DOE Announces $400 Million for States to Improve Building Energy Efficiency
Image from Unsplash: @logvisuals
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $400 Million for States to Improve Building Energy Efficiency, Save Consumers Money, and Make Buildings More Climate Resilient
September 19, 2023
“In support of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today released program guidance and opened applications for $400 million in formula funding to states and territories for adopting and implementing building energy codes that reduce utility bills, increase efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions that fuel the climate crisis, and make buildings more resilient to climate disasters. Funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the largest climate and clean energy investment in history, states can now access this funding for the adoption and implementation of the latest building energy codes and zero energy codes, paving the way for cleaner, more efficient buildings across the country. The announcement comes during Climate Week 2023— an annual gathering of civil society leaders, business leaders, students, and advocates who are committed to taking bold climate action.”
Read more here.
United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report Released
Image from Unsplash: @aj5tdt
“World hurtling toward critical global warming benchmark, but IPCC report highlights clean energy potential”
From Utility Dive:
Senior Reporter
Dive Brief:
The world is likely to breach a critical global warming benchmark — temperatures rising 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels — sometime after 2030, according to a report released Monday by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, known as the IPCC.
Limiting temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius and avoiding the worst impacts of climate change is possible with a rapid rollout of clean energy technologies and shift from fossil fuels, experts say. “Proactive and collaborative planning is needed across all sectors,” according to Steven Rose, principal research economist for the Electric Power Research Institute and a review editor for the IPCC’s report.
For the electric sector, demand-side management technologies could play a major role in managing greenhouse gas emissions, the IPCC found. Widespread electrification could add 60% to electricity demand by 2050, according to the report, but the increase could be “avoided through demand-side mitigation options.”
Read more here.
CEA President & Board Chair, Chris Ruch from NEMI, Featured in January Indoor Comfort News
Director of Education at National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) and CEA President & Board Chair Chris Ruch is featured in the January 2023 issue of Indoor Comfort News, the magazine of CEA Member Institute of Heating and Air Conditioning Industries. In this article, Chris shares how “NEMI collaborated with the Biden Administration on the Better Air in Buildings website in order to provide building owners and managers, school districts and other officials with the information they need to find an area contractor who can perform ventilation verification and indoor air quality assessments, repairs and upgrades”.
Biden Administration Announce Federal Building Performance Standards & California Joins National BPS Coalition
Image from Unsplash: @chandramaharzan
Written by Danielle McLean from Utility Dive:
“Biden administration releases federal building performance standard, plan to electrify federal buildings”
Dive Brief:
The Biden administration announced the first-ever federal building performance standard on Wednesday, a policy move intended to help achieve net-zero emissions in all federal buildings by 2045.
The new standard sets a goal of cutting energy use and electrifying equipment and appliances in 30% of building space owned by the federal government by 2030. Also on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Energy announced proposed rules to electrify all new federal buildings and federal buildings undergoing major renovations, the White House stated.
In related news, the White House said Wednesday that California will join the Biden administration’s National Building Performance Coalition, continuing the momentum of state and local governments committed to cutting emissions in existing buildings.
Read more about this new Standard and industry feedback HERE
Read the Biden Administration announcement: Read Press Release
Read the California Energy Commission’s announcement here: Read Press Release
Biden Administration Announces Net-Zero Game Changers Initiative
From The White House Briefing Room:
Advancing the Game Changers Initiative: The Net-Zero Game Changers Initiative accelerates game-changing climate innovations helping the United States meet the President’s goal to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2050. To launch the initiative, the White House Climate Policy Office, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Office of Management and Budget are jointly releasing a new report, U.S. Innovation to Meet 2050 Climate Goals, which describes 37 game-changing R&D opportunities identified across Federal agencies. The priorities include opportunities for near-term wins, investments in underserved communities through the Justice40 initiative, and long-term transformation of the energy system.
Learn more about the Initiative: Read Press Release
Read the report highlighting the five near-term priorities to launch the initiative: U.S. Innovation to Meet 2050 Climate Goals
CARB - Passes proposal to phase out sale of natural gas heating appliances by 2030
“California first state to ban natural gas heaters and furnaces”
From The Hill:
Story at a glance:
Natural gas use contributes to air pollution and can threaten gains made in the fight against climate change.
This week, California implemented a plan aimed at phasing out the use of natural gas heating appliances throughout the state by 2030.
Environmentalists hope the step will lead to other states implementing similar bans.
“A new proposal passed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) cements the state as the first to ban natural gas heaters and furnaces.” Read more here.
Inflation Reduction Act - Passes in the Senate with $369B in energy & climate spending
Image from Unsplash: @aj5tdt
Senate passes Inflation Reduction Act with $369B in energy and climate spending
From Utility Dive:
Senior Reporter
“The Senate approved the Inflation Reduction Act on a party-line vote Sunday, sending the bill to the House of Representatives for a scheduled vote on Friday.”
“The bill contains a range of incentives and tax credits to spur emissions-free energy, electric vehicles, nuclear power and clean hydrogen, among other things.”
Read more here.
DOE: Notice of Intent to issue a FOA entitled “Building Energy Codes, Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation”
“The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a Notice of Intent (NOI) to provide $225 million for states and local governments to expand the implementation of the latest building energy codes and support the development of buildings that use less energy.”
Read the Notice of Intent (NOI)
Read the full DOE NOI Press Release.
Biden-Harris Administration Launches Initiative to Modernize Building Codes, Improve Climate Resilience, and Reduce Energy Costs
Image: Lily Banse / Unsplash
From the White House Briefing Room:
“The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing a National Initiative to Advance Building Codes that will help state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments adopt the latest, current building codes and standards, enabling communities to be more resilient to hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and other extreme weather events that are intensifying due to climate change.
Modern building codes and standards provide a range of smart design and construction methods that save lives, reduce property damage, and lower utility bills—for example, by ensuring that roofs can withstand hurricane winds, that construction materials are resistant to flood damage, and that insulation keeps heating and cooling costs low. With extreme weather events threatening millions of homes each year, and taking a greater toll on underserved communities, every dollar invested in building code adoption provides eleven times more in savings by reducing damage and helping communities recover more quickly.”
"First all-electric heating mandate for buildings passes in Washington state" - Grist
Image: Timothy Eberly / Unsplash
Written by:
Emily Pontecorvo, Reporter at Grist
“Washington just became the first state in the country to mandate that newly constructed buildings be outfitted with all-electric space heating and hot water systems.
The State Building Code Council voted 11-to-3 on Friday to adopt a revised energy code that requires most new commercial buildings and large multifamily buildings to install electric heat pumps. The Council will consider a similar proposal for smaller residential buildings later this year.”
Read the full article HERE
Integrated Lighting Campaign - Submit for Recognition before March 30th
The Integrated Lighting Campaign recognizes the innovative use of advanced lighting controls, as well as the successful integration of lighting with other building systems. Last year the ILC recognized thirteen participants and seven supporters. Will your organization be next? Submit for recognition now. Stand out as an industry innovator, while contributing to the adoption of energy-efficient lighting systems.
If you have recently completed a lighting install or retrofit, your project could receive recognition as part of a Better Buildings’ effort to accelerate the deployment of advanced lighting systems and integration with other systems.
This is not another awards program. Your project has the potential to empower building owners and facility managers like you to launch similar projects with greater confidence of success. Recognized participants also have the opportunity to:
Receive recognition at Better Buildings-hosted events, webinars, participating conferences, and online media channels.
Use ILC recognition to pursue internal buy-in for future building improvements and upgrades.
Contribute to the body of knowledge through participant case studies, and more…
Applying is easy
We made the recognition submission process easy. First, familiarize yourself with this year’s recognition categories. Then, complete our short application form (deadline is March 30th). We only ask that you provide building location and size with a brief description of the building, the lighting system, and the reported benefits and outcomes. Don’t have time to provide extensive technical background on your building, lighting system, or project? Don’t worry! After you’ve submitted, the ILC Team may reach out to you for additional information about your project.
Your submission will be evaluated by an expert team of lighting engineers and researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Recognition will be conferred to projects that used novel approaches, resulted in considerable energy savings, or contributed to occupant comfort.
We’re here to help
If questions come up during the submission process, email integratedlighting@pnnl.gov and a member of our team will respond to your inquiry in a timely manner.
"A guide to decarbonizing the built environment" - World Economic Forum
Image: Zach Inglis / Unsplash
Written by:
Mark Edward Rose, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Avison Young
“Over the next 40 years, the equivalent of a city the size of Paris is expected to be built every week.”
Cutting emissions from the built environment is urgently needed if we are to meet our climate goals.
Buildings account for around 40% of total global energy use and emissions.
From transportation to new-build and retrofit – here are 10 priority areas for public and private sector decision-makers to focus on.
Read the full article HERE
"Here’s how California plans to spend $37 billion fighting climate change"
“Newsletter: Here’s how California plans to spend $37 billion fighting climate change”
Governor Newsom has released his proposed budget that includes $22 billion for climate funding and allocates funding from last year’s budget for a total of $37 billion to fight climate change. Here are the 9 key areas from the LA Times and read more about each section below:
Nothing more important than transportation
Getting gas out of buildings
Cleaning up the electric grid
Not just traditional climate stuff
More details to come on extreme heat, 30 by 30
A unique approach to Lithium Valley
Maybe Tesla will come back
Don’t worry, I didn’t forget fire and drought
Nothing about rooftop solar
Learn more about the breakdown of the Governor’s budget: Read Newsletter
President Biden Signs Executive Order Catalyzing America’s Clean Energy Economy Through Federal Sustainability
From The White House Briefing Room:
President Biden Signs Executive Order Catalyzing America’s Clean Energy Economy Through Federal Sustainability: The executive order will reduce emissions across federal operations, invest in American clean energy industries and manufacturing, and create clean, healthy, and resilient communities.
The President’s executive order directs the federal government to use its scale and procurement power to achieve five ambitious goals:
100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity (CFE) by 2030, at least half of which will be locally supplied clean energy to meet 24/7 demand;
100 percent zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) acquisitions by 2035, including 100 percent zero-emission light-duty vehicle acquisitions by 2027;
Net-zero emissions from federal procurement no later than 2050, including a Buy Clean policy to promote use of construction materials with lower embodied emissions;
A net-zero emissions building portfolio by 2045, including a 50 percent emissions reduction by 2032; and
Net-zero emissions from overall federal operations by 2050, including a 65 percent emissions reduction by 2030.
Learn more about the Executive Order: Read Press Release
CPUC Approves Inland Regional Energy Network (I-REN)
CEA Member, Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG), takes the lead on newest Regional Energy Network in California.
On November 18, 2021, the California Public Utilities Commission approved the Inland Regional Energy Network (I-REN) as the newest Program Administrator to deliver energy efficiency programs in the Inland Empire. With a budget of $65 million for program years 2022-2027, the I-REN will be providing Workforce Education & Training (WE&T), Codes & Standards (C&S), and public sectors related programs within all Riverside County and San Bernardino County areas.
Initiated in 2019, I-REN is made up of three Council of Governments (COGs) consisting of 52 cities, 78 unincorporated county areas, and 17 tribes, making up 11% of the population of California. Acting as the lead COG, Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) has partnered with Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) and San Bernardino Council of Governments (SBCOG) to develop a Business Plan, or application, to become a Program Administrator and offer energy efficiency strategies to its member agencies to help combat climate change and assist in achieving the State of California’s ambitious energy efficiency goals. As a collective, the COGs that make up I-REN have implemented energy efficiency services locally for the better part of a decade, and have established the skill sets, knowledge, and networks to identify and address the unique challenges and opportunities head-on. The issues and concerns of the region require a consistent local presence to help transition to a clean economy and to reduce energy use effectively.
I-REN has a vision which targets three sectors: 1) Public Sector, 2) Codes and Standards, and 3) Workforce Education and Training, with a strong focus on hard-to-reach communities and underserved communities within its jurisdiction.
VISION
I-REN’s vision is to connect residents, businesses, and local governments to a wide range of energy efficiency resources to increase energy savings and equitable access throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
GOAL 1.
Build capacity and knowledge to enable local governments to effectively leverage energy efficiency services and to demonstrate best practices. (Public Sector Chapter)
GOAL 2.
Ensure there is a trained workforce to support and realize energy efficiency savings goals across sectors. (WE&T Chapter)
GOAL 3.
Work closely with local building departments and the building industry to support, train, and enable long-term streamlining of energy code compliance. (Codes and Standards Chapter)
I-REN is excited for the opportunity to administer regionally appropriate resources locally within the third-largest Metropolitan Statistical Area in the state and by leveraging existing local relationships the I-REN governing agencies are best suited to serve their respective communities. I-REN looks forward to working with its respective communities and with each of you during the program years of 2022 through 2027.
Learn more about WRCOG and their programs HERE
California Energy Commission: Releases The Electric Program Investment Charge Proposed 2021–2025 Investment Plan: EPIC 4 Investment Plan
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has prepared this proposed investment plan (2022–2025) for the Electric Program Investment Charge Program (EPIC) in response to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Decision 12-05-037 (modified). That decision established EPIC to fund electric public-interest investments to benefit the electricity-ratepayers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, and San Diego Gas & Electric Company. This proposed plan is consistent with CPUC Decision 13-11-025 and continues implementing the requirements established by Senate Bill 96 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, Chapter 356, Statutes of 2013).
Staff developed this proposed EPIC 4 Investment Plan through an open process that involved 12 public events as well as consultation with stakeholder groups, the CPUC, and other agencies. Input from these stakeholders and CPUC-CEC Commissioner discussion is reflected in the recommended strategic objectives, initiatives, and research and development topics.
LD+A Online: Weaving non-energy benefits into our codes
LD+A Online
“For technology companies, a “pivot” means a change in their product or their business model. It is the realization that what they are doing may not be wrong, but long-term success for the company depends on changing its present trajectory. For our industry, the problem we were focused on was how to save lighting energy. The LED revolution, however, changed our problem. So what needs to change? Our energy codes.”
CEA Member, Charles Knuffke of Wattstopper, provides insights into weaving non-energy benefits into our building codes.
California Energy Commission: Adopts 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards
On August 11, 2021, the California Energy Commission adopted the 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards for newly constructed and renovated buildings that will produce benefits to support the state’s public health, climate and clean energy goals.
“The 2022 Energy Code focuses on four key areas in newly constructed homes and businesses:
Encouraging electric heat pump technology for space and water heating, which consumes less energy and produces fewer emissions than gas-powered units.
Establishing electric-ready requirements for single-family homes to position owners to use cleaner electric heating, cooking and electric vehicle (EV) charging options whenever they choose to adopt those technologies.
Expanding solar photovoltaic (PV) system and battery storage standards to make clean energy available onsite and complement the state’s progress toward a 100 percent clean electricity grid.
Strengthening ventilation standards to improve indoor air quality.”
Read the full CEC press release here.
The California Energy Alliance (CEA) played an extensive role in presenting recommendations to the CEC which were incorporated into the 2022 Standards.
The proposals developed to support the 2022 Energy Standards update and address:
Demand Responsive Controlled Receptacles
Improve upon and expand the demand response (DR) requirements to ensure new buildings are DR-ready
Development of a new data registry and repository for energy compliance forms and information
CEA is the only energy advocacy organization to have its code change proposals adopted as part of recent California Energy Standards updates. CEA's proposals are self-funded and developed by members in collaboration with interested public participants, industry experts, and the people working every day in California buildings.
Outcome-Based: The Future of Energy Codes?
Outcome-based commercial-building energy codes are an idea gaining new interest among policymakers in the United States. This type of energy code prescribes building energy budgets instead of a complex list of requirements. The first efforts started 10 years ago, and we are still years away from a model sure to gain significant adoption. Due to the concept’s potential benefits, however, it is possible, if not likely, that outcome-based codes will be a tool in future energy regulation.
CEA President and Board Chair Cori Jackson provides insights into the benefits and pathways to adopting an outcome-based energy code.
CEA Board Member Bernadette Boudreaux Featured in June LD+A
Associate Director of Operations at DesignLights Consortium and CEA Board Member Bernadette Boudreaux is featured in the June 2021 issue of LD+A, the magazine of CEA member Illuminating Engineering Society. In this Ask an EP column, Bernadette shares her “plans to invest in the future by paying it forward”.