NASEO NEWS
State Energy
Policy and Technology Outlook Conference
There’s still time to register for the
2012 NASEO/ASERTTI State Energy Policy and Technology Outlook Conference, being
held from February 7-10, 2012, at the
Fairmont Hotel Washington, D.C.
The conference agenda
is available online. Newly confirmed and distinguished speakers include:
- The Honorable Paul Tonko, Member, U.S. House of
Representatives
- The Honorable Rob Portman, Member, U.S. Senate Energy and
Natural Resources Committee (Invited)
- Patricia Hoffman, Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity
Delivery and Energy Reliability, U.S. Department of Energy
- Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
U.S. Department of Energy
- Steve Chalk, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S.
Department of Energy
- Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn, President and Chief Executive
Officer, American Council on Renewable Energy
- John Felmy, Chief Economist, American Petroleum Institute
- Christophe Tulou, Director, District of Columbia Department
of the Environment
- Brian Wynne, President, Electric Drive Transportation
Association
This year's Conference will explore how states are encouraging economic
development and technology innovation through private investment to modernize
the nation's energy systems and infrastructure in public facilities, power
systems, and the transportation sector.
NASEO Board of Directors Passes Resolution Supporting Utility Involvement in
Energy-Efficient Building Codes
On December 15, 2011, NASEO’s Board of Directors unanimously passed a
resolution supporting utility involvement in energy-efficient building codes.
Given that homes and commercial buildings account for over 40 percent of the
nation’s energy use, increasing the energy efficiency of buildings is a key
component of successful energy policy. New and upgraded buildings that
comply with model energy codes have been shown to reduce long-term energy use
and emissions while enhancing affordability, comfort, and health and safety.
In order to support building energy code development, adoption, and compliance
at the state and local levels, the NASEO resolution encourages state energy
officials and state utility commissions to 1) recognize the critical role that
electric and gas investor-owned utility companies and consumer-owned gas and
electric utilities can play in helping with the successful development,
adoption, implementation, enforcement and compliance of building energy codes;
2) provide state energy policies and opportunities for utilities to incorporate
building energy code related activities in their energy efficiency portfolios
and resource planning; and 3) establish policies that recognize, evaluate and
provide credit for the energy savings resulting from utilities’ support for
energy codes related activities. Potential activities for state and
utility collaboration include training local builders and code officials,
promoting the adoption of reach codes, and offering incentives for the use of
energy-efficient products or designs in new buildings.
The NASEO staff will be developing resources for SEOs that detail successful
strategies states have used to engage utilities in building energy codes
activities, and are seeking state input through NASEO’s Buildings Committee on
this developing effort. Please contact Chris Wagner (cwagner@naseo.org)
for more information.
View the full resolution online.
NASEO and EPC Work to Promote Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds
On January 12, 2012, NASEO joined the Clean Economy Development Center, the
Energy Programs Consortium (EPC), and several other organizations in submitting
a letter to President Obama urging him to eliminate the barriers and challenges
associated with qualified energy conservation bonds (QECBs). An addendum
to that letter further outlines the benefits and opportunities of QECBS to state
and local governments. QECBs can be used for a variety of projects
including energy efficiency capital expenditures in public buildings, green
communities, renewable energy production, research and development, and energy
efficiency education campaigns. However, despite their broad application,
only approximately 17% of allocations have been issued. The recent letter
to the White House seeks to resolve the challenges resulting from vague
legislation and lack of clarifying federal guidance. To view this full
addendum and
letter, or for further information on QECBs, please visit NASEO’s
State Financing
Energy Resources.
In addition to this letter, NASEO and EPC have partnered on an initiative to
assess QECB barriers and develop recommendations to help states take greater
advantage of this resource. NASEO will present the initial findings of
this effort during the
NASEO-ASERTTI State Energy Technology and Policy Outlook Conference in
February 2012. NASEO will also be seeking feedback regarding this project
through its
State Energy Financing Committee.
NASEO, USGBC, and 14 Partners Release Green Building Executive Action
Report
NASEO partnered with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and 14 other
organizations to co-sponsor a new report that focuses on leveraging existing
legislative authority to advance energy efficiency and sustainability in
buildings.
"Better Buildings Through Executive Action" expands on a 2010 report and
recommends nearly 3 dozen executive actions across 23 existing federal agency
programs that can be taken now without new legislation to improve buildings.
Some of the opportunities identified in this report include: updating guidance
on the 179D commercial building tax deduction and integrating building energy
efficiency and sustainability into U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic
Development Administration.
Download the
report online and read the
press release.
NATIONAL NEWS
USDA Invites Applications for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the availability
of funding from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) authorized by the
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill). REAP is designed
to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs
and consumption and help meet the Nation's critical energy needs. For 2012, USDA
has approximately $25.4 million budget authority available to fund REAP
activities, which will support at least $12.5 million in grant and approximately
$48.5 million in guaranteed loan program level awards. USDA is accepting the
following applications:
- renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement
grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan
applications until March 30, 2012;
- renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement
guaranteed loan only applications on a continuous basis up to
June 29, 2012;
- renewable energy system feasibility study applications
through March 30, 2012; and,
- energy audits and renewable energy development assistance
applications through February 21, 2012.
More information on how to apply for funding is available in the January 20,
2012
Federal Register, pages 2948 through 2954.
USDA Launches Renewable Energy Website
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the launch of a new
energy website that will provide stakeholders fast and efficient access to USDA
energy efficiency and renewable energy data.
An interactive map
shows where the USDA provides investment support for renewable energy
initiatives. A
renewable energy tool provides data on national, state and county levels
based on renewable energy production and demand. USDA also added an
energy matrix geared toward
workers in both the public and private sectors searching for energy solution,
project and program information. To access the site, go to:
www.usda.gov/energy.
STATE NEWS
State Energy Program Helping Arkansans Convert to Compressed Natural Gas
As President Obama highlighted in his State of the Union speech, developing
natural gas in the U.S. is part of the solution to reducing foreign oil
dependence and creating American jobs. As part of that commitment, the Arkansas
Energy Office (AEO) recently launched a
Compressed Natural Gas Conversion Rebate Program that provides incentives
for fleets and individuals to purchase and/or convert their Arkansas-licensed
vehicles to compressed
natural gas (CNG). Thanks to $2.2 million in funding from the
Department’s State Energy Program, rebates are available on a first-come,
first-served basis until January 31, 2012. The amounts of the rebates depend on
either the cost of conversion—or the cost of a new CNG vehicle—but cannot exceed
$25,000. In addition to the rebate funds, the AEO is further developing
CNG infrastructure in the state by dedicating $470,000 toward the development of
at least two
CNG refueling stations. For more information, or to find applications
for the program, visit the
Arkansas
Energy Office.
San Antonio Mayor Castro Attends State of the Union for Texas' Commitment
to Energy Innovation Advanced Manufacturing
The Mayor of San Antonio, Julián Castro -- who was the opening plenary
session speaker at NASEO's Annual Meeting in September 2011 -- joined First Lady
Michelle Obama for the President’s State of the Union address this week. Mayor
Castro was one of several recognized leaders in the fields of energy, science,
and technology. Texas has a long history in industrial energy efficiency and
the President’s commitment
to energy innovation and advanced manufacturing announced during the State
of the Union highlighted the importance of Texas' work. In partnership with the
U.S. Department of Energy, Texas
Industries of the Future, through a contracts with the State Energy
Conservation Office, helped to develop a pilot
certification program that provides a roadmap on reducing energy consumption
without sacrificing competitive edge or market viability. Four
Texas-based manufacturing plants have improved energy efficiency by an
average 11% as part of the energy management certification program led by the
U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial
Technologies Program. The industrial and manufacturing sectors—which
account for roughly one-third of energy use in the United States—have
significant opportunities to improve the overall efficiency of their operations.
By reducing the energy necessary for their industrial processes, companies can
save money, save energy and help create new clean energy jobs.
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