Northwest Energy Efficiency Council

Nonprofit trade association of the energy efficiency industry

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SBX Opening Plenary Session: Smarter Buildings & a Changing Utility – A Vision of the New World of Energy

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The agenda for the free virtual Smart Buildings Exchange to be held August 24th and 25th is nearly finalized! The event will dive deep into the role of smarter buildings in a changing energy landscape through interactive conference sessions on grid-interactive efficient buildings, workforce development to meet the needs of the smart, clean and efficient buildings industry, and the business case for smart building investments.

Opening Plenary Session: Smarter Buildings and a Changing Utility – A Vision of the New World of Energy
The conference will kick-off on August 24th with a moderated discussion featuring senior thought leaders in the technology and utility sectors. Panelists include Mary Kipp, CEO of Puget Sound Energy, Debra Smith, CEO of Seattle City Light, Ed Schlect, CSO of Avista Utilities, Stephanie Greene of the Rocky Mountain Institute, and Emmanuel Daniel of Microsoft. Moderated by Ash Awad, President and Chief Markets Officer of McKinstry, this panel will discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the energy industry and how that affects the built environment. A new, cleaner, and more flexible electrical grid is coming. These changes will be facilitated in part by smart building technologies and practices built on the fast-growing power of cloud computing and information technology services. This is sure to be an exciting and informative discussion which will frame issues getting discussed throughout the subsequent two days of the conference.

View speaker bios

 

View the full conference agenda and register for free today!

Job Opportunity: HVAC Technician, Ameresco

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Driven by a high-caliber workforce, Ameresco is a leading clean technology integrator and renewable asset developer, owner and operator.  Our comprehensive services include energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability and renewable energy solutions throughout North America and Europe. Our renewable energy assets and customer projects have delivered a cumulative carbon offset equivalent to over 60 million metric tons of carbon dioxide since going public in 2010.

Grounded in our C.A.R.I.N.G. values and guided by our Environmental, Social and Governance practices, we are proud of our engaging workplace with a host of competitive benefits and wellness programs. Our teams work collaboratively to deliver best-in-class solutions with a relentless focus on customer satisfaction. In pursuit of energizing a sustainable world, our people and purpose set Ameresco apart.

Help shape the future of energy by working for an award-winning team, honored to be recognized by agencies including Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation and Forbes for our company culture, industry leadership, and client projects. Ameresco is fueled by a dynamic team that embraces diversity, career development opportunities, and — most importantly – employees driven by doing well by doing good.

We currently seek an experienced large-scale commercial HVAC Technician to join our Technical Services Team based in Portland, OR.

View the full job announcement and application requirements here.

Registration Open for Smart Buildings Exchange, Aug 24-25!

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The Smart Buildings Center is excited to announce the launch of the new Smart Buildings Exchange website sbxconference.org! The free two-day virtual event to be held August 24th and 25th will dive deep into the role of smarter buildings in a changing energy landscape through interactive conference sessions on grid-interactive efficient buildings, workforce development to meet the needs of the smart, clean and efficient buildings industry, and post-COVID building occupancy.

About the event
Throughout the built environment, new technologies are connecting building systems and occupants in ways that generate new and exciting opportunities. From enabling buildings to perform for occupants and owners in previously unimaginable ways, to leveraging buildings to accelerate smart cities and the clean energy transition for a cleaner and healthier planet, the opportunities are countless and inspiring. The Smart Buildings Exchange brings together the key audiences to challenge the hype, bear witness to the innovation, and explore the business case for accelerating the adoption and commercialization of smart buildings technologies and practices.

For more information about ways your organization or business can participate in the conference, please download our Sponsorship Prospectus or contact Brittany.Quigley@neec.net for customized sponsorship/partnership opportunities.

Register for free today!

 

Clean & Affordable Energy Conference (virtual) – June 2 & 10, 2021

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Join the NW Energy Coalition for the Clean & Affordable Energy Conference! This virtual event will cover the most pressing issues in the Northwest’s energy landscape. These include salmon recovery and potential changes to the federal hydro system, as well as how to advance equity in the energy space through funding and support for expanded community participation. Panelists will discuss how to address regulatory barriers to decarbonizing utilities, and how stakeholders can engage in the NW Power Council’s regional planning processes to support clean, affordable, and reliable service for all Northwest communities. Register today!

Day 1: June 2, 9am – 12pm Pacific / 10am – 1pm Mountain
Day 2: June 10, 9am – 12pm Pacific / 10am – 1pm Mountain

2021 Mid-Session Legislative Update

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We are about halfway through the 2021 Washington legislative session and a lot has been happening despite the remote nature of the session this year.  We were disappointed that HB 1084 did not make it out of the House. The bill would have required benchmarking of all commercial buildings over 10,000 square feet with the anticipation that these buildings would also soon be subject to performance standards. We hope to see this resurrected in the 2022 session. In terms of what is still in motion, here are the items NEEC is closely tracking:

  • SB 5126 the Climate Commitment Act: This is Governor request legislation sponsored by Senator Carlyle and we are excited about this smart approach to developing a cap-and-trade program in Washington that is designed to accelerate carbon emission reductions in the state while generating economic development through workforce development, energy efficiency, building decarbonization, and smart buildings, among other things. The bill is up for a hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Monday. If you’d like to show your support, you can sign in “pro” using the tool located here: Bill Sign-in. While the committee doesn’t meet until Monday, you can already sign-in to demonstrate your support.
  • SB 5373 WA Strong: This bill imposes a carbon tax on GHG emissions in Washington State. It received broad support in its recent hearing and would generate funds to support transportation electrification as well as energy efficiency, building decarbonization and grid modernization efforts. NEEC signed in pro for this bill, although our understanding is that it is unlikely to progress further this session.
  • NEEC has also been advocating for a robust level of funding for the Energy Efficiency & Solar Grants program. We are expecting the legislative budget to be released in the next week or so.
  • Other bills we are monitoring include:
    • HB 1050: Reducing GHG emissions from fluorinated gasses
    • HB 1099: Updates to the State’s Comprehensive Planning Framework
    • HB 1280: Concerning GHG reductions in the design of public facilities

A robust session is underway in Oregon as well, again despite the remote nature of things. NEEC is closely tracking the following:

  • SB 784: Resiliency Measure Cost Recovery – This bill allows public utilities to recoup the operational and capital costs associated with resiliency measures via rates. This can include a variety of things including rate recovery for resiliency measures that provide “distribution system efficiencies and grid services, such as flexible load programs, demand management programs or dispatchable standby capacity, that operate both to serve customers during normal service and can be used to assist utility operations or provide utility service during emergencies.” The bill also allows for different related business models such as utility owned, customer owned, jointly owned or leased equipment. This opens opportunities for businesses who are interested in grid-enabled buildings, managed demand services and other behind the meter strategies that provide grid flexibility to collaborate with public utilities to implement projects.
  • HB 3141: Changes to the Public Purpose Charge – This bill makes several adjustments to the Oregon Public Purpose Charge (PPC) including removing energy efficiency from the PPC moving it into utility rates. It also expands some of the uses of the funds collected via the PPC including “Customer investments in distribution system-connected technologies that support reliability, resilience and the integration of new renewable energy resources with the distribution system of the electric company or Oregon Community Power.”
  • HB 2021: 100% Clean Electricity – we are still awaiting bill language for this, but we believe this will be the main vehicle for a 100% Clean Electricity proposal in Oregon. This is scheduled for discussion next week in the House Energy & Environment Committee and we anticipate language will be released prior, but have heard that the proposal will bear similarities to the Clean Energy Transformation Act passed by the WA Legislature in 2019.

Job Opportunity: Program Manager – Industrial Strategy Energy Management, Energy Trust of Oregon

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BACKGROUND
Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy development. We serve Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas, Avista and SW Washington customers of NW Natural. Year over year, Energy Trust has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon.

Energy Trust is committed to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create a culturally attentive organization by reaching out to diverse candidates who will contribute a range of perspectives, experiences, skills and ideas to how we work, our programs and our services to best serve, reach and reflect the rich diversity of the customers we serve.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY
This Program Manager – Industrial Strategy Energy Management will manage the design, development, delivery and ongoing implementation of Energy Trust’s Industrial Energy Performance Management offerings for customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas, and Avista. The position will manage budgets and savings goals associated with the delivery of the offerings while building and maintaining relationships with customers, utilities and external stakeholders. The Energy Performance Management offerings include strategic energy management (SEM), energy management internship and competition offerings.

View the full job description and application requirements here.

Webinar: Energy Efficiency Financing for Commercial Buildings, Feb 9th

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Hosted by the NW Energy Coalition

February 9, 10:00am – 11:30am (PST)
To reach our carbon reduction goals and reduce costs we need to accelerate efficiency and achieve deeper energy savings from our commercial buildings and optimize their connection to the grid. Even though efficiency provides ongoing operational savings, the upfront costs can dissuade action. We need widely available financing tools to help commercial building owners take action. This interactive webinar will cover innovative commercial energy efficiency financing tools and performance-based mechanisms.

Moderator: Rob Harmon (MEETS = Metered Energy Efficiency Transaction Structure)

Speakers:

  • Shelly Haack (PropertyFit/ Prosper Portland)
  • Ian Guerry (Gridium)
  • Saif Hakim (Craft3)

Register Now!

Job Opportunity: Director of Energy Programs, Energy Trust of Oregon

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Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy development.

Primarily funded by ratepayers in Oregon utilities with an organizational budget of $206.5 million in 2021, we serve 1.6 million Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista. These customers are renters, homeowners, commercial business owners, property managers, schools, agricultural operations, small to large industrial facilities, and local governments and community organizations. Since 2002, customers have saved $3.4 billion on energy bills from efficiency retrofits, high-performance new construction and renewable energy systems installed at 718,000 locations and purchased through retail and distributors.

These dollars recirculate in Oregon’s economy, driving broader economic benefits for all.

Energy Trust is overseen by the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) and is accountable for meeting annual minimum performance measures set by the commission. A non-stakeholder, volunteer board of directors sets the strategic direction, policies and annual budgets, and offers independent perspectives.

We are proud to be recognized year-over-year as one of Oregon Business’ Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon and Best Green Workplaces in Oregon, among our other awards.

POSITION SUMMARY
We’re looking for a visionary, innovative, strategic and collaborative leader to lead and advance Energy Trust’s energy efficiency and renewable energy programs into the dynamic energy future. The Director of Energy Programs is an executive level position at Energy Trust, managing the organization’s program teams in the direction, design and implementation of all of the organization’s energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

View the full job description and application requirements HERE.

Job Opportunities: TRC Companies Inc.

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TRC Companies Inc., a nation-wide energy consultancy, is currently hiring for the following positions. Please follow the links below for full job descriptions and application details.

Energy Engineer/Energy Efficiency Analyst (Entry-level), Portland
TRC is seeking an entry level Energy Engineer / Energy Efficiency analyst to join our diverse, growing, and high-performing team located in the Pacific Northwest. The engineer will support the delivery of a large electric and gas utility energy efficiency program throughout the State of Oregon and SW Washington.

The position entails the following responsibilities:

  • Perform engineering analysis and technical tasks on energy efficiency projects
  • Conducting market research and data analysis to identify program-eligible energy efficiency measures
  • Development and maintenance of program-eligible energy efficiency measures. This will involve identifying energy efficient equipment or technologies with high energy savings potential and estimating the energy savings and cost-effectiveness of eligible measures.
  • Perform field inspections to verify proper installation of energy efficiency measures
  • Provide analysis of building energy use through post-processing of energy model outputs and utility billing data
  • Participate in energy design charrettes and propose energy efficient alternatives to design teams
  • Produce high-quality technical reports suitable for both technical and lay audiences
  • Support the engineering team lead with client and project management
  • Build and maintain relationships with energy consultants, architects, developers, and owners

Energy Engineer/Energy Efficiency Analyst (Mid-level), Portland
TRC is seeking a mid-level Energy Engineer / Energy Efficiency analyst to join our diverse, growing, and high-performing team located in the Pacific Northwest. The engineer will support the delivery of a large electric and gas utility energy efficiency program throughout the State of Oregon and SW Washington.

The position entails the following responsibilities:

  • Development and maintenance of program-eligible energy efficiency measures. This will involve identifying energy efficient equipment or technologies with high energy efficiency potential and estimating the energy savings and cost-effectiveness of eligible measures.
  • Perform engineering analysis on energy efficiency projects
  • Support the work of the engineering team through research and implementation of pilot energy projects such as designing innovative indoor air quality strategies to build resiliency post-COVID or developing energy solutions for low-income communities
  • Support the engineering team lead with client and project management

Energy Engineer/Energy Efficiency Analyst (Senior Engineer), Portland
TRC is seeking a Senior Energy Engineer to join our diverse, growing, and high-performing team located in the Pacific Northwest. The engineer will support the delivery of a large electric and gas utility energy efficiency program throughout the State of Oregon and SW Washington.

The position entails the following responsibilities:

  • Perform engineering analysis on complex energy efficiency projects to analyze their energy and cost savings potential
  • Perform and/or review energy model simulations to establish savings potential of energy projects
  • Development and maintenance of program-eligible energy efficiency measures. This will involve identifying energy efficient equipment or technologies with high energy efficiency potential and estimating the energy savings and cost-effectiveness of eligible measures.
  • Support the work of the engineering team with pilot energy projects such as designing innovative indoor air quality strategies to build resiliency post-COVID or developing energy solutions for low-income communities
  • Support the engineering team lead with client and project management
  • Coordinate with contractors and program partners to successfully process program eligible energy savings projects
  • Produce high-quality technical reports suitable for both technical and non-technical audiences

Job Opportunity: Planning Project Manager, Energy Trust of Oregon

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BACKGROUND
Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy development. We serve Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas. In 2020, Energy Trust was recognized as one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon.

Energy Trust is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strive to create a culturally attentive organization by reaching out to diverse candidates who will contribute a range of perspectives, experiences, skills and ideas to how we work, our programs and our services to best serve, reach and reflect the rich diversity of the customers we serve.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY
The Planning Project Manager is responsible for employing data analysis techniques to develop and deliver technical assessments that support forecasts, policy studies, cost-effectiveness determinations and resource estimates for use in determining Energy Trust goals, utility resource plans, and investments. Important duties in this role include preparing reports, managing process improvement projects and responding to information requests to support decision making. The Planning Project Manager works collaboratively with internal and external clients including utilities, program managers, and contractors, and peer organizations to achieve agreement on assumptions, goals, including diversity, equity and inclusion goals, funding needs, program plans, market strategies to reach all Energy Trust customers.

In order to be considered for this position you must submit a cover letter that outlines your experience pertaining to analysis, project management, intergroup communication and experience working with a diversity of internal and external stakeholders.

View the full job description and application requirements HERE.