Regional News Briefs
2021 Archives
December
Arizona Governor approves newest Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) for low-income housing tax credits including improvements for energy efficiency
The Arizona Department of Housing has published the recent Governor approved QAP for construction of affordable multifamily buildings using low-income housing tax credits as a financial mechanism. The newest QAP for 2022 and 2023 includes some improvements to energy efficiency. Energy efficiency requirements were included to allow optional compliance for energy efficiency with Enterprise Green Communities 2020 program, LEED Silver or higher, and additional credits for constructing via the Department of Energy's Zero Energy Readying Home program and the Passive House Institute US.
Also added to the list of mandatory requirements include higher efficiency for air conditioning, heat pumps, and minimum requirements of the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code when specific mechanical equipment is part of the design and construction. Specific building infrastructure requirements for electric vehicles (EVs) are not specified in the QAP, but the financing mechanism now allows funding use for EV-ready parking spaces benefiting future occupants and affordable home builders.
SWEEP's Caryn Potter and Jim Meyers worked across multiple drafts and gathered support from key stakeholders in Arizona to advance energy efficiency for the occupants of the newly constructed housing.
The Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City adopts innovative policy to advance clean air and climate solutions
The Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City (SLC RDA) helps to fund building projects – including affordable housing projects – in Salt Lake City, and the RDA just took a huge step forward to promote and encourage the use of cutting edge sustainable building practices. Utah Clean Energy provided key technical assistance to RDA staff on the development of the core structure and elements of the RDA’s Sustainable Development Policy.
On December 14, the RDA Board approved an updated Sustainable Development Policy that will guide how the RDA provides incentives to projects that meet three new clean air and sustainability guidelines: ultra-energy efficient design, 100% electric and fossil fuel-free, and net zero energy. Buildings that are ultra-efficient, all electric, and net zero are an important step toward cleaning Utah’s air and protecting the state’s long-term public health.
To learn more about the RDA’s new Sustainable Development Policy update you can read the press release, a summary fact sheet, or the entire Policy.
Utah policy proposal for electric ready and climate friendly homes
As Utah policymakers grapple with air quality and climate change, a new solution has just been submitted to the Utah Uniform Building Code Commission (UBCC) requiring new homes to be built “electric ready.” This is the first time an electric ready code has been considered by the State of Utah. If adopted, the change would improve access to technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs) and efficient electric heat pumps that reduce air pollution while increasing energy affordability for households.
“Utah residents consistently rank poor air quality among their highest concerns and identify clean air as an important policy priority in the state,” stated Kevin Emerson, the Director of Building Efficiency & Decarbonization at Utah Clean Energy (UCE), a longtime SWEEP partner organization. “Especially when we recognize that Utah is the fastest growing state in the country, new construction codes are a sensible avenue to help address clean air at the same time as the state considers improvements for energy conservation in new construction.”
The proposed electric ready standard would require electrical capacity, wiring, and outlets in new homes for HVAC equipment, water heaters, cooking and clothes drying appliances, and EV chargers.
As much of the state struggles to meet federal air quality standards, a move towards more electric homes and transportation can help address a wide range of local pollution sources. Indoor air quality can also be improved as electric cooktops and stoves displace gas options that are increasingly recognized as a public health burden.
The electric ready proposal was co-submitted to the Utah UBCC by Utah Clean Energy and the Salt Lake City Building Services Department. Numerous cities, counties, and towns in the state along with private businesses and developers have weighed in to support the proposal and others are encouraged to voice their opinions on the proposal.
Read the full press release here. Full details of the Electric Ready code application and letters of support are here.
October
SWEEP's Neil Kolwey joins the Beneficial Advisory League's Advisory Council
SWEEP Industrial Program Director Neil Kolwey has joined the Beneficial Advisory League's (BEL) inaugural Advisory Council. BEL's Advisory Council will be made up of individuals with varying perspectives across the beneficial electrification landscape. The Council will assist with developing strategies and recommendations on how BEL can execute upon its mission and help guide beneficial electrification efforts on a national scale. In the Spring of 2021, BEL funded five projects that focus on the electrification of agricultural operations and/or electrification benefiting low income or underserved communities. Since then, BEL has initiated four additional projects — case studies and key takeaways will be shared on the BEL website upon project completion. Kolwey is currenty co-leading BEL's Colorado chapter (BELO-CO) and helped develop its new Love Electric website, which aims to accelerate the adoption of heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and other efficient electric technologies in homes and businesses across Colorado. Love Electric launched earlier this year.
August
U.S. Energy Secretary visits Albuquerque energy efficiency project
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, Senator Martin Heinrich, and Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury joined the Community Energy Efficiency (CEE) Project on August 18, 2021 to kick off the low-income energy efficiency and electrification project in the International District of Albuquerque. The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), Prosperity Works, and Energy Works are partnering on this project which provides energy audits and then free efficiency upgrades and electrification as needed to low-income homes in frontline communities. The Albuquerque City Council allocated funds to this project, which utilizes a capital stacking model to maximize services to each home by implementing all free services from utility energy efficiency projects and other community resources and then using the City funds to complete measures that are not available through existing programs.
The kickoff was in the Casa Shalom community housing area where 13 households will receive efficiency upgrades and electrification services. Each unit will receive services identified in the energy audit. For example, the first unit will be receiving insulation, a heat pump, a tankless electric water heater, a new refrigerator, and LED lighting.
Speakers at the event included the Secretary of Energy, Senator Heinrich, Representative Stansbury, Ona Porter with Prosperity Works, Tammy Fiebelkorn with SWEEP, and Joanne Garcia with Energy Works.
View the CEE Project overview. View the CEE Project Capital Stacking overview. Watch the news conference.
July
Seven Southwest organizations (and one university) will receive funding to advance technology and educate the workforce that will benefit Americans and lower their utility bills
The U.S. Department of Energy is funding seven organizations in the SWEEP region to benefit American consumers by lowering utility bills and educating the existing and upcoming workforce to support more efficient, electrified, and grid connected buildings. Total funding for all 44 competitively selected projects is nearly $83 million.
SWEEP is participating in one of the projects (AESP) and worked with the state of New Mexico (EMNRD) to develop their proposal for workforce education for their new energy code.
There are three technology focused efforts for building enclosure research, development of new technology and validation in the field:
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Alpen High-Performance Products Inc. (Louisville, Colorado) will demonstrate fabrication of highly efficient, great than R-6, dynamic windows with economies of scale that can reduce pricing.
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ynt Technologies (Boulder, Colorado) will also support more efficient windows and develop market-ready dynamic windows with a new process that is much cheaper than current dynamic window manufacturing methods and could reduce the price of these windows by 50%.
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University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, Colorado) is the third Colorado organization to work on highly efficient window solutions. Their technology could lead windows to have insulating values equal to conventional walls, allowing buildings to take advantage of daylighting without increased heating or cooling costs.
Four organizations are focused on educating the workforce to support growth in solar energy, grid-interactive buildings, heating and cooling equipment technicians with electric heat pumps and educating the construction industry on new highly efficient energy codes:
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The Architectural Solar Association (Boulder, Colorado) plans to develop continuing education programs for the design and construction industry to integrate solar into buildings. The program will connect solar and building industry stakeholders to promote solar innovation and deployment.
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The Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) (Phoenix, Arizona) will develop online course work on grid-interactive technologies, energy efficiency demand flexibility, and deliver the course work via online courses to demand management professionals. SWEEP and the other REEOs are participating to support workforce education of this industry.
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International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology (ICAST) (Lakewood, Colorado) will develop a new curriculum to train heating and cooling equipment technicians in the design, installation, and maintenance of cold climate air source heat pumps. ICAST’s focus is to improve energy efficiency in affordable existing residential and small commercial buildings.
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The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) (Santa Fe, New Mexico) and the state of New Mexico adopted the 2018 IECC energy code recently. Their project will develop, deliver, and evaluate continuing education and training on the 2018 IECC. The training project allows New Mexico’s energy workforce to adapt to the new policies and support the increasing demand for energy-efficiency technologies.
SWEEP is excited to see these seven Southwestern U.S. organizations advance building technologies to increased efficiency levels and cost effective and affordable. And the four projects to educate the workforce to construct highly efficient new and existing buildings.
June
SWEEP Buildings Program Director Jim Meyers appointed to ICC Residential International Energy Conservation Code Committee
Jim Meyers, Buildings Program Director for SWEEP, has been appointed by the International Code Council (ICC) Board of Directors to the new Residential International Energy Conservation Code Standards Committee. The committee will be responsible for developing the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). He will serve a three-year term.
Jim has participated in previous code development committees and code action committees for ICC as well as numerous code development committee across SWEEPs six state region at the state and local level and as a member of state and regional ICC chapters.
The ICC has recently changed the development process for the IECC to a standards-based process while also changing the energy code intent to include zero energy buildings, a pathway to zero by 2030 and opportunities to include additional criteria such as decarbonization and electrification.
Jim was one of 350 applicants who applied to participate in the two energy code committees. SWEEP is honored to be selected and participate in the development of the 2024 IECC.
May
Colorado Senate approves legislation to advance beneficial electrification in buildings
On May 12, 2021, the Colorado Senate approved SB21-246. Lead sponsor of the bill is Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder), the Senate Majority leader. The bill directs regulated electric utilities to:
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develop plans to help customers replace gas- and propane-fueled equipment with high efficiency heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction cooktops, and other electric equipment;
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include programs targeted to income-qualified households in beneficial electrification plans;
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implement beneficial electrification plans approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC); and
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report on the impacts of beneficial electrification programs annually.
SB21-246 also directs the PUC to set longer term targets for utility beneficial electrification programs. In addition, the bill includes labor standards for beneficial electrification project implemented in larger commercial buildings with direct utility support.
SWEEP estimates that SB21-246 will lead to the installation of over 300,000 high efficiency heat pumps and heat pump water heaters in homes and commercial buildings by 2030. This in turn should cut natural gas and propane use by more than 20 billion cubic feet per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 1 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent annually by 2030. The bill, which now moves on to the Colorado House, is supported by the Colorado Energy Office and a wide range of consumer, business, environmental, public health, and labor organizations.
Click here for a copy of our fact sheet on SB21-246.
Colorado House approves legislation to expand natural gas energy efficiency programs
On May 5, 2021, the Colorado House approved HB21-1238. Lead sponsors of the bill are Representative Tracey Bernett (D-Longmont) and Representative Chris Kennedy (D-Lakewood). The bill directs the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to:
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Establish energy savings targets for gas utility energy efficiency programs based on the maximum cost-effective and achievable level of energy savings;
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ensure that gas utilities devote at least 25 percent of residential program expenditures to programs or measures targeted to income-qualified households;
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include the social cost of carbon and methane emissions in the cost effectiveness analysis of natural gas energy efficiency programs;
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discount future customer costs and utility bill savings recognized by customers at the long-term rate of inflation rather than at the utility’s cost of capital; and
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approve natural gas revenue-sales decoupling if this policy is proposed by a regulated gas utility.
HB21-1238 should lead to new and expanded energy efficiency programs implemented by Colorado’s four regulated gas utilities, which in turn will help customers realize greater gas savings and lower utility bills. SWEEP estimates that gas customers will realize net economic benefits of around $600-700 million from energy efficiency programs implemented during 2022-30 if HB21-1238 is enacted. In addition, the bill should cut greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado by about 300,000 tons of CO2-equivalent in 2025 and 800,000 tons in 2030. The bill, which now moves on to the Colorado Senate, is supported by the Colorado Energy Office and a wide range of consumer, business, environmental, clean energy advocacy, and labor organizations.
April
Albuquerque's updated Climate Action Plan
The City of Albuquerque has released its updated Climate Action Plan (CAP). This is the first update to the plan in over a decade. The community-driven plan was developed by 19 members of the community who served on the Climate Action Task Force. The plan focuses on various issue areas including sustainable buildings, renewable energy, transportation, and economic development. The CAP process was equity-focused and resulted in many strategies to ensure that the benefits of our State and local climate goals will reach low-income, frontline communities.
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Several energy efficiency strategies are included in the CAP:
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Increased low-income energy efficiency programs and services;
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Timely updates to the City’s Energy Conservation Code;
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Benchmarking and disclosure requirements for all buildings;
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Electrification of city and private buildings;
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Electrification of city fleet and transit; and
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Promotion of electric vehicle rideshare options for frontline communities.
Beginning this summer, the Sustainability Office will monitor and support implementation of the CAP. The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project's (SWEEP) New Mexico Representative, Tammy Fiebelkorn, served as a policy advisor to the Climate Action Task Force and will continue to support efforts to implement the strategies identified in the CAP.
For more information: Climate Action Plan — City of Albuquerque (cabq.gov).
In New Mexico, Avangrid proposing merger with PNM
Avangrid is proposing a merger with the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), and the case is currently before the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) for approval. The Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy (CCAE) has signed onto an amended stipulation agreement in the case. This agreement provides substantial benefits to New Mexicans, such as $73 million rate benefits including:
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$50 million in rate credits over three years;
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$6 million in COVID arrearages relief;
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$2 million to bring electricity to low-income, remote customers; and
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$15 million+ for low-income energy-efficiency assistance over five years
The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) is particularly pleased with the increase in low-income energy efficiency services. 15 million in shareholder funds will be dedicated to low-income energy efficiency programs. Additionally, PNM and Avangrid will also commit to propose increased spending on ratepayer funded cost-effective energy efficiency programs for low-income customers up to the statutory limit on energy efficiency spending in its next energy efficiency proposal to the NMPRC.
This amended stipulation has not been heard by the NMPRC, and further negotiations with other intervenors continue. Upon approval of the PNM/Avangrid merger, New Mexicans will begin to realize the its tremendous benefits.
“This agreement provides major economic and environmental benefits to New Mexicans, with Avangrid committing to provide much-needed assistance to low-income customers through improved access to electricity service as well as dramatically increased energy efficiency programs. These low-income provisions, coupled with economic development funding, financial assistance to impacted indigenous communities, and job creation commitments, set a path forward for this merger that we are pleased to support,” said Tammy Fiebelkorn, New Mexico Representative for SWEEP, a CCAE member organization.
Beneficial electrification bill introduced in Colorado legislature
On April 16, Colorado Senator Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) introduced Senate Bill 21-246 (SB21-246), a bill intended to advance beneficial electrification (BE) in buildings and industry. The bill requires Colorado’s investor-owned electric utilities to develop and obtain Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approval for BE program implementation plans. The PUC is directed to approve the utilities’ plans if they reduce pollutant emissions and are cost effective with a social cost of carbon and methane emissions included in the economic analysis. Utilities must include programs targeted to lower income households in their BE plans, and programs targeted to businesses much meet certain labor standards. The bill also directs the PUC to set longer-term targets for utility BE programs.
SWEEP estimates that the bill would result in the installation of more than 300,000 high efficiency heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and other BE measures in Colorado’s homes and businesses by 2030, thereby cutting natural gas and propane use by more than 20 billion cubic feet per year and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over one million metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent per year as of 2030. SWEEP played a leading role in developing SB21-246 and is working with a wide range of partners to secure its passage.
For more information, see our fact sheet.
New Mexico Sustainable Building Tax Credit signed into law
The New Mexico Senate passed House Bill 15 (HB15) last month and this week Governor Grisham signed it into law. HB15 replaces the Sustainable Buildings Tax Credit (SBTC) from 2015. That 2015 tax credit has been instrumental in transforming the market for new buildings in New Mexico. Now, because the New Mexico Energy Conservation Code was recently updated, a new 2021 SBTC needed to be adopted to keep New Mexico public policy up-to-date and to encourage and reward new buildings that substantially increase energy efficiency and sustainability above and beyond the legal requirements of the code. Representative Kristina Ortez (D-42) championed this important bill that will reduce energy use in buildings, lower energy bills for building and homeowners, and help New Mexico reach its climate goals. Buildings are a leading source of carbon emissions and reducing the energy use in them helps fight climate change, reduces negative community health impacts, and reduces operating expenses for homes and businesses.
Providing tax credits for installation of efficient products in existing homes and small commercial buildings will help average New Mexicans lower their monthly energy burden by lowering their utility bills, help fight climate change by reducing the emissions from operating the building or home, and improve community health through reduced health impacts from emissions. (Low-income provisions included: double credits, that are refundable, for low-income New Mexicans or affordable housing.)
HB15 was supported by building industry professionals, public health advocates, low-income advocates, and environmental groups including: New Mexico Manufactured Housing Association, United States Green Building Council, Center for Civic Policy, City of Las Cruces, Coalition of Sustainable Communities New Mexico, New Mexico Interfaith Power & Light, New Mexico Environmental Public Health Network, New Mexico Voices for Children, Policy Solutions Institute, Prosperity Works, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), Sierra Club, 350 New Mexico, NRDC, and Western Resource Advocates.
Read the original press release here. View the HB15 fact sheet here.
Las Cruces City Council passes energy transition commitments, including all electric vehicles
Las Cruces, New Mexico's City Council passed groundbreaking electric vehicle (EV) and natural gas transition resolutions. The EV resolution adopts an EV First purchasing policy, encourages joining programs like GoEV, and was amended by the Council to call for a minimum goal of 50% zero-emission vehicles (instead of the 22% originally proposed) in the city fleet by 2030. The utility gas resolution commits the city-owned gas utility to planning for an energy transition and willingness to become active participants in the great energy transition. This is a big step forward for the city, and New Mexico. From Las Cruces Sun News: "The [EV] resolution also calls on other city departments to develop cleaner transportation infrastructure such as bike sharing and electric buses. The city says transportation contributes 53% of all the greenhouse gas emissions in Las Cruces. City vehicles make up 2% alone, and city purchases of asphalt and cement almost contribute the same amount of emissions as city-owned vehicles."
February
Denver Stakes Out its Strategy for Clean, Healthy, and Net Zero New Homes and Buildings
Denver took a big leap forward with the release of its 168-page Net Zero Energy New Buildings and Homes Implementation Plan, laying out a strategy for all new construction to be net zero by 2030. It outlines a path through the next four building code cycles (2021, 2024, 2027, and 2030) to make all newly constructed homes and buildings highly efficient, all electric, powered by renewable energy, and grid flexible.
SWEEP’s buildings efficiency experts served on committees to help the city shape, develop, and revise the plan, and anticipate the plan can serve as both a model and inspiration for other cities and states.
One part of the plan gaining attention is the transition towards all-electric new homes and buildings, something climate experts say is not only necessary but already underway. Denver’s plan uses a stepped approach, requiring new homes to be electric-ready in 2021, and then all-electric and net zero by 2024. Commercial construction targets vary by sector but are a combination of electric-ready and partially electric in 2021, moving to all-electric and net zero by 2027. Each element of the plan will still be vetted by specialized code committees in each building code cycle and approved by city council.
Homes and buildings are Denver’s largest source of climate pollution, and 40 percent of Denver’s 2050 building stock is yet to be built, justifying the spotlight on building codes. Cost savings and equity concerns also overlay the entire plan. Although this plan only affects new construction, a parallel effort to bring existing homes and buildings towards net zero will use different tools and policies, such as benchmarking and labeling, building energy performance standards, workforce training, and various retrofit incentives.
January
Colorado Releases its new Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap
Colorado released its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Pollution Reduction Roadmap on January 14, 2021. The Roadmap represents the most action-oriented, ambitious, and substantive planning process that Colorado has ever undertaken on climate leadership, pollution reduction, and a clean energy transition. It lays out an achievable pathway to meet the state’s science-based climate targets of 26% by 2025, 50% by 2030%, and 90% by 2050 from 2005 levels that were part of House Bill 19-1261 Climate Action Plan to Reduce Pollution. An executive summary of the Roadmap (also included in the full report) is available here.
“Colorado should act on this GHG Pollution Reduction Roadmap right away,” said Howard Geller, Executive Director of SWEEP. “Many of the steps it identifies will protect our climate, improve our health, and save us money – in particular through policies that will advance energy efficiency in buildings and put more electric vehicles on the road. There’s a lot of work to do and no time to waste.”