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A quarterly publication of  |
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| Third Quarter 2005 | ||||
NEEP Updates: Regional Initiatives and Training and EducationClick here to read an update on energy efficiency policies across the Northeast |
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Regional Initiatives: Commercial and Residential |
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| Commercial Motors
For more information about this NEEP initiative, please email Jon Linn at jlinn@neep.org or call him at 207-338-9705. |
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NEEP and its sponsors continued to promote NEMA Premium® industrial motors in the third quarter of 2005. Regional MotorUp as well as New York and Maine have full service marketing campaigns directed to vendors and customers, offering information, education and dollar incentives for purchase of qualifying motors. The fall edition of the MotorUp newsletter is now available in both print and PDF formats, and the MotorUp Web site has a new look for easier navigation. At their September meeting, sponsors of the Motors Initiative launched an effort to develop a state of the art motor management promotion to be unveiled in 2006. Stay tuned for updates on these new and compelling options for energy efficiency in commercial and industrial facilities. |
| Commercial HVAC
For more information about this NEEP initiative, please email Jon Linn at jlinn@neep.org or call him at 207-338-9705. |
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Cool Choice sponsors continue to promote packaged HVAC equipment meeting CEE Tier 2 efficiency specifications, as well as dual enthalpy controllers for economizers. Many are promoting improved in-field performance for packaged HVAC systems. More program news and technical information can be found on the Cool Choice Web site, which has a new look for 2005. Initiative sponsors met in September to outline research and development steps in preparation for program improvements in 2006. These improvements will increase Cool Choice's effectiveness, and will open the way to regional offerings in energy savings for existing HVAC systems. In national news, small HVAC units will be more efficient in 2006. Department of Energy (DOE) standards for units with capacity less than 5.4 tons will be re-set to a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 13 in mid January 2006. This is a result of successful promotions, especially in the Northeast. Look for program changes to draw the market even further in efficiency for these systems. |
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Commercial and Industrial Information Exchange
For more information about this NEEP initiative, please email Jon Linn at jlinn@neep.org or call him at 207-338-9705. |
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Learning from its first C&I Information Exchange forum, "Should Utilities Support Green Building Efforts?," NEEP began preparations for the second forum, which will focus on daylighting. The daylighting forum will be held on October 6, 2005 at National Grid's offices in Northborough, Mass. A third forum will take place in November. |
| Other C&I News: Commercial Lighting
For more information about this NEEP initiative, please email Jon Linn at jlinn@neep.org or call him at 207-338-9705. |
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NEEP has received a Department of Energy (DOE) grant for a commercial lighting promotion which will likely result in a regional project for 2006. In the grant application process, NEEP and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) proposed to conduct promotions in partnership with lighting manufacturers and distributors to increase the use of high performance fluorescent systems. There has been interest expressed by program administrators in all six New England states, as well as in New York and New Jersey, to join the project. Look for news on this project as 2006 approaches. |
| ENERGY STAR Products (Residential)
For more information, please email Glenn Reed at greed@neep.org or call him at 781-860-9177 ext. 19. |
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Planning Continues for 2006 NEEP and Sponsor Initiative and Program Efforts: A final draft version of the regional Residential ENERGY STAR Lighting Market Transformation Plan was distributed to sponsors and other stakeholders at the end of September. This document was informed by lengthy discussions at working group meetings held over the spring and summer. Changes in ENERGY STAR CFL Specifications and LED Meeting: NEEP staff attended two key lighting meetings at the end of the third quarter: an ENERGY STAR Compact Florescent Lamp (CFL) stakeholder meeting hosted by the Department of Energy (DOE), and a national meeting at the Lighting Research Center to discuss opportunities for solid state lighting (LEDs). The stakeholder meeting focused on proposed changes to the ENERGY STAR CFL specification, including:
This testing will ultimately replace the current Program for the Evaluation and Analysis of Residential Lighting (PEARL) testing. DOE has proposed that this process be industry funded, unlike the current PEARL testing that has been funded largely by program administrators and ENERGY STAR. |
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Energy Policy Act Provides Unique Opportunity to Promote Efficient Appliances: The passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 in August presents unique opportunities for program administrators to promote efficient appliances. The bill makes available to manufacturers in 2006 and 2007 significant tax credits for refrigerators, clothes washers and dishwashers that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR levels. These credits may total more than $300 million. To address this opportunity, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and NEEP co-hosted a national conference call in September to discuss the implications of the legislation on program administrators' planning activities for 2006. The discussion also considered longer-term implications for appliance standards activities. This call was held in part to prepare program administrators to meet with industry representatives at the ENERGY STAR Appliance Partner Meeting in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. at the end of September. NEEP and most of the regional sponsors attended the meeting, which was sponsored principally by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). |
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| Residential High Efficiency HVAC
For more information, please email Glenn Reed at greed@neep.org or call him at 781-860-9177 ext. 19. |
Changes in Proposed ENERGY STAR HVAC Specification Influence Regional Efforts: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a final ENERGY STAR HVAC specification in mid-September. The specification was a disappointment to some in the efficiency community as the final Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 11.5 was less than the EER of 12.0 that had been proposed to EPA by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) HVAC Committee and others. EPA noted that the specification revision process was an "...especially long and difficult one. It required striking a delicate balance between setting an aggressive specification while ensuring adequate product availability." The lower EER requirement, combined with a small Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) increment between the new federal standard (SEER 13, effective January 2006) and the new ENERGY STAR specification (SEER 14, effective April 2006), will likely result in a decreased focus by many program administrators on equipment rebates and a continued, if not increased, focus on proper sizing and quality installation. A second ENERGY STAR tier (14.5 SEER and 12.0 EER) will replace the 2006 requirements in 2009. Planning for October HVAC Working Group Meeting with Industry: NEEP is working with initiative sponsors to hold a joint meeting with HVAC industry representatives to discuss anticipated changes in 2006 program plans and how sponsors and industry can best work together to pursue common objectives. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 19, 2005 in the Hartford, Conn. area. NEEP Chairs ACCA Subgroup on Quality Installation Practices: NEEP's residential HVAC advisor, Chris Neme, is playing a lead role in on-going efforts by industry and the efficiency community to develop consensus quality installation and verification protocols. This work is being managed by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and is a direct outgrowth of a meeting between ACCA and the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), which NEEP participated in. Representatives from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Massachusetts Cool Smart Program are also participating in the ACCA committee. It is expected that the work from the ACCA committee will inform the Environmental Protection Agency's planned ENERGY STAR installation specification. |
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| Research and Evaluation
For more information on NEEP Research and Evaluation projects, email Elizabeth Titus at etitus@neep.org or call her at 781-860-9177, ext. 11. |
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NEEP has received funding from the US Department of Energy to support additional Energized Sales Training for ENERGY STAR Windows through 2006. The training sessions held in 2004 and 2005 were enthusiastically received by retailers, manufacturers, state energy offices, utilities, and others in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Maryland. If you are interested in hosting, co-sponsoring, or learning more about this training opportunity, please contact Elizabeth Titus. |
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In July, NEEP was selected to provide monitoring and evaluation services to the Cape Light Compact and will continue to do so through 2006. NEEP looks forward to working in this capacity with many of our sponsors in Massachusetts and across the Northeast on evaluation efforts of mutual interest. The 2005 International Energy Program Evaluation Conference (IEPEC) was held in New York in August, marking the first time the conference has come to the Northeast. The nearly 300 attendees participated in discussions on the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's (NYSERDA) portfolio approach to evaluating energy efficiency programs; insights about on-site studies in evaluations from Vermont, Massachusetts and California; perspectives on best practices; studies of savings persistence; the performance of various demand response programs; and the role of energy efficiency in climate protection programs. To view the conference abstracts or to order a copy of the proceedings, please visit the IEPEC Web site. |
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"Less is More" is the theme for the 2006 American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Summer Study which is sure to produce a lively exchange of ideas on energy use, energy efficiency, market transformation, policy, program design, and more. Abstracts are due October 21, 2005. ACEEE is also seeking volunteers to assist with the peer review of draft papers. Visit the ACEEE Web site for more information. | |
Training and Education |
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| Building Operator Certification (BOC)
For more information on the BOC, please contact Ed Londergan via email at elondergan@neep.org or by phone at 781-860-9177, ext. 29. |
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NEEP will deliver the Building Operator Certification (BOC) program on Cape Cod from October 12 to December 7, 2005. The classes will be held at the KeySpan training facility in South Yarmouth, Mass. This new class is a result of discussions between NEEP, KeySpan and the Cape Light Compact on ways to better serve the hospitality marketplace. An agreement was reached with Efficiency Maine and the Maine Innkeepers Association for their sponsorship of a BOC course for the hospitality industry in southern Maine. This, like the initiative on Cape Cod, came about as a result of discussions with Efficiency Maine about ways to extend the BOC program into other industries throughout Maine. |
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NEEP worked with the Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to deliver a private BOC course series, which began in July. There are 18 participants from various schools, colleges, hospitals and mental health facilities across the state. To date, the classes have been very well received. The closed course is a result of a meeting between Mark Nelson, Deputy Commissioner of DCAM, and BOC staff members at the New England Building and Facilities Show. DCAM is planning to host another class beginning in November. |
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A new BOC evaluation, which was sponsored by utilities and efficiency program administrators across the Northeast, was completed during the third quarter of 2005. It has been filed with the various state utility regulators around the region. The findings of the evaluation reveal significant energy savings as well many non-energy related benefits. The conclusion also underscore the persistence of these benefits over time. This edition of NEEP Notes features an article on the results of this evaluation. | |
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BOC program manager Ed Londergan facilitated an information session for the marketing department of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to help develop new opportunities for joint NEEP and LIPA activity related to the BOC program. NEEP took part in the "Energy Solution" meeting hosted by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund. Approximately 100 facility managers from southern New England attended. Ed Londergan discussed the BOC in his presentation entitled "Training: Overlooked Opportunity for Energy Savings." NEEP participated as a vendor in the "Shaping Cape Cod's Energy Future" meeting sponsored by Cape Light Compact and the Cape Cod Economic Development Council. The purpose of the meeting was to present the BOC program to Cape Cod businesses and industries as a way to help reduce energy usage. On August 30, 2005 NEEP participated in an energy forum hosted by Congressman John Tierney (D-MA) and provided information on the BOC program as a means for local businesses to increase operational efficiency and reduce energy use. |
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| High Performance Schools Exchange
For more information, please contact Don Fudge via email at dfudge@neep.org or by calling him at 781-860-9177, ext. 20. |
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NEEP has received a grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) to: provide outreach to school districts; develop marketing materials, including a Massachusetts-based high performance schools DVD; write sample requests for proposals (RFP's); and develop and teach a Building Operator Certification (BOC) course for high performance school maintenance and facilities personnel. Along with the development of the MA-CHPS design standard, these projects will contribute to a package of high performance schools standards and informational materials being prepared by MTC for delivery to the new Massachusetts School Building Authority in early 2006. NEEP attended the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Conference in July to present information about high performance schools and to make connections with school superintendents. As a result, two school districts have sought NEEP's high performance schools outreach services. |
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NEEP provided comments on a docket presented by the Maine Public Utilities Commission regarding high performance schools. The docket questions related to current programs in Maine such as: grants to schools seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification (NEEP's comments did not support this because Maine has its own standard, Benchmark for Maine); grants to architectural teams to compensate them for increased design costs associated with energy modeling (NEEP's comments supported grants to add high performance energy saving features during feasibility studies so that they are included in the Building Program from the start); assistance with the added cost of commissioning (NEEP supported this measure) and grants supporting incremental costs of integrated design (NEEP supported this as a critical element in achieving high performance schools). | |
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A Bill that would require all state-funded buildings, including schools, to be designed to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standard (or the equivalent) passed the Connecticut Senate but did not come before the House during this session. The Conn. High Performance Schools Initiative supported this bill and NEEP has been kept apprised of developments related to it and other activities of Connecticut's Schools Initiative. The Initiative will conduct educational forums this fall and NEEP has been invited to attend and participate as appropriate. | |
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NEEP solicited a $32,000 grant from the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, which will allow the Rhode Island High Performance Schools Working Group to select a circuit rider/project manager and offer technical assistance services to Rhode Island schools beginning at the pre-design phase and continuing through schematic design and development. NEEP facilitated two meetings of the Rhode Island Working Group to plan activities for 2005 and 2006. The plan includes a series of educational presentations to superintendents and school committee members, a one-day energy conference to share information with the broader community and legislators, and direct assistance to schools. The Department of Energy approved the State Energy Program (SEP) grant proposal submitted by NEEP and the Rhode Island Energy Office to fund a circuit rider/project manager position in 2006. The Rhode Island Working Group has met with representatives of the Department of Education to partner with them for this project. |
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NEEP met with members of the New Hampshire Partnership for High Performance Schools following the signing of a bill that will provide an additional three percent in construction reimbursement to New Hampshire schools that design to high performance standards. The discussion focused on the availability of NEEP's Regional Guidelines and ways in which NEEP might assist the New Hampshire effort. The Partnership has been awarded a high performance schools circuit rider contract for the next year. | |
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NEEP attended the initial meeting of the Vermont High Performance Schools Initiative and shared information on the activities and membership makeup of other state working groups. As Vermont's communications task force planned focus groups (called Roundtables) to gather information about the barriers to high performance construction, NEEP provided promotional materials, an overview of the process followed in Connecticut (and their findings) and suggestions for format. Later, at the Initiative's September meeting, the findings from the Roundtables were shared with the full Vermont Working Group, whose membership had tripled in three months. NEEP provided information about how other states are using circuit riders to get the word out to school districts. NEEP also offered suggestions for the Vermont group's upcoming conference. |
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NEEP made a presentation to school business officials from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont at the Tri-State Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) conference. The presentation was designed to introduce the audience to NEEP's Building Operator Certification (BOC) program. NEEP presented its market transformation strategies at the Department of Energy's 2005 National Energy Codes Conference as part of the Voluntary Programs track. |
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NEEP provided high performance wording to be included in a feasibility study request for proposal (RFP) from the North Berkshire, Mass. Elementary School Building Committee. NEEP has been asked to provide assistance as the committee reviews incoming proposals. NEEP gave a presentation on high performance schools to the North Reading, Mass. High School Building Committee and answered their questions about the design process. The Committee has decided to add a high performance component to their feasibility study. |
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NEEP has completed research on case studies of high performance schools in the Northeast. These case studies are now listed on the High Performance Schools Web site, which has undergone a full renovation to serve as a comprehensive regional resource center for anyone interested in high performance schools. | |
| Building Energy Codes
For more information, please email Kevin Donahue at kdonahue@neep.org or call him at 781-860-9177, ext. 13. |
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NEEP's Building Energy Codes Project Manager, Doug Schanne, participated in the International Code Council (ICC) Final Action Code Hearings for the 2004/2005 Code Development Cycle in September 2005. The results of the 2004/2005 Code Development Cycle will combined with the 2004 Supplement to produce the 2006 editions of the ICC Codes. For more detailed information, please contact Doug Schanne. |
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Code training continues throughout the region with additional sessions planned in Maryland, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. Five training programs are scheduled in Maryland during the remaining months of 2005. Schedules for training in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania are currently being finalized. In conjunction with the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center at Penn State University, NEEP held a Commercial Energy Code "Train-the-Trainer" Program on September 12 and 13, 2005. Training was provided to 13 individuals representing four Northeast states. Please contact Kevin Donahue or Doug Schanne for more detailed information. |
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The state of Rhode Island, on behalf of 10 other Northeast states, has been awarded a multi-state grant under the State Energy Program (SEP) Special Projects opportunity. A summary of the award has been sent to participating states. NEEP thanks everyone who informed the grant process, including Rhode Island and Maryland, who hosted this year's grant submittals. In preparation for the 2006 grant application process, NEEP will begin soliciting input from individual states as well as from members of the building energy codes community shortly. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Donahue. |
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The Building Energy Codes Project Advisory Committee took part in a teleconference in September 2005. The agenda included a review of activities planned for the balance of 2005 and 2006. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Donahue. The Building Energy Codes Project will conduct a technical conference on December 1, 2005 in Valley Forge, Penn. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Donahue. |
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