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Oklahoma Edition:

We are excited to bring you energy & efficiency related news focused on developments both nationally and locally in Oklahoma. We'll cover policy & legislative advocacy, grant opportunities, the changing landscape of building codes, ways local governments are driving efficiency forward, and more. If you would like to share this or join our other distribution lists to receive more SPEER news, you can update preferences here.

In this newsletter

  • Oklahoma Legislative Activities
  • Upcoming Events & Webinars
  • Register Now: SPEER'S Building Operator Certification (BOC)
  • SPEER's Industry + Policy Workshop: Photo/Video Recap Live
  • Noteworthy Items
  • SPEER's YouTube Channel & Resources
  • What We're Reading

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Oklahoma Legislative Activities

What’s next at the Oklahoma Lege?


The Oklahoma 60th Legislative session will be kicking up in early 2025. Organizational Day is scheduled for January 7, 2025, with the official start of session beginning on February 3, 2025. With session not too far away, both the Oklahoma House and Senate have released their interim study assignments for the respective committees to investigate prior to the next legislative session. Both chambers have several items relating to energy, climate, and affordability for Oklahomans. Some materials are available already on the Oklahoma Legislature website. Committees will be holding meetings in the coming weeks to review progress. For more information you can visit the Oklahoma House site or the Oklahoma Senate site.


SPEER will be monitoring and will provide updates through social media and this newsletter. Be on the lookout for the SPEER Oklahoma Legislative Priorities to be released soon!

Upcoming Events & Webinars

November 7th, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CST


ACOG MPO (Association of Central Oklahoma Governments Metropolitan Planning Organization) Technical Committee Meeting


The ACOG MPO Technical Committee provides technical review and guidance for the ACOG MPO planning programs. This committee is generally comprised of city planners, city engineers and traffic managers, and includes representatives of various modes, environmental agencies, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, ODOT and the federal transportation agencies. Head here for info on their next meeting in Oklahoma City.

December 5th, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CST


CELC Webinar: Maximizing Your Grant Success From Application to Award


Unlock the keys to grant success! Join SPEER and Learn Design Apply Inc., a leading grant consulting firm, for an engaging and informative webinar on navigating the complex world of funding opportunities. Whether you’re new to the grant process or looking to sharpen your skills, this session is designed to guide you through the entire grant lifecycle.



Topics covered will include:

• An overview of the current energy grant landscape and available funding sources

• Proven strategies for crafting compelling and successful grant applications

• Essential tips for effective post-award management and compliance

• Alternative pathways and strategies for leveraging unsuccessful applications


Presenter: Megan Beresford


This comprehensive webinar offers valuable insights for professionals across the energy sector, helping you stay competitive in a rapidly evolving grant environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to boost your grant-writing and management expertise! Register here.

Visit SPEER's calendar for all upcoming events and training.

Register Now! SPEER's Building Operator Certification (BOC)

Registration for SPEER's upcoming BOC (Building Operator Certification) training is now open! BOC provides building operators with skill enhancement in energy-efficient building operations. Operations & maintenance best practices can save 5-20% annually on energy bills, but buildings can only be operated efficiently if the building operator is properly trained. View the syllabus.


Save your spot & learn how to operate buildings at peak efficiency, improve equipment lifespan, reduce energy waste, and save on average $10,000/annually in utility bills.

SPEER Industry & Policy Workshop: Photo/Video Recap is live!

SPEER’s Industry + Policy Workshop 2024 was held 9/19-20 at the Archer Hotel in Austin, Texas. We had a fantastic agenda of sessions and panelists, and a huge turnout of energy leaders continuing the conversation around energy efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability. Check out the recap page for this year’s event.


Dive in here for a Google Drive folder with an entire library of Workshop photos. Feel free to peruse and download as you please!

 

Feel like posting one on social? We’d appreciate a tag!

– Twitter/X

– LinkedIn

 

Let us know how we did! We’re always striving to make each year’s Workshop better than the last. Head here for an attendee survey and give us your feedback. See you in 2025!

Noteworthy

SPEER at the 2024 EnVision the Future: Roger Farrer Conference

SPEER’s Local and State Policy Manager, Noah Oaks, traveled to Oklahoma this week to attend the Oklahoma Renewable Energy Council (OREC) 2024 EnVision the Future: Roger Farrer Conference in Stillwater, OK. This insightful one day conference is dedicated to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and associated technologies. Topics covered included Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Storage Technologies, Policy, and Research & Development, to name a few. Steve Johnson, Director of Markets Administration for Southwest Power Pool, kicked off the conference with a presentation on transmission planning for the region.

Oklahoma City Code Update Project


Oklahoma City’s Office of Sustainability Planning Department continues working on OKC's comprehensive code update project. You can show support for measures that promote energy efficiency and interrelated items, such as more trees, shade structures and other measures that help lower the urban heat island effect, by providing feedback to codeupdate@okc.gov regarding updating codes.

Oklahoma C-Pace Program


The Oklahoma C-PACE Program provides a blueprint for Oklahoma’s counties to establish C-PACE in their jurisdiction in a uniform manner by utilizing standard enabling resolutions, form contracts, applications, and Program Guidelines. Property owners, contractors, capital providers, and other service providers benefit from a single point of contact for C-PACE financing throughout the state. Oklahomans enjoy the benefits of increased property value, more efficient buildings, cleaner environments, and cutting-edge commercial spaces. Learn more here.

Call For Volunteers – Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission


The OUBCC is now calling for volunteers to serve on the committees listed below to review the 2024 International Residential Code. Please fill out and submit a Technical Review Committee Application. Applications will be accepted until Friday, November 22, 2024. Technical Committee Review Meetings are expected to begin in January, 2025.


  • Residential Building Technical Committee
  • Residential Electrical Technical Committee 
  • Residential Mechanical, and Plumbing Technical Committee 

ACOG Regional Air Quality Plan 


ACOG staff, in collaboration with local consultants, is nearing the final stages of developing a Regional Air Quality Plan for Central Oklahoma region. The plan is meant to provide the current status of air quality in the region and propose a variety of measures that individuals, businesses, local governments and communities can take to reduce emissions.


Please reach out to Eric Pollard, Air Quality and Clean Cities Manager, at epollard@acogok.org with any questions.

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 An Energy Code Roadmap to Success in your Building Department, Instant Solar Permitting with SolarAPP+, Pipe Insulation and Penetration Sealing Requirements, 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!

SPEER Resources

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. 

What We're Reading

Turning Data Centers into Grid and Regional Assets: Considerations and Recommendations for the Federal Government, State Policymakers, and Utility Regulators – ACEEE


DOE launches funding opportunity for clean energy career programs  Utility Dive


Policy support, utility buy-in key for VPP growth, say experts from Ford, EnergyHub – Utility Dive


Warmer Fall, Later Freeze Climate Central


Bipartisan initiative to accelerate deployment of distributed energy resources in U.S. - PV Magazine

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