March 2024 State Updates

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BPA State Updates

Arizona – Energy efficiency contractors joined the Office of Resiliency in Tucson, AZ for our second Contractor Roundtable Discussion of the year. Attendees addressed their priorities and gave feedback on the IRA rebate and workforce training grants. Be on the lookout for more events like these in the future.

Kentucky – Earlier this month, Kentucky BPA hosted a full-day energy efficiency meeting in Lexington. Weatherization agencies, contractors, and businesses and their employees gathered for a full day of networking and informative discussions surrounding programs including Kentucky’s TREC Grant application, Registered Apprenticeship opportunities, federal rebates, and more. Read our recap of the day’s discussions.

Maine – Maine BPA recently hosted a webinar on pathways to energy efficiency apprenticeships. The webinar detailed the importance and benefits of apprenticeship programs, how organizations in Maine can go about developing one, and next steps for those interested in becoming an apprentice. Read our recap and watch the recording.

On March 4, Maine BPA also collaborated with MaineHousing to administer the Building Science Principles Certificate of Knowledge course & exam to 25 individuals, all costs covered. Be on the lookout for more certification training opportunities like these in the future.

New Mexico – BPA has joined forces with the City of Las Cruces Sustainability Office to support and amplify the efforts of the Plugged In for Good initiative funded in part by the Buildings Up Prize awarded to the city in late 2023. BPA will kick off efforts on this project in late March to gather existing industry assets and identify where resources need to be incorporated to meet specific capacity growth and offer quality employment opportunities to disadvantaged workers.

Puerto Rico – BPA staff attended Puerto Rico’s Energy Week hosted by Advanced Energy Group (AEG). The week consisted of multiple site visits to rural communities that have developed community microgrids that support local businesses, hospitals, schools, churches and other facilities that provide necessary resources to its residents. BPA’s involvement focuses on advocacy for workforce development efforts to include electricians, HVAC installers, weatherization contractors, and more. BPA is also assisting in the creation of a task force with leaders of the Castañer Microgrid project, which sustained during Hurricane Fiona when the rest of the grid went down. The task force will determine how to replicate this model for other communities to enable increased resiliency during extreme weather events.

West Virginia – West Virginia-BPA will host a webinar next week on Pathways to Energy Efficiency Apprenticeships. Hear from our partners at Coalfield Development and Everblue about certification training opportunities in West Virginia. Learn more and register.

Utah – BPA happily welcomes its newest ally, Utah Clean Energy. For over 20 years, Utah Clean Energy has spearheaded some of the most far-reaching and impactful climate and clean energy policies in Utah. They are recognized as one of Utah’s leading public interest organizations, successfully expanding renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric transportation, and climate leadership in Utah. Check out our full list of allies.

Sign Up to Be an Affiliate Volunteer in Your State!

As BPA expands its work across the U.S., we are seeking individuals to help lead our State Affiliate Programs. If you are interested in being a lead organizer or volunteer to help support BPA’s efforts in your state, sign up today!

State Industry News

Arizona – The AZ Office of Resiliency (OOR) has received its early administrative funding through the DOE funded Home Energy Rebate Programs and is preparing the full funding application. $153,289,800 has been allocated for consumer rebates and program administration. $3,520,476 has been awarded in funding. Learn more about AZ efficiency rebates.

Colorado – The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) has received $3.5M in early administrative funding for the Home Energy Rebate Programs with a total allocation of $140.38M for both programs. CEO is currently developing the rebate programs that will provide funding for income-qualified Colorado homeowners and renters to improve home energy efficiency and upgrade to electric appliances. Learn more about Colorado’s IRA tax credits and incentives.

Delaware – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Division of Climate, Coastal, and Energy has applied for and received $1.64M in early administrative funding for both HOMES and HEAR out of a total allocation for both programs of $65.86M. Learn more and to subscribe to updates.

Georgia – Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) has applied for and received $5M in early administrative funds for both HOMES and HEAR out of a total allocation for both programs of $218.99M. Learn more about Georgia Home Energy Rebates. 

Kentucky – The Kentucky Office of Energy Policy has applied for and received $3.35M for early administrative funding for both HOMES and HEAR, out of a total allocation for both programs of $134.24M. Learn more about IRA Resources.

Maine – The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) has been allocated a total of $71.66M and is working with Efficiency Maine and MaineHousing to determine how to best utilize these funds. Learn more about Maine home energy rebates.

Michigan – Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has applied for and received $5M in early administrative funding for both programs, out of a total allocation for both programs of $211.19M. EGLE has announced that they are targeting to open home energy rebates applications in the Fall of 2024. EGLE is hosting in-person and virtual input sessions to prepare for federal Home Energy Rebate funding through March and April. Learn more about the info sessions.

Montana – The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MTDEQ) has released an RFP for their state Home Energy Rebate programs. The selected vendor will provide both program design and implementation of the programs. The RFP closes on May 2, 2024, at 2pm Mountain. MTDEQ is aiming to have a contract complete by June 7, 2024, and have complete DOE approval of both program design and Implementation Blueprint by November 15, 2024. You must register as a vendor to review the entire posting, and the key documents are attached here. The Montana procurement site may be accessed here – use keyword “energy” to find the posting.

Nevada – The Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy (GOE) issued an RFP for a Needs Assessment for implementation in November 2023; GOE plans to issue a second RFP for “program development and implementation” in Spring 2024. GOE anticipates the rebate programs in Nevada will become available to the public in late 2024 or early 2025.

GOE has applied for early administrative funding, but has not yet received these funds from DOE with a total allocation for both programs of $96.12M. Learn more and subscribe to notifications.

National Industry News

DOE – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a list of resources to help state and territorial energy offices (SEOs) apply for and implement the Home Energy Rebates.

Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events

National Home Performance Conference & Trade Show – BPA’s 2024 National Home Performance Conference & Trade Show is just around the corner! Join us in Minneapolis April 8 – 11th. Our annual conference brings together thousands of contractors, weatherization professionals, trainers, program administrators, energy auditors, and others working in residential energy efficiency for the latest industry education.