Annual Meeting of the Membership Recap
On June 16 MEEA hosted its annual Meeting of the Membership in Rosemont, Illinois just a few miles outside of Chicago. This annual, member’s only event is another opportunity for MEEA members, board members and staff to come together to make new connections, see old friends and colleagues and discuss what’s new in the field of energy efficiency. The meeting featured board members elections and the unveiling of our 2016 new Annual Report, as well as plenary sessions on opportunities from new market transformation programs and future national and state regulatory policy trends.
Read a full recap the Annual Meeting or a summary of our pre-conference workshop on valuing energy efficiency. |
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New Board Members Elected
MEEA is pleased to welcome several new board members elected at the Annual Meeting of the Membership: Keith Martin (Ameren Illinois), Adam Cooper (Institute for Electric Innovation), Brian File (KCP&L), Scott Steiner (Lockheed Martin), Jeff Erickson (Navigant) and Megan Meadows (Ohio Development Services Agency). Board terms start in July 1, 2017.
The following members were re-elected to the board: Anne Carter (Alliant Energy), Shaun Dentice (CLEAResult), Michaela Martin (ICF), Valerie Brader (Michigan Agency for Energy) and Mary Schlaefer (WECC).
Finally, we would like to thank our rolling off board members for their many years of service: Jon Williams (AEP Ohio), Paul Schueller (Franklin Energy), Molly Lunn (State of Illinois), Kevin DeMaster (Mitsubishi) and Pat Michalkiewicz (Peoples and North Shore Gas). |
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MEEA Members: Be the First to Sponsor MES 2018
The Midwest Energy Solutions Conference attracts nearly 650 of the region’s energy leaders and innovators, and as a sponsor you gain unique access to this pool of decision-makers. Sponsors enjoy free registration, booth space, unparalleled exposure and a variety of additional benefits. Sponsorship is open to MEEA members only until August 1.
To learn more about perks and prices, visit the MES sponsor portal.
Submit a MES Topic or Speaker Suggestion
MES is the region’s premier EE event because of the input of our members. MEEA members are invited to submit speaker or topic suggestions for the 2018 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference. Submit an idea for a keynote, breakout session or plenary by Friday, September 15.
2018 Inspiring Efficiency Award Nominations Now Open
Each year the Inspiring Efficiency Awards honor EE’s best and brightest in five categories: Education, Impact, Innovation, Leadership and Marketing. Sound like your team? Submit an application by Friday, September 15. To learn more and download an application, visit www.meeaconference.org/awards. |
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Save the Date!
8th Annual Midwest Building Energy Codes Conference
November 15 & 16, Ann Arbor, MI
Please join MEEA and building energy stakeholders across the Midwest for the region’s premier energy codes conference! This annual conference provides an opportunity to network, engage in building science and policy discussions, and learn from leading experts about current and future trends.
More information about this conference will be available soon. Read a recap of last year’s event to learn more. |
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Federal Energy Efficiency Policy and Programs at a Crossroads
On May 23, 2017, President Trump released the Administration’s federal budget proposal for fiscal year 2018. In it, President Trump lays out the priorities for all departments, including the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Overall, DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) would face an almost 70 percent cut and the energy efficiency programs specifically would be cut by nearly 80 percent. The EPA’s ENERGY STAR® and low-income weatherization programs would be eliminated.
Other proposed cuts to energy efficiency programs include:
- Building Technologies Office: 66% cut
- Advanced Manufacturing Office: 68% cut
- State Energy Program (provides funds to governors to manage energy emergencies, help with efficiency improvements and assist businesses in lowering energy costs): Eliminated
- Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (provides funds for emerging energy technologies): 93% cut and slated for elimination by end of FY2018
Because it is the responsibility of Congress to determine the funding levels for these programs, several analysts consider the Trump Administration budget to be dead on arrival. While the final budget will likely differ significantly from what was initially proposed by the Trump Administration, the proposed budget serves as an indicator of the administration’s priorities.
Get Involved
MEEA will continue to work with national, regional and state partners to advocate for energy efficiency programs that lower consumers’ energy bills, create jobs in a growing efficiency sector and strengthen our energy security. If you have questions about the federal budget or want to identify ways for your organization to get more engaged, contact MEEA Policy Manager Nick Dreher at ndreher@mwalliance.org. |
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Statewide Industrial Opt-Out Will Cost Ohio Billions in Missed Benefits
On June 6, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy released a new report which concluded that an expanded industrial opt-out policy (like the one the Ohio legislature is currently considering) would cost Ohio residents billions of dollars, raise electricity rates and exacerbate air pollution. To learn more about this proposed bill, how it works and its potential impacts, read on at the MEEA blog >> |
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Visit Our New & Improved Website
To better serve our members and the EE community, we’ve redesigned and updated our website. It’s the same quality content you’ve come to expect from MEEA’s experts with a fresh look and intuitive organization.
New features:
- Exclusive members area
- Sortable member list
- Search and sort through MEEA research
Explore the all new www.mwalliance.org for yourself. |
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Stacey Paradis Wins Loyola Univ. Damen Award
Stacey Paradis, MEEA Executive Director, was awarded Loyola University’s Damen Award from the Institute of Environmental Sustainability on Friday, June 9. This award recognizes Loyola alumni who embody the qualities of leadership in industry, leadership in the community and service to others. Paradis received this award for her leadership in environmental stewardship through her service as executive director of MEEA, whose mission reflects that of the Institute of Environmental Sustainability. Stacey Paradis earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Loyola University Chicago, class of 1992. You can read more about the Damen Awards here. |
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DOE Webinar: Municipal Know-How for Energy Efficiency
Tuesday, June 27, 2-3 p.m. (CDT)
Does your state or local government want to implement big energy efficiency changes, but isn’t sure how to finance them? Is your municipality ready to upgrade their outdoor lighting infrastructure? Two Better Buildings Accelerators have produced the resources you need to help! This webinar will explore these new toolkits and how municipalities can effectively use them. Register now.
To access more resources related to Outdoor Lighting, visit MEEA’s Street & Outdoor Lighting Resources Toolkit. |
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MEEA Webinar: Benchmarking and Access to Data
Thursday, July 6, 12 p.m. (CDT)
Building benchmarking ordinances in the Midwest are gaining popularity and compliance, but some jurisdictions have faced challenges with access to data. Join MEEA to explore examples and opportunities for streamlining energy data sharing for electric, gas and water consumption. Register now.
Speakers
- Alison Lindburg, MEEA
- Brian Bowen, First Fuel
- Kumar Jenson, City of Evanston
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Building Science Training Series
Advanced Combustion Safety Training
Tuesday, June 27, Melrose Park, IL
Each year, thousands of people in the United States become ill or die from carbon monoxide poisoning, and prevention is the key to avoiding carbon monoxide hazards in the home. But without full CO safety and combustion diagnostics there is no way of knowing whether a system is safe or efficient.
This one-day training course will provide you with the skills necessary to properly identify and inspect combustion appliances such as furnaces, space heaters and water heaters that present potential health and safety hazards. During this course, learn to discover potential health/safety problems before and after the Retrofit process. Successful completion of this course will result in six BPI CEUs. |
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Funding for BPI Rebates
To encourage a high-quality home performance workforce and participation in the Illinois Home Performance (IHP) program, IHP has allocated rebate funds for energy efficiency training and testing that leads to Building Performance Institute certification.
Rebates are available to individuals completing training and achieving one or more of these three certifications:
- Building Performance Institute Building Analyst certification
- Building Performance Institute Envelope certification
- Building Performance Institute Residential Building Envelope Whole House Air Leakage Control Installer certification
$250 can be awarded per certification up to a total of $750 per individual.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must be (1) a resident of the state of Illinois and (2) a customer of at least one of the following Illinois utilities: Ameren Illinois (electricity), Ameren Illinois (gas), ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas or North Shore Gas. Learn more and claim your rebate funds today. |
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Member & Partner News
Seventhwave Webinar: Optimal Cleanroom Ventilation
Thursday, June 22, Noon–1:30 p.m. (CDT)
During this webinar, we’ll discuss how we can most effectively design, operate and maintain cleanrooms now and into the future. With a focus on ventilation best practices; we’ll take a close look at air handling, filters and humidification equipment options available today. Additional cleanroom energy savings strategies will also be explored. Learn more and register today. |
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Welcome, New MEEA Members!
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Upcoming BOC Classes
Want to improve the comfort of your office while simultaneously improving the efficiency of your building? Tell your building staff about BOC!

BOC is a nationally-recognized training and certification program focusing on energy efficient building operations and preventative maintenance procedures. |
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Upcoming Series
Indiana: Indianapolis Level I
Michigan: Marquette Level I
Wisconsin: Madison Multifamily
Wisconsin: Madison Level I
Ohio: Canton Level I
Ohio: Toledo Level I
Wisconsin: Eau Claire Level I
Minnesota: Austin Level I
Iowa: Ames Level I |
Start Date
July 2017
August 2017
August 2017
September 2017
September 2017
September 2017
October 2017
November 2017
Coming Soon |
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Tuition discounts are available for veterans in the Midwest! Full tuition scholarships are available for veterans in Illinois thanks to the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.
Contact us at boc@mwalliance.org or (855)-420-1785 for more info.
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