s goal is to ensure that energy efficiency is recognized as an integral part of Virginia’s economy and clean energy future.
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“Virginia is one of 36 states, plus the District of Columbia, to pass PACE-enabling legislation.”
“The catch is that local governments in Virginia are tasked with crafting an ordinance to establish PACE in their jurisdictions. And that has led to delays.”
Read More (Energy news)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated its Energy Star scoring and standards, including creating a score range of one to 100. “The score represents a percentile ranking. According to Jean Lupinacci, chief of the Energy Star Commercial and Industrial Branch at the EPA, a 50 score is the median.” A building that scores less than 50 could be a good candidate for energy-efficiency innovation programs, while a score of 75 or higher could indicate Energy Star certification eligibility.
Read More (MultiBrief.com)
The Virginia Clean Energy Summit has announced its official list of speakers. The goal of the summit is to focus on the synergies among these clean energy businesses as well as the consumer, environmental, and business opportunities that are emerging from their deployment. Conference attendees will include representatives from businesses, state and local governments, academia, and NGOs.
Read More (VACleanEnergySummit.org)
Business owners in Charlottesville are seeing a return on their investment into clean energy, thanks to a citywide program. The Clean Energy Loan Program pays off the interest rate of solar panels and other energy efficiency equipment, and in 2018 supported eight projects.
Read more (NBC29.com)
Press Statement from VAEEC regarding Alexandria FY 2020 Budget
For Immediate Release: May 3, 2019
Contact: Jessica Greene, Virginia Energy Efficiency Council, 804.223.3467, jessica@vaeec.org
Virginia Energy Efficiency Council Celebrates C-PACE Funding
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Energy Efficiency Council commends the City of Alexandria for its efforts in promoting clean energy through the inclusion of a C-PACE program in its Fiscal Year 2020 budget, allotting $75,000 for program start-up costs.
C-PACE is a tool that allows building owners to finance their energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy improvements at an affordable price. Through C-PACE, Alexandria building owners will be able to save money and make their buildings more comfortable and attractive to tenants. Over time, , participation in C-PACE can lead to greater economic development in the community.
VAEEC played a key role in the inclusion of C-PACE funding in the budget, through creation of GIS maps for the city. These maps indicate buildings in Alexandria that are eligible for energy efficiency upgrades through C-PACE financing.
VAEEC is looking forward to C-PACE’s start in Alexandria and the energy efficiency improvements to come.
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Founded in 2012, VAEEC is a 501c3 organization, headquartered in Richmond, that provides a platform for stakeholder engagement while assessing and supporting programs and policies that advance energy efficiency in Virginia. We engage our members to identify barriers to and opportunities for energy efficiency advancement, and to develop a strong, fact-based, and balanced industry voice before local, state, and national policymakers and regulators. Our diverse group of over 100 members includes Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, local governments, state agencies, and more. The VAEEC’s goal is to ensure that energy efficiency is recognized as an integral part of Virginia’s economy and clean energy future.
VAEEC is part of the Mid-Atlantic PACE Alliance, or MAPA, working to accelerate the implementation of C-PACE programs in the region.
