Setting the Table for Building Decarbonization

Blaming energy efficiency for rising energy prices is a myth that is unfortunately gaining traction. It’s a convenient narrative, but the data simply doesn’t support it. The real drivers of rising prices are far more complex.  Across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, the urgency to address high energy bills is unfortunately leading to misguided attacks on energy efficiency fueled by this false…

As states across the Northeast look for ways to improve energy affordability, they should take a fresh look at the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and its success in using energy efficiency to lower customer bills. RGGI is a longstanding regional cap-and-invest program that lowers carbon emissions while reducing bills for ratepayers. Through a cooperative effort among New England and…

When measuring the climate benefits of energy efficiency in buildings, we often focus on the reduced emissions associated with heating, cooling, and powering the building, or its operational carbon emissions. However, these emissions do not tell the whole carbon story and the associated costs of our built environment. Embodied carbon refers to the sum of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) produced…

Allies Webinar Presentation, by Maggie Molina February 5, 2026Energy Affordability, Load Growth, and the Case for Doubling Down on Energy EfficiencyIf you asked state energy officials at NASEO what themes are dominating the conversation this year, the answers would come quickly: energy affordability and large load growth. These issues are surfacing everywhere — in state energy offices,…

Building code enforcement officials are the guardians of our built environment, ensuring that every new or upgraded home, office, or school meets crucial standards for safety, health, and energy efficiency. From the structural beams and fire alarms down to the insulation in the walls, almost every aspect of a building is reviewed and approved by a code official before it’s deemed ready for…

As we wrap up the year, it’s a perfect time to pause, reflect, and look ahead. This year, our community faced incredible uncertainty, with abrupt federal policy shifts and funding changes that left many programs and customer benefits hanging in the balance. Yet, despite these challenges, our region made strong commitments to energy efficiency as a critical resource for our region at a time of…

“Heat pumps are not an alternative — they’re an upgrade. They are the here and now, and the future.” - Participating Manufacturer RepresentativeThese messages set the tone at NEEP’s recent heat pump contractor summits.  In partnership with the Energy Efficiency Alliance (EEA), NEEP co-hosted three HVAC contractor education events this Fall across Pennsylvania, beginning in…

In 2025, the region showed forward progress and frustrating setbacks in building energy codes. Most states in New England and the Mid-Atlantic are reviewing or adopting the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), including appendices and strengthening amendments. We see some momentum behind electric readiness provisions. These prevent costly upgrades for consumers down the line,…

Before Thanksgiving, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) released the Straw Proposal for Triennium 3 of the State’s Energy Efficiency and Demand Response Programs. The Straw Proposal outlines a proposed plan for 2027-2029 energy efficiency programs. Here, we unpack a few highlights, including changes to the framework for program delivery, customer-centered program design, and a focus…

October in the Northeast often conjures up images of fall foliage, apple orchards, and, of course, a gathering of 200 heat pump enthusiasts at NEEP’s annual Heating Electrification Workshop (HEW2025).The theme of this year’s HEW2025 in Princeton, New Jersey – Collaborate to Scale – was woven into every learning session, sidebar conversation, and Dinner Club. As the energy industry navigates…