Fearlessly Forward
 By Larry Sherwood
President/CEO
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IREC is an independent, non-governmental, non-lobbying organization. That said, it would be sticking our heads in the sand if we did not acknowledge the proverbial elephant (and donkey) in the room.
The environment in which we operate has now changed with a new administration coming to power in Washington, DC.
IREC has been on the front line of clean energy growth for nearly 35 years, most importantly anticipating and helping to shape the challenges that will bring affordable access to the most Americans, and building their confidence in a young industry along the way.
IREC increases access to sustainable energy and energy efficiency through independent fact-based policy leadership, quality work force development and consumer empowerment.
While our recommendations are at times a part of the regulatory dialogue and rulings on the federal level, a great number of decisions are made on the state level. And, indeed, our work on the ground has touched nearly every state, as we develop and share best practices for fair connection to the grid, modernization of that grid to accommodate more distributed generation, and new technologies such as storage.
Our unique effort in workforce development, while national in scope, is largely implemented state by state, whether through regional education and training consortiums or individual training programs.
So whether in the regulatory or workforce space, a majority of our work involves the development of best practices and incorporating them into the policies and practices of more states, more utilities and more industry sectors and representatives.
From IREC's 30,000-foot perch, here's our view of what's on the horizon.
- We anticipate that the clean energy industry will continue to thrive. The need for good products and services, the good prices, and the industry infrastructure are in place for continued development.
- Most decisions pertaining to consumer access to clean, sustainable energy will continue to take place on the state level. That dynamic has not changed. IREC will be active to make sure these decisions increase consumer access.
- Opportunities to retrain workers for clean energy jobs, including our veterans, and the need to train workers in allied industries may take on different forms, but will not disappear.
- Consumers need to be more empowered than ever to make good decisions based on unbiased information about their energy choices.
We will continue to emphatically pursue our mission to create a world powered by clean sustainable energy
, where society's interests are valued and protected
. As we have since 1982, we will work state by state, region by region, and profession by profession to develop and promote clean energy policies and practices that are best for America, which include protecting energy consumers and working with the dynamic industry that offers them sustainable options with confidence.
We look forward to joining with you in this continued journey.
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I am thankful for your work and support and wish you all the best.
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Support IREC!
IREC counts on public
and private funds to produce the success stories you've come to depend on since 1982. Join our corporate sponsors and individual donors who
enable IREC to continue to shape positive trends, meet state and federal challenges, solve problems and make progress toward a clean energy future. Find out about corporate sponsorship opportunities or make a personal donation today.
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ABOUT IREC
IREC is a nationally recognized thought leader, stakeholder coordinator, expert resource and facilitator of regulatory reform. Our work expands consumer access to clean energy; generates information and objective analysis grounded in best practices and standards; and leads national efforts to build a quality-trained clean energy workforce. IREC's programs and policies benefit consumers, policymakers, utilities and the clean energy industry.
IREC is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that relies on the generosity of donors, sponsors and program funder support. http://www.irecusa.org
Disclaimer
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process that is referred to or linked to in this newsletter. Read the full Disclaimer.
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 Imagine a state that has enacted all of the policies that the public and clean energy providers have asked for: an aggressive renewable portfolio standard, a robust grid modernization plan, far-reaching shared renewables. The sun is shining, birds are chirping, people are celebrating and getting ready to build new projects -- perfect, right? More
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IREC celebrates our 35th anniversary and honors the legendary accomplishments of our very own energy hero, Jane Weissman, March 8, 2017 with an evening reception in Washington, DC.
Jane Weissman - the catalyst for much of IREC's success over the past two decades - is a true trailblazer in the renewable energy arena. She made possible much of IREC's transformational accomplishments. As a result, millions more of us now enjoy safe, simple, affordable access to clean renewable energy, while new tools empower us with information and confidence.
If you know Jane, you will understand her insistence that any event in her honor be a fundraiser, to further IREC's critically important work, today as important as ever in our 35-year history.
Details forthcoming. In the meantime,
SAVE THE DATE!!!
We can't imagine celebrating without you!
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The importance of updated technical training goes without saying. The International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI), in its ongoing partnership with IREC, continues to make this easier and more effective than ever, by promoting IREC's newly updated, interactive online course designed for code officials, referred to as PVOT (PV Online Training). The course is free of charge, lauded as "exceptional" by industry experts and IAEI members who have completed it, and offers CEUs from the IAEI, the International Code Council (ICC) and NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners).
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Does your utility offer solar? How do you know if you're getting a safe, fair deal?
Do you know what to look for in a solar contract?
The
folks at Austin Energy are committed to
giving their customers solid information about selecting a solar contractor. We're glad they find our #BeSolarSmart Consumer Checklist a valuable, independent resource.
Visit @AustinEnergy for tips &
our #BeSolarSmart checklist.
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A new partnership with the National Apartment Association and its Education Institute (NAAEI) will further advance IREC's cutting edge experience with micro-credentials in the national, cross-industry workforce development arena. The credential, CAMT + E, will focus on the skills needed for planning, procuring and managing energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits in apartment buildings.
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 #solar? IREC's Solar Career Map shows more than 60 jobs and routes to advance between, within and across four sectors. Five companion videos with solar professionals describe what training & education you need. More
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of note...
Published annually by the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable and Renewable Energy
since 2008, the 2015 update shows
advances in clean energy investments.
More
CCSA's recently released policy decision matrix offers detailed guidance on what works best in developing community solar programs.
The matrix builds on efforts of other stakeholders working in this space, including IREC's model rules for community solar. More
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