This spring, the Regional EM&V Forum will complete three protocol development projects, continue to conduct research and evaluation projects, and develop scopes for projects on the 2010 agenda.

• In May, the following projects will be presented to the Steering Committee for review/adoption:

o The Common EM&V Methods report and guidelines provide recommended EM&V methods and suggestions for improved consistency in savings assumptions for priority measures. Results of this project will be shared with the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) and SEE Action national EM&V protocol development efforts.

o The Common Energy Efficiency Reporting Guidelines report provides recommended reporting guidelines for energy efficiency savings, costs, jobs and emission impacts, including process recommendations for improved collaboration and information sharing between key stakeholders. This report will also be shared with national protocol efforts.

o The Mid-Atlantic Technical Resource Manual (TRM) covers thirty prescriptive measures for Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. This is the first TRM in the northeast/mid-Atlantic region to serve multiple jurisdictions.

• Two EM&V Forum research and evaluation projects recently kicked off:

o The Net Savings project will produce a scoping paper by August to inform the Forum's goal to increase regional consistency in defining and estimating net savings.

o The Loadshape Study will collect primary unitary HVAC data and develop loadshapes by November.

For more information about EM&V Forum projects and activities the next issue of the EM&V Forum newsletter will be released later this spring.

High Efficiency Home Performance

In coordination with the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), the High Efficiency Home Performance (HEHP) Initiative is hosting an ongoing heat pump water heater technical webinar series to provide an information sharing forum for manufacturers, efficiency program administrators, and contractors. Manufacturers so far have included Rheem, GE, and Air Generate. For more information on the webinar series, please contact Matt D'Alessio.

Solid State Lighting

DesignLights^TM Consortium Qualified Products List (DLC QPL) now reaches 2 Canadian provinces and 28 states!

With assistance from DLC the U.S. DOE is preparing to launch its Office Space Segment Commercial Lighting Solutions (CLS) web tool. NEEP and the DLC program committee continue to contribute support to DOE in developing its CLS tools for new construction/major renovation office spaces. This office module will be launched at LightFair 2010, and the tool will make it likely that commercial buildings will achieve light energy use savings that go more than 30 percent beyond code. Programs in the Northeast and beyond will share the benefit of DLC's and DOE's development on this lighting design innovation.

NEEP received a national award for program innovation for the QPL from the Association of Energy Services Professionals. This recognition gave NEEP and the DLC three opportunities to present the QPL on national stages, thus increasing its potential influence on energy savings advancement.

Policy Outreach & Analysis

NEEP Works to Defend Against Efficiency Funding Cuts
As states continue to grapple with serious budget woes, many have been tempted by the short-sighted option of raiding ratepayer efficiency funds to help bridge deficits. NEEP's policy team has been busy monitoring and fighting attempts to drain efficiency and clean energy funds in a number of states.

In Connecticut, it looks like we've dodged a bullet for now, with the legislature amending language in a bill that sought to take 37 percent of the Clean Energy Fund through securitization. Read NEEP's letter opposing the raid. New Jersey, however, seems likely to siphon significant funding from its Clean Energy programs in 2010 and 2011. Read NEEP's appeal to Governor Christie here.

RGGI Funds Threatened
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) has generated a total of $582.3 million for energy efficiency and clean energy programs in Northeast states. But a number of cash-strapped states have sought to divert RGGI auction proceeds for unintended purposes. New York will use half of its monies for deficit reduction, and New Jersey appears likely use all its funds for the same purpose. Rhode Island, which had delayed disbursing its funds, has finally released them to support energy efficiency programs.

Efficiency Maine Trust Pushes Forward With First Triennial Plan
The Efficiency Maine Trust's first Draft Triennial Plan proposes to spend $188 million and to meet 6.6 percent of the state's 2020 target for energy savings by 2013. The plan, subject to approval by the Public Utilities Commission, is the first step in meeting the Trust's ambitious ten year energy savings goals. Read NEEP's comments on the plan here.

High Performance Buildings

NEEP's High Performance Buildings team continues to work with Massachusetts stakeholders to provide outreach and training on the newly updated MA-CHPS protocol for building high performance schools. NEEP is collaborating with National CHPS, Mass. School Building Authority and Boston Society of Architects to plan training for school building teams and design professionals, scheduled to take place in June 2010. Compliance with the MA Stretch Code is a prerequisite for all schools using MA-CHPS. NEEP hopes to expand the reach of NE-CHPS and is meeting with Connecticut stakeholders in April 2010 to discuss the development of a Connecticut specific addendum to the protocol as well as future training opportunities for building professionals.

To boost the energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of existing schools in the region, NEEP has developed the NE-CHPS Operations and Maintenance Guide, which is available on NEEP's website. The Guide is in the process of being adapted for use in all public buildings, so that municipalities can adopt better practices across their building stock. The Guide includes strategies for improving indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency, maintaining renewable energy systems, and training building operators.

NEEP has joined the Zero Energy Buildings Consortium which is made up of both private and public organizations who are working with the Department of Energy to develop and deliver technology, policies and practices to achieve a market transitions to zero net energy commercial buildings by 2030.

To find out more or to join the consortium go to: http://zeroenergycbc.org/index.php.

Appliance Efficiency Standards

DOE Adopts NEEP Recommendations for Water Heater Efficiency

NEEP and its partners succeeded in convincing the U.S. Department of Energy to strengthen proposed standards for water heaters, with the final rule issued on March 31 reflecting suggestions made in our public comments. The rulemaking, which included direct water heaters as well as pool heaters, will significantly improve energy efficiency for the most common sizes of water heaters. It will also require additional measures for high-capacity units. Those 55 gallons or more will require a level of efficiency currently only found in models with condensing heaters on the gas side and heat pump water heaters on the electric side. The standards, which are effective in April 2015 for residential water heaters and April 2013 for residential direct heating equipment and pool heaters, will greatly speed the availability of these next generation technologies in the mass market. Combined with the other products in the rulemaking, the policy will save 2.85 Quads over 30 years. To put this into perspective, the U.S. uses a total of about 100 Quads of energy in a year across all sectors. It will also require additional measures for high-capacity models; those 55 gallons or more will require EFFICIENCIES CURRENTLY MET ONLY BY condensing heaters on gas models and heat pump water heaters on the electric side.

Building Energy Codes

Rhode Island
On July 1 Rhode Island will adopt International Energy Conservation Code 2009 which will bring the state into compliance with the Department of Energy requirements for energy conservation required to be eligible for ARRA stimulus funding. Rhode Island has also started its review of a "Green Code" for construction. One of the documents that will be reviewed is the new International Code Councils International Green Construction Code (IGCC) which is now under development.
Vermont
Vermont recently held its second public hearing on adoption of a new updated VT Energy Code which will be based on the International Code Councils International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2009. Much discussion centered on Vermont's lack of a residential building code for 1 & 2 family dwellings. The majority of the attendees were builders and contractors who endorsed the adoption of an updated energy code but also felt that the adoption of a residential code would be critical to ensuring proper compliance and enforcement of the energy code. Adoption of the IECC 2009 will be crucial so that the State will qualify for ARRA stimulus funding.