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This month's updates:
- Industry + Policy Workshop: Photo Gallery Live!
- EE Rulemaking Public Comment Deadline Oct. 6th *ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY*
- EEIP Fall Meeting *ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY*
- Local Policy Actions
- Upcoming Events and Webinars
- What We’re Reading/Hearing
| | Industry + Policy Workshop: Photo Gallery Live! | | |
Huge thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 Industry + Policy Workshop! We hope you found the conference to be as engaging, informative, timely, and FUN as we did.
We would like to give a shout out to all of our sponsors whose support helped make this event possible: Daikin, Austin Energy Green Building, Texas PACE Authority, Mitsubishi Electric, LG Electronics, TEESI Engineering, TRC, CLEAResult, Blink Energy Services, WaterFurnace, and CleanTX.
Our full photo gallery from the Workshop is live! Feel free to peruse and download photos as you please. (*Please tag/credit SPEER if you utilize photos for social or other publications.)
Keep an eye on SPEER newsletters and social media channels for a full video recap coming soon. See y'all next year!
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EE Rulemaking Public Comment Deadline Oct. 6th *ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY* | |
On August 21st the PUCT officially opened the Chapter 25.181/182 rule to formally consider changes to the energy efficiency rules for utilities in Texas. The publication for proposal was submitted to Docket 57743 where staff recommends several language conforming amendments. Substantive amendments on timeline for avoided cost calculation reporting, changing “performance bonus” to “incentive” and changing the calculation of the proposed incentives. Staff also recommended a subsequent comprehensive rule review to be scheduled for early 2026 that would expand the scope of the rule changes. The proposal allows for a public hearing to be called for by October 6th, with public comments also due by October 6th to the docket.
SPEER is appreciative of PUCT staff for their efforts at reviewing the energy efficiency program rules. While this initial rulemaking is narrow in scope, it is an important aspect of the energy efficiency programs which many stakeholders are concerned about. It should be noted earlier this month the PUCT rejected a secondary performance bonus cap rate case proposed by PUCT staff primarily due to legal reasons and determined a rulemaking was a better alternative for this discussion rather than a rate case.
If you would like to discuss comments or have questions on the current rulemaking, SPEER would be happy to review at your convenience.
| | EEIP Fall Meeting *ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY* | | |
On October 7th the PUCT will hold its fall meeting. The meeting will be held from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room located on the 7th floor of the William B. Travis Building* in Austin.
Agenda topics include:
- Evaluation, Measurement and Verification Overview and Update;
- PY2024 Highlights & Successes;
- Commercial Customer Program Feedback;
- PY2024 Cost Cap Analysis;
- Measure Savings Opportunities;
- PY2026 Texas Technical Reference Manual (TRM) Updates; and
- State Energy Conservation Office Updates.
*Please Note: The front lobby is closed for an 18-month construction project. Access the building via the Brazos Street entrance (near the café).
A detailed agenda will be filed in Project Number 38578 on the Interchange prior to the meeting.
| | *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. | | Your Voice Matters: Shaping Rural Energy Code Solutions | | |
The National Rural Codes Collaborative (NRCC) is a U.S. Department of Energy-funded project under the Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI) Initiative of which SPEER is a recipient among other national partners.
The purpose of the NRCC is to increase energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and improve building standards in rural communities through the implementation of pilot programs focused on enhancing local knowledge of energy code compliance and enforcement. Our goal is to create a replicable framework for local job creation, workforce training, and the development of the clean energy sector in rural areas, fostering long-term economic sustainability and energy resilience. We are seeking feedback from rural community experts, construction workforce professionals, building energy code experts and more to better understand priorities of rural communities, drivers of gaps in energy-code adoption, compliance and more in TX & OK. SPEER is requesting that you complete the brief survey below as it pertains to you.
| | Energy Efficiency Day: Tomorrow! | | | | |
Energy Efficiency Day 2025 is tomorrow! Energy efficiency helps us save money, reduce pollution, create jobs, and ensure a more resilient, reliable grid. By using less energy to perform the same tasks, energy efficiency reduces monthly energy bills and makes our homes and buildings more comfortable and safe.
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ENERGY STAR can help you find energy-efficient products and provides opportunities to improve efficiency, helping Americans and businesses save money and cut pollution.
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Learn how you can take action and implement more efficiency measures in your daily life while protecting our environment and improving air quality.
| | Upcoming Events & Webinars | | |
SPEER Webinar: SECO Utility Management Reporting
October 1 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
This webinar focuses on Utility Management Reporting for the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) of Texas and will equip participants with the knowledge and tools to collect, analyze, and interpret utility data for reducing energy costs and improving performance. Participants will learn reporting best practices and benchmarking in ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager.
State law 4 Tex. Gov. Code §447.009 (c) and (e) directs each state agency and institution of higher education to set percentage goals for reducing its usage of water, electricity, gasoline and natural gas. The target audience is state agencies and higher education institutions.
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SPEER/CELC Webinar: Aligning Policy and Research for Municipal & Higher Ed Energy Innovation
October 16 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Panelists:
- Hammad Chaudhry, Austin Energy
- Andee Chamberlain, Texas State University
- Noah Oaks, SPEER
Join us for a dynamic webinar exploring how cross-sector partnerships advance energy efficiency and sustainability. Hear from experts in local government, academia, and industry as they share insights, challenges, and successes in implementing real-world energy solutions.
Ideal for policymakers, researchers, and industry professionals seeking impactful collaboration models across Texas and beyond.
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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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