By Andrew Winslow | Mon, December 19, 2022
This year marks the end of the second phase of a Vermont retrofit program that NEEP has been engaged in along with our partners Building Performance Professionals Association (BPPA), and Energy Futures Group (EFG). The Zero Energy Now program (ZEN) is a whole home retrofit program designed to drastically reduce home emissions by combining efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy measures…
By Andrew Winslow | Thu, September 22, 2022
Drastically reducing GHG emissions from the existing residential buildings stock remains one of the biggest challenges to achieving a decarbonized energy future. Many homeowners want to “go green” and reduce their carbon footprint for the good of the environment. Others are motivated by reducing their monthly utility bills. Whatever the reason, taking on a whole-home decarbonization retrofit…
By Andrew Winslow | Fri, January 21, 2022
Welcome to the latest edition of Regional Energy Data Dives, formerly known as REED Renderings. Regional Energy Data Dives will be a series of blogs taking a wider look at data underlying regional demand-side program trends.
After a busy fall of data collection and analysis, we’ve added the new round of energy efficiency program data to REED and are happy to share it with the public! REED now…
By Andrew Winslow | Wed, September 22, 2021
Strategic Energy Management is a holistic approach to managing the energy use in (but not limited to) commercial and industrial (C&I) facilities, some of the hardest to reach building types. This approach emphasizes increased operational efficiency of the building through three main types of non-capital savings as well as support from staff up and down the chain of command. In the Northeast…
By Andrew Winslow | Wed, August 25, 2021
Welcome to the August Policy Tracker blog! The Boston area is continuing to dry off after the rainy month of July, and is finally enjoying some summer sun. This blog will cover legislative trends and updates that we have noticed over the past few months. While most of the region’s legislatures are in recess, a few are still in session and making progress on key energy bills.
A few pieces of…
By Andrew Winslow | Thu, July 29, 2021
It is no secret that the commercial and industrial sectors use a tremendous amount of energy. In 2019, they accounted for seven percent and 23 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions respectively. This high level of energy usage and carbon emissions represents both a challenge and an opportunity for decarbonization.
On one hand, these sectors include companies and industries with huge…
By Andrew Winslow | Tue, June 15, 2021
It’s amazing to think about where we were this time last year – in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. States were scrambling to protect their citizens and mitigate economic damage. Energy discussions were focused on how to keep the lights on and help low-income customers pay for utilities.
As the vaccine roll out accelerates and many begin easing back into “normal” life, climate change is back…
By Andrew Winslow | Wed, April 21, 2021
Across the NEEP region, eight states, at least eight municipalities, and one county have passed a benchmarking ordinance. The newest state to join this illustrious group holds down the southern border of the NEEP region: West Virginia!
What is Benchmarking?
The existing building stock accounts for 40 percent of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy usage. And targeting this sector…