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What's in this newsletter?
- Federal Funding Workshop & Happy Hour: Dallas, May 25th
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*Engagement Opportunity* Texas Local Govt. Community Engagement & Energy Focus Group
- SPEER's Annual Policy & Industry Workshop: Registration is open!
- Join SPEER's City Efficiency Leadership Council (CELC)
- Tune Into Today's Texas State of Affairs
- Upcoming Webinars & Training
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Federal Funding Workshop + Happy Hour: May 25th | |
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Billions of federal dollars will be allocated to states for the deployment and upgrading of weatherization and energy efficiency resources. The passage of both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will have a huge impact on the energy market, disadvantaged communities, buildings + energy code improvements, benefits to businesses and homeowners for owning energy assets, the economy and much more.
Don't miss this event! Register now for our free networking happy hour + panel session as our expert speakers from the Department of Energy, the State Energy Conservation Office, Ameresco, and SPEER dive into how to apply for these funds, the expected flow of funds and timeframes, what is included in the bill, and ways to improve our environment, building comfort, resiliency, and lower utility bills.
** Make your organization an industry leader by sponsoring our workshop & happy hour! Reach out to Liz John at ejohn@eepartnership.org.
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Workshop
When: May 25th, 2:00-4:30 PM
Where: J. Erik Jonsson Central Library (Hamon Room – 5th Floor) 1515 Young St, Dallas, TX
*Parking is free
Speakers:
→ Eddy Trevino, State Energy Conservation Office (SECO)
→ Crystal Perkins, South Central Regional Intergovernmental and External Affairs Specialist, DOE
→ Cassidy Ellis, Ameresco
→ Shaun Auckland, SPEER
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Networking Happy Hour
When: May 25th, 4:30-6:30 PM
Where: Harwood Tavern
333 Harwood Street, Dallas TX
Drinks and apps will be provided.
*Free parking located on the corner of Wood St. and South St. Paul St., directly behind the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas.
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State-wide Survey & Community Engagement Focus Group |  | |
The State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), in partnership with SPEER, has developed a survey and engagement group opportunity for all local government agencies and various-sized communities as part of an initiative of the Cities Efficiency Leadership Council. The focus groups will discuss the results of this statewide survey and capture an understanding of what cities and local governments find essential for energy efficiency programs and expansion. Your support and input will help develop strategies and tactics for future programs.
We invite you to be a part of the clean energy movement and take our survey! Your involvement in this SPEER-supported project will involve a survey assessment, participation in regional focus groups, and a findings report. SPEER will conduct five focus groups to illustrate and analyze survey results, elaborate or clarify survey findings, and evaluate if any categories need to be captured by the survey or are unanticipated in the original research design.
More information about the project and participation in the local government community engagement meetings can be found here. We invite you to share this opportunity with your listservs, on social media, or with specific communities that would be a good fit and could benefit.
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SPEER's Annual Policy + Industry Workshop
Consider joining SPEER today
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SPEER’s territory of Texas & Oklahoma is a vast region, and our team is committed to reaching all corners of these states. Through our work, we seek to improve the community’s health and quality of life by increasing the comfort and health of our buildings and homes while lowering energy bills (and waste) through education and expanding the adoption of energy-efficient products and services.
While it takes a lot to address growing grid issues, energy equity, workforce training, and efficient policies throughout our region, we recognize the importance it has on our health and the environment. SPEER is reaching farther across Texas this year as we host regional workshops and happy hours in an effort to bring allies and members together to collaborate and discuss ways to implement energy efficiency and improve grid resiliency. We hope you will consider joining SPEER and becoming a member today – your support is truly appreciated and will have a positive impact on these communities both near and far.
As a reminder, SPEER’s annual Policy + Industry workshop will be in Austin on September 14-15 and you won’t want to miss this event! We have great speakers and networking events lined up and will be releasing the agenda soon! SPEER members attend for free, non-members are welcome to join for $129. Get a recap of last year's event here. Only 119 days until we meet!
Where?
Archer Hotel
3121 Palm Way, Austin, Texas 78758
Book your room through our room block now.
Who can you expect to be there?
Utilities, manufacturers, local governments, energy service providers, and implementers to name a few.
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Sponsorship Opportunities | |
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Your sponsorship will support our mission and help continue the sustaining efforts as we educate and expand energy efficiency across the Texas and Oklahoma region. This is a unique opportunity for your organization to connect with industry specialists and SPEER's influential audience. Sponsors will receive branding on all conference material, newsletters, website, and social media placement as well as free attendance badges.
Interested in kicking off our conference and providing the Welcoming remarks or hosting the networking happy hour? What about providing professional headshots or everyone's favorite breakfast tacos? Learn more about our sponsorship offerings here.
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Join SPEER's City Efficiency Leadership Council (CELC)
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The City Efficiency Leadership Council (CELC), part of SPEER’S Local Government Program, is a collaborative network of Texas cities, school districts, and other public entities engaged in partnership and resource exchange to expand the adoption of energy management best practices in the public sector. This membership is FREE and sponsored by State Energy Conservation Office (SECO). Currently, CELC has over 55 members! If your municipality or organization is not a member we invite you to consider joining as the council supports cities of all sizes and school district energy management best practices.
A few benefits you can expect from becoming a CELC member include:
- Joining a network of 1,000+ peer professionals
- Ten hours of technical assistance
- Access to templates for climate plans, support letters, and energy plans
- Closed CELC LinkedIn Group for information sharing
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What are members saying?
“The participating local governments and SECO acknowledge the value the CELC brings to communicating and collaborating to achieve environmental goals.”
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Tune Into Today's State of Affairs | |
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It's another busy day for efficiency at the Texas Capitol. Today's Texas State of Affairs Committee will take up several important energy efficiency and demand response bills that could positively impact Texans and the grid for years to come. The agenda and link to the live broadcast can be found here. It begins at 10:30 AM.
Bills SPEER is tracking:
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SB 258 (EE) would establish a 1% savings goal. **It's worth noting that this is the first time that an efficiency bill has gotten out of any legislative committee — in either chamber — in over a decade, since 2011!
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SB 114 (DR) As substituted, removes DR goal but directs PUC to set a gal
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SB 2453 Energy codes
More energy efficiency will help Texans afford increasing electricity costs, stabilize the grid, aid in economic growth (EE employs more jobs in the clean energy sector than any other), among countless other benefits. For all other policy updates and to see all the bills we are following in both Oklahoma and Texas head over to our policy page.
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Free Oklahoma HVAC & Weatherization Training
Building codes are important for energy (and cost) savings, building and occupant health + comfort, emission reduction, and numerous more benefits. We're excited to announce that SPEER is partnering with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to offer free weatherization and HVAC training on June 8-9. Learn more and register here.
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With over 140 webinars and training recordings, our YouTube channel offers bountiful options to sharpen your building codes, energy efficiency, policy, and sustainability knowledge. Head on over and check it out. | | | | |
