January 2025 State Updates

Looking for the latest industry updates in your state and across the nation? Here are our newest and noteworthy updates from January 2025.

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

State Industry News

Arizona – The Building Performance Association (BPA) invites Arizona contractors to attend a webinar on Tuesday, February 11th at 9am MT to discuss the latest details of the Home Energy Rebate programs. 

In this webinar, we will provide the latest updates on the HOMES & HEAR programs. HOMES & HEAR will assist Arizonans, particularly low and moderate-income Arizonans, in improving the energy efficiency of their homes, reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution, and saving money on energy bills. These programs present an opportunity for contractors and homeowners to accelerate energy efficiency projects across the state. We will also leave time to answer questions. Register here.

Maine – On January 17, 2025 the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) submitted a strategic plan for the state to advance affordable, reliable, and clean energy for Maine’s people and economy. The Energy Plan highlights the significant progress Maine has made toward achieving its energy goals to date, including investing in energy-efficient technologies saving Maine people money and expanding homegrown clean energy to boost the state’s energy independence. Download the plan here.

Michigan – The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is offering grant funding in its continued support for event sponsorships and other training activities that provide Michigan businesses, communities, and citizens with information to make informed decarbonization decisions. Any Michigan-based organization is eligible to apply. The primary focus of the event must be related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and/or sustainability. Learn how you can apply here.

Additionally, EGLE is hosting a series of listening sessions beginning in February on the MI Solar for All Program. The program will support residential and community solar deployment to serve low-income Michiganders (defined as households earning no more than 80% of area median income or 200% of the federal poverty level, whichever is higher), with a goal of providing participants an average 20% reduction in electricity bills. Learn more and register for the listening sessions here.

Oregon – The Oregon Department of Energy will host a hybrid in-person and virtual information session on January 31, 2025, from 10 am – 12 pm, to present modeling results of several possible scenarios for reaching Oregon’s energy objectives. The session will take place at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and a virtual option will be made available.

This info session is an opportunity for Oregonians to learn more about the Oregon Energy Strategy effort and view results of a pathways analysis that will provide the foundation for the next step of developing the strategy. Learn more here.

National Industry News

Home Energy Rebates Progress Tracker is Updated

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has updated its home energy rebates progress tracker to include which states have been awarded funding. Check the status of your state here.

BPA Partner News & Updates

Energy Efficiency Alliance (EEA) – EEA is hosting a webinar on February 12, 2025, at 2 pm ET about New Jersey’s Clean Energy Act Benchmarking program and how owners can prepare to comply with the 2024 requirement. The program requires owners of commercial buildings over 25,000 square feet to benchmark energy and water use. Measuring building performance is a key step toward achieving valuable energy savings and improved tenant satisfaction–but it can be daunting to get started. This webinar will explain: Why benchmark? Who has to comply? How do I get help? And, importantly: What’s the benefit for my building? Learn more and register here.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) – State and local governments are rolling out new funding and training programs for building efficiency and trades, and it is essential that these opportunities are accessible and attractive to contractors. NREL is conducting a 10-minute survey to gain insights into contractors’ perceptions and approaches to worker hiring, training, and upskilling. Your participation will help decision makers ensure that the training programs available are responsive to industry needs and constraints. Please complete the survey by the end of January. Take the survey here.