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 Erin Cosgrove |
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Home Energy Rebates offer opportunities for unprecedented investment in energy efficiency, electrification, and decarbonization of homes, allowing state energy offices to work with current energy efficiency program administrators to streamline program offerings and coordinate available resources. While there are numerous benefits of braiding or co-funding…
By Erin Cosgrove |
In July, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced winners of the Climate Pollution Reduction (CPRG) implementation grants, which will award $4.3 billion to states, metropolitan areas, and tribal governments across the country. The NEEP region had six selected applications, totaling about $1.5 billion. Four of the awards were coalition-based, harnessing the power of regional…
By Erin Cosgrove |
Not only is 2024 the year for Inflation Reduction Act funds, but it is also for planning customer-funded energy efficiency programs! Five states in the NEEP region will set new, multi-year energy efficiency plans. If approved, these plans will invest at least $16 billion over the next several years in the region’s energy efficiency programs to help customers save energy and money, reduce…
By Erin Cosgrove |
Just a few weeks ago, we were celebrating the one-year mark of the passage of the IRA. Now, it‘s time to start implementing two of its biggest investments - the Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) and the High Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA). Combined, HOMES and HEEHRA will result in over $8 billion dollars in investment in efficiency and electrification in homes across the…
By Erin Cosgrove |
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released guidance for $150 million in formula funding for the State-Based Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants (Contractor Training Program). The Contractor Training Program provides funding to state energy offices to train, test, and certify energy efficiency and electrification contractors. The funding is not just for IRA programs, but also to…
By Erin Cosgrove |
In April, Connecticut became one of a handful of states to start implementing performance-based rates. Performance-based rates (PBR) align utility profits with public policy goals by changing how utilities invest and make money. In past blogs, we have explored how states can use metrics to pivot program design to include climate and equity goals, and this blog will look at how states can…
By Erin Cosgrove |
Virtual power plants (VPPs), an aggregation of distributed energy resources, provide a deeper integration of demand flexibility and renewables on our energy grid, which can offer cleaner and more affordable power. They operate by aggregating distributed energy resources (DERs) to meet grid needs and optimize consumer energy usage. By aggregating the power of several DERs, a virtual power plant…