This month's updates: 

• New SPEER Blog - Energy Efficiency: Texas' Most Powerful Tool for Grid Resilience
• SECO High Performance Building RFI
• Policy Webinar Alert: Data Center Growth and Energy Efficiency – Meeting the Needs of Texas and Oklahoma
• Upcoming Events and Webinars
• What We’re Reading/Hearing

It would be easy to say that the Texas grid once again dodged a bullet with the recent winter storm, BUT, the truth is, many positive changes have been implemented within our great state to make sure that another Winter Storm Uri doesn’t occur again. SPEER applauds all these necessary adjustments to help us all stay warm during some incredibly cold times.

However, with that being said, there is still a LONG LONG LONG way to go, and SPEER feels that even more could be done to help ensure an even higher percentage of positive outcomes during the way too frequent cold, and hot, spells that are menacing the Lone Star State.

Energy efficiency can play a pivotal role in solving some of the biggest challenges our south-central region is experiencing: resource adequacy, or grid reliability, and resiliency during our summer heat waves and increasing winter storms.

Read more in our new blog, Energy Efficiency: Texas' Most Powerful Tool for Grid Resilience.

The Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) is requesting information regarding the International Green Construction Code (IgCC-2024) for the high-performance building evaluation system and the ASHRAE 90.1-2022 energy standard as part of the adoption process. SECO has requested public comments submitted by January 30th at 2 p.m. CST. 

Texas Government Code (TGC) section 447.004 requires SECO to gather information regarding establishing a high-performance building evaluation system and an energy efficiency performance standard for state agencies and higher education facilities designs and renovation projects. SECO must establish and publish mandatory energy and water conservation design standards for new state buildings and state-funded institutions of higher education. 

If you would like to submit comments, please follow the link provided here to the SECO RFI prompt.

February 25 @ 11:00 am- 12:00 pm

As data center growth continues across our region, policymakers, utilities, and local communities must seek solutions to curb exponential energy consumption. Targeted energy efficiency deployed near data centers can deliver measurable peak load relief, economic benefits, and reduce community concerns, making the rapid growth of data centers more palatable.

The AnnDyl Policy Group published its report “Measurable Energy Efficiency to Meet Data Center Growth: How Home Energy Efficiency Upgrades Will Make Data Centers and AI Welcome” in late 2025. Our presenter will provide an overview of the report, discuss Texas and Oklahoma specific results, and review how forward-looking energy efficiency policy could benefit the region.



Presenter: Doug Presley, Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, AnnDyl Policy Group

CELC Virtual Coffee Hour: Energizing Connections

February 3 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Join fellow CELC members 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 current CELC members.

HARC/TEPRI/SPEER Weatherization Coordination Convening: From Insights to Action

February 13 @ 10:00 am- 1:00 pm (coffee and lunch included)

Location: Austin Energy Headquarters 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX, United States

Join us as we transform stakeholder feedback into practical solutions. Building on insights from our first convening, this collaborative session will focus on co-designing the workflows, coordination strategies, and partnerships needed to create a more connected weatherization system in Central Texas.

Who Should Attend:

Weatherization providers, utilities, housing agencies, community organizations, workforce developers, funders, and anyone committed to making it easier for low-income households to access energy efficiency services.

More info & registration here.

TRACS 2026 Summit/TEA-UP Conference

Meeting the Moment: Shaping Tomorrow Together

March 1-3, 2026

SPEER is partnering with the Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS) to facilitate this interactive session and learn about the latest trends in energy efficiency, how to develop resilient systems in response to climate challenges, and effective methods for fostering a culture of sustainability within your institution. Drive meaningful change in your academic communities.

Early Bird Registration rates end on January 31. Head here for more information and register today!

Utilities under pressure: 6 power sector trends to watch in 2026 – Utility Dive

Senate bill exempts fully isolated large loads from FERC, DOE regulation – Utility Dive

A Texas data center will open sooner thanks to an offline grid battery – Canary Media

Data centers could strain Texas' grid and raise power bills. Here's a fix for both problems. – The Houston Chronicle 

Flexibility Driving Reliability and Affordability with Matt Boms – The Texas Energy and Power Newsletter