Virginia Energy Efficiency Council

Shout out to Appalachian Power, ICF, and project:HOMES, the latest sponsors of our Energy Efficiency Forum. Join us on Oct. 2nd & 3rd for networking, keynotes, and interactive sessions. Register by 9/23. https://lnkd.in/eMnN53bK

Finding funding in rural and low-income areas can be a challenge - the Green Bank for Rural Americas hopes to help. This new initiative helps channel funds to small, rural, nonprofit lenders to support clean energy projects like solar arrays, apprenticeships, weatherization, and electric transit. https://lnkd.in/eCBJWCpP

Congratulations to VAEEC members, the Town of Blacksburg Government and the City of Charlottesville, Va - Government, on receiving Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding! Blacksburg plans to use their money to enhance the safety and functionality of bike routes, while Charlottesville is focusing on launching a residential energy audits program for low- and moderate-income households https://lnkd.in/ewtzXu7b

Next week, ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade and the Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity (R2E2) will host their second workshop in the Advancing Equitable Home Upgrades series. Centering Affordability in Low-Income Home Electrification Programs will cover the urgency of electrifying low- and moderate-income homes and best practices for ensuring post-electrification bill affordability. After this workshop, you should be able to answer the following:What is efficient electrification? What are the reasons to electrify? Why is it important not to leave low- and moderate-income (LMI) households behind? How does electrification impact energy bills (and when might it NOT reduce energy bills)? What strategies can be used to reduce post-electrification energy bills for LMI households? https://lnkd.in/e93-GUy8

2024 has been a busy year for the VAEEC and the industry. The recently released US Energy and Employment Report states that the energy efficiency sector saw a 3.4% growth rate, adding over 75,000 jobs nationwide in the highest jump since 2018. Federal incentives are also pushing energy efficiency measures faster than ever before. Our staff has been hard at work to be part of that progress. Check out our latest blog post to learn more. https://lnkd.in/e6gr2U8c

Our 2024 Energy Efficiency Forum would not be possible without sponsors like Community Housing Partners. CHP's Weatherization team helps low-income Virginias reduce energy costs by improving the energy efficiency and health of their homes. Using the federal Weatherization Assistance Program and other funding sources, the team performs energy audits and repairs for households with elderly residents, individuals with disabilities, and families with children. https://lnkd.in/eKR9uxE4

The U.S. Department of Energy released the 2024 U.S. Energy and Employment Report today, a comprehensive study that tracks and analyzes employment trends across the energy sector. "The energy efficiency sector supported almost 2.3 million jobs in 2023, adding nearly 75,000 positions from the year before – the most of any sector. Energy efficiency includes the installation of several home energy improvements now eligible for tax breaks under the IRA, and the 3.4% growth rate was the strongest showing since 2018." https://lnkd.in/gfP8B7cg

The VAEEC was thrilled to attend the Renewing Richmond Public Schools press conference with Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, Superintendent Jason Kamras, and VAEEC members Trane Technologies, FLIPP Inc, and Sierra Club Virginia Chapter. The Renew America's Schools Prize will provide 22 Title I Richmond Public Schools with energy improvements that will increase indoor air quality and comfort while reducing energy costs. Congratulations to everyone involved! https://lnkd.in/esHg6wsh

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program. The approximately $2B funds will benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. https://lnkd.in/g-Q9t_U5

Get to know project:HOMES, our 2024 Energy Efficiency Forum Partner sponsor! The mission of project:HOMES is "improving lives by improving homes", and they take a comprehensive approach to housing by challenging the misconceptions of affordable housing. Through the production and preservation of high-quality affordable homes, large-scale home repairs, and improved accessibility and energy efficiency for existing homes, they've completed more than 42,000 projects, helping more than 58,000 individuals and their families over the last thirty years. https://lnkd.in/eMnN53bK