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Policy Edition

In this newsletter: 

• Thomas Gleeson Appointed Chair of PUCT
• EEIP Meeting Scheduled 
• Oklahoma Corporation Commission EE Rulemaking
• 2023 SPEER Policy Year in Review
• Local Policy Actions
• Upcoming Events and Webinars
• What We’re Reading

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Thomas Gleeson Appointed Chair of PUCT

Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed Thomas Gleeson to serve as Chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas with his term set to expire in 2029. Chair Gleeson has over 15 years of experience with the PUCT previously serving as Executive Director and Chief Operation Officer. SPEER would like to congratulate Chair Gleeson on his appointment as well as thank Commissioner Kathleen Jackson for her time served as Interim Chair of the PUCT. We are excited to continue working with the Commission to pursue enhancements to the energy efficiency programs and building long lasting resiliency and reliability that saves all Texans on their energy bills moving forward.

EEIP Meeting Scheduled

The Public Utility Commission of Texas will host its winter Energy Efficiency Implementation Project (EEIP) meeting on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in the Commissioners Hearing Room located on the seventh floor of the William B. Travis Building. In addition, the meeting will be broadcast live and recorded here.

The EEIP meeting is an important part of stakeholder engagement and allows interested parties to learn more about Texas’ investor owned utility energy efficiency programs as well as opportunities to directly meet with those that run the day to day operations of these necessary programs.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission EE Rulemaking

On December 1st, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) staff opened a rulemaking on the Chapter 35 Electric Utility Rules in Case Number RM2023-000015. The current proposed rule changes would reduce the number of stakeholder meetings required by IOU’s in the state from semi-annual to one meeting annually, amend the administrative process for streamlined application objections, and amend sections for clarifying language. In addition to staff recommendations, the Oklahoma Sustainability Network (OSN) has recommended redline edits to increase the current energy efficiency monthly spending cap and to keep a robust stakeholder engagement process as is. Written comments are due by February 5, 2024, and should be filed pursuant to the notice of proposed rules instructions. The Commission will consider the adoption of permanent rules on February 15, 2024 open meeting. SPEER submitted comments on the proposed rules. If you are interested in submitting comments or would like to discuss, please reach out to us.

2023 SPEER Policy Year in Review

The SPEER State and Local Policy Program had a very busy 2023. Participating and monitoring both Texas and Oklahoma Legislatures at the start of the year, working closely with elected and appointed officials, staff, and external stakeholders to promote energy optimization efforts, and facilitating another great year with our heat pump working group are just a few things we accomplished last year. We were proud to provide expert witness testimony on several bills at the Texas Legislature, actively work with the PUCT and its EM&V team as a member of energy efficiency working groups, and presented at and/or hosted ten events including the Texas Energy Summit, Waco Green Communities Conference, GridNEXT 2023, and Energy Innovation Forum to name a few. We also worked diligently to broaden our work in Oklahoma to continue building our relationships with agencies, advocacy groups, and other key stakeholders in the state. 

As we begin 2024 we know the program will continue carrying this positive momentum. The second half of the Oklahoma 59th Legislative session begins on February 5th, rulemakings in both states in our region (TX & OK) are anticipated to implement previously approved legislation, and energy efficiency programs will be refined. We plan to be active in these efforts and more. To keep up with our endeavors, please be sure to check in on our State and Local Policy page on our website: SPEER State and Local Policy Program. 

As always, if you have questions or would like to connect, please reach out to Noah Oaks at NOaks@eepartnership.org. 

Events + Webinars

Looking to expand your knowledge of heat pumps? Join us and learn from the experts at Mitsubishi Electric Trade HVAC. During this in-person workshop, we will cover IRA/IIJA funding opportunities, discuss where is the market going, what is driving the market change, new heat pump technologies, and much more. We'll answer questions such as What are the customers wanting, saying, and what is the pushback? And How does market transformation across all sectors, multi-family, residential, commercial help the current state of the Texas power market and grid?

Thanks to our generous sponsor, Austin Energy, for providing space and lunch! Download the informational flyer and save your spot now for this in-person workshop.  We are excited to create a lasting impact and change as we discuss new and future heat pump technologies, the long-term effects of market transformation opportunities, where the market is heading, and much more. Please note space is limited to the first 60 registrants.

SPEER WEBINARS:

February 6th @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm CST

Sealing Success – Residential Energy Code Inspections for Air Leakage: Join us for another great, on-the-job training, walk-through where we’ll perform the Air Barrier inspection of several houses and dig into what’s failing and how it should be addressed for compliance. We’ll dive into the air sealing requirements and how they are viewed in the field. If you are interested in attending, please register here.

February 22 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am CST

Driving Sustainable Change: Annual Update on the Community Efficiency Leadership Coalition

Join us for an insightful webinar/roundtable as we provide a comprehensive annual update on the Community Efficiency Leadership Coalition (CELC) and share ways we are driving sustainable change. As we navigate the evolving landscape of community development and sustainable practices, CELC continues to drive positive change.

Overview:

- Explore the significant milestones achieved by CELC over the past year, showcasing successful projects and initiatives that have contributed to community development and efficiency.

Impact on Sustainable Practices

- Discuss the collaborative efforts and partnerships that CELC has forged to strengthen its impact, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in achieving shared goals.

- Get an exclusive preview of CELC's upcoming projects and initiatives, offering insights into how the coalition will further enhance community efficiency and sustainability.

Register Here

February 27 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm CST

Harnessing Earth’s Power – An Introduction to Residential Geothermal Technology: Let’s learn how a geothermal system works and the benefits it has for our homes and the environment. Our expert speaker will guide you through the basics of how geothermal heating and cooling systems work, their environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, and installation processes. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, cut down on energy consumption, or simply curious about this renewable energy source, this webinar offers a comprehensive overview of residential geothermal potential. Engage with our specialist during the Q&A session! If you are interested in attending, please find more information here.

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

We're inspired that our Policy Manager, Noah Oaks, was a panelist at the Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG)'s Climate Summit in Tulsa last week to discuss and share thoughts on the impact of CPRG funds and how energy efficiency helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.