Katie Bergfeld, CEM, LEED AP BDC, PMP

Very, very useful analysis. In addition to the main headline that no plan out of the 26 submitted National Energy and Climate Plans is fully compliant with the new #EED requirements..."Only Cyprus and Poland provide a precise quantification of the energy savings to be achieved among #vulnerable customers and people affected by #energypoverty." Clearly A LOT more work to do to make sure the potential of the EED to alleviate energy poverty is realised.

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Today's Meeting of the Utility Business Model (UBM) Working Group is an exciting one - How Federal Resources Are Impacting Utility Regulations, Investments and Business Models Join U.S. DOE officials and state regulators in a discussion of how the unprecedented level of federal investment is impacting utility business models. You'll also hear how the DOE's new Pathways report identifies advanced grid solutions that are commercially available today to address near-term capacity and reliability priorities and modernize the grid.  These topics are equally of interest here in Europe as we are our own programs and incentives to support the energy transition and required investment in the grid, innovation and R&D. Eric Blank, Chairman, Colorado Public Utilities Commission Ariel Horowitz, PhD, Deputy Director for Grid Modernization, U.S. DOE Grid Deployment Office (GDO) Ann McCabe, Illinois Commerce Commission Louise White, advisor, U.S. DOE Loan Programs Office / Office of Technology Transitions Bryce Yonker, (moderator) Executive Director and CEO, Grid Forward The meeting is today, April 30, 2024 at 9:00 am Pacific, noon Eastern, 5:00 PM Dublin and London, 6:00 PM most of Europe. If you are not already registered for this series, you can register here and you will get follow up invitations to the meetings every other month on the last Tuesday of the month. https://lnkd.in/eimtD6yh The UBM Working Group is jointly sponsored by: EPRI Grid Forward Smart Electric Power Alliance GridWise Alliance E.DSO Looking forward to the discussion.

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Last week, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released its long-awaited rule on transmission planning and cost allocation.  In response, the PJM Cities and Communities Coalition (PJMCCC) – the first formal coalition of local governments organized to drive decarbonization at the wholesale electricity market level – issued a statement that commends FERC for its progress and provides thoughts on both the rule and considerations for building out our nation’s grid.   Specifically, the statement notes that the rulemaking takes crucial steps to eliminate barriers to new transmission infrastructure development, such as by prescribing a minimum 20-year time horizon for regional transmission planning, requiring the inclusion of local laws and regulations in transmission planning, and requiring consideration of a suite of grid-enhancing technologies.   Yet, as local governments, PJMCCC members are acutely aware of the potential adverse impacts of infrastructure development and the historical lack of engagement that has accompanied this development. Local stakeholders must be early, active, and respected stakeholders in all conversations that will lead to the timely installation of new, large-scale infrastructure.   In the statement, PJMCCC highlights a series of principles that it believes regulators, transmission operators, and others should consider as new transmission is planned and developed. PJMCCC is very grateful for the work of World Resources Institute, specifically Zachary Greene and Joseph Womble, and many others for supporting the coalition's work.   You can read PJMCCC’s full statement here: https://lnkd.in/gmkPqfy4

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DIALOG partner Craig Applegath, FRAIC sat down with Medium writer Wes O'Donnell for an in-depth interview to discuss the urgency for climate adaptation interventions through design, and introduce the REACH Protocol DIALOG is developing to address these risks. In the article, the writer explores what building owners need to do to adapt their buildings to the escalating impacts of climate change. “I believe adaptation is an opportunity for positive change, and the ability to create impact is amplified when the whole problem is embraced, in a holistic manner,” Craig shares. “That’s why we created the REACH Protocol as a methodology for better understanding the impacts climate change will have on individuals, organizations, and communities — and developing effective strategies for adapting to those impacts.” Read full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gQBRRy5x   #DIALOG #design #thoughtleadership #climateadaptation

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The recent discussion on SBTi allowing environment attribute certificates (EACs) has daylighted a key issue as we enter the 'how' phase of climate action. EACs act as a currency of recognition, attribution and trust for GHG reductions which creates much more 'liquidity' in the GHG reduction "marketplace" and allows the suppliers of GHG reductions to match up with buyers. Without EACs we significantly limit the demand and capital available for projects to move forward. The old allegory is that without a currency like EACs, we're limited to a GHG reduction bartering system where low-carbon projects must be proximate in location and integrated into an actual organization's GHG profile. This severely limits the number of projects, creates higher costs, and of course lower actual GHG reductions. I'll use a practical example to highlight the point. FortisBC is North America's utility leader in renewable natural gas (RNG) supply. Much of this supply is secured through a quasi-EAC approach. (FortisBC secures all the EACs from RNG it acquires but also largely takes physical possession of that RNG from producers across Canada and the US.) FortisBC's offtake contracts provide the necessary financing for new RNG projects. Each one of these new projects connects to the common carrier gas system and displaces conventional natural gas production leading to incremental GHG reductions. Without EACs, FortisBC - a highly willing offtaker for RNG supply - would be islanded off from the broader market and limited to the supply in BC. Over the long-term there is sizeable potential for renewable gas production in BC however immediate GHG emissions reductions (which are far more valuable than future reductions) would be foregone (as well as the needed market, technical, and regulatory development for RNG). Of course, EACs come with valid concerns. Strict standards are needed to ensure that they lead to actual GHG reductions, there are clear chains of provenance and that there is no fraud. We must not take our eye off the continuous improvement needed to build trust in the EAC market. And we must also recognize that EACs are not The Solution. For example, they do not replace the need for continued policy stringency. But ultimately this comes down to your vision on how to build inertia toward the low-carbon future. Organizations that want to lead need the tools to do so. Organizations that are not sure if they want to lead also have opportunities build experience and expertise to initiate their own low-carbon programs. And, projects need access to markets and should not be at the whim of their jurisdictions policy or market constraints. I look forward to this change and the needed recognition for the continued development and expansion of a low-carbon solutions market. Great article below: https://lnkd.in/dr-UyQJ9

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MASS SAVE AND THE CLEAN HEAT STANDARD. Why isn't the State Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization Draft Plan for 2025-2027 providing information and practical steps for how it expects to interact with the Clean Heat Standard? Where is this public conversation happening?  It is evident that integration and coordination play a critical role in ensuring equitable decarbonization. If we consider climate change as a crisis, then why isn't Massachusetts combining all its resources to prioritize the decarbonization of the most vulnerable population? Equity is being overlooked at every step in the implementation of Massachusetts' CECP goals. "Just because the word 'equity' is included in every presentation, it does not necessarily translate into action for those who are still struggling to keep up with the rest of the Commonwealth. While the Commonwealth boasts about its progressive actions towards climate change, those who are left behind cannot simply join in the celebration. For instance, if I am hungry and my neighbor is enjoying a satisfying meal, I cannot pretend that I am also full and content. Mass Save, with the State's oversight, has proposed a draft plan that does not explore alternative ways, such as CHS, that could offer a more equitable approach to decarbonization. The Commonwealth has a great chance to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions for LMI households but lacks transformational leadership on this issue! For more on CHS and Mass Save planning, check out Larry Chretien's article here: https://lnkd.in/e6hEjH5a.

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This webinar should be a great introduction to heat pumps and why they are important for public health.

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🌟 Webinar ALERT: Decarbonize through Heat Pump RTUs! 🌟 Join us right now for an insightful session on the DOE's Accelerator Program for Heat Pump Rooftop Units (RTUs). Discover how this innovative program is driving the future of sustainable building technology and learn how you can contribute to decarbonization efforts. Don't miss out on this opportunity to engage with experts and stay ahead in the industry. See you there! #Sustainability #Decarbonization #HeatPumps #RTUs #DOE #Webinar #GreenEnergy #BuildingTechnology #CleanEnergy

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Local government practitioners know that affordable and efficient #housing is a high impact #climate solution. Is your city leveraging the Inflation Reduction Act to invest in climate ready and decarbonized housing stock? Do you know of other cities, towns, and villages who are? If you don't, please share this post to increase the reach of this question! Lauren A. Lowery, MPA Carolyn Berndt https://lnkd.in/gZnAXg3M

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A mapping tool built by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) ResilientMass is intended to inform and guide Massachusetts resilience project planning and implementation. https://ow.ly/nooP50RGhH7

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E3's take on the challenges of hourly matching load to clean energy and why it is unlikely to deliver consequential systemwide emissions reductions, while it increases buyer's costs significantly (esp. when you account for managing load and renewable inter-annual variability, which we're tackling in another ongoing project).

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(2/5: Home retrofits in #Budget2024) In the Retrofit Reset brief (see link below), the Affordability Action Council recommended that the federal government launch a new program to offer free and turnkey retrofits for low-income households, while generating savings for renters by allowing private landlords with smaller, affordable buildings to access the program and requiring them to sign agreements to maintain or improve affordability.  #Budget2024 announced more details on the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program, which received $800 million over 5 years, starting in 2025-26. This program will support direct installations of energy retrofits for low- to median-income households, and it will be co-delivered with provincial and territorial partners. The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program is accompanied by two other retrofit-related spending announcements: $73.5 million to improve energy efficiency tools for building owners and $30 million to continue developing a national approach to home energy labelling. These measures are promising because they will enable renters and homebuyers to consider energy costs in their long-term home affordability picture. The funding allocated to these measures is significantly less than the amounts previously allocated to Greener Homes programs yet is more targeted to low and median-income households.

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How to Implement a BPS Assistance Program for Under-Resourced Buildings ❗ Lessons learned from the Building Innovation Hub’s Success with BEPS program. ❗ Institute for Market Transformation is working to prioritize the needs and challenges of communities that have been historically excluded from the process and disproportionately harmed by environmental racism. One example is a program providing technical and financial assistance to priority buildings to help them comply with Washington D.C.’s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). This program, called Success with BEPS, is operated by the Building Innovation Hub (Hub), a project of IMT. It is a service for building owners, managers, and decision-makers with #buildings that need support and which are not currently meeting the performance requirements of BEPS Cycle 1. The program educates these decision-makers on their building’s #energy performance, informs them of key #BEPS milestones, recommends next steps for #compliance, and connects them with further policy and financial assistance through partner organizations Click the link below to find out more and sign up for the Building Innovation Hub's monthly newsletter to be the first inline to grab our updated 1 pager dedicated to BEPS Cycle 1. https://lnkd.in/ej57d_aq

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🇺🇲 🔥 Breaking: DoE Announcement - CDR Public Procurement takes a big leap forward 🔥 🇺🇲 🏅 The good news keep rolling in from the U.S. today! The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management just announced the Phase 1 winners of its $35m pioneering public procurement of carbon dioxide removal (#CDR).   💰 This first phase gives out $1.2 million through $50k grants to propel innovations in #CDR across four sectors: direct air capture (#DAC), biomass carbon removal and storage (#BiCRS), enhanced carbon mineralization, and carbon sinks. 👏 As we celebrate the 24 winners, it’s time to gear up for Phase II! Congrats to all of you, including Lithos Carbon, Climate Robotics, Eion, Graphyte , Charm Industrial, CarbonCapture Inc., Mati Carbon, Climeworks, Ebb Carbon, Heirloom, Carbon Lockdown , and Vaulted Deep. Phase 2️⃣ Compete for an additional substantial $3.75 million now on the table, with ten grants of $375k each for technologies towards commercial viability and with negotiations of delivery contracts with DOE. Phase 3️⃣ will award ten $3 million grants with an objective of at least 3,000 net tonnes CO2 removed over of 36 months. 💰 A reminder of the importance of public procurement to scale CDR: it represents about 13% of GDP in OECD countries. 🙌 Earlier today, key officials including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, outlined guidelines aimed at directing private capital towards robust decarbonization efforts through responsible participation in Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM) - see comment section. 🌎 This dual approach—advancing public procurement alongside enhancing private market participation—highlights a comprehensive strategy to scale the CDR industry and develop a diversified technology portfolio that is crucial for our sustainable future. 💪 It’s amazing to see the momentum building in the U.S. Yes, the amounts are still small. But what counts here is not the money but the learning: other governments will be able to piggyback off the all the experiences we are gathering. 👏 Shout out to the team at the DoE leading these efforts: Noah Deich, Slade Sinak, Rory Jacobson and many others. 🔗 See here for the official press release: https://lnkd.in/duHxDya8 ⁉ What do you think? What is your take on today’s announcements? #publicprocurement #carbonremovals #carbonmarkets

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Have you seen New Buildings Institute's UHI Factsheet: Policy Actions to Tackle Extreme Heat and Urban Heat Islands? This factsheet summarizes policy pathways and strategies to mitigate the impacts of extreme heat and urban heat islands (UHI) from NBI’s recently released code overlay. Check out the UHI Factsheet! https://hubs.li/Q02wsBGf0 View the entire UHI Code Overlay. https://hubs.li/Q02wsx9z0

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the ANNENBERG PUBLIC POLICY CENTER survey found that 68% of Americans have been often affected by extreme #heat last year in their daily. 50% were impacted by poor air quality from #wildfires, and over 60% of respondents favor increased investment in #energy-efficient public transit and similar support levels for tax incentives for installing #solar or battery #storage solutions. 🔍 The data, collected from a nationally representative survey of 1,538 U.S. adults, reveals that experiences with adverse #weather conditions correlate with stronger support for initiatives aimed at mitigating #climatechange effects. These initiatives include those outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. 🌐 In line with global efforts like the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) initiative for #EarlyWarningforAll, this survey underscores the critical need for proactive measures. Early warnings can mitigate the risks associated with #extremeweather, a point echoed by the survey's finding that firsthand experience with these conditions fosters support for #climatepolicies. 📉 This survey underscores the tangible ways in which climate change affects everyday life and highlights the growing public endorsement for proactive government measures. As we face these challenges, understanding public sentiment is crucial for shaping effective and supported environmental policies. 📑 For a detailed look at the survey results and methodology visit 👇 https://lnkd.in/e8age2nP

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