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Election Day is November 4th. Early Voting ends on October 31st. Texans will have the opportunity to have their voices heard when deciding on 17 different statewide propositions. Proposition topics include several measures intended on reducing taxes, limiting new taxes, funding water infrastructure and dementia research, as well as amending the state constitution to enshrine parental rights, limit when a person can be placed on bail, clarify citizenship requirements, and overhaul the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Additionally, there are local issues based on your location.
While this is not a congressional or presidential election, it is still important to participate in the process to effect the change you wish to see in Texas.
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This month's updates:
- Industry + Policy Workshop: Recap Page Live!
- Morgan Johnson Appointed to Public Utility Commission of Texas
- IOU Energy Efficiency Report
- Local Policy Actions
- Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) Opens RFC Re: Adoption of 2024 IECC & IRC
- New SPEER Blog: Energy Efficiency as a First Line of Defense Against Extreme Heat in Texas
- Upcoming Events and Webinars
- What We’re Reading/Hearing
| | Industry + Policy Workshop: Photo/Video Recap Page Live! | | | |  | |
The recap page (including our full video recap) from this year's Industry + Policy Workshop is LIVE!
We had two great days of discussion and networking with energy leaders from SPEER's territory and beyond at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center in Austin.
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors and all attendees, speakers, and panelists who joined us.
See y'all next year!
| | Morgan Johnson Appointed To Public Utility Commission Of Texas | | |
Congratulations to Morgan Johnson on her appointment to the Public Utility Commission of Texas! She will serve a term set to expire on September 1, 2031. In her most recent role, she served as deputy general counsel for the Office of the Governor and prior to that she served as the Senior Counsel to the Executive Director after serving as Senior Counsel to the Commissioner of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Additionally, Johnson was an attorney at McGinnis Lochridge L.L.P. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Austin Bar Association. Johnson received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law. We look forward to her leadership and working closely to ensure energy efficiency and the suite of demand-side resources help Texans keep the lights on and lower their bills. Read more.
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IOU Energy Efficiency Report | |
The PUCT hosted its fall Energy Efficiency Implementation Project public meeting on October 6th. This day long update reviewed the evaluation, measurement, and verification (EM&V) contractors process, provided an overview of the utility efficiency programs over the program year 2024, and dug into some of the specific highlights, successes, and commercial customer program feedback. The State Energy Conservation Office presented an update on federal funding opportunities, and finally there were two measure savings opportunities discussions on insulation and strategic energy management, and on heat pump and HVAC tune-ups.
The highlights from the EEIP meeting include the staggering 5.2 cost-benefit ratio calculated by the states EM&V contractor. This suggests that for every dollar spent on energy efficiency and demand response, we receive over five dollars in benefits! We also see a continuation of the in ERCOT utility demand reductions and energy savings increase overall in program year 2024. This is just a brief overview of what was discussed at the public meeting, for more information please view the recording on the adminmonitor website. To dive into the findings from the EM&V reporting and additional documents and presentations from the EEIP meeting, please go to the PUCT Docket 38578 page.
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San Antonio: On Monday, October 27th the SA Climate Ready Advisory Committee Meeting was held. This was a regularly scheduled meeting that had items including appointment of Chair and Vice Chair, department of Resiliency and Sustainability updates, a review of the 2030 Implementation Plan, among other items. For more information please review the agenda here.
*If you are aware of upcoming policy discussions or actions in your area and would like to share them in this newsletter, please send information to noaks@eepartnership.org.
| | Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) Opens RFC Regarding Adoption of 2024 IECC & IRC | | |
Notice to Persons Interested in Energy Efficiency Building Codes for Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Construction Pursuant to 34 TAC §19.52, the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) is accepting written comments on the energy efficiency chapter of the 2024 International Residential Code, published May 2024, for single-family residential construction.
SECO is also accepting written comments on the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, published August 14, 2024, for all commercial and industrial construction, and in residential construction other than single-family residential construction. Comments must be received no later than 30 days after the publication date of this notice (October 24, 2025). You may submit your written comments by email or mail.
See the full notice here for more info.
| | New SPEER Blog: Energy Efficiency as a First Line of Defense Against Extreme Heat in Texas | | |
New SPEER blog: "Energy Efficiency as a First Line of Defense Against Extreme Heat in Texas" by SPEER Intern Vaishnavi Kharade
Texas summers have always been hot, but recent years have shown us something different: record-breaking heatwaves that last for weeks. In 2023, triple-digit temperatures and dangerous heat indices tested our communities, power grid, and public health systems.
While emergency cooling centers and hydration campaigns grab headlines, a quieter, long-term strategy deserves more attention: energy efficiency. By making our homes and buildings more efficient, we reduce grid stress, lower bills, and most importantly keep Texans safer during extreme heat.
Dive in here.
| | Upcoming Events & Webinars | | | | | |
2025 EnVision the Future: Roger Farrer Conference
October 28
On October 28th the annual Roger Farrer Conference will take place in Stillwater, Oklahoma. This is Oklahoma’s premier conference dedicated to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and associated technologies. SPEER is excited to participate in this year's program at the lunch policy panel discussion. For more information on the event, please click here.
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Austin ECO Fest
November 1
SPEER will be at the Austin ECO Fest to demonstrate practical weatherization techniques to help homeowners improve energy efficiency and resilience. We will be distributing free weatherization kits qualified attendees to try at home. Registration is free!
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CELC Virtual Coffee Hour: Energizing Connections
November 4
SPEER’s CELC team will host its regular monthly virtual coffee hour. Join 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 our current CELC members.
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Save the Date: 2025 Texas Energy Summit
November 4-6
Are you interested in discussing pressing energy topics in Texas with experts, policymakers, advocates, and industry leaders? Don't miss the 22nd Annual Texas Energy Summit, held at the Texas Capitol in Austin.
This premier event includes workshops on topics ranging from energy economics, emerging energy technologies, distributed energy resources and other energy efficiency strategies, and more.
Secure your spot in November by registering today.
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Texoma Made Conference
November 5 @ Austin College, Sherman, TX
11:20 am-12:20 pm: “Turning Data into Action: Energy Efficency Strategies for Resilient Communities,” presented by SPEER Senior Manager of Government & Community Engagement, Shaun Auckland.
Explore how local governments use energy data to cut costs, improve efficiency, and build resilient communities.
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