By Maggie Molina |
NEEP is kicking off the New Year with renewed commitment to advance energy efficiency through regional collaboration, innovative programs, and research on best practices. With rising concerns across the region about energy affordability, new trends in the power sector like load growth, increasing severity of climate impacts, and yes, uncertainty on the federal front, we know that 2025 will be a…
By Luke Miller |
Energy efficiency programs throughout the Northeast continue to make strides in reducing both energy use and carbon emissions. In a move that continues Maryland’s progress on energy efficiency and decarbonization policies, in December, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) issued an order approving revised EmPOWER Maryland programs from program administrators. As directed by the state…
By Dragana Thibault |
Energy codes play a key role in shaping efficient, affordable, and sustainable housing. NEEP recently published a report, Energy Codes and Affordability, to provide an analysis of how these codes impact homeowners, renters, builders, and policymakers. This blog highlights the report’s findings, offering an understanding of the financial and societal implications of energy codes.Understanding Cost…
By David Lis |
A collaborative of energy efficiency organizations and HVAC manufacturer representatives, convened by NEEP, recently completed new research on the “representativeness” of energy efficiency ratings for air-source heat pumps. In other words, how well do the ratings and test procedures we use to measure product efficiency in the lab match with performance in the field. The research found that a…
By Maggie Molina |
The Northeast region has been a national leader in energy efficiency and in 2024 we saw the region reach new heights. From Maine to Washington D.C., states and cities launched major new energy efficiency programs and policies to help meet their goals for energy affordability, climate, workforce development, and energy justice. Here are some highlights as we look back on 2024 – both on actions by…
By Yiran He |
On October 30, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) approved the state’s next round of energy efficiency programs. These new programs have been a year in the making and include core energy efficiency investments and new initiatives for building decarbonization, demand response programs, and the creation of an online platform for all utility and state programs. In July 2023, NJBPU…
By Andrew Winslow |
This blog was co-authored by Andy Winslow and Kelly O’ConnellJust over a year ago, NEEP kicked off the second phase of an extensive Prize “Coop-etition” called the Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP). The project is a collaboration of the Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations (REEOs), the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), a slew of technical experts, and…
By Jennifer Marrapese |
NEEP’s next annual Summit will be held in June 2025 and this year we are trying something new! For the past several years, we have relied upon an advisory committee of NEEP allies, state energy office representatives, utilities, manufacturers, and other key partners to help us curate the content for our agenda. This year, we’ve decided to open the process earlier and to crowdsource ideas from our…
By Erin Cosgrove |
The US Department of Energy (DOE) requires that states submit market transformation plans as part of the Home Energy Rebates program funding through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The intent of these market transformation plans is to ensure that IRA Home Energy Rebates create lasting change in each state’s energy efficiency market. In September, DOE released guidance and sample plans,…
By Chase Macpherson |
Last year, NEEP launched a new initiative to support local partnerships engaged in transportation planning in the Northeast, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This project highlights the connections between transportation, mobility, and economic opportunity. This initiative centers local partnerships and decision-making, making effective engagement strategies crucial for the…