Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

Here are your wEEkly updates:

1. EECC Stage 2 Update: Stage 2 Subcommittee meetings of the EE Coordinating Committee are underway, offering stakeholders a great and unprecedented chance to hear and get involved in the funds and offerings of future energy efficiency programs. The Public Sector Subcommittee Meeting will be held this Monday, May 2^nd , and can be attended in San Diego, San Francisco, or by WebEx. Workforce Education and Training, Codes and Standards, Emerging Technologies, and Industrial Subcommittee Stage 2 meetings are all being held this week as well. Commercial and residential Stage 2 meetings were held earlier this week. This process is moving very quickly and will wrap up in a few months, and stakeholder feedback is critical – if you have any questions on how to get involved visit caeecc.org or contact me at any time.

Job Opportunity: Special Projects Energy Technician

Calling those interested in the energy efficiency and
renewable industry. 

Click Here for More Information

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

Here are your wEEkly Updates:

1. International climate commitments: The nations of the world are marking this Earth Day with the signing of the Agreement made in Paris last December to make efforts to limit global temperature rise.

2. New issue of CURRENTS: Why does this matter for local governments? Take a look at interviews from Oakland Program Manager Daniel Hamilton and Mayor Tom Butt of Richmond in the Spring 2016 edition of CURRENTS, now online – and look for a video from the interviews with even more later this spring.

Hands-On Training Opportunity: Calling All HVAC and C-HERS Contractors

If you happen to be am HVAC or C-HERS contractor check out this hands on learning opportunity coming to Fresno in May!

MI BEST Series        All classes are from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at 3110 Nielsen Ave. in Fresno

Day 1     Monday, May 16, 2016

               Building Envelope and Duct Testing - MI-BEST #1

                Register here: https://pge-web.ungerboeck.com/classcalendar/Details.aspx?OrgCode=10&EventId=12534

Day 2     Tuesday, May 17, 2016

                Static Pressure and Air Flow - MI-BEST #2

                Register here:  https://pge-web.ungerboeck.com/classcalendar/Details.aspx?OrgCode=10&EventId=12538

Day 3     Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Refrigerant Charge, Air Flow and Moisture - MI-BEST #3

                Register here: https://pge-web.ungerboeck.com/classcalendar/Details.aspx?OrgCode=10&EventId=12542

Day 4     Thursday, May 19, 2016

House Ventilation, Pressure Diagnostics - MI-BEST #4

                Register here:  https://pge-web.ungerboeck.com/classcalendar/Details.aspx?OrgCode=10&EventId=12545

Day 5     Friday, May 20, 2016

Thermal By-Pass Quality Insulation Installation, Advanced Framing - MI-BEST Series #5

                Register here:  https://pge-web.ungerboeck.com/classcalendar/Details.aspx?OrgCode=10&EventId=12548

Prepping for Baby

Listen up all you new parents and parents-to-be!

As I'm sure you've realized by now, there’s a lot that goes into getting ready for a newborn and so I am here to make stocking and creating an eco-friendly and toxic-free nursery a little easier for you.

Make sure the paints and stains you use are eco-friendly
and non-toxic, too! Photo source: KidSpace Stuff

Having a green nursery and natural baby products contribute to the health and wellness of your growing family; consumption, disposal and reuse of these products is far less harmful to your baby in both the short- and long-term. Plus, as eco-friendly products become increasingly available, you can decorate and stock your nursery with so many fun and colorful items! 

Most of us know about The Honest Company, the baby-care company dedicated to bringing parents effective yet safe and eco-friendly products. Even though I do not have little ones running around, I am a true believer in some of their natural products, namely the stain remover and multi-surface cleaner. They work and I don't feel like I've filled the air in my tiny apartment with chemicals.

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Updates

Here are your wEEkly Updates:

1. First, a reminder that the Commercial Sector Subcommittee Meeting of the California Energy Efficiency Coordinating Committee is going on today! (Click here for more info.) This is an important opportunity to share feedback (or just listen in) on utility and other program administrator business plans for energy programming that are in the works now. To get direct alerts on subcommittee meetings, visit www.caeecc.org.

2. Registration is open for the ACEEE 2016 Summer Buildings Study in Pacific Grove this August. This year’s theme is “From Components to Systems, from Buildings to Communities.” To learn more or register, click here.

Can power strips be smart?

In offices all over the country, employees are charging their cell phones, powering their personal fans, space heaters, desk lamps, and computer monitors. It doesn’t seem like a lot, especially when you think of all the other big energy-consuming things at work, but in California, office equipment equates to 7% of all commercial energy consumption! That’s a lot! And in the majority of Central Valley small offices, that amount jumps up to almost 20%! It’s almost as much as your air conditioner or your overhead lights!

Upcoming Training Opportunity: Business Academy for Regulatory Complaince

 If you are interested in the latest California business compliance regulations, incentives and best practices this training is for you!

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

Here are your wEEkly Updates:

1. Call for climate adaptation proposals: The call for session proposals for this year’s California Adaptation Forum has been extended! The Adaptation Forum will take place in Long Beach, CA September 7^th-8^th. Learn more here.

2. Valuing EE in buildings: I’ve been hearing from a number of local governments about the importance of solid statistics on the financial value of energy efficiency for buildings leads, contractors, realtors, and residents to make efficiency decisions that can transform the market. A new study published in the Journal of Structured Finance analyzes California homes and shares some great statistics on resell values of homes with PACE projects: read the results, and connect to more resources on valuing EE, here.

Tulare Contractor Training Invitation

Calling all contractors who work in Madera and Tulare Counties!

Are you frustrated when you propose an energy upgrade but your customers
 have no way to finance it? We may have a solution!

My Steak Dinner Is Bad for the Environment ?

As Americans when we plan out our weekly meals when going to the grocery store our meals consist of at least three meat dishes for the week. Sure meats are protein packed and considered good for us, but are they good for environment?

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

Here are your WEEkly Updates:

1. Registration has opened for the 7^th Annual SEEC Forum! The Forum will be held June 15^th-16^th in Riverside, CA and will feature updates from key state leaders, up to 16 breakout sessions sharing local government energy and climate best practices and lessons learned, and constant networking opportunities to learn the latest in energy activities from across the state. Registration is no-cost to local governments. Click here to learn more or to register.

My love note to the Public Sector

Somehow I ended up as the co-chair for the Public Sector subcommittee (really, I volunteered and people were crazy enough to say, 'welcome aboard!') and I've spent the last two months in recruitment mode.  If you work in energy efficiency in the public sector, you've probably seen an email from me or from someone forwarding it on my behalf.  I'm persistent like that.

What you haven't read or heard is my personal plea to the people I respect most, my colleagues on the Rural Hard to Reach LGP Working Group.  In lieu of trying to write out another recruiting message I'm publishing what I shared with my people. 

What Has SJVCEO Been Up To in March

Spring has sprung here at SJVCEO and we seem to have become busier than the Easter Bunny on Easter. We continue to hop from one opportunity to the next with all our ventures. We are excited to see how the year progresses with energy savings as well as other opportunities. 

SAVE THE DATE: 7th Annual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum

Make sure you mark your calendar for this year's SEEC forum! 

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

Here are your wEEkly updates:

1. AB 802 Implementation Development Workshop: For those involved watching for guidance on benchmarking, energy use disclosure, and energy savings measurements under AB 802 passed last fall, the California Energy Commission (CEC) has announced a public workshop on March 25th at 9:00am to review and seek input on the initial proposal for implementation of Assembly Bill 802’s building energy use data and public disclosure provisions. The workshop will be in held Sacramento and by WebEx. For more information, and how to participate, click here.

For a refresher on the significance of AB 802, click here (second item down the page).

Why The Climate Leadership Conference is Important

I got to represent the SJVCEO at the Climate Leadership Conference (CLC) in Seattle this month. The CLC brings a wide group of business leaders, government staff and officials, academics, and non-profit representatives together to discuss policies, innovations and solutions for mitigating climate change.

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

Here are your wEEkly Updates:

1. This is the last wEEkly Update promoting the March 16th Public Sector Sub-Committee meeting, a great way to get involved with the new and open process through which stakeholders can review Program Administrator energy efficiency program planning. If you have are interested in what energy efficiency program funding, technical assistance, or other support will be offered through your IOU, your Regional Energy Network, or CCA, your participation is strongly encouraged. This opportunity is unique and covers program planning for the next five years! For information on how to participate (or to simply listen in), and more background on who the Committee is, where the planning review process came from, and other rolling portfolio cycle developments, click here.

Acting on Climate

How many more “Hottest Year on Earth” will we have before we take the warnings to heart and make some significant moves? Your guess is as good as mine now that the Supreme Court has blocked the Obama Administration’s efforts to regulate coal plant emissions and be a leader in Paris climate agreement policies.

The U.S., as the world’s second largest contributor to CO2 emissions, should and is expected to lead the efforts in climate change mitigation. Now that this is temporarily (hopefully not permanently, but you never know how this election will turn out) off the table, other countries may likely assume that the U.S. is not committed to protecting our planet and will postpone their efforts to reduce energy consumption and emissions as well.

Most cities in the world experienced higher than normal temperatures. The first half of 2015 alone saw some of the strangest weather events and while a “lag time” must be allowed for all relevant factors to be considered, long-term data suggests a strong link between climate change and these events. There is far too much evidence to keep ignoring these signs and doing nothing.

If you’re as frustrated with the inaction of governments and larger agencies, you may be wondering what you can do to make a difference.

So, how can you help? The good news is there are lots of ways:

Minimize your carbon footprint. You can do a bunch of different things to meet this requirement from leading a low carbon lifestyle to limiting your reliance on fossil fuels. Here are a few: use public transportation whenever possible; change to more efficient light bulbs throughout your home; unplug electric devices and appliances when not in use and turn off lights when leaving a room; insulate your home; set your thermostat to 68°F in the winter and 78°F in the summer; eat locally produced and grown foods; minimize water consumption; recycle and reuse.

Offset your carbon footprint. Offset what you can’t reduce. You can plant trees, but donating to agencies that improve forest management and protect standing forests is good, too. You can calculate your footprint as well.

Hopefully the EPA will soon be able to do its job and regulate emissions. While the agency’s powers are limited, however, we can and should help!!

What are you doing to fight climate change?

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

Here are your wEEkly Updates:

1. The Energy Efficiency Coordinating Committee has confirmed that March 16th, 2016 is the date for public sector business plan review. Meeting location is in Northern California, TBD, and can also be attended by WebEx. The meeting will be an unprecedented opportunity for interested parties to review the plans that Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) and other Program Administrators are developing for their public sector energy efficiency programming. For more background information, search “coordinating committee” on the http://eecoordinator.info website. If you would like to receive email updates on this directly, contact Lara Ettenson at lettenson@nrdc.org.

2. This year’s California Adaptation Forum will be held in Long Beach, CA Sept. 7th-8th, and the Call for Session Proposals is now open! The CAF is a place to connect with 1,000+ local government, business and community leaders and explore the diverse adaptation needs and solutions found across California. To submit a proposal or for more information, visit www.californiaadaptationforum.org.

3. Save the Date! A BayREN Forum, “Bridging the Gap: From Efficient Policies to Successful, On-the-Ground Implementation” will take place in Oakland, and by WebEx, on March 29th. For more information, click here.

4. Office hours for support in your use of the ClearPath suite of online tools are available twice monthly: this month’s will be March 10th and March 24th at 11am PST. New to ClearPath? Learn more here.

5. The Air Resources Board will be holding a public workshop on April 4th on the FY 2016-17 Funding Plan for Low Carbon Transportation and Fuels Investments and the Air Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). For more information, click here. The workshop will also be web-broadcast at http://www.calepa.ca.gov/broadcast/.

6. For those of you watching the cutting edge of new technologies, an article in Greentech Media covers the U.S. Department of Energy’s research program ARPA-E,’s public investment and the private investment, in technologies on the ARPA-E list. A direct list of the technologies reveals investments to integrate renewables in demand management, ferment methane into natural gas, develop miniature building heat pumps, and look at new energy storage solutions – including iron flow, all-electron, lithium sulfur, and alkaline batteries, high-power zinc-air and compressed air storage.

7. More news on innovations: of the nine teams vying for the U.S. Department of Energy’s $2.25 million Wave Energy Prize, three are from California! Follow the link to learn more about the innovative work in Sacramento, Berkeley, and Redwood City to capture energy from waves.

8. The CEC’s Blueprint Newsletter for March and April is out! The Newsletter covers everything from demand responsive controls and commissioning to small duct high-velocity HVAC systems, to upcoming free trainings. This is a great resource for building department leads and energy efficiency government leads, as well as contractors and other building professionals.  Have a question? Contact the CEC’s Energy Standards Hotline.

9. Using data for building retrofits: an article from Energy Manager covers the value of data analytics in targeting the most cost-effective and beneficial energy-saving improvements.

10. Employee engagement and workplace strategies for EE success: an article in Environmental Leader interviews sustainability leadership at General Motors, and uncovers some great tips for generating support for sustainability initiatives in the workplace – support that has allowed GM to make 130 of their sites waste-free, and generate $1 billion from recycling. I have seen all of the major points made work for energy efficiency programming – definitely worth a read for those working on generating support throughout their government, or working with business or other community programs.

11. Continuing with stakeholder engagement: a reminder that a webinar covering best practices in community engagement via social media for environmental and energy program outreach is on 3/9. More information here.

12. Job announcement: The City of Pleasanton is looking for a Permit Center Manager! Visit the City’s jobs webpage and search “permit” for more information.

As always, you can keep track of relevant events by connecting to the EE Events Calendar, and find more resources on the EECoordinator website. 

That’s all for today!

2016 Clean Energy Summit

Make Sure To Register Today!

What Has SJVCEO Been Up To In February

Over the past month the SJVCEO team seems to become busier and busier with the amount of energy projects that are making their way through the pipelines. But do not get us wrong we are not complaining we fully enjoy it!

With spring right around the corner the VIEW Partnership is trying out a new way of doing its community outreach events for its 2016. This year the partnership is planning on having outreach events out in Kettleman City as well as London. We are planning to have these events around the time of Earth Day in April. The partnership will also be attending the Visalia Earth Day Celebration on April 23rd make sure to check out details on it today. Outside of our outreach events we have been very busy with project administration and implementation. With the beginning of a new program cycle starting up projects are beginning to slowly role in. Also with the new program cycle there are a few changes in the direct install programs for the utilities. If you are unfamiliar with direct install let me diverge and touch upon the program for a moment. Direct install is where commercial businesses and or municipalities can have energy upgrades on certain measures outlined by each utility for either no-cost or low cost copay's. If you are interested in participating make sure you touch base with your respective utility. Once we have more information on the exciting numbers for projects starting in 2016 we will make sure to share them.

As for our MUNI program; it continues to take off like wildfire. Our team has been working away on continuing to benchmark cities within Fresno County. The City of Kingsburg is the latest city to have all of its municipal accounts benchmarked. With benchmarking complete the city was presented with the data and noticed that they have potential for lighting upgrades. The city is now planning to move forward with those lighting projects during 2016. We look forward to reporting more of the great work that is happening with the MUNI program. 

Within the HDR Partnership there are a lot of exciting things on the horizon. The cities and towns within the partnership are bringing in projects left and right! On top of that the group is preparing a community outreach push with SoCal Edison's direct install. A contractor partnering with Edison will be in the area during the months of May to August. Small and medium sized businesses within the area can take advantage of no cost or low cost energy improvements that will help them save. So if you reside within the high desert area make sure to keep your eyes peeled for mailers and chamber announcements with more information.

That is all for this months update! Keep your eyes peeled for next months update!

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

1. Opportunity to influence EE program design: The new EE Coordinating Committee, authorized by CPUC Decision 15-10-028, held its second set of meetings earlier this week, laying out a timeline for this year’s stakeholder review of Program Administrator (PA) business plans by sector, and hearing presentations from the PAs on residential and commercial sector plans. (For those new to the term “Program Administrator”, these are California’s investor-owned utilities and other organizations such as SoCalREN and MCE entrusted with funding for energy efficiency programming.)  Meetings to review PA plans for the public sector will be held the week of March 14th (exact date tbd). These meetings are a great opportunity to provide feedback as local governments on the utility/REN/other energy efficiency program development and structure. If you would like more information on these meetings, or to see past meeting documents, please email me or contact meeting co-chair Lara Ettenson at NRDC directly (lettenson@nrdc.org).

 2. ACEEE released some interesting stories this week. The first is a response to Bill Gates’s interview in The Atlantic, in which he again shares that we need innovation, not just insulation. While new technology developments are absolutely critical, ACEEE points out that energy efficiency has provided foundational benefits on its own, and will continue to be an interdependent (and often more cost-effective) partner with renewable developments. Read the ACEEE story in full here.

 3. ACEEE also released a paper focusing on the role of energy efficiency in achieving the goals of U.S. Clean Power Plan. The paper is available here on ACEEE’s website.

 4. LGC’s CivicSpark is holding a webinar on March 9th from 9:30-10:30AM that might be of interest to those of you working on community-focused energy programming. The presentation by Dr. Kat Donnelly, the CEO and Founder of Empower Efficiency, is on Social Media Marketing specifically targeted at community-scale energy and environment outreach programs. To learn more, click here.

 5. Developments in automated demand response (ADR) technology: Smart home energy automator OhmConnect announces breakthrough methods for enabling smart home devices (including wifi thermostats, smart plugs, home automation systems, and EV chargers) to generate recurring revenue streams by intelligently controlling device charging when electricity is less costly.  To learn more, click here for the press release.

 6. The U.S. Department of Energy has released the annual Better Buildings Alliance Winter 2016 Progress Update, full of resources for local governments and building professionals alike. Prominently featured are plug load management strategies, demand controlled ventilation (DCV) and use tips for Energy Management Systems (EMS). 

 Plug load in particular is getting a lot of attention as the fastest growing building electricity consumer – for more plug load management background and resources, click here.

7. The Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) is soliciting firms to conduct a Study to explore the potential for a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Program in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The RFP is available on WRCOG’s website and is open until 3/17.

 8. Applications are open for POCACITO in Germany: the Ecologic Institute invites you to apply to take a trip to Germany as part of the upcoming 2016 POCACITO in Germany program (June 18th-24th) to explore first hand how German cities are transitioning to become post-carbon cities. Participation from cities and regional governments is particularly encouraged.  Learn more on the POCACITO website, here.

 9. Job announcement: the Port of San Diego has several open energy and sustainability focused jobs, including a Program Manager, Energy & Sustainability, and a Senior Environmental Specialist. Learn more here.

 10. Job announcement: The SF Department of Environment is hiring for a Climate Program Manager! The new Climate Program Manager will lead the development of a strategic vision for the integration of Climate and Systems programming (Green Building, EcoDistricts) within the Department of Environment. Click here for more information.

As always, you can keep track of relevant events by connecting to the EE Events Calendar, and find more resources on the EECoordinator website. 

That is all for this week!

How to Save More Energy At Home

There are many ways to conserve energy, resulting in a lower utility bill and a happier Mother Earth. At Modernize, we are thrilled to see more homeowners use more energy efficient appliances, building materials, and tools to help conserve energy. Here’s a round-up of the best energy saving options that you can implement in your home.

Water
One of the easiest things that you can start doing today to save energy is to turn off the faucet in the kitchen and bathroom when you are not actively using the water. Whether you are brushing your teeth or measuring out cups of water for a recipe, the time in between the task will add up to substantial savings.

Set a timer for your shower. My greatest eco-sin is my love for a long, hot shower. As the mom of a little one, the shower becomes a great escape from answering all of the questions that an inquisitive toddler can throw at me. Still, I know I can let too much time slip away as precious hot water spirals down the drain. I have started setting a timer, just like I do when my kid takes a bath. For both of us, the ding of the timer means bath time is over.

Installing a low-flow showerhead is a great alternative for those who just cannot sacrifice the long shower, although using a low-flow showerhead in addition to limiting your shower time is the ideal conservation goal.

Energy Star Appliances
When it is time to purchase new appliances, look for those labeled with the Energy Star logo. These appliances use considerably less energy than the ones they are replacing. You will be pleased with your utility bills when you notice how much you’ve saved. Additionally, you may save even more money on the appliances if you research rebates for the energy-efficient models. Be sure to keep the temperature in your refrigerator between 20 and 42 degrees for maximum savings.

Windows
It’s a costly investment, but new windows are a huge energy saver. Look for U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) numbers when shopping for new windows. The U-factor measures the window’s rate of heat loss. When looking at the U-factor you want a lower number. The lower the number the better the insulating properties. SHGC measure a window’s ability to block heat from the sun.  With SHGC the ratings are between 0 to 1 and the lower the number the heat that is transmitted. Depending on your region, one may have more importance than the other. If new windows are not in your budget anytime soon, take a weekend to add weather stripping and window films to increase energy efficiency for the time being.Many utilities within California offer energy saving assistance programs that help weatherize your home. If you are interested you can click the links provided to see if you are eligible. PG&E, SCE, SCG

Simple Tips
Keep your heat as low as you can stand it in the winter and as high as you can handle in the spring. This is much easier for me to do in the winter when I can wear layers and get cozy under blankets. In the summertime, my best bet is to leave my house so I can turn the air conditioner temperature up and take advantage of air conditioned stores in public places like the library or a shopping mall. The latter is not recommended for saving money.

Unplug everything when not in use. Make this task easier by using power strips so you only have to unplug one outlet for several devices. Charge all of your phones, tablets, and other rechargeable items at the same time, so you can unplug the power strip for the remainder of the day.  It may seem like a hassle to unplug things like your coffee maker or hair styling tools, but if you’re serious about saving energy and money, these small tasks will add up quickly.

5 More Easy Energy Savers

-   Replace standard bulbs with CFLs that can be recycled when they burn out.
-   Use home-automation products to control lighting and other electronics.
-   Decorate your home with a combination of sheer drapes to allow the sun in during winter months, or blackout curtains in the summer to keep your home from overheating from the sun.
-   Raise the thermostat and cool your room at a lower cost with ceiling fans.
-   Wash full loads in laundry machines and dishwashers. 

* Note: This article was written by Stephanie Sylvester from Modernize.com *

Statewide LG EE Best Practices: Weekly Update

Here are your WEEkly Updates:

1. The CEC will be holding the first Empower California workshop on February 26th at 9am to kick off AB 865, also known as the EmPower California Act, which will boost job creation and business opportunities for minorities, women, LGBT and disabled veteran-owned businesses in the energy industry. Implementation will include establishing an outreach plan to increase participation of diverse business enterprises in Energy Commission funding opportunities and creating a Diversity Task Force. For more information on attending or participating by WebEx, click here.

2. The latest Annual Report is out from the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN). The report builds on the best practice findings from their Permit Resource Opportunity Program, and features case studies including stakeholder engagement for energy code development in Santa Clara, and support offered on reach codes in Marin County, as well as best practices learned from the City of Berkley’s adoption of its new Building Energy Services Ordinance, “BESO” (replacing its prior residential and commercial energy conservation ordinances). Click here to read the report.

3. New DSM technology: Interested in new technologies to optimize demand side management (DSM)? Opower and SDG&E's Supervisor of Residential Programs will discuss the latest energy efficiency and demand response opportunities and reporting tools available through Opower's new Agile EE in a March 10th webinar. Click here to learn more and/or register.

4. Carrying out Evaluation, Measurement and Verification (EM&V) efficiently can be a challenge. A new EM&V report from the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) explores how IT developments are enhancing EM&V options. Click here to read more.

5. An article on parking garage HVAC energy efficiency provides some interesting findings on opportunities for energy savings through fan controls, featuring four California properties as an example. Read more at Energy Manager Today's website.

6. The CEC is holding a public workshop on March 8th to present a draft of the Natural Gas Vehicle Research Roadmap. This roadmap details the strategic research, development, demonstration, and deployment needed to enhance the viability of the natural gas vehicle market in California. For more information, click here.

7. Registration is open for the Navigating the American Carbon World conference, May 4th-6th in San Diego. Click here to review the program or register.

8. Heavy truck standards moving forward: Those of us with heavy-duty sanitation, parks, or other municipal fleet, or managing public transit fleets may be interested to hear that Phase II of the federal heavy-duty vehicle fuel efficiency standards has been proposed by US DOT and US EPA, and is expected to be adopted this summer. Read more on this and take a look at some helpful graphics at ACEEE’s website, or take a look at the proposed rule in the Federal Register, here. Per ACEEE, the Phase 2 standards would reduce fuel consumption by new heavy-duty vehicles an additional 24%.

9. For some news on energy efficiency efforts across the Pacific, here's a story describing China's new energy efficiency and demand response planning and programs, spurred on by extreme air pollution.

10. Job announcement: Empower Efficiency is hiring for two positions:a Commercial Behavioral Energy Assessor, and a Behavioral Campaign Manager/Facilitator. Both positions can be found on their website.

As always, you can keep track of relevant events by connecting to the EE Events Calendar. 

That is all for this week!