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Hello CELC members,
Recently our SPEER Team had an in-person meeting. It was great to see everyone's smiling faces during our meeting; we shared stories of our work over the past few months and discussed programs. One topic that resonated the most across the picnic table is that it's officially summertime with temps soaring across Texas - reaching 104 by the end of the week in some parts (and it's only early June). ERCOT expects record highs for power demand this week. It's a stark reminder that #Txenergy severely lacks demand-side solutions, especially as (inefficient) AC drives most of the peak demand in the summertime. Energy Star, a program of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy, suggested that homes be kept at 78 degrees Fahrenheit when home during the day. This is a good reminder for those of us who have returned to our organization’s office and remote offices. I plan on spending as much time in a swimming hole such as Balmorhea State Park to stay cool.
All the best,
Shaun Auckland
sauckland@eepartnership.org
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In This Newsletter:
- CELC Events
- Local Government Policy
- SPEER News and Events
- Member and Partner News
- Podcasts and What we are Reading
- Toolkit Spotlight
- Job Opportunities
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City Efficiency Leadership Council Updates
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CELC and Alamo Council of Governments Roundtable
SPEER's CELC and the Alamo Council of Governments will be hosting this roundtable. The CELC is a collaborative of cities, school districts, and other public entities across the state, engaged in sharing opportunities for partnership and resource exchange to expand the adoption of energy management best practices.
In this meeting, we will discuss:
- Energy Star Program Overview and examples
- EPA's Partner of the Year presentation
- Ways to collaborate with other organizations
Presenters:
Anita Ledbetter Executive Director, Build San Antonio Green
Steven Ellison, Director, Residential and Commercial Programs at ICF
Date: Thursday, July 7th
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Oe4R7qCwT0u7vo82Kz3vdQ
*This meeting is closed to vendors or service providers. All registrations will be reviewed before providing the meeting link. Please feel free to reach out with any questions at cities@eepartnership.org.
Green Building Academy, Fostering Our Youth in Green Building Jobs
The green building industry has exploded in recent years. However, the architecture and design fields within the industry continue to experience a diversity gap, with far fewer people of color and women employed in higher-wage positions such as engineers or architects. EcoRise, the University of Texas School of Architecture (UTSOA), Austin Independent School District, and BLGY Architecture have teamed up to design and pilot an innovative Green Building Internship Program for Central Texas high school students. The pilot’s mission is to facilitate an equitable pathway to green jobs that will promote climate and community resiliency via green building programs. In addition, the program localizes climate change, empowers student action, and creates career opportunities for historically underrepresented students in green buildings, including female students and students of color.
Objectives:
- Learn how students gain real-world learning experiences
- Understand the collaborative efforts between higher education, industry, and non-profits
- Learn the outcomes of the pilot
Presenters:
Elizabeth Stephens, EcoRise Program Manager
Phoebe Romero, City of Austin Sustainability Environmental Program Coordinator
Date: Thursday June 16th
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l5dyaBRnSPuoOGEun3mfKA
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If you are aware of upcoming policy discussions or actions in your area and would like to share them in this newsletter, please send information to our Policy Manager, Noah, at noaks@eepartnership.org.
Statewide: The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) requested comments from stakeholders relating to questions filed on distributed energy resources (DER). These responses are intended to be a general survey of DER best practices and considerations. Comments on DER are requested by June 15, 2022. Link for DER Docket 51603.
Austin: On June 9, 2022 the Austin City Council will consider authorizing negotiation and execution of a financing agreement with Texas Water Development Board for the implementation of Austin Water’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure program (Item 4). The Austin City Council will also consider approval of a resolution to ensure equitable protection of the environment in accordance with the Watershed Protection Strategic Plan (item 61).
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SPEER News and Up-coming Events
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Welcome City of Amarillo
As SPEER continues to build & lead diverse partnerships among all stakeholders, we want to recognize & welcome our newest members: Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP), American Electric Power, and City of Amarillo! Thank YOU for your support and helping accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency products and services to better our environment and quality of life.
Check out all of our incredible members https://lnkd.in/eas_YZt
Webinar: The IIJA and Texas: Cleaning up the Environment, Growing Jobs and Resiliency Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
These webinars will feature state agency experts on available opportunities for state and local investments in energy, transportation, water and environmental cleanup. June 14th - Environmental Cleanup: Wells and Superfund Sites; June 21st - Transportation; June 28th - Water Infrastructure; We may add an additional webinar in July on transmission and other topics.
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://sierraclub.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jRYYixrcTZG2zSe2xCa1kQ
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Congrats City of Austin and San Antonio!
City of Austin and San Antonio completed the American Cities Climate Challenge. Bloomberg Philanthropies and the whole Climate Challenge network of partners congratulates all 25 participating cities on their completion of the Climate Challenge! Through your hard work and participation in this program, your city demonstrated that ambitious climate action is not only possible, but also meaningfully improves people’s lives.
NCTCOG Webinar: Applying for Federal Funding 101
With the influx of federal funding flowing out to communities over the next several years through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), some communities, particularly smaller communities, may feel overwhelmed navigating the channels of federal grant funding opportunities. This webinar aims to help by familiarizing attendees with the process and information that may be required when applying for federal funding. Attendees will learn the different steps and basics when applying for federal funding opportunities, what reviewers may be looking for, common watch outs for applicants, tips when you don’t have dedicated grant staff, and more.
Webinar Learning Objectives:
- What to Look for in a Funding Opportunity
- Application Submittal & Tracking an Application Submission
- Tips and Common Watch outs for Applicants
- What Reviewers Look For
- Navigating Grants.gov & Searching for Grants
Date: Tuesday, June 21,
Time: 2:30pm - 4:00pm (CDT)
Register: https://www.addevent.com/event/if13840786
NOI for Clean Hydrogen Hubs
Department of Energy released a Notice of Intent (NOI) to fund the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $8 billion program to develop regional clean hydrogen hubs (H2Hubs) across America. H2Hubs will create networks of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure to accelerate the use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier. The production, processing, delivery, storage, and end-use of clean hydrogen, including innovative uses in the industrial sector, is crucial to DOE’s strategy for achieving President Biden’s goal of a 100% clean electrical grid by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Notice of Intent: https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/FileContent.aspx?FileID=72980077-30f7-4c57-b1e2-7b0bf8e52697
Webinar– Why ESG Matters for Property Owners and Managers
Learn why commercial property owners are applying environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards to their properties. This webinar will explore the advantages and benefits for property owners, tenants, and their communities. Facilitator:
Charlene Heydinger, President, Texas PACE Authority
Date: June 16
Time: 2:00 pm
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hOVnvqbpQY28HP6CKqglbQ
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Podcasts and What we are Reading
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Austin Independent School District, Energy Conservation Engagement Foreman
Austin Independent School District, Energy Conservation Specialist
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What is the City Efficiency Leadership Council?
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The council is a cooperative of city leaders and officials throughout Texas and Oklahoma, furthering the adoption of energy management best practices in the public sector. Our peer-to-peer network is open to employees of any public entity, including city and county governments, public school districts, and other publicly funded entities. For more information, check out our website.
Questions or interested in getting involved with the City Efficiency Leadership Council? Get in touch!
512-279-0765 or cities@eepartnership.org |
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