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Live from the SPEER Newsroom:
- TRACS Summit 2026: SPEER Video Recap
- SPEER/TIEEN Webinar
- Two Upcoming SPEER Heat Pump Contractor Training Workshops
- Upcoming Events & Webinars
- Noteworthy
- What We're Reading
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TRACS Summit 2026: SPEER Video Recap | | |
This year's Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS) Summit was a huge success, bringing together a diverse group of over 200 stakeholders to discuss critical energy issues at a statewide level.
Co-hosted by SPEER, St.Edward's University, and The University of Texas at Austin, the conference emphasized collaboration and knowledge sharing among attendees from academia, local governments, non-profits, and more.
Check out SPEER's full video recap!
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SPEER/TIEEN Webinar:
The State of Efficiency - Through Our Eyes
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SPEER CEO Todd McAlister appeared on a recent webinar for the University of Houston's Texas Industrial Energy Efficiency Network (TIEEN), The State of Efficiency - Through Our Eyes.
This session examines the evolving energy efficiency landscape in Texas, and how growing demand from data centers and hyperscalers, federal policy changes, and market trends are impacting the state—and what actions today could shape Texas' energy future.
Check out the full webinar here.
| | Two Upcoming SPEER Heat Pump Contractor Training Workshops | | |
Dallas:
April 29th, 8:30 AM - 1 PM
LG HVAC Academy
13701 Hutton Drive, Suite 100
Farmers Branch, TX 75234
Coming up later this month! We’re partnering with SPEER member LG Electronics for another free Heat Pump Contractor Training Workshop, taught by experts at LG.
*Coffee, breakfast, and snacks provided.
Head here for more info and registration!
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Houston:
May 13 @ 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
GHBA Education Room
9511 W Sam Houston Pkwy N
Houston, TX 77064
Happening next month! We’re partnering with SPEER members CenterPoint Energy, Daikin, and LG Electronics for another free Heat Pump Contractor Training Workshop!
*Coffee, breakfast, and snacks provided.
Head here for more info and registration!
| | Upcoming Events & Webinars | | |
CELC Virtual Coffee Hour: Energizing Connections
April 7 (TODAY) @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am
SPEER’s CELC team will host its regular monthly virtual coffee hour. Join for a 10-minute presentation on boosting energy efficiency in our communities followed by an open group discussion and thought sharing. Learn more on our event page and see our current CELC members.
| | CAPCOG/SPEER Energy Workshop: Building Energy Codes | |
April 8 @ 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
St. Edward's University
*Virtual attendance option available
CAPCOG and SPEER will conduct an interactive workshop on building energy codes and understanding their connection to regional air quality.
Randy Plumlee, SPEER's Senior Manager of Building Performance, will provide an overview of the newest 2024 IECC for residential and commercial buildings. He is the leading SPEER expert on compliance education and outreach to local areas in the region, providing support to code jurisdictions seeking to adopt new codes, training, and building science support.
This workshop is intended for local government staff including administrators, energy coordinators, building officials, facilities managers, finance officers, and anyone involved in energy management or utility data.
Register here.
| | Webinar: 2024 IECC Commercial: What to Enforce – Part 2 (Without Mechanical) | |
April 14 @ 10:30 am
The 2024 IECC introduces major updates affecting how commercial buildings are reviewed and inspected for energy code compliance. In this follow-up session, we will continue breaking down the provisions most likely to affect plan review and field enforcement across Texas.
Part 2 will focus on practical enforcement strategies related to lighting controls, electrical provisions, commissioning requirements, and documentation verification. The session will highlight common compliance mistakes, field inspection challenges, and strategies code officials can use to identify issues earlier in the permitting process.
This webinar is designed for building officials, inspectors, plan reviewers, energy raters, and design professionals who want to better understand how the 2024 IECC is applied in real-world projects.
*Did you miss Part 1? Check out the YouTube recording here.
Register here.
| Houston Permitting Center Workshop Series: Sustainable, Resilient, and Healthy Buildings | |
April 16 @ 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Houston Permitting Center
Featuring: SPEER’s Senior Manager of Building Performance, Randy Plumlee
Learn how City of Houston requirements apply to building design, including HVAC efficiency, filtration, and site planning strategies.
More info and registration here.
| CELC Webinar - Empowering Tomorrow: Strategies for Success in Clean Energy Workforce Development | |
April 23 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
This webinar will present strategies of successful workforce development programs, including CenterPoint Energy’s Talent Acquisition program, TRC’s workforce development initiatives, and NYSERDA’s diverse workforce development and training programming. Attendees will learn how these organizations are leading the way in developing talent, fostering a skilled workforce, and advancing the clean energy future. Join to hear about clean energy workforce opportunities in Texas and beyond.
Moderator:
- Angel Moreno, Director, TRC
Presenters:
- Laura Giannini, Director, TRC
- Tom Rooney, Vice President, TRC
- Kimberley Murphy, CPS Energy
Register here.
| CELC Webinar: Utility-Sponsored Energy Efficiency Programs in Texas | |
April 30 @ 12:00 pm
Learn about utility-sponsored programs in Texas designed to help commercial and industrial customers reduce energy demand and implement cost-effective efficiency upgrades. This webinar will provide an overview of different utility energy efficiency programs and eligible projects, available incentives, and how to take advantage of these programs.
Speakers:
- Alexandra Blair, Program Consultant, Frontier Energy
- Scott Wishart, Senior Program Consultant, Frontier Energy
Register here.
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UT Austin & SECO Present Pizza & Politics: The Future of AI in the Lone Star State
Date: Friday, April 17
Location: CMA 2.306
Audience Doors: 4:30pm
Lecture Start: 5:00pm
Discussion End: 6:30pm
How will AI shape our water and energy future in Texas?
Experience a live, thought-provoking lecture and Q&A with Dr. Michael E. Webber as he explores “The Future of AI in the Lone Star State,” and how artificial intelligence is transforming energy, water, and sustainability across Texas. This special event will be filmed by Alpheus Media for Season 3 of Power Trip: The Story of Energy and a new Texas-focused documentary premiering in fall 2026. Be part of the live audience, enjoy free food courtesy of the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life, and experience a behind-the-scenes moment in the making of a nationally broadcast production.
This event is made possible through the support of the Texas State Energy Conservation Office, in partnership with the Moody College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin.
Register here.
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Rural Texas Energy Voices
Rural Texas Energy Voices, a new project from the Advanced Power Alliance, is a coalition of Texas landowners, farmers, ranchers and allies who believe in protecting private property rights, strengthening rural communities, and keeping Texas energy reliable and affordable.
Texas leads the nation in energy because it welcomes competition and allows diverse, all-of-the-above energy resources. Combined with energy efficiency and demand-side measures, we can strengthen reliability, lower costs, increase energy security and meet rapid demand growth.
Learn more about this important project.
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