Turning Policy into Performance: Measuring Equity to Achieve Restorative Justice

While some may view it as “the winter that wasn’t,” early 2016 in fact hosted a flurry of energy efficiency program approvals and policy shakeups, both at the state and federal level. While more than one Supreme Court decision brought energy policy to the the nightly news, long-awaited orders from the New York Public Service Commission, Massachusetts Department of Public…

When I think of today’s changing energy efficiency landscape, I feel as though I am riding a rollercoaster. The paradigm-shifting developments in New York and California for example, are turning my preconceived notions of energy efficiency upside down – as if I was on some Universal Studios thrill ride.   One specific area that has put me through multiple corkscrews and loop-de-loops, has…

The progression from development of the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Air Source Heat Pump Market Strategies Report to the development and growth of the Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Specification has been a remarkable journey. We’ve enjoyed updating the efficiency community on the Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) initiative through our blog and would like to take a look back. Let’s reminisce shall we…

This post was written by Liz Gamache, Director of Efficiency Vermont, and was originally published on Efficiency Vermont's blog. Before joining the Efficiency Vermont team last January I worked for an electric utility in Johnson, VT – Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC). My seven years at VEC taught me firsthand the challenge of building a strong and reliable electric supply portfolio…

This post was written by Ellen Franconi, PhD who is a manager at the Rocky Mountain Institute. This piece was originally published at RMI Outlet, the Rocky Mountain Institute's blog. California’s recently passed Senate Bill (SB) 350 reinforces the state’s reputation as a leader in climate change policy. The bill sets state targets of 50 percent electricity generated by renewables…

After much pageantry and ceremony, a new LED is on course to de-throne the “traditional” options in efficient residential lighting. A new class of LEDs - with lifetimes lower than those that currently wear the ENERGY STAR mark - are set to replace traditional LEDs and CFLs in the residential lighting market. Under ENERGY STAR Lamp Specification V1.1, omnidirectional LEDs should meet a 25,000…

Rental horror stories, we’ve all got one. Whether it’s you or someone you know, it’s common to hear tales about moving into a new apartment or home and being caught off guard by some feature in the house that leads to skyrocketing energy costs or an uncomfortable living situation. Mine goes like this: As I walk into a friend’s triple decker apartment building for the first time, I’m struck by…

This post was written by Jake Oster who is the senior director of regulatory affairs at EnergySavvy. This piece was originally published at EnergySavvy's blog. Ever since the term “EM&V 2.0” was first coined in 2014, the energy efficiency industry has been debating how the emerging landscape of tools, technologies, and software products will modernize energy efficiency…

After all of the recent holiday shopping, the last thing people want to do is step foot in another mall. Thank goodness for gift cards and the internet! As customers make shopping decisions and look for products online, we want to make sure they have the tools to access information about energy efficient options and rebates. Below we profile five web-based platforms and resources for customers…

The industrial sector represents more than 40 percent of total energy use in the buildings sector, spending more than $20 billion annually in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region alone. Industrial efficiency programs have some of the lowest cost of saved energy, meeting demand for as little as 3 ¢/kwh. Yet it is estimated that only 46 percent of industrial facilities engage in energy efficiency…