This month's updates:

Welcome Commissioner Rhode
EEIP Recap
Oklahoma 60th Legislative Session Commences
SPEER/TIEEN Webinar: The State of Efficiency - Through our Eyes
Register now! SPEER/CleanTX Workshop & Happy Hour - The Capacity Challenge: Collaborative Strategies for Texas Load Growth
SPEER Releases 2025 Impact Report
NEEA Hot Water Innovation Prize
Job Opportunity with TEPRI
Upcoming Events and Webinars
What We’re Reading/Hearing

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Welcome Commissioner Patrick Rhode

SPEER would like to congratulate Patrick Rhode on his appointment to the Public Utility Commission of Texas. His term is set to begin on April 1, 2026 and expire on Sept 1, 2027.

Commissioner Rhode is the Founder and President of Patrick Rhode Strategies. Previously, Rhode served as Special Assistant to the President of the United States, Senior Advisor to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, in senior roles at the United States Department of Homeland Security after 9/11, and as Vice President of an international infrastructure company. Rhode received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arkansas (UA), Fayetteville, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from UA at Little Rock.

We look forward to working with Commissioner Rhode and the rest of the PUCT Commissioners to continue pursuing demand-side management solutions that keep homes comfortable and energy bills low for all Texans.

For more information, please see the Governor's Announcement here.

EEIP Recap

The Public Utility Commission of Texas Energy Efficiency Division hosted its first Energy Efficiency Forum on March 3rd. The forum highlighted efforts by the Commission to expand hard-to-reach and low-income populations within the rule definitions, as well as in-depth presentations by the Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI) on their Energy Survey. This survey found that 50% of respondents have difficulty paying their electricity bills monthly and must consider trade-offs of other life necessities like household goods.

Following the staff and TEPRI presentations, Brynn Cooksey of HVAC U presented a case study on ways to train and expand the workforce in rural and hard-to-reach areas for contractors.

Finishing up the morning presentation, PUCT staff provided an update on the Texas Energy Waste Advisory Council (EWAC). This stems from legislation passed last legislative session that brings together all state agencies that deal with energy to seek opportunities to collaborate and ultimately reduce energy waste.

The afternoon portion of the Forum kicked off with the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) updating stakeholders on two separate topics. First, where they are in relation to the adoption of the 2024 IECC energy codes and the adoption of design standards for new state buildings or major renovations of state buildings. They have received public comment, and the Energy Systems Lab is reviewing those comments before providing to the Comptroller for final approval. Second, SECO provided an update on the HOMES and HEAR home energy rebate programs. These programs would provide almost $700M to Texas for energy upgrades. However, with pending federal legislation that could negatively impact the HEAR funding, SECO advised that Texas is negotiating with the implementor to execute the contract.

After the utilities provided presentations on the challenges and opportunities to improve their programs in the next year, PUCT staff provided a timeline for next steps.

The utilities must file their EEPR by April 1st, as is required by statute. Additionally, meetings are going to be scheduled for expanded stakeholder engagement with utilities on their plans through two virtual meetings to be scheduled in April or May. These will be great opportunities for interested parties to be involved in the process of energy efficiency program implementation and provide feedback.

For more information or to see the presentations, please visit Project Number 38578 on the Interchange and on the Energy Efficiency webpage.

Oklahoma 60th Legislative Session Commences

The second half of Oklahoma’s 60th Legislative Session began in January. Much like the first half that ended in May 2025, the second half sees Oklahoma policymakers considering legislation on renewable energy, local control energy issues, data center impacts, and workforce development and licensure, among many other issues. SPEER tracks energy pertinent legislation as it moves through the session.

If you are interested in reviewing what bills we are tracking, our priorities for the session, and any other OK-specific information please see our Oklahoma Policy page.

SPEER/TIEEN Webinar: The State of Efficiency - Through our Eyes

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 how energy transition fits within the broader framework of urban climate adaptation, emphasizing that resilient cities must integrate energy systems with public health, infrastructure, governance, and community design.

Check out the full webinar here.

The Capacity Challenge: Collaborative Strategies for Texas Load Growth

April 21, 2-6 PM

Scholz Garten, Austin

CleanTX and SPEER are partnering for an Earth Week Workshop & Happy Hour focused on The Capacity Challenge: Collaborative Strategies for Texas Load Growth.

Speakers:

Doug Lewin, Energy Market Development, Google
Paden Williams, Advisory Associate, Aurora Energy Research
Doug Presley, Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, AnnDyl Policy Group
More announced soon!

Moderator:

Matthew Boms, Executive Director, Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance

Join us for a dynamic conversation on how Texas can keep up with soaring demand by pairing speed-to-market strategies with on-site generation that serves as both a bridge solution and a long-term market asset. Panelists will explore hybrid energy approaches that combine natural gas, battery energy storage (BESS), and renewables to deliver power to sites faster, while rethinking the role of large loads in ERCOT and shifting the conversation from grid defection to grid services.

As utilities are under growing pressure to plug in massive new loads, often faster than traditional grid infrastructure can be planned or built, we’ll discuss ways to strategically reduce residential energy use, shift load, and invest in energy efficiency, DERs and demand response to unlock grid capacity and accelerate data center interconnections.

ICC CEU’s will be provided for the workshop session.

Check out sponsorship options and register today!

SPEER Releases 2025 Impact Report

SPEER's 2025 Impact Report: Advancing Energy Efficiency & Serving Our Communities is now live!

While 2025 certainly had its challenges, SPEER continued to lead the charge in our territory with dogged determination to pursue our mission: promoting energy efficiency and serving the great people of Texas and Oklahoma.

Take a look at some of last year's Policy Program accomplishments we are most proud of, as well as highlights from the entire organization. Dive in here!

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) Hot Water Innovation Prize

SPEER is proud to co-sponsor the Hot Water Innovation Prize, a national effort led by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) to accelerate the development of a new type of affordable and efficient water heater.

The contest includes three phases: qualification, project plan development, and prototype submissions. Later this year, they'll be announcing up to two Prize winners, who will receive $175,000 in co-funding and inclusion in utility demonstration projects across the country. These efforts will provide valuable data on performance, installation, and customer satisfaction, laying the groundwork for broader adoption.

By supporting initiatives like this, we are helping to ensure that next-generation technologies are efficient and accessible. Learn more about the Hot Water Innovation Prize and its impact on the future of water heating.

Job Opportunity: Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI)

SPEER member TEPRI is seeking a Project Manager with curiosity, initiative, and a passion for energy innovation. This role offers the opportunity to lead projects at the intersection of energy and social impact, working on research, demonstration projects, and programs that directly improve energy access in underserved communities.

The ideal candidate is mission-driven, highly organized, and comfortable working independently in a small team. You will manage multiple projects, coordinate with diverse stakeholders, contribute to research and analysis, and support TEPRI’s broader programs.

If you are interested in this role, send resume and cover letter to: Taylor Neal – taylor@tepri.org

Upcoming Events & Webinars

CELC Webinar – From Award to Deployment: Maximizing Your EPA Clean School Bus Funding

March 26 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

This session provides an overview of how school districts can move from EPA Clean School Bus award to successful electric school bus (ESB) deployment. Participants will learn key steps to electrifying a school bus fleet, best practices for infrastructure planning and implementation, strategies to maximize awarded funding, and important considerations related to grant requirements and eligibility. The session will also address ESB performance, including range, charging, operations, and day-to-day capabilities.

Presenter: Dan Rosefield, Highland Fleets

CELC Virtual Coffee Hour: Energizing Connections

April 7 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 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.

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.

CELC Webinar – Utility-Sponsored Energy Efficiency Programs in Texas

April 30 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 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: