EEBC - Energy Efficiency Business Coalition In the News

Energy Efficiency Business Coalition Appoints New Executive Director - HVACR Business Magazine

Eric Van Orden — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:51:24 GMT

Energy Efficiency Business Coalition (EEBC) has appointed Eric Van Orden Executive Director. Van Orden’s charter is the development of a strategic plan that identifies industry needs and opportunities for job creation and overall sector growth. His incoming objectives include collaboration with Colorado utilities, increased contractor education opportunities, and the creation of a compelling financing solution for residential and commercial energy efficiency projects.

Van Orden most recently served as Regional Energy Efficiency Manager at SolarCity, where he helped launch energy efficiency services for the full-service solar solutions provider. His extensive experience in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries includes the facilitation........

FOLLOW-UP — Energy Efficiency Business Coalition on the DSM Settlement with Xcel Energy

Eric Van Orden — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:12:16 GMT

In 2007 Xcel Energy’s efforts to reduce the exponential growth rate of energy consumption were initiated by a House Bill 07-1037 and initially implemented with Docket No. 07R-371G. The general scope of the legislation was to direct Colorado’s investor-owned electric and gas utilities to pursue energy efficiency through cost effective programs.

Since then, Xcel Energy has developed numerous different products that range in complexity by addressing different energy using segments. These programs do not always include rebates; some may support energy efficiency through education, information, or direct investments in equipment. But overall, they generally focus on reducing energy usage in the built environment through retail outlets, contractor trade partners, and other partner channels.

Most recently, Xcel Energy’s filed their two year, 2012/2013 Demand Side Management Plan (Docket 11A-631EG) which covers a wide range of products that are estimated to reduce electricity usage by 686,548,225 kWH, electricity demand by 186,201 kW and gas usage by 820,198 Dth.....

People on the move - Denver Post

Eric Van Orden — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:46:09 GMT

Eric Van Orden was appointed executive director of the Energy Efficiency Business Coalition.

Read more:People on the move, 11/10 - The Denver

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19308695#ixzz1iJfKuGA2

Energy Efficiency Business Coalition Appoints New Executive Director - Denver Green Streets

Eric Van Orden — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:49:07 GMT

Eric Van Orden was appointed Executive Director of the Energy Efficiency Business Coalition (EEBC) on November 1, 2011 by the organization’s Board of Directors. Van Orden most recently he served as Regional Energy Efficiency Manager at SolarCity, where he helped launch energy efficiency services for the full-service solar solutions provider. His extensive experience in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries includes the facilitation of 2,000 residential and commercial demand side management (DSM) projects and the installation of 5,000 kilowatts (kW) of solar arrays.

“When I think of energy efficiency, I think of Eric,” says Seth Portner, EEBC Co-President. “Eric brings the industry experience that is required to grow the EEBC, but he also has a firm grasp on our work in policy and regulatory........

The Appraiser Institute Learns the Importance of Energy Efficiency

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:01:30 GMT

The Appraiser Institute Learns the Importance of Energy Efficiency

By Todd Gamboa of Building Trust LLC

The Appraisal Institute – Colorado Chapter held it’s “2011 Potpourri Seminars” on August 11^th, 2011. “The Value & Benefits of Energy Efficient Homes” was the closing session of the day long training. This 2-hour training consisted of a panel of speakers presenting on the importance of energy efficient homes. The purpose of this session was to demonstrate to appraisers, that American consumers are recognizing the value of high performance homes and appraisers need to follow. Better building science methods and energy efficiency programs are changing the way builders design and deliver new homes. With the changing market, it is important that appraisers recognize the features and benefits that are inherent with ENERGY STAR new homes. The institute was encouraged to value benefits such as energy efficiency, durability, improved indoor air quality, and comfort similar to desirable consumer features such as location, square footage, bathrooms, and lot sizes. Likewise, “Above Code” building programs & incentives are creating separation between new and existing housing stock, so it is important that these homes are identified by the appraisal industry as well. One tool which will be helpful to appraisers will be the addition of “Green Fields” in the multi-listing service used by Realtors.

The 2 hour CEU session was moderated by Mike Rinner, of The Genesis Group. The panel of speakers included: Todd Gamboa - President of Building Trust, LLC. Felix Lee - Green Building Code Project Manager, Fort Collins. Gene Myers - Principal, New Town Builders, and Chris Presley - President Colorado Division, Meritage Homes.

The event was held at the Summit Conference and Event Center located at 411 Sable Blvd. in Aurora, CO.

Modelers: Boulder Municipal Utility Feasible

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:44:39 GMT

Modelers: Boulder municipal utility feasible

By Laura Snider

The Daily Camera Staff Writer

A team of 30 skilled volunteers working over six months has developed an independent model of whether it`s feasible for the city of Boulder to form a municipal utility and reduce its carbon emissions for a cost that`s similar to what customers now pay Xcel Energy.

The answer is yes, say the volunteers, who will present their findings at a public meeting Wednesday night.

"We can cut our current emissions by 50 percent and be comparable to Xcel and be more stable (in terms of rates) over time," said Sam Weaver, co-founder of a power conversion equipment company and one of the volunteer modelers.

The city of Boulder has also hired its own consultants to create a feasibility model that is separate from the volunteer effort.

The group used a modeling tool known as HOMER, developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, as the backbone of the technical model. HOMER was designed to help users figure out how much alternative energy -- including wind and solar -- can be reliably integrated into an energy system.

The group also created a financial model under the leadership of Frank Selto, a professor at the University of Colorado`s Leeds School of Business.

As a base case, the modelers assumed that the only renewable energy used in a future Boulder municipal utility would be the renewable energy generation that already exists locally, which includes mostly rooftop solar arrays and a little hydropower. The modelers also assumed that the rest of Boulder`s energy demand would be met by burning natural gas.

The result was that Boulder could reduce its emissions by 50 percent -- since burning natural gas releases less carbon than burning coal -- for a slightly lower rate than Xcel`s. For example, a residential customer who uses 520 kilowatt-hours a month would pay $61.07 under Xcel`s rates but $58.27 to a Boulder municipal utility. The model assumes that Boulder would spend $300 million in startup costs.

The modelers also ran a worst-case scenario that assumed startup costs would double to $600 million. The result was that the same residential customer would pay $68.80 a month.

The city of Boulder`s own models assume that startup costs would be slightly less than $300 million. But Xcel says the city is leaving out as much as $336 million in "stranded costs" from its analysis.

The volunteer modelers also ran a scenario with a mix of renewable energy that -- coupled with the natural gas -- would decrease carbon emissions by 68 percent. In that scenario, a residential customer who uses 520 kilowatt-hours in a month would pay a bill of $65.29, or about $4 a month more than what that person would owe Xcel.

In general, the volunteers say that their model is built on a series of conservative assumptions, which include having more reserve capacity -- the amount of power that can be immediately tapped in an emergency -- than is required by federal regulation.

The model`s assumptions have also been endlessly challenged and vetted by the members of the group over the months, said volunteer Alison Burchell.

"The man-hours that have gone into this is phenomenal," she said.

Energy Efficiency Goals for Xcel Could Save Customers up to $250 Million by 2020

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:11:38 GMT

by Mark Jaffe (Denver Post)

Xcel Energy customers could save up to $250 million by 2020 under new energy-efficiency goals set by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission on April 6, 2011.

The commission increased the energy-efficiency target by 30 percent over the 2008 goal to 356 gigawatt-hours, or 356 million kilowatt-hours, by 2013.

Average residential use is about 625 kilowatt-hours a month.

The energy-efficiency program was set up under a bill that passed the state legislature in 2007.

Since the aim is for Xcel to sell less energy, the bill provided for incentives - a quick recovery of costs through a direct charge on customer bills - and a bonus.

The PUC raised the bonus Wednesday from $13.1 million to $17.4 million if Xcel reaches the new target.

If the utility reached 110 percent of the target, it would get $21 million.

"Xcel gets to keep a small portion of the $250 million in net economic benefits," said PUC Chairman Ron Binz.

To meet the new goal, Xcel will have to expand energy-efficiency programs and increase customer incentives, said Howard Geller, executive director of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.

"This decision puts Colorado and Xcel in the top tier in the country when it comes to energy efficiency," said Geller, whose Boulder-based group promotes energy efficiency.

Fewer kilowatt-hours used by customers reduces Xcel's fuel and production costs, Binz said.

The efficiency gains over the 2012-20 period are large enough to avoid the need for one new power plant, according to the energy-efficiency project's calculations.

"This commission knows that the cheapest kilowatt-hour is the one that isn't used," Binz said.

Investing in Utility Energy Savings Programs

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:12:11 GMT

(Denver Post)

By Shane Flansburg

Like most Coloradans, I'm pinching every penny these days and trying to make every dollar count. There's simply no room for wasting money or making unwise investments in this troubled economy.

But wasting money is exactly what so many of us do every day when we pay for energy that goes wasted because our homes and workplaces aren't as efficient as they could be. And, if we aren't paying close enough attention, we could be allowing utilities to make unwise investments with our energy dollars.

Luckily, Colorado has a thriving industry of energy-efficiency experts and a wide array of utility and state programs to choose from to help them stop wasting energy and start saving.

But the amount of energy and money that Coloradans are able to save is largely determined by how wisely our utilities invest ratepayer dollars. Do they put their customers' money into high-dollar power plants, or invest in high-yield energy-saving programs? Usually, it's a mix of both because, on the whole, energy use in Colorado is on the rise.

But the more our utilities invest in energy-saving programs, the lower our overall energy demand is, and the less you and I have to pay for energy in the future.

Take Xcel Energy. In 2009, the utility invested about $44 million in energy-saving programs, which lowered electricity demand by 220 gigawatt hours per year, paid for themselves, and saved ratepayers $206 million on their utility bills. I don't know about you, but I don't know of many investment schemes that have that good of a return.

Not only do utility energy saving programs lower energy demand and costs, they also help improve Coloradans' quality of life and boost the state's economy.

The less money people have to spend on energy bills, the more money they have to spend where it matters most - on their families, communities and themselves. And the more money that Coloradans have as a whole, the more money will be injected into the local economy, and hopefully even into savings accounts. That's putting money where it belongs - not throwing it out the window on wasted energy.

Utility programs that help Coloradans make energy-saving improvements to their homes and places of work also create good local jobs in the energy services, engineering, construction, retail and manufacturing trades. These are good-paying jobs in both the blue- and white-collar fields that nearly everyone has a shot at.

In fact, Colorado is home to hundreds of businesses large and small dedicated to helping households and businesses lower energy use and costs. Utility energy saving programs like the ones offered by Xcel help these companies thrive and grow.

So how can you make sure your utility invests your energy dollars wisely? Pay close attention to what happens at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission and at board meetings of municipal and large investor-owned utilities like Xcel, and voice your support for investing in energy-saving programs. Because the more our utilities are doing to save energy, rather than produce it, the better off all Coloradans and our state's economy will be.

Shane Flansburg is executive director of the Energy Efficiency Business Coalition, a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association representing businesses involved in the manufacturing, distribution, installation, sales and marketing of energy efficiency technologies.

Earth Week Offsets - Chance for Your Business to be Recognized by the Governor's Office

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:15:07 GMT

Offset Your Energy Use on April 18 - 24

Invest in New Carbon Offset and Clean Energy Projects in Colorado

The Colorado Carbon Fund (CCF) has a strong list of potential carbon offset and renewable energy projects in the pipeline for approval and funding, including innovative projects such as coal mine methane gas capture, anaerobic digestion plants, biomass and solar. These projects are, and always will be, located in Colorado communities. We just need the funds to develop them. That's the mission behind the CCF Earth Week Campaign. The campaign asks you - as an individual, business or organization - to voluntarily offset your emissions for the week of Earth Day (April 18-24).

How much are you talking?

· For an average Coloradoan, based on Sopris Foundation

calculations, offsetting one's entire emissions for the week of Earth Day costs $10, tax deductible;

· For a family of 4, $40;

· An average small business of 15-20 employees can offset transportation and energy use for $100. If you'd prefer more specific calculations, visit our website, call us at (303) 866-2264, or email at ccf@state.co.us.

You don't have to wait: Purchase offsets today. Offset a week of energy use now at www.coloradocarbonfund.org and credit Earth Week Offsets in the dropdown menu (how you heard about us).

There are rewards:

· All participants will be recognized in print, social and/or website media;

· Organizations will be invited to a reception at the Governor's mansion on June 24 where we'll announce results and acknowledge participants.

For every dollar received, a dollar will be spent on building clean energy projects in Colorado that create jobs, reduce emissions, and bring Colorado's clean energy future that much closer to reality: That's the real reward. If you're wondering how to commemorate Earth Day, make a real difference here at home: Earth Week Offsets.

GEO is looking for Qualified Contractors

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:03:15 GMT

GEO's Main Street Efficiency Initiative (MSEI)

Looking for Qualified Contractors

The GEO's Main Street Efficiency Initiative (MSEI) assists communities to develop and implement energy efficiency incentive programs that target small businesses throughout Colorado. The GEO encourages the use of local contractors to implement projects that will help reduce energy costs.

If you're a contractor that's interested in growing your business, are listed with the Better Business Bureau, and perform lighting retrofits, re-commissioning, and/or programmable thermostat upgrades check out the list of MSEI communities that would like to hear from you and know of your services at Main Street Efficiency Initiative page on www.rechargecolorado.com .

Our program participants are looking for qualified contractors that can help ensure they receive MSEI rebates and additional rebates offered by other programs.

Xcel Raising Prices in Quarter

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:56:17 GMT

(Denver Business Journal)

Xcel Energy Inc.’s unit prices for electricity and natural gas will rise during the second quarter, Colorado’s largest power utility said.

Electricity prices are set to climb by 18 percent for April through June, while natural gas prices will rise 26 percent. The price increases are mostly due to miscalculations on previous quarterly forecasts for commodity prices, including coal and natural gas.

For Full Article: Members News

Welcome Mat Still Out for US Nuclear Plants

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:19:34 GMT

by Matthew Bigg

(Reuters) - For much of the world, Japan's nuclear crisis has heightened concerns about nuclear power. But in the U.S. Southeast, where the next set of reactors are planned, the concerns are not so great.

Even environmental activists -- those with deep-seated reservations about nuclear safety who say events in Japan provide an opening to change opinions -- do not anticipate a radical shift.

Click here to read more Members News.

Gas Price Drives Greening of Small Firms

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:30:24 GMT

by Deborah L. Cohen

(Reuters) With the recent spike in gas and oil prices even environmentally responsible entrepreneurs like Spencer Brown are finding new ways to cut expenses.

"I'm making products, not buying them from somebody," said Brown, founder and owner of Huntington Beach, California-based Rent a Green Box, which manufacturers storage containers from recycled plastics for residential and commercial moving. "I need to know my flour, my butter, my eggs. If something goes up, I've either got to eat it or charge for it."

Rent a Green Box recently reduced its delivery cycle to five days from seven and is eking out more savings by boosting manufacturing during daylight hours and switching to compact fluorescent lighting. That's in addition to Brown's practices of running his fleet on recycled vegetable oil, using online mapping to develop more efficient routes and offering free lunches to any of his 20 full-time employees who carpool.

EPA Proposes Air Rules That May Hit Coal-fired Power

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:20:02 GMT

by Timothy Gardner, Washington

(Reuters) Environmental regulators proposed rules on Wednesday that would force aging coal-fired power plants to choose between installing costly anti-pollution technology or shutting, which could ensure reliance nuclear power and natural gas.

The Environmental Protection Agency said the proposed rules, once fully implemented, will prevent 91 percent of mercury in coal from being released into the air. Power plants would have four years to meet the standards.

The EPA will take public comment for 60 days on the rules, which would require many coal-fired power plants to install scrubbers and other technologies to reduce emissions of arsenic, chromium, nickel and acid gases in addition to mercury, which can damage nervous systems in babies.

Builders offer MPG-like home efficiency labels by Wendy Koch, USA Today

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:27:25 GMT

Just as cars are sold with miles-per-gallon labels, more new homes this year will sport labels estimating monthly energy bill. KB Home, one of the nation's largest builders, announced Monday its plans to have an EPG (Energy Performance Guide) on each of its U.S. homes by the end of this month, and other production builders plan to follow.

"This is a game changer... Once it's out there, everyone will do it," says Jeffrey Mezger, the company' CEO. He says consumers will now understand that KB's homes, all of which meet Energy Star standards, will "perform better than resales down the street."

The push for an MPG-like label comes as U.S. home builders seek a competitive edge against low-price foreclosures, and as the U.S. government develops an efficiency score for existing homes. ...to read entire article...click here

Residential Energy Efficiency Contractors Turn Out in Numbers for the Colorado Energy Efficiency Summit

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 08:19:08 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 1, 2010

CONTACT Erika Gibson, 303-866-2401, erika.gibson@state.co.us
Todd Hartman, 303-866-2262, todd.hartman@state.co.us

Residential Energy Efficiency Contractors Turn Out in Numbers for the Colorado Energy Efficiency Summit

Nearly 200 residential energy efficiency contractors attended this week’s first-ever Colorado Energy Efficiency Summit event on September 29^th. The early-morning crowd took in presentations from a panel of residential energy efficiency business and policy experts at the event organized and presented by the Energy Efficiency Business Coalition, in partnership with the Governor’s Energy Office and Xcel Energy. Hosted by Xcel Energy at the company’s new downtown Denver headquarters at 1800 Larimer, the half-day summit event was proposed and supported through the efforts of the Colorado Retrofit Energy Efficiency Working Group (REEWG), a coalition of professionals engaged in the creation and promotion of programs serving all facets of the energy efficiency business community in the state of Colorado.

“We were incredibly pleased with the turnout and overall response to this event from the energy efficiency community in general and from the residential energy efficiency contractor community in particular,” said Shane Flansburg, Executive Director of the Energy Efficiency Business Coalition. “This event was designed to speak to the unique needs of contractors and set a precedent for highly-targeted events full of actionable information for our key stakeholder groups. The EEBC, with the support of the REEWG, intends to replicate the success of this event in additional sessions for the contractor community and through similar events for other distinct sub-groups in the energy efficiency community.”

The half-day summit included presentations on current rebates available through Xcel Energy, the Governor's Energy Office and other local utilities and municipalities, updates on the statewide effort to develop energy efficiency financing mechanisms, the addition of "Green Features" listings on the MLS, as well as updates on HOMESTAR, the Boulder and Denver Better Buildings Programs, and other policy issues affecting residential contractors and the residential energy efficiency industry. The event concluded with a special program on sales strategies for contractors working directly with consumers, in order to empower them to be more profitable in their contracting business this fall and winter while promoting consumer awareness and understanding of the value of residential energy efficiency improvements.

More information can be obtained by contacting the Energy Efficiency Business Coalition at events@eebco.org.

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EEBC Members Highlighted in Contractor Magazine article

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:54:05 GMT

A few EEBC members were recently profiled in a Contractor Magazine on Home Performance contracting.

Read the entire article here