Regional

NEEC, in collaboration with the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County, was named a recipient of a US Department of Labor grant for job training and placement in the building energy efficiency sector. NEEC will utilize this funding for the Sound Energy Efficiency Development (SEED) project to be implemented by a regional partnership of employers, labor organizations, Workforce Development Councils, One Stop Career Centers, and community and technical colleges across a five county area in the Puget Sound region.

NEEC, in collaboration with the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County, was named a recipient of a US Department of Labor grant for job training and placement in the building energy efficiency sector. NEEC will utilize this funding for the Sound Energy Efficiency Development (SEED) project to be implemented by a regional partnership of employers, labor organizations, Workforce Development Councils, One Stop Career Centers, and community and technical colleges across a five county area in the Puget Sound region.

At few 2010 conference events are important to get on your calendar right away. As chance would have it, they are being co-sponsored by NEEC!

NEEC is governed by a 12 person volunteer Board of Directors which meets quarterly rotating between Seattle, Portland, and Spokane. Full members of the organization are allowed by the organization’s by-laws to serve as a Board member. Any member who wishes to participate on the Board in 2010 should contact the NEEC office prior to Dec. 9th.

BetterBricks has announced the opening of their award process for 2010. A new award category has been added for service providers. NEEC advocated for this inclusion and is very pleased to see this area of distinction become part of the process. For more information on the nomination process for this and other categories, visit www.betterbricks.com/awards and Save the Date for the 2010 Awards

As leaves begin to fall in the Northwest, it is sure sign that policy conversations are beginning to heat up for 2010 legislative sessions. Oregon will have a “limited” session in 2010, Washington will be in their shorter 60 day session, and the Idaho legislature will also convene. State budget woes will undoubtedly capture much of the attention in all three states.

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Taskforce (NEET) issued its final report (www.nwcouncil.org/neet) earlier this year, but this group of largely senior utility executives – ably staffed by Ken Canon – decided to maintain themselves as a group and help the region push on the energy efficiency accelerator. Executive Committee membership was extended to Dave Zapponi of the Northwest Food Processors Association and to Stan Price of NEEC.