GPAEE: Mid-Atlantic State Energy Efficiency & Resilience Funding Streams Update

Clean Power Plan (CPP) was envisioned to be a historic step in reducing carbon pollution from power plants that takes real action on climate change by not only reducing carbon emissions but also advancing clean energy innovation, development and deployment. But even before CPP, many states were already hard at work establishing long term goals and policies with incentives to ensure grid reliability, energy resilience and promote energy innovation.

In 2008, Pennsylvania adopted Act 129 that required the PA Public Utility Commission (PUC) to establish energy efficiency and conservation programs by for state investor owned utilities with at least 100,000 customers. In 2014, New Jersey launched the Energy Resilience Bank (NJ ERB), the first public infrastructure bank in the US focused on energy resilience. In 2015, New York Reforming the Energy Vision (NY REV) was unveiled as a comprehensive roadmap to a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for New York.  While the mechanisms to achieve NY REV's goals are still being sorted out, several New York City and State funding programs continue to incentivize efficiency and sustainability projects.

Our February meeting will provide updates to these funding sources in our region that could benefit your energy efficiency or resiliency project in 2017.

Registration will be closed at 70 people due to room size.  We encourage you to register prior to the meeting!

Meeting Agenda:

8:00 am: Registration opens & networking, Executive Continental Breakfast opens

8:30 am: President’s Welcome & Organization announcements

8:45 am: Presentation Speaker 1: Pennsylvania Funding Update by Jen Robinson, PECO Smart Ideas Outreach Manager On June 1, 2016, Phase III of Act 129 began with a statewide reduction goal of 5,710,487 MWh by 2020 based on 2010 standards. Consumption reduction targets vary between utilities. Learn more about program updates to Phase III by PECO.

9:15 am: Presentation Speaker 2: New Jersey Funding Update by David Smith, Director of Energy Services at Burns Engineering, Inc. ERB was the result of collaboration between the NJ BPU and Economic Development Authority following the extensive damage & disruption of Superstorm Sandy to create financing packages to help facilities implement resilient energy solutions that may seem infeasible due to high installation costs. Learn more about updates and modifications went into effect in 2016.

9:45 am: Presentation Speaker 3: New York Funding Update by Christopher Haun, Director, Energy Efficiency Services, Luthin Asociates, Inc. While the mechanisms to achieve NY REV’s goal are still being sorted out, several New York City and state funding programs continue in 2016 to incentive efficiency and sustainability projects. Learn more about the status of programs through NYSERDA & Con Ed.

Speaker Bios:

Jen Robinson, PECO Smart Ideas Outreach Manager - Jen Robinson brings 15 years of experience in sales, sales management and utility program management. She currently is responsible for the overall execution of the PECO Smart Ideas outreach strategy targeting large and small non-residential customers, and she serves as the day-to-day point of contact for PECO Smart Ideas outreach activities. Jen was previously a program manager for PPL Electric Utilities’ commercial and industrial energy efficiency programs. On the customer side, she served as a service sales account representative with Johnson Controls. Jen expertly defines a vision for success and drives a team for results. Jen is a Penn State alumna with a BS in business, finance and marketing and is LEED AP O+M certified. She is based in Allentown, PA.

David Smith, Director of of Energy Services, Burns Engineering, Inc. Dave has over 30 years of extensive industry experience with a background in energy efficiency, onsite power, renewable energy, project finance, sustainability, planning and public policy. A recogized energy expert and a strong believer in “resilience with a payback,” Dave advises clients on how to achieve energy savings, improve reliability and resilience, and reduce carbon using strategies that leverage innovative technologies, incentives and new business models including public-private-partnerships. Notable project work includes the Denver International Airport Energy Master Plan, a microgrid feasibility assessment for JFK, the Philadelphia Navy Yard smart grid, New Jersey Transit’s 110 megawatt microgrid, and a Department of Energy assignment in collaboration with China’s National Energy Administration to advance smart grids and microgrids. Dave speaks regularly at industry conferences, conducts microgrid workshops, and has been a guest lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton School of Business and Green Mountain College. Dave earned his A.B. in Economics from Harvard University and has a Masters of Science in Energy Management and Policy from the University of Pennsylvania.

Christopher Haun, Director, Energy Efficiency Services, Luthin Associates, Inc. Chris Haun joined Luthin Associates in October of 2016 with more than 20 years of professional experience in energy policy development, sustainability design, project management, financial analysis, and strategic planning. As Director of Energy Efficiency, Chris is responsible for overseeing energy master plans, greenhouse gas inventory, carbon reduction initiatives, cogen feasibility, negotiating power purchase agreements and performance contracting. Prior to joining Luthin Associates, Chris worked as Director of Energy Finance and Sustainability Management for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) where he initiated efforts for over 200 stand-by generators to be demand response resources following Hurricane Sandy and coordinated a green infrastructure project with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Chris received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering from Cornell University and his Master of Public Administration from New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Chris is a Professional Engineer (PE) for New York State and serves as a board member for the New York Association of Energy Engineers.