July 2024 State Updates

Looking for the latest industry updates in your state and across the nation? Here are our newest and noteworthy updates from July 2024.

Click here to find your state and see the latest updates, projects, federal funding information, and events.

BPA State Updates

Arizona – Earlier this month, The Department of Energy (DOE) approved and awarded Arizona’s $78.2 million grant application for the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR). The Office of Resiliency also announced the selection of their program implementer, Resource Innovations, who will support the office in developing the final program details.

The Building Performance Association (BPA) will host a webinar for Arizona contractors on August 20th at 8:30 am (Arizona time). We will provide the latest updates on the HOMES & HEAR programs, including how contractors can prepare for them. Learn more and register.

Pennsylvania – Last month, BPA hosted a virtual info session for home performance and energy efficiency contractors in Pennsylvania. The meeting included presentations from guests about Pennsylvania’s Home Energy Rebate Programs, Training Residential Energy Contractors (TREC) application, and the Keystone Energy Efficiency Program (KEEP) Home Energy Loan. Check out the recap.

Virginia – Virginia Works recently approved BPA as a sponsor for the Energy Specialist Registered Apprenticeship. For more information on starting an apprenticeship program at your organization in Virginia, please contact Brook Vernon at bvernon@building-performance.org.

State Industry News

Colorado – The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) announced the award of a major federal grant, amounting to nearly $200 million, aimed at reducing climate pollution and promoting sustainability across the region. The grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will fund an ambitious and comprehensive regional program to transform the building sector in Denver, with focused investment in underserved low-income and disadvantaged communities. Read the press release.

Georgia – The State Energy Program is looking to provide funding through a mini grant program. These grants can be used for various projects to help lower energy usage, reduce emissions, and promote energy efficiency. Please complete this survey to provide feedback and guidance on programs you would be interested in seeing the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) fund.

New Hampshire – The New Hampshire Department of Energy released an RFP to implement the state’s HEAR program. Proposals are due September 10 at 12 pm EST. View the RFP.

North Carolina – The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold a virtual public input session on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 6:30 pm to solicit community feedback on the proposed Home Energy Rebates programs. Register here.

Ohio – The Ohio Department of Development announced the launch of a statewide stakeholder engagement effort that will support the planning, design, and implementation of the new Ohio Home Energy Savings Program. This outreach effort will include a series of informal, in-person sessions in communities across the state, as well as two live webinars for interested Ohioans to learn more about the program and provide insight on how it can best serve their needs. Read the announcement and learn about the info sessions.

Oregon – Earlier this month, the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) announced $4 million in available funding for the Oregon Rental Home Heat Pump Program following an additional investment by the Oregon Legislature. As of July 24, 2024, all program funding has been fully reserved for heat pump projects in Oregon and ODOE is no longer accepting applications. ODOE states that they will not know about the potential for additional state funds for the program until the next legislative session, which begins in February 2025. They expect to be able to re-open the program in 2025 when some federal funding becomes available. Please sign up for future email updates about the program to stay informed.

Other Industry News

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) – ACEEE has published a white paper that provides an overview of states with utility energy codes programs and models for crediting utilities for the associated energy savings. The paper also highlights opportunities for expanding utility energy codes programs to support emerging BPS policies and steps that may be required to do so effectively. Learn more and download the white paper.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) – DOE has introduced new resources to aid in the execution of the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program and has refreshed several existing resources to assist states and territories in the application, design, and implementation of their Home Energy Rebate initiatives. Learn more.

Additionally, on July 18, 2024, the DOE announced awards totaling $52 million for a broad range of small businesses in 39 states through the DOE Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. Read the announcement.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – EPA announced 25 selected applications for over $4.3 billion in grants to implement community-driven solutions to the climate crisis, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate America’s clean energy transition. The selected applications will fund state, local, and Tribal entities located in 30 states. Learn more.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) – On behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), NREL is requesting assistance from Multifamily Energy Auditors and Multifamily Quality Control Inspectors for the Multifamily Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector Job-Task Analyses (JTAs). This spring, a group of subject matter experts updated the competencies of the Multifamily Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector JTAs to assure quality and relevance to what the professional does on a daily basis. The next step is to conduct an industry study to validate the updated JTAs. NREL requests participation in the validation study by August 5, 2024. Responses will be kept confidential. Click here to participate in the Multifamily Energy Auditor JTA Validation Study. Click here to participate in the Multifamily Quality Control Inspector JTA Validation Study.

BPA Partner Events

Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) will host its 2024 Southeast Energy Summit November 20 – 22 in Nashville, TN. Learn more and register.

Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEEA), and Energy Efficiency Alliance of New Jersey (EEA-NJ)’s Policy Conference will be held September 17–18, 2024, in King of Prussia, PA. This year’s theme is Policy in Action. Learn more and register.

The Resilience and Equity in the Clean Energy Sector Summit (RECESS24) by Walker-Miller Energy Services will be held September 9–11, 2024, in Detroit, MI. This conference will help advance equity for Black and Brown people by creating an on ramp into the rapidly transitioning clean energy economy, showcasing experts, ideas, technologies, and connections to help drive the benefits of participation to those who have been historically excluded. Learn more and register.