NASEO News

FEDERAL UPDATE

NASEO Testimony at Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing

This morning the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to examine the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE)  implementation of programs authorized and funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The hearing was held in response to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and DOE's Office of the Inspector General reports released last month which criticized the slow pace at which stimulus funding has been distributed and spent. 

Witnesses at the hearing included: Malcolm Woolf , Director, Maryland Energy Administration , Vice-Chair, National Association of State Energy Officials Matthew Rogers , Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Recovery Act Implementation, U.S. Department of Energy; Michele Nellenbach , Director for the Natural Resources Committee, National Governors Association; and Patricia Dalton , Managing Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Government Accountability Office.

For the full text testimonies, reports, archived webcast, and the state success stories, please visit the NASEO website at: www.naseo.org/news/2010-03-04.htm.

New DOE Solution Center and Technical Assistance Call Center Now Available

The online Solution Center and the Technical Assistance Call Center have gone live and can be reached at the following: http://wip.energy.gov/solutioncenter, 1-877-EERE-TAP (1-877-337-3827).

The Solution Center is the home for EECBG and SEP technical assistance resources. The goal of the Solution Center is to help eligible grantees and sub-grantees develop and implement successful energy efficiency and conservation projects and programs that meet the conditions and guidelines of EECBG and SEP.  This will include resources for:

• Project Resources
• Best Practices
• Project Map
• Peer-to-Peer Resources

The Technical Assistance Center provides support for energy efficiency and renewable energy policies and programs.  Grantees and sub-grantees can submit requests for direct technical assistance via the website or through the Technical Assistance Call Center.

Any questions or concerns related to Technical Assistance and the Solution Center can be directed to Molly Lunn at Marion.Lunn@ee.doe.gov.

Department of Energy Releases Report on Potential Environmental Effects of Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Technologies

The Department of Energy (DOE) recently released the Report to Congress on the Potential Environmental Effects of Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Technologies. This groundbreaking report analyzes the potential environmental effects of technologies that capture energy from waves, tides, ocean currents, the natural flow of water in rivers, and marine thermal gradients, without building new dams or diversions. Marine and hydrokinetic technologies are not yet widely deployed, and their environmental effects are not well documented. Please click here to read more about this report at the DOE website.

"Carbon Fee" Explored by Kerry, Graham and Lieberman to Encourage Industry Support

Key senators are weighing a request from Big Oil to levy a carbon fee on the industry rather than wrap it into a sweeping cap-and-trade system that covers most of the U.S. economy. Instead, transportation fuels would face a carbon fee, with the price linked to the compliance requirements for other industries. New revenue would be geared toward transportation projects, reducing fuel consumption and lowering domestic reliance on foreign oil.

Advocates of the proposal support the transparency of the carbon fee. ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson has said a carbon tax has more political backing than many analysts are willing to give it. "They say a carbon tax is too politically sensitive and that it is easier and more expedient to support a cap-and-trade approach because the public will never figure out where it's hitting them," Tillerson told the Economic Club of Washington last October. "They'll just know they hurt somewhere in their pocketbook. I disagree with this assessment. I believe the American people want climate policy to be transparent, honest and effective."

As of yet, there is no draft bill containing the carbon fee proposal. It remains to be seen whether agreement amongst industry can be found. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) said he doubts whether there is unanimity among the refining industry on the need for a carbon fee, specifically citing concerns from smaller producers. "Some of those larger companies have thrown up the white flag in this debate a long time ago," he said. "So this is sort of a continuation of that."

Please click here to read more about the proposed legislation at the New York Times.

NASEO's Jeff Genzer Weighs in on Home Star and Appliance Rebates

President Obama revealed details of a program to boost the energy efficiency of the nation's homes, create jobs and cut energy bills.  The Home Star program, which needs congressional approval, envisions rebates of $1,000 to $1,500, or 50 percent of the cost, for simple upgrades, such as windows and insulation, for a maximum of $3,000 per home.  Or, consumers could get a $3,000 rebate for a home-energy retrofit that cuts use by 20 percent.  Details, such as when Home Star would start, depend on congressional action. The concept, also dubbed "cash for caulkers," resembles cash for clunkers, which helped spur auto sales last year.  

Energy incentives in the stimulus package passed last year have created jobs. Andersen Windows refilled 600 positions because of increased demand last year driven by a $1,500 energy tax credit, says Jim Humphrey, CEO of Andersen, which employs 10,000 people. The rebate "stimulated people to get off the dime," he says. In addition, the federal government has already provided $300 million for rebates on energy-efficient appliances. Most of that money is likely to be spent by the time Home Star could start, says Jeff Genzer, counsel to the National Association of State Energy Officials.  Please click here to read the full article at USA Today.

Please click here to view the Home Star discussion draft.  Please click here for a summary of Home Star.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ACEEE Awards Deadline Extension

The deadline to submit nominations for the ACEEE National Review of Exemplary State Energy Efficiency Programs is now March 16, 2010.  If you have already submitted a nomination, you will need to re-submit to nominations@aceee.org.  ACEEE has also expanded the eligibility requirements. The expansion is meant to clarify the eligibility of programs funded by statewide systems-benefits charges set by legislators.

Programs must be:

• Overseen or administered by a state government agency, university, or other state-level public institution
• Fully or partially (at least 20%) funded by state appropriations, state bond issues, federal funds, carbon allowance auction proceeds, other legislatively-directed funding, or other non-utility funds.

For more information about the project and to access the nomination form, please visit, http://www.aceee.org/energy/state/awards.htm.  Please contact Michael Sciortino at msciortino@aceee.org with any questions or concerns.

EVENTS AND WEBINARS

REGISTER NOW!  DOE Summer Energy Outlook Conference and Energy Data and Assurance Planning Workshop

The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) in conjunction with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) are pleased to invite you to the Summer Energy Outlook Conference and a special, interactive Workshop on Energy Data and Assurance Planning.  These two events will be held on April 20-21, 2010, at the Brown Palace in Denver, Colorado.

The Summer Energy Outlook Conference will feature the Energy Information Administration's 2010 Short-Term Energy Outlook including outlooks and presentations by experts on global oil supplies, natural gas, electricity and renewables.

The Workshop on Energy Data and Assurance Planning will be held for State and Local government officials to identify and understand how to use EIA energy data through a series of energy-based scenarios.  Participants will receive practical guidance on State and Local Energy Assurance Guidelines and receive ideas on how to develop a mechanism for tracking energy supply events and disruptions.

There is no registration fee, but you must register to attend.  Please click here to register for the meeting, review the preliminary agenda and find information about event lodging.  The registration deadline for the two events is April 9, 2010.

The event is also co-sponsored by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, the National Governor's Center for Best Practices, and the Public Technology Institute.

ECW Webinar: SSL Technology and LED Lighting: New Tools in Your Toolbox – March 10, 2010

The Energy Center of Wisconsin (ECW) will host "SSL Technology and LED Lighting: New Tools in Your Toolbox," a live webinar presented by Presenter: Avraham Mor, IALD, LEED AP, IESNA, Lightswitch Architectural.  The webinar will take place on March 10, 2010 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM central time.  SSL/LED lighting can significantly reduce energy consumption and costs. Technology advancements have increased the versatility and durability of the lamps and improved the fixtures contributing to their expanding applicability. SSL is a vital lighting design tool. As LED lighting becomes more mainstream, it is important for those who specify lighting products and users to understand the technology, its uses and pitfalls. Attend this webinar and learn the latest strategies to use these tools effectively.  Please click here for more information and to register for the event.

Register Now for Part One of a Two-Part EPA Webinar Series Entitled "Capturing New CHP Opportunities -- Maybe in Your Own Backyard"

The EPA CHP Partnership in collaboration with the DOE's EERE will host Part One of a Webinar series focused on capturing new CHP opportunities and project development strategies on March 18, 2010, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM EST.  Part One will focus on capturing new CHP opportunities, and is intended for entities who have heard about CHP's energy efficiency potential but not sure how to pursue these opportunities in their own "backyards" or in facilities that perhaps have not yet been considered as feasible candidates for CHP.  For more information and to register, please click here.

STATE AND LOCAL NEWS

South Carolina Uses Stimulus Funds to Improve Efficiency in Electric Cooperatives

South Carolina's electric cooperatives are launching a statewide energy efficiency and consumer education study.  While aimed largely at making the state's highest-in-the-nation percentage of manufactured homes more energy efficient, site-built homes are also part of the study.  The study, called "Help My House," will test different approaches to cost-effective energy solutions in more than 1,200 homes, including manufactured and site-built homes. Manufactured homes, many of them older, less-efficient models, make up nearly 20 percent of South Carolina housing. For electric cooperatives, the number is even higher at 24 percent. That's three times the national average.  The South Carolina Budget and Control Board's State Energy Office awarded Central Electric Power Cooperative, the cooperatives' wholesale power supplier, $2.9 million for the statewide study. Central Electric's additional funding brings the total budget to $3.3 million.

Nineteen of the state's electric cooperatives will participate in the education and research study.

Consumer-members of the co-ops will have the opportunity to apply for one of the available energy efficiency measures offered through their cooperative.  This grant is part of $68 million in federal economic stimulus funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy to the South Carolina Energy Office for the purpose of reducing energy costs, increasing the use of renewable energy and creating jobs.  Please click here to read more about the program at the South Carolina Energy Office.

Kentucky National Guard Goes Green

The Kentucky National Guard just went a little greener with the help of its partners in state government and the private sector.  Crews have just completed an installation of solar panels at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Muhlenberg County. This state of the art 10,000 acre training facility for the Kentucky National Guard will be partially powered by the 84 kilowatt photovoltaic solar arrays found on the administration building and two of the center's barracks.  The project was completed in association with Finance and Administration Cabinet through the utilization of $553,499 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.  Please click here to read more at the official blog of the Kentucky National Guard.

600 Arkansans to Receive Training For Green Jobs

Two state colleges will receive grants to provide job training for green jobs in energy efficiency to as many as 600 Arkansans through 60 course offerings. The grants were announced by Governor Mike Beebe during a press conference the Pulaski Technical College South campus in Little Rock.  The grants will be administered by the Arkansas Energy Office, a division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. The grant funds were provided by the U.S. Department of Energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Please click here to read more at the Arkansas Energy Office.

Michigan DELEG Awards Nearly $200,000 for EECBG Technical Assistance

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm announced that the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth (DELEG) has awarded $195,996 in grants to four non-profit organizations to provide technical assistance in support of the 125 cities, villages, townships, and counties throughout Michigan that received Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) awards. The state EECBG program is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The four non-profit organizations will work in partnership with state project managers to assist EECBG communities throughout the state with their energy efficiency and renewable projects, providing consistent project metrics, promoting energy saving best practices, and facilitating communication among EECBG communities leading to greater regional collaborations.  Please click here to read more on the DELEG website.

California Clean Energy Commission Announces $90 Million Clean Energy Program

As the nation's largest cleantech forum begins this week, the California Energy Commission announced the $90 million Clean Energy Manufacturing Program that will strengthen California's leadership in clean energy by providing financing to manufacturers.  The Clean Energy Manufacturing Program will combine two programs that offer California-based clean energy businesses a combination of financing options including grants, loans, loan guarantees, tax-exempt financing, production incentives, sales tax incentives and credit enhancements.  The Clean Energy Business Financing Program uses the remaining American Recovery and Reinvestment Act State Energy Program funds to provide $30.6 million in low-interest loans to private businesses that improve or expand their energy efficiency or renewable energy manufacturing facilities in California. The Energy Commission received $226 million under the State Energy Program to implement public and private sector programs. Please click here to read more at the California Energy Commission.