What happens when policies become on-the-ground-action? KEEA & EEA-NJ’s 2024 conference, “Policy in Action,” tackled this theme with full force on September 17-18 in King of Prussia, PA. As participants discussed implementing policies like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Act 129, and the New Jersey Clean Energy Act, a recurring theme emerged: the importance of place-based energy efficiency that takes into account local community character, local contractors, and local energy needs. Our largest event yet at over 250 attendees, “Policy in Action” continues the trend of KEEA & EEA-NJ conferences becoming more and more central to our region’s energy efficiency industry.
Keishaa Austin (DOE) kicked off day one of “Policy in Action” with an engaging keynote overviewing her work at the Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs. “We are working every day to ensure the policies championed by folks like you are reflected in the policy we are implementing,” she declared. Ms. Austin shared a personal story about seeing a grandmother in Alaska show off her new kitchen stove that she received through a weatherization assistance program. “She was so proud of that stove – and her ability to have a few more dollars in her pocket thanks to weatherization.” Her remarks highlighted the modeled vs. measured dilemma in home rebates through IRA, increased funding through BIL to Weatherization Assistance Programs and other IRA and BIL-funded programs that help implement community-level energy efficiency savings, and the compelling mandate to invest in disadvantaged communities to drive energy equity.
The first panel of the day, moderated by Rachel Goodgal (KEEA) took a close look at Pennsylvania’s Energy Efficiency Landscape. Joseph Sherrick (Bureau of Technical Utility Services, PA Public Utility Commission) shared an overview of Act 129 and the Commission’s planning for Phase V of the energy efficiency law, while Kerry Campbell (Energy Programs Office, PA DEP) discussed his office’s implementation of IRA and IIJA funding in Pennsylvania as an official State Energy Office. Matthew Brown (National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF)) discussed financing options available through NEIF and the PA Energy Accelerator Program. Rob Altenburg (PennFuture) shared an environmental advocate’s perspective, discussing the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard, proposed carbon trading programs, and other efficiency and solar policies.
A panel on New Jersey’s energy efficiency landscape started with a discussion from moderator Mike Winka (Sustainable Lawrence) about the Garden State’s historical energy evolution, moving from coal heating to natural gas, and in increasing cases today, from natural gas to electricity. Henry Gajda (NJBPU) filled the audience in on the Board’s progress towards Triennium II programs and the next Energy Master Plan, while Sean Sonnemann (NJ Economic Development Authority) discussed NJ COOL, NJ Clean Energy Loans, CPACE, and other energy efficiency financing resources available through the Authority. Rachael Fredericks (PSE&G) shared PSE&G’s perspective on the Triennium I and II programs, while Doug O’Malley (Environment New Jersey) discussed pressing issues like building electrification, the cost of climate change, and the need to stack federal funds with existing programs.
“Energy efficiency can feel like the middle child between solar and hydrogen,” said Katie McGinty, VP for Johnson Controls, in her riveting mid-day keynote. So how does energy efficiency grab attention and engagement? McGinty shared some advice: Don’t make it just about EE–instead, make it about the issues and technologies that are in front of people every day. Make it tangible–while there’s no ribbon-cutting for energy savings, you can always grab attention with new facilities, new technology, and go for the “gee-whiz” moment. The industry can attach itself to their clients’ other aspirations, like using HVAC work at a hospital to improve air quality for patients. And look to the strategic purpose of the facility–whether it’s workforce, healthcare, education, or entertainment, be aware of your clients’ mission and use it to motivate them.
Moderated by Ben Adams (MaGrann Associates), “Perspectives on Decarbonization” kicked off the afternoon panels with a presentation from Andrew Knox (Department of Defense), who described how energy efficiency projects in the military get done when they’re made vital to the Department’s mission: being ready. Elizabeth Marx with the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project brought an equity perspective, stating that “Decarbonization is not equitable if it does not center on energy efficiency” and discussing ways to move the energy transition forward without increasing energy burdens. Matt Rose from TRC brought the perspective of a large company, discussing how the decarbonization table has grown to hold many more stakeholders and requires more system thinkers and consultants. Rosemary Stephens-Booker from the Building Decarbonization Coalition discussed how her group uses a multi-prong approach focused on market actors, consumers, and policy acceleration to catalyze scalable decarbonization efforts.
The last panel of day 1 was a “fireside chat” featuring contractors like Angela Rubino Hines (Bovio Rubino Service), Matt Tenny (MT Weatherization), and Christopher Tulloch (A.J. Perri), who talked about their experiences participating in energy efficiency programs. Some of the recurring challenges discussed? Getting consumers onboard with time-consuming rebate programs in the middle of an HVAC emergency, engaging more contractors earlier in the process of designing and rolling out programs, and getting more skilled employees into the workforce. Speakers spotlit the need to streamline applications, avoid confusing processes that put off contractors and consumers, and make timely payments in the small business world where “cashflow is king”.
To kick off day 2, guests listened while Brian Regli (PA Governor’s Office of Critical Investments) discussed the Governor’s plans. “We’re not waiting for energy efficiency to arrive passively,” Regli said. “We want to see projects; we want to see outcomes.” Regli provided an overview of the energy efficiency opportunities created by federal funding and discussed the need for capital efficiency, making sure that complex braids and stacks of funds unlock maximum clean energy outcomes. The PA RISE program, Act 129, and the Inflation Reduction Act were all up for discussion.
Next came “Affordable Housing and Energy Efficiency,” moderated by Patrick Coleman (New Ecology). Colleen Morris (Calico Energy) discussed the need for accurate data when implementing multifamily EE solutions, while Troy Hannigan (Community Ventures) shared a case study of Old First House in Philadelphia, a low-income passive house project in a historical building that combined preservation and decarbonization. William Reeves Ferran (Pennsylvania United) presented a Pittsburgh project that used Climate Pollution Reduction Grant money to develop a proposal to decarbonize thousands of units of public housing. Bryce Maretzki discussed loans and programs available through his group, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
“Diving into Distributed Energy Resources”, moderated by Stephen Oyler (CPower), took a closer look at DERs, from Combined Heat and Power (CHP) to community solar. James Freihaut (Penn State College of Engineering) took us on a deep dive into how microgrids supported by CHP work, while Brendon Shank (Solar Landscape) provided an overview of his company’s work bringing community solar to New Jersey and elsewhere. Kyle Wallace (PosiGen) discussed his company’s work providing a combination of solar and energy efficiency to over 30,000 customers in 14 states—specializing in LMI households in Pennsylvania. Alexander Ratner (ACEEE) discussed federal policy and DERs, looking at FERC’s role in capacity markets, Order 2222, and PJM’s controversial energy efficiency decisions.
Next came a breakneck-speed PechaKucha, where eight energy efficiency thought leaders presented on everything from low-income community blitz programs and home energy efficiency certifications to the problems with electrification and the challenge of including contractors in EE programs. Presenting at a strict pace of 20 seconds per slide, 20 slides total, presenters wowed the crowd with engaging, fast-paced presentations.
Before the raffle prize giveaway to close the conference, attendees joined industry thought leaders for a Fireside Chat on the Future of Energy Efficiency. The group predicted that managing load, utility rate structures, distributed energy resources, demand response, and decarbonization would heavily shape the next 3-5 years. Tanuj Deora (Clean Energy Advisor) cautioned against layering too many worthy objectives into single policy programs while suggesting that getting systems to talk to each other is the best approach–even in a challenging political environment. Kara Saul Rinaldi (AnnDyl Policy Group) urged attendees not to overlook low-hanging fruit like smart hot water heaters, while Richard Sedano (Regulatory Assistance Project) suggested that moving from a compliance framework to a resource framework—and away from saved KWh to a more forward-looking metric—was critically needed. Andy Frank (Sealed) weighed in on the inherent business opportunities of Distributed Energy Resources while hoping that his young son can continue to enjoy New Jersey snowfall in a warming-threatened world.
From a lively sponsor hall and networking happy hour to thought-provoking panels and keynotes, “Policy in Action” was a rousing success! Join our newsletter to hear the upcoming announcement of our 2025 policy conference.