Kicking Off 2025 with Growth & Webinars!

CELC Edition

What a busy and exciting start to the year! In January, SPEER hosted energy reporting workshops, launched the TEA-UP Coalition—now growing with 19 amazing members—and presented at the Texas Association of Regional Councils Bi-Annual Meeting. We also had the opportunity to connect with the future clean energy workforce at the Austin Community College Sustainability Job Fair.

As we jump into February, we want to celebrate Black History Month by shining a light on Hazel O’Leary. In 1993, she made history as the first woman and African American to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Energy, championing renewable energy, nuclear transparency, and environmental clean-up. Hazel's groundbreaking work paved the way for many, and her efforts continue to inspire change in the energy sector today. We honor her legacy, along with the countless individuals who have shaped and continue to shape our industry through their leadership and dedication.

In this newsletter:

Save the Date: SPEER's 2025 Industry + Policy Workshop
SPEER Joins Bluesky Social
Mark Your Calendar: Exciting CELC Opportunities Ahead
Spotlight on CELC: Member Events and Updates
What We're Reading: Insights and Inspiration

Save the Date: SPEER's 2025 Industry + Policy Workshop

New year, new Workshop! We're excited to announce dates and venue for the 2025 SPEER Industry + Policy Workshop, happening September 18-19 at the AT&T Hotel & Conference Center in Austin. While last year's record-setting event will be hard to top, we're excited to set the bar even higher this year in a larger venue. We hope you will join us!

Registration info coming soon. In the meantime, check out our recap page with photos and video from 2024's fantastic Workshop.

Discounted overnight room reservations can be made here.

SPEER Joins Bluesky

Exciting news: SPEER is now on Bluesky Social! We are thrilled to continue the discussion around energy efficiency in Texas and Oklahoma with all of you. Click below to give us a follow and join the conversation!

Mark Your Calendar: Exciting CELC Opportunities Ahead

Virtual Workshop: Navigating SECO Energy Reporting

February 13 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Join us for a comprehensive virtual workshop designed to demystify energy reporting regulations in Texas. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the intricacies of energy reporting with confidence.

The workshop will cover a range of topics, including:

Understanding Texas energy reporting requirements
Best practices for accurate data collection and reporting
Strategies and tips for avoiding common pitfalls

Speaker: Shaun Auckland, Senior Manager, Government and Community Engagement – SPEER

11th Annual TRACS Summit- The Power of Sustainability: Energy Transitions, Conservation, and Education on your Campus

April 6-8, 2025

The Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS) was formed in 2008 at the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) conference in Raleigh, North Carolina with the support of the Environmental Science Institute at the University of Texas at Austin and the Texas State Energy Conservation Office. Since 2008, TRACS has facilitated events and collaborations to forward campus greenhouse gas emissions reductions and sustainability initiatives, including the Annual TRACS Summit hosted by a different participating college or university each year.

The TRACS summit focuses on continued education for sustainability practices, and participants will have the opportunity to engage and converse about overcoming the emerging issues arising in today’s society. SPEER is thrilled to support this summit recognizing energy and sustainability in higher education, and is a proud sponsor of this year’s event.

More info and registration here.

Call for Proposals:

The 2025 TRACS Summit invites thought leaders, innovators, and sustainability champions to share their insights and experiences on the critical role of sustainability in higher education. We seek presentations that support our theme of “The Power of Sustainability: Energy Transitions, Conservation, and Education on your Campus”.

The deadline for speakers is February 21st, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. To submit an individual or group session proposal, submit your topic and abstract through the Call for Proposals site.

TEA-UP Workshop

April 8 @ 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Join this interactive half-day workshop tailored for higher education professionals passionate about advancing energy efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability initiatives. Organized by SPEER in collaboration with the Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS), this event will explore:

Emerging trends in energy efficiency.
Strategies to develop resilient systems in response to climate challenges.
Practical methods to foster a culture of sustainability within academic institutions.

Facilitated by the TEA-UP Coalition and supported by the State Energy Conservation Office, this session will equip participants with actionable insights to drive meaningful change on their campuses.

Don’t miss this opportunity to network and exchange ideas with peers dedicated to creating sustainable futures for academic communities!

Share Your Expertise: Call for Webinar Presenters

Unleash your knowledge! We're seeking passionate experts to lead our upcoming webinars. If you're an industry leader with insights to share, we want to hear from you. Join us in inspiring and educating our community. Submit your proposal now!

Submit

Spotlight on CELC: Member Events and Updates

ENERGY STAR Webinar Series: Basics of U.S. Building Benchmarking for Policy Compliance

February 11 @ 2:00-3:30pm ET

Join ENERGY STAR for a three-part webinar series on how to use Portfolio Manager® to meet state and local policy requirements. This series will teach you the ins and outs of the Portfolio Manager tool and introduce you to the benefits of energy efficiency and energy management. It will be offered twice this year, so please join for the sessions that best fit your schedule.

NCTCOG Webinar: "From the Ground Up: The Whys and Hows of Groundwater Protection"

February 12 @ 10:00 – 11:30am

Join NCTCOG on Wednesday, February 12 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. for a webinar on groundwater protection and conservation. This workshop will be held virtually, via Microsoft Teams. Participants will hear from three speakers, representing regional Groundwater Conservation Districts.

Clean Waters Initiative Workshop - Microplastics in Surface Waters

February 25 @ 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Clean water is crucial to our region's environment, economy, and quality of life. The Clean Waters Initiative (CWI) program offers workshops that help local governments, landowners, and residents develop effective strategies to reduce pollution in area waterways.

What We're Reading: Insights and Inspiration

State Online Clean Energy Incentive Toolkit - RMI

Clean energy companies press US lawmakers to protect subsidies - Reuters

In the Trump era, renewable energy isn’t green — it’s ‘dominant’ - Washington Post

Energy groups head to Washington in lobbying blitz - PV Magazine

Clean energy companies are blitzing Capitol Hill to save IRA tax credits - Electrek

SPEER is now on Bluesky Social! Click below and give us a follow:

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Save the Date: SPEER's 2025 Industry + Policy Workshop

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