MEECA’s Annual Banquet is around the corner!
With six weeks to go until our 6th Annual Banquet & Awards Celebration, sponsorship and ticket sales are picking up. Don’t forget to register for the Michigan EE industry’s most anticipated networking opportunity of the year!
Reminder to MEECA members: The deadline for submitting award nominations is COB Friday, February 14th. If you have questions about the nominating process, contact David Gard at david@meeca.
Special thanks to our growing list of sponsors: DTE Energy, DNV GL, CLEAResult, Consumers Energy, SEEL, Michigan Saves, Development Solutions Midwest, and Pure Eco.
Industry News & Updates
U. of Michigan study finds more support for EE among local governments
According to the Ford School of Public Policy, local governments in Michigan are increasingly committed to pursuing energy efficiency. The survey found that nearly half had already taking steps to increase building efficiency. Of these, 72% are planning further improvements. Interest and engagement was found to be strongest among larger counties and municipalities. The full survey is available here.
Overall U.S. investment in efficiency has dropped
In contrast to the previous story, Utility Dive reports an 18% drop in spending nationally on energy efficiency during 2016-2018. Citing a new report, the article says that while federal spending on efficiency slightly increased, total domestic investment levels fell. A person interviewed explained that, “A lot of policies at the federal level are weakening. And on state level there’s been kind of mixed progress.” Follow this link to the Utility Dive article.
Michigan and Ohio Collaborate on Energy Roadmap
As reported by WLNS, Michigan and Northeast Ohio have published a Clean Energy Roadmap to accelerate clean energy in the region. Advancing technologies for building energy efficiency is among the core aims. In 2008, Michigan set a target to meet 35% of its electricity demand from energy waste reduction and renewable energy by 2035.
The Roadmap has already yielded three new programs to help meet this goal: (1) Michigan Match Assistance Program, (2) Clean Energy Business Development Pilot, and (3) the Michigan Cleantech Product Launch Program. To learn more, follow this link to the 69-page report.
MEECA member update: E3M Solutions wins USGBC award
The U.S. Green Building Council West Michigan Chapter held its Annual Party and Leadership Award Event in Grand Rapids on January 16th. Receiving its 2019 Volunteer of the Year Award was MEECA member E3M Solutions. In particular, the company was recognized for supporting the Students for Sustainable Design program and leading workshops on building and energy code.
Considering PACE Funding? Here Are 5 Mistakes to Avoid
In a recent blog, Jim Newman with MEECA member Newman Consulting Group shares valuable lessons learned about using Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing. Check out Jim’s blog to learn more.
Renewing Members
Energy Efficiency, Pure and Simple. Offering services in home energy efficiency evaluation, commercial energy evaulation, measurement and verifcation (M&V), renewable energy projects, sustainable community design, and LEED project administration.
Our team of degreed and licensed engineers, scientists, certified energy auditors, energy managers and lighting efficiency professionals offers a wide-reaching array of skills to meet the energy use challenges of the most exacting buildings, building systems and industrial processes. From energy procurement to the operation of buildings and industrial process equipment, Energy Sciences helps clients identify and eliminate waste and increase their energy effectiveness.
Public Policy Update
MEECA to engage in MI Power Grid initiative
MI Power Grid is a focused, multi-year stakeholder initiative supported by Governor Whitmer and the MPSC to maximize the benefits of the transition to clean, distributed energy resources for Michigan residents and businesses.
As part of this initiative, a series of meetings have been announced for the Energy Programs and Technology Pilots workgroup. Given the relevance of this workgroup to our member companies, MEECA will actively participate in the process. The initial meetings, which are open to the public, will be held during 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the MPSC offices in Lansing (with the option to join remotely): Thursday, February 27th, Thursday, March 19th, and Thursday, April 16th.
New Energy Ombudsman Appointed
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) director Liesl Eichler Clark recently announced Robert Jackson as the state’s new energy ombudsman. Among his duties, Jackson oversees the State Energy Program and is responsible for the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Revolving Load Program, the Industrial E2 Program, and the Technology Demonstration Program.
MEECA has already met with Mr. Jackson to discuss partnership opportunities between MEECA and the State of Michigan.
MPSC Notice on Value-Added Programs & Services (VAPS)
Last fall the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) ordered the Commission Staff to create an online platform where competitors of Value-Added Programs and Services (VAPS) can track when a utility has shared information under Code of Conduct rules and make a request for the same information. MPSC recently announced the launch of this VAPS information website. If any MEECA member has questions or ideas for improving this process, contact David Gard at david@meeca.info.
Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) Annual Report
The Michigan BCC has published its annual report for FY 2019. Follow this link to the see the full report.
