NEEC has introduced a new member service this month – free monthly industry webinars designed to keep you informed on issues of importance to the energy efficiency industry. Mike Weedall, Vice President for Energy Efficiency at the Bonneville Power Administration kicked of the series on May 17th talking about BPA’s energy efficiency programs and spending levels in the “post-2011” period (BPA’s fiscal year begins Oct. 1, 2011 and marks the beginning of new tiered rate structure for its retail utility customers). NEEC members actively engaged Mike in a Q&A session following his presentation. The presentation slide deck from the webinar is available for download on the NEEC web site.
The monthly webinar series continues in June and July.
Tuesday, June 21st 12-1pm: Seattle City Light’s 6 Year Strategic Plan
Seattle City Light is in the midst of developing a 6 year plan to guide the strategic direction of the utility. As the region’s largest municipal utility and with a long history of conservation program work, this plan will chart key objectives in the areas of resources, assets, workforce, and rates – all of which have a profound effect on conservation opportunities. Phil Lieber, Chief Financial Officer at SCL and key leader in the strategic planning process will be joined by NEEC’s Executive Director, Stan Price. Stan is co-Chairing the SCL Review Panel and has worked closely over the last year with SCL in the planning process.
Tuesday, July 26th 12-1pm: Is It Time to Re-examine Cost Effectiveness?
An elite panel of regional thought leaders – Tom Eckman, Northwest Power and Conservation Council; Ash Awad, McKinstry Company; and Ross Macfarlane, Climate Solutions – will examine the question of cost effectiveness. For nearly three decades, the region’s utilities have acquired energy efficiency resources only if their acquisition met a total resource cost test analyzing all costs – utility and customer – weighed against all energy and quantifiable non-energy benefits. Is this test still the best arbiter of the decision to acquire conservation resources? Should greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, job creation possibilities, or utility cost tests change long held regional assumptions about cost effectiveness and if so, how would that change the market for energy efficiency in the region?
To register for these free events, you must be a current NEEC member. Send an e-mail to Brittany@putnamprice.com and indicate the sessions you wish to attend. You will receive connection coordinates in reply.