HR&A Advisors’ Post

With states and localities set to receive billions of dollars for residential energy upgrades from the Inflation Reduction Act and other sources, the new R2E2 Playbook aims to help ensure that disadvantaged communities and local governments have guidance to leverage these dollars with energy upgrade programs that are community-led, easy to use, and use best practices. The Playbook outlines 12 key actions to help programs lower utility bills, cut pollution, advance racial equity, improve health outcomes, and build local economies. “Unaffordable energy bills, uncomfortable or even dangerous indoor temperatures, and the impacts of climate change disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color. But underserved communities often have the least access to the resources needed to bring home energy upgrades to vulnerable residents,” said Ian Becker, project lead for the Playbook and Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity manager at ACEEE. “Community-based organizations and local governments nationwide are ready to meet this challenge, and the R2E2 Playbook is designed to help them implement innovative programs that center community priorities and improve quality of life.” https://lnkd.in/ezkE_WAE

So many are struggling with the cost of energy, more acutely during extreme weather to boot. While acknowledging energy inefficient housing is an environmental, economic and health issue is pretty straightforward, pathways to improved efficiency across a variety of housing types, particularly tenant occupied spaces, is complex and nuanced. This is a great resource for understanding the layers of barriers, contributing factors of energy burden, and considerations, paired with resonant examples of how to tear those barriers down and deliver greater energy equity to vulnerable residents. Great work The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)!

🌟 Weighing the Pros and Cons of Energy Legislation 🌟 Rhode Island recently took a monumental step toward a green future with the Energy Storage Systems Act. This state-level initiative aims to make clean energy more accessible and affordable. 🌍💡 While celebrating this achievement, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons. The work is urgent, but if not well thought out, it could cause harm. Here's the way I see it... Benefits: Grid Stability: Stores excess energy during low demand, ensuring a reliable grid and reducing blackouts. Renewable Integration: Enables consistent supply by storing excess wind and solar energy. Economic Growth: Creates jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. Reduced Fossil Fuels: Decreases greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Cost Savings: Reduces the need for expensive peak power plants. Energy Independence: Enhances security by reducing reliance on imported fuels. Challenges: High Initial Costs: Significant investment needed for deployment. Technical Limits: Issues with lifespan, efficiency, and capacity of storage technologies. Environmental Concerns: Impacts from production and disposal of batteries. Regulatory Barriers: Outdated regulations and market resistance. Grid Complexity: Requires advanced management and infrastructure upgrades. Equity Issues: Risk of uneven benefits distribution. Despite these challenges, the Energy Storage Systems Act is crucial to a healthier and safer environment for all. Kudos to my home state, Rhode Island, for consistently leading the way! 🌱⚡ #GoRhody#CleanEnergy #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #GreenFuture #EnergyStorage #EnvironmentalLeadership #RhodeIsland #ClimateAction

CASE STUDY How did Bracknell Forest Council save thousands on energy costs? Find out the answer here... THE PROBLEM: “With an eye on our environmental policy to reduce carbon emissions every year by 5 per cent, every project is scrutinised and assessed before it goes ahead. For example, if a community centre needed a heating upgrade, we’d need to assess the energy efficiency side of it. So, without access to the energy data you are essentially making these decisions in the dark.” THE ANSWER: Access to Stark's Half Hourly data for their gas and electricity portfolio in Stark ID analytics platform. “I now use Stark ID and find it easy to work with. All our utilities are in one place and the data is collected regularly.” “I use the exception alerts to identify actions needed, for example, it can highlight a situation that has arisen, such as the BMS kicking in due to frost protection.” THE RESULT: With a portfolio of sites ranging from libraries and schools to sports centres and office buildings, Bracknell Forest Council were able to confidently greenlight projects, saving over £72,853 in their energy spend across 4 years. Read the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/eJ-CnshQ #greenbusiness #sustainability #energymanagement #decarbonisation

▶ R2E2 Launches Playbook for Energy Upgrades in Affordable Housing ▶ This new R2E2 Playbook is slated to help communities tap vast federal funds to address poorly insulated and energy-inefficient homes that leave millions of families with unnecessarily high energy bills. The Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity (R2E2) Playbook is designed to help local governments and community-based organizations implement programs for low- and moderate-income homes to reduce energy use and utility bills, cut pollution, and improve health and comfort. R2E2 is a partnership of The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Elevate , Emerald Cities Collaborative, and HR&A Advisors. It provides guidance to local officials, community leaders, and program administrators on energy upgrade financing models, economic inclusion, navigating the complexities of the affordable housing sector, program design, and engaging with communities to ensure programs reflect community needs. To read the press release online, visit:  https://lnkd.in/gB2i45jK.

Remarkable advancements in technology and systems for residential energy efficiency have emerged over the past several years. With the potential to address energy inequality and curb greenhouse gas emissions, residential energy efficiency is more crucial than ever. New regulations and standards are leading the way: https://bit.ly/3LPRJff #utilities #energyefficiency #energytransition

Massachusetts is preparing its 2025-2027 Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plan to enhance the Mass Save incentives to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The plan proposes installing 115,000 heat pump units, with less than 20,000 for low-income households. Advocates urge increasing this number and simplifying the eligibility process. Emphasizing distributive justice, the plan should ensure all communities have access to energy-saving solutions, making the process understandable and inclusive. #EnergyEfficiency #ClimateJustice #Massachusetts Link to the full story below: https://bit.ly/4e622ZF ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Neeeco increases energy savings by making your homes energy-efficient. 🏠 ✅

You may be familiar with the "three-legged stool" of utility business model reform to support energy efficiency. Now introducing the "four-legged table” of building decarbonization policy! States are advancing new policies to decarbonize buildings that go beyond traditional tools like energy codes and utility efficiency programs. Our new brief with @NEEPEnergy and @RegAssistProj offers: * Comprehensive Policy Framework: Four legs of the building decarbonization table (equity & workforce, carbon reduction obligations, codes & standards, utility planning and regulation) * Case Studies & Key Principles: Guidance for state decision-makers to develop effective decarbonization strategies. Learn more about how states can set the table for success in building decarbonization: https://lnkd.in/eXeFP8W6  #ClimateAction #BuildingDecarbonization #Sustainability #PolicyFramework #DecarbTable

Climative in action! Read below how Climative supports key sections of the Checklist for Best Practices for Program Administrators on pages 6-9. #AIforsocialgood #energyequity #energypoverty #energybills #energypolicy

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