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In this newsletter:
- Oklahoma Legislative Activities
- Upcoming Events & Webinars
- Noteworthy Items
- SPEER's YouTube Channel & Resources
- What We're Reading
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Oklahoma Legislative Activities | |
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The 60th Session of the Oklahoma Legislature has commenced! Numerous energy related bills have been filed and are moving through the legislative process. Many of these bills take aim at reducing renewable energy resources in the state, while several seek to aid energy conservation efforts. To see which bills we are tracking, please visit the SPEER Oklahoma Policy website.
Committee hearings this week:
February 19th (yesterday): House Energy Committee met to hear several bills focused on battery stewardship (HB 1907), repeals of energy conservation officers (HB 2037), and review of solar and wind energy setbacks (HB 2156, HB 1989).
February 20th: Senate Energy Committee is meeting at 9:45am and will hear several bills focused on distributed energy resources (SB93), energy transmission (SB 279), natural gas energy standards (SB 460), the extension of the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (SB 480), and rules for reliable and affordable electricity (SB 1003).
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Upcoming Events & Webinars | |
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February 25th, 2025, 10:30 AM Central Time
Webinar: Duct Sealing, Leakage Testing, and Ventilation – Code Requirements are Changing
Join us for an in-depth webinar designed specifically for building officials, plan reviewers, and 3rd party energy verifiers to navigate the latest HVAC energy code requirements related to duct sealing, leakage testing, and ventilation. As energy codes become more stringent, understanding compliance requirements is critical for ensuring efficiency, indoor air quality, and overall system performance.
This session will provide a comprehensive look at IECC and ENERGY STAR requirements for duct leakage testing, approved sealing methods, and mechanical ventilation verification. We’ll also cover field testing procedures, compliance verification strategies, and common mistakes that can lead to test failures.
What You'll Learn:
- Duct leakage has a major impact on energy efficiency and code compliance – even minor leaks can result in test failures and higher energy costs.
- Proper testing procedures and documentation are crucial – knowing how to conduct and interpret a duct leakage test ensures compliance and avoids costly rework.
- Mechanical ventilation is often overlooked in compliance reviews – understanding airflow verification and balancing is key to meeting code requirements and improving indoor air quality.
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March 18th, 2025, 10:30 AM Central Time
Webinar: HVAC Grading ANSI 310 Standard
Join us for an informative webinar on HVAC Grading and ANSI/RESNET/ACCA Standard 310, designed to help HVAC professionals, energy raters, and home performance specialists understand how this standard enhances system efficiency, comfort, and overall home energy ratings. ANSI 310 provides a consistent framework for grading HVAC installation quality, impacting home energy scores and compliance with programs like ENERGY STAR and tax credit qualifications.
What You'll Learn:
- Overview of ANSI Standard 310 – Understand the purpose, scope, and key components of the standard, including duct system performance, refrigerant charge verification, and airflow assessment.
- How HVAC Grading Affects Energy Ratings – Learn how proper installation and verification impact home energy performance and qualify homes for efficiency programs.
- Best Practices for Compliance and Implementation – Get insights on achieving higher grades, avoiding common pitfalls, and leveraging the standard to improve system performance.
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April 23rd-24th, 2025
Retrofit USA Conference
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SPEER is a proud Endorsing Partner of the upcoming Retrofit USA Conference in Austin on April 23-24. We invite you to join us at this important event and note that you can save 15% on registration with our code: SPEER15.
Join us and hear from keynotes and expert panelists while participating in interactive roundtables and workshops covering regulations, standards, codes, financing, design, construction, project management and energy efficiency innovations. Experience live product demonstrations and query knowledgeable exhibitors about how cutting-edge materials, approaches, technology integration, and game-changing climate resiliency techniques are transforming retrofits.
Register today and take advantage of this discount to discover who, what, and where retrofitting is achieving the country’s most outstanding energy efficiency results today. We look forward to seeing you there!
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September 18th-19th, 2025
SPEER's 2025 Industry + Policy Workshop
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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.
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Oklahoma Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Oklahoma Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides winter heating and summer cooling funding to eligible low-income households during specific application periods throughout each year. The Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP) provides emergency funding to low-income households throughout the year.
Oklahoma Human Services works with utility companies to offset the cost of home energy to low-income households, prevent the shutoff of utility service to those households and restore utility service if service is interrupted.
Learn more about these programs here. Customers may apply for services here.
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Oklahoma Natural Gas Rebates and Incentives Program
Since 2015, energy efficiency programs from Oklahoma Natural Gas have provided more than $2.7 million in rebates for affordable housing properties and 877 natural gas appliances replaced for free for low-income families.
Funds are currently available! Click here for more info on natural gas rebates and incentives available now and apply online.
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SPEER Member Ameresco Wins Industry-Leading Award Recognizing Member Collaboration and Outstanding Project through Performance Contracting
The National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO), the leading advocacy and accreditation association representing companies modernizing building infrastructure, has announced Ameresco and ENGIE Services U.S. Inc. as winners of the 2024 NAESCO Member Award. The awards were given during the NAESCO and ESC joint annual meeting, R3 Conference and Innovation Expo, in Anaheim, CA, from November 4th to 6th, 2024.
Ameresco was awarded for member collaboration on a multi-year, deep energy retrofit Utility Energy Service Contract (UESC) project with Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) in Oklahoma.
Read the full announcement here.
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SPEER has over 180 recorded webinars archived on our YouTube channel focused on vital energy topics. Most recently we have added new webinar recordings on HVAC Energy Code Requirements for Climate Resiliency and Healthy Homes, Conquering Deferred Maintenance - A Conversation with Local Government Facilities Officials, and many more.
Be sure to subscribe to stay informed as new material is uploaded and stay up-to-date with the latest industry and efficiency trends and resources!
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You can now find state-specific policy information including links to key state agency webpages, our previous public comments, and additional information about our work in both Texas and Oklahoma. You will also find our released reports, templates and materials for engaging with policy leaders, and additional materials on how our Policy Program interacts with the ongoing Heat Pump Working Group, SPEER Codes Program, and SPEER Local Governments Program. SPEER State and Local Policy.
What can you expect to find on our resource page?
We have created a library of local government resolutions, energy plans & policy work, climate action plans, and resiliency initiatives. These documents are meant to be a resource and showcase the commitment made by local governments to create an equitable, safe, and economically stable future for Texas and Oklahoma citizens. Head over to dive in and bookmark the page as we will continually be expanding and adding new material.
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