November 2023 State Updates

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Click here to find the latest updates, projects, federal funding info, and events in your state!

BPA State Outreach Updates

Delaware – The BPA team continued working with Charles Kistler and Harold Stafford of Help Initiative, Inc.on the next steps and plans for work on a Registered Apprenticeship Program. Additionally, continued work is being done on the state’s Needs Assessment.

Kentucky – BPA and the Kentucky Affiliate group met with the State Energy Office to discuss distribution of the in-process Needs Assessment being created to better understand the challenges and barriers that exist for energy efficiency. The Needs Assessment survey will remain open until Friday, December 15. If you are an individual working in the home performance sector in Kentucky, submit your responses here.

New Hampshire – BPA’s Director of Outreach Xavier Walter met with BPA Allies from the New Hampshire Residential Energy Performance Association (REPA) and met with the State Energy Office staff about possible Registered Apprenticeship offerings. Additionally, he spoke to 50 high school students about energy efficiency and weatherization as part of a Weatherization Day event.

Pennsylvania – Thank you to everyone who attended our meeting on November 21st. In addition to informative presentations from guest speakers, we discussed hiring challenges and tips, various financial resources to help you develop and grow your business, and necessary skillsets for energy industry workers. If you are a contractor, please take 5 minutes to complete this survey to assist us in researching and developing effective resources for contractors in your state. The Pennsylvania group meets quarterly. Want to join the next one? Be on the lookout for the next invitation.

Join Your State Affiliate
As a state Affiliate member, you’ll gain access to valuable resources on federal funding, rebates, and state workforce programs. You’ll also enjoy exclusive benefits like member-only webinars, conference discounts, and more! And if there isn’t an affiliate in your state, don’t worry–you can still join BPA national and experience the same access and benefits.

View our membership levels and sign up today!

What’s Catching Our Attention

Funding

National – The U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office (BTO) announced its Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) 2024 funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0003158). This funding opportunity will invest up to $30 million across 9 topic areas to research, develop, and validate technologies with the potential to significantly advance building decarbonization. Learn more.The U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office (BTO) announced its Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) 2024 funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0003158). This funding opportunity will invest up to $30 million across 9 topic areas to research, develop, and validate technologies with the potential to significantly advance building decarbonization. Learn more.

Nevada – The Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy (GOE) recently released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Home Energy Rebate programs.This RFP is specifically to “conduct a needs assessment for the state, which will determine the most successful attributes a program administrator should offer, as well as attributes ideal for successful program design.” The deadline to submit is December 13, 2023, at 2pm PT. View the RFP here and see the GOE rebates landing page here for more information.

Programs

Maine – Efficiency Maine Trust is requesting comments on its Triennium VI Energy Efficiency Plan, which will run from 2026 to 2028. Efficiency Maine would like to hear any comments on implementation strategies, budgets, and metrics for the Trust to consider as it develops its next three-year plan (Triennial Plan VI) for the period spanning fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028. Interested parties will also have the opportunity to participate in stakeholder meetings and to submit comments on the draft plan when it is released in summer 2024. Participants are requested to submit comments by December 12, 2023.

Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania is searching for service providers to administer its Multifamily Weatherization Assistance Program. The goal of this program is to provide a cost-effective approach to lowering operating expenses, maintaining affordability, and creating healthier, more comfortable living environments for low-income families living in buildings with 5 or more units. The application period will open on January 22, 2024 and will close on March 21, 2024. Applicants must apply electronically through the Electronic Single Application for Assistance system located at https://www.esa.dced.state.pa.us. Additional information regarding the program can be found here.

Opportunities

Scale Your Success with Apprenticeships

BPA is working within the ACE Network—a consortium of apprenticeship specialists—that is ready to extend its expertise to clean energy companies, training providers, academic institutions, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders throughout the process of designing, registering, implementing, and scaling Registered Apprenticeships for clean energy occupations. Learn more and take the first steps to establish a Registered Apprenticeship Program customized to meet your business needs.

Explore New Certificate of Knowledge

The Total Building Performance (TBP) Certificate of Knowledge, a new credential from Building Performance Institute to promote deep energy retrofits, is available now. The TBP will show that workers have the knowledge to plan, assist, and guide residential deep energy retrofit projects to reduce energy consumption by 50% or more.

The TBP covers 8 areas of knowledge needed for a deep energy retrofit. It offers a solid base of knowledge for certificate holders to develop a new line of business and establish trust with customers. The pilot exam is free to the first 500 candidates. Learn More & Apply to Take the Pilot Exam ›

Events

Save the date for The Clean Energy for Homes Conference & Trade Show, hosted February 13-14, 2024, in Saratoga Springs, New York. This two-day event provides regional education for those working in the state of New York and in surrounding states. In addition, a trade show with local and national exhibitors will run on both days of the event.

Register Now!
New York Residents Can Save $100 on Your Registration, courtesy of our host sponsor, NYSERDA. Click here for more information.